I missed it for too many years.

[manual63]

I used to ride all winter.....then for some reason I just stopped. Not because I got a car because I have always had one since I was 19. I don't know why I stopped.

But, the last couple of weeks I have been out 3 times. I love it. The temps are actually no issue and I actually get too warm sometimes. I have lights and the traffic doesn't seem to be an issue besides the normal bike hating jerks. So now I am addicted again. I hope that I will now be a year around commuter. I only want to drive when I have to, but otherwise, I plan to ride my bicycle. It's fun and a lot more relaxing. Plus, I can stay in shape.

I guess after I went ice skating a few times I realized, if I am dressed correctly, being out in the cold isn't so bad. While I was skating I was thinking, why don't I ride too? It's not bad out here at all.

I sometimes wonder why I do things, or in this case, stop doing things. Sheeeesh.....time to move on I guess.

[Tex]

I love to get out and ride in the winter. My biggest problem is that my feet freeze. I've tried larger shoes, warmer socks, booties, I even duct taped the insides of my shoes (to stop the wind), and nothing works. The one thing I keep thinking about is a new pair of actual winter riding shoes, like the Northwave Blizzards (or whatever they're called). But I'm unwilling to drop that much cash on them if I don't know if they'll work or not.
I resorted to putting on the old platform pedals and riding an old pair of hiking boots. That has been the best way I've found so far, but I would rather ride with my clipless again.

[manual63]

I love to get out and ride in the winter. My biggest problem is that my feet freeze. I've tried larger shoes, warmer socks, booties, I even duct taped the insides of my shoes (to stop the wind), and nothing works. The one thing I keep thinking about is a new pair of actual winter riding shoes, like the Northwave Blizzards (or whatever they're called). But I'm unwilling to drop that much cash on them if I don't know if they'll work or not.
I resorted to putting on the old platform pedals and riding an old pair of hiking boots. That has been the best way I've found so far, but I would rather ride with my clipless again.

I just bought some booties at REI and they work great. I also don't get cold feet snowboarding when most of my friends do. I must have good circulation in my feet or something. I also just run regular skater style shoes in the booties, I don't want to be clipped in on the ice. I have Primo Tenderizers and they grip really well, even if my feet get wet.

[tedsti]

My biggest problem is that my feet freeze. I've tried larger shoes, warmer socks, booties, I even duct taped the insides of my shoes (to stop the wind), and nothing works.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558&subcategory_ID=1344

I have had a pair of these for 2 years and they rock! I am considering buying a back-up pair just in case. With these and wool socks, I have ridden in 0 F weather for about an hour before my feet started to get cold. Buy a pair of these, you won't regret it.

[Buck]

Get a heavier bike, pedal through snow up hill...That is what I do right at the beginning of my ride...all I wear is approach shoes w/ socks, a pair of jeans, t-shirt and windbreaker. gloves, full face w/ goggles, when it's really cold long underwear and a sweater..I've ridden that way in -20 F...:D :cool: I love Duluth!!!! :)

It's all about the layers...
L8R
Buck

[manual63]

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=17558&subcategory_ID=1344

I have had a pair of these for 2 years and they rock! I am considering buying a back-up pair just in case. With these and wool socks, I have ridden in 0 F weather for about an hour before my feet started to get cold. Buy a pair of these, you won't regret it.

Those look just like the ones I have.

[SickBoy]

I have those performance booties as well, a friend of mine and I were riding outside on Saturday and we both love those performance booties. My feet have only gotten cold in them once, last year in February it was about 35 degrees out and I was riding rail-trails and it started raining. Needless to say that's a hard situation to keep warm and dry in.

question, though, why would you use those if you're not clipping in? One would think using something like winter hiking boots or something would be more effective....

[GearDaddy]

I have some Pealizumi neoprene over-booties that provide a little bit of warmth. With a thicker sock, regular biking shoes, and these over-booties, I am good for about and hour down to 20 degrees or so. When it gets colder or I am going to be out longer, I'll switch to pedals with traps and use hiking boots. But even that has its limits. For really cold conditions you need to go to a Sorrell type boot, and use the double-length Powergrip straps (if you want to still be secured to the pedal of course).

I haven't used the Northwaves, but I hear they are about as good as using over-booties. However, they probably work better in the rain because its more of an airtight fit. When things get really cold though, I have found that any shoe with a clipless cleat actually transfers cold right through the cleat into the sole of the shoe.

I have also experimented with taking an X-C skiing boot and slightly modifying it so that it fits on a pedal nicely. I used some old crappy boots, so the experiment was a minor success. I think this idea has good potential with a newer and better X-C ski boot, as they are much warmer and nice and lightweight. You could probably make them work with clipless pedals too!

[Ogre]

I used to get cold feet riding in the winter until I switched to:
smartwool socks (requires looser fitting bike shoes) and neoprene
booties.

I have 2 pair of winter booties. A Pearl Izumi pair that is maybe 1/16" thick that works fine down to 15-20 deg F.

Below that and I switch to a pair that are close to 1/4" thick. It reminds me of those arctic scuba suits. But these are usually much too warm and my feet really sweat in them. These cold weather booties aren't like any of the thin racer style. They fit more like the old fashioned overshoes your grandpa used to use. They trap large amounts of air providing good insulation. I have used them in sub zero temps with warm feet, although my face was too cold to ride.

But I rarely ride in the winter anymore and haven't ridden below 20 deg for a few years. :embarass:

[SprocketHead]

I wear the North Face Pipe Dragon.. Below Zero, no problem.

http://www.rei.com/product/47825650.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_FOOTWEAR_TOC

..It just so happens, they're on sale $85 Down to $55! I paid $85.... No, I don't own REI. I just think they are worth a look.

They've served me well on over a dozen rides and many hikes this winter. Very lightweight and "reasonably" insulated.. Mine are 1 size bigger with nice soft merrino wooobys. As far as durability??? Time will tell.

[Rocky Mountain]

I second the smartwool socks and as added bonus slap some deoderant on the bottom of your feet to keep them from sweating and eventually conducting colder temps.

Also you can pickup winter shoes during the off-seasons for less than $100. I have seen some as low as $60. Check out QBIKE>COM (http://www.qbike.com) for bike related sales comparisons including all E-bay auctions.

[flombe]

I love to get out and ride in the winter. My biggest problem is that my feet freeze. I've tried larger shoes, warmer socks, booties, I even duct taped the insides of my shoes (to stop the wind), and nothing works. The one thing I keep thinking about is a new pair of actual winter riding shoes, like the Northwave Blizzards (or whatever they're called). But I'm unwilling to drop that much cash on them if I don't know if they'll work or not.
I resorted to putting on the old platform pedals and riding an old pair of hiking boots. That has been the best way I've found so far, but I would rather ride with my clipless again.

A friend of mine rides with the Northwave winter shoes and he has riden them below zero without a problem. BUT, whether your feet stay warm depends on your circulation and how much sweat your feet produce.

Someone mentioned in another thread those little heater packets and that sounds like a viable idea.

I ride PI Toester booties with a light smartwool sock over a polypro liner and am good down to 10 degrees. I know the Toesters are not meant for off-road and mine will be shot after this winter. I have had them since Christmas and used them 6 times!

Next year I will be riding with the Northwaves sized up a bit to allow for heavier smartwool socks and a heater pack if necessary. Start scanning the web for deals on winter shoes. I have read that many winter riders swear by Lake's winter shoes as well.

[manual63]

question, though, why would you use those if you're not clipping in? One would think using something like winter hiking boots or something would be more effective....

Riding in big bulky boots is not very fun. They don't have ankle flexibility and they don't have the flat skater/BMXer style sticky bottom on them that grips nicely to my platform pedals. That open area under my booties in the ball of the foot is perfect becuase is allows the grippy part of my shoe to contact the pedals. I can't image what it would be like to ride in boots......yuck....

[Buck]

two words...Duct tape...

L8R
Buck