Make winter riding actually fun with these

Glasses are terrible in winter. They get covered with mud unless you have good mudguards, in which case you don't need glasses.

Waterproof shoes are no good, you need something to keep the spray out. Boots that go under trousers. Also need something to protect your shins from spray. Once you get that dialed you can bash through the mud without getting any cold and wetness, it's great.

Oh and hot chain wax, because it's the only way to keep your chain actually lubricated after the first 10 mins of mud.

Vaude bike gaiters do a great job of keeping your feet and lower legs dry. 25 quid ex-MOD GoreTex do the rest of waist down, then add your jacket of choice.

You'll look a proper numpty but you'll be dry and quids in.

Ankle gaiters are perfect for winter.
Not so long that they make your legs hot, but keep the crap out of your shoes/boots

missed the most obvious thing for grotty winters... a rigid singlespeed, bugger all cleaning and just chuck pads in when they wear down, also great for learning some new skills, finding smoother lines and getting your mosh on.

Five Ten Goretex Boots have been a game changer for me, second winter with them and they are just brilliant! 🙂 TLD Stage full face for the win too, it’s almost like it’s not raining. Almost. 😅 

you don’t need glasses.

You do with my eyesight 😂

Boots, knee-length Sealskinz socks, tights and waterproof shorts.

And those gloves in the article aren't winter wear. Barely 3 season. The waterproof version are better, if a bit more bulky. What you want are Pogies 😂

Forgot the boot-drier-out-er

And those gloves in the article aren’t winter wear. Barely 3 season.

Agreed. I've never got the Brisker for the winter love - they are not a winter glove. And we've 3 pairs in the household.

a rigid singlespeed, bugger all cleaning

Putoline, bugger all cleaning... And still gears.

Thick merino wool socks are the best thing for me in winter. Yeah my feet get wet but after a few mins I don't even notice it because they're still toasty and warm regardless.

I've used the original (non waterproof) briskers in -5c and they're great, maybe I just have good circulation?

Thick merino wool socks

Which ones?

I also have issues with jackets. I have to wash mine, every ride. I swear lots so I can't do a jacket that can't be washed and washed.

Disagree with the glove doubters - Briskers all the way in the winter here. I think it just shows how different folks hands are. Anything thicker and my hands feel too hot once I'm moving.

Neoprene overshoes are a game changer on the feet. Endura MT500 - make your summer SPD shoes cosy down to negative temps.

I still need waterproof shorts. Now, ankle gaiters!

missed the most obvious thing for grotty winters… a rigid singlespeed, bugger all cleaning and just chuck pads in when they wear down, also great for learning some new skills, finding smoother lines and getting your mosh on.

ive never understood the singlespeed winter approach. i would never be able to ride half the hills around me on a singlespeed in winter. hell! - i can barely get up them on an ebike! and im only on the south downs so hardly mega hill central! singlespeed on the singletrack here is lovely in the summer though - i have one for that purpose!

If i lived in oxford/swinley when all i could ride was riverside singletrack, or gravel singletrack, maybe a singlespeed would be appropriate for any actual mud on an incline then - no chance.

best thing for winter riding is more rain. the sloppier teh trails the better and the more sideways you can get. the sticky, drying-out mud is just grim.

How does sizing work for the Briskers?  Where are you measuring from/to?

Check the printable sizing guide here https://www.100percent.com/pages/size-guide-mens-gloves

An electric shoe dryer is the best invention ever - unless you're a spoilt jurno who has different footwear for each day of the week 😂

IME, waterproof shoes are just harder to dry once they are wet.

Knee-length sealskins (army surplus from ebay is 1/2 bike shop price), worn under trousers (army surplus gore-tex if it's proper bad weather) are better than anything else I've found to stay dry. The whole lot will be the right side of £50.

A hat, sweatband, or any other way to keep your ears warm is vital.

Sintered pads - I got 5 laps of this years puffer out a set - they last way longer than resin.

Yellow IKEA bag...?  THIEF!

I've tried the army surplus GoreTex trousers. You could fit two of my legs down each on them and I'm not exactly a stick insect!

Which ones?

Smartwool hiking socks, but honestly I'd imagine any thicker merino socks will work. They're amazing for keeping you warm even when wet.

I take a simple approach for winter, too much faff or thinking about it and I will procrastinate until spring 🙂 A hardtail with mudguards front and back, lights, waterproof socks, trousers and however many layers I need to be warm.

When I get to the car, outer layer of clothes in a builders trug and straight home, shoes in airing cupboard to dry and me straight into the shower. If the outer layer of clothes are caked then I'll rinse them off otherwise I put the lot in the wash. Bike gets a wash every few weeks when its really bad or when the chain needs attention. Other than that it gets the worst of the mud bashed off and put away.

I always feel better having been out, even if it is filthy. The only exception is claggy mud that stops the wheels from turning, if it is like that I would rather stay at home in front of the fire and get fat.

Glasses are terrible in winter. They get covered with mud unless you have good mudguards, in which case you don’t need glasses.

I've known someone get a detached retina on a ride when an oncoming fly went straight into his eye, wear glasses.

Waterproof shoes are no good, you need something to keep the spray out. Boots that go under trousers. Also need something to protect your shins from spray. Once you get that dialed you can bash through the mud without getting any cold and wetness, it’s great.

Waterproof boots, gripgrab gaiters, doesn't matter what you wear on top of that the only way water is getting in that combination is if you stand in a shin deep pudle and let it soak up the boot under the gaiters. It's a combination I'm perennially amazed people overlook the existence of!

I tried the cut-off Marigolds before the GripGrab gaiters came along. Sort of worked, but they were a bit fragile. 

I have some knee length Sealskinz which are great for keeping cold muddy water off your shins. Great paired with waterproof shorts - full coverage and full flexibilty at the knee. Only issue waterproof fabric can be very cold and wet on your thighs in full rain so you need something warm under there.

If mountain biking then singlespeeding is the way to go in the winter slop, so cheap and less hassle to clean.

Or get out on your cx bike with proper cx tyres fitted, so much fun and surprisingly a lot less filthy than mountain biking due to the much skinnier tyres.

Cycling trousers are great for keeping the mud outside the house, just strip to the pants outside. Tights with no chamois over bib shorts also work equally well for the skinny tyred folk.

Agree that procrastination is a real killer of outdoor winter slurry surfing ambitions.
The key antidote is to not give yourself any reasons to procrastinate in the first place.
This means you need to prep, prep and prep some more the night before.

• Charge lights
• Check bike over
• Pump up tyres
• Lay out winter cycling clothes (for me this generally consists of old cycle clothes your wife would throw out if she carried out your post ride clothes wash).
• Lay out shoes, jacket, gloves, buff and glasses.

Did I mention you're to prep?

Agree with singlespeed rigid.
I use chainsaw oil. Really cheap and works well.

Short sleeve top for winter?
Surely a long sleeve.

Short sleeve top for winter?
Surely a long sleeve.

With a LS base layer underneath. Hot arms = overheating.

@tetrode

I’ve used the original (non waterproof) briskers in -5c and they’re great, maybe I just have good circulation?

Wow.  I don't run especially cold but for me Briskers aren't really enough much below +5C (so they're great for the majority of winter but not really cold days) .  I think it makes a lot of difference how warm you keep your arms. I also find quite often cold at the start of a ride (or after a break) - so quite often carry an extra pair of warm gloves.  Once my hands are warm Briskers are enough to keep them warm if I'm active.

Hi Molgrips,

My experience differs.

I find glasses good for riding in all weathers - for me they do what they need to do, protect my eyes from grit and muddy spray which may include dog egg slurry.  I do use a RRP front mudguard as it reduces a measure of spray.  

I have found waterproof shoes great - especially those with a neoprene ankle cuff to keep out the worst of the spray.  I also use SealSkinz waterproof socks as they go up to my knees - well I roll them down to just below my pads.  In wet weather I also wear waterproof 3/4’s as they give me a good measure of waterproofness and breathability.

Since last year, I have used Revolube in all weathers and it has kept my chain clean and lubricated and does not wash off - it also lasts at least 200 miles before I re-lubricate.  I would recommend.

I use Briskers in the winter without any problems - in fact I've converted most of my riding friends to them. But we don't get too cold here.

Biggest struggle I have is finding some trousers that are fitted and have a waterproof a*se panel. I've got trousers for when its raining, but if I use them when its not raining but everywhere is soaked I overheat big time, tried MT500 Sprays (from around 6 years ago so design may have changed since then?) but too hot and the Madison Zenith's but they don't fit too well and are still hot. Ideally something like a Fox Flexor with just a waterproof a*se panel - any recommendations?

Two things I don't get

- why don't think 100% make an even warmer version of the Brisker? Very slightly more warmth on the inner (i.e. 50-100wt fleece) and a thicker outer

- why don't other companies make something similar?

If you can still get one Altura make a riding jersey using Polartec for the body , they are brilliant 👍

I tried MT500 overshoes but they aren't big enough to go over winter boots ( which I guess is unnecessary anyway) but aren't those gaiters the same thing?

;

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£40 decathlon cycling trousers with waterproof panel on rear

I ride with these and find them brilliant, slightly short for my leg length, but dexshell socks cover this

“Rear and shins = triple-layered waterproof membrane fabric

On the thighs and waist = breathable stretchy fabric. Thanks to this fabric, the bottoms are lighter and dry more quickly”

I find a bike bag and an airline ticket to warmer climes the best solution, even if it’s only a week that’s 5 or 6 rides in good weather which is more than 2 months of weekend riding

why don’t think 100% make an even warmer version of the Brisker? Very slightly more warmth on the inner (i.e. 50-100wt fleece) and a thicker outer

They do don't they? The hydromatic brisker - I had a pair and hated the palm feel so sold them.

“Rear and shins = triple-layered waterproof membrane fabric

My experience of the decathlon trousers has been that they're vaguely water resistant but certainly not waterproof.

There is a new Brisker Extreme out now..

Well **** me, I came along to say E-bike and the article beat me to it.

I thought the 100% hydromatic was more of a waterproof than cool/cold weather glove

Didn't know about the brisker extreme, that looks ideal. Any real world feedback on them?

My experience of the decathlon trousers has been that they’re vaguely water resistant but certainly not waterproof.

I've got the winter version and it's really just an extremely DWR softshell.

I'd agree they're not fully waterproof, but they are warm and dry-ish, even on a Welsh hillside in the rain while there's still snow on the ground.
Kinda like a thicker, baggier set of Roubaix tights. They're water repellant enough that they don't get cold.

They are fantastic for the average night ride.

Haven't tried the thin version thought.

here is a list of what works and what dont work for winter.

Works.

mudguards, puncture proof tyres, good soft shell jackets, wool socks, Columbia fairbanks boots, walking gaiters if wearing trousers, three quarter shorts, cheap ski gloves, good leather walking boots in extreme shyte weather, keela trousers.

Dont work

five 10 winter boots or shoes, expensive waterproofs, fleece jackets, expensive WATERPROOF gloves and socks, disco slippers.

you may or may not agree.

Briskers are great gloves but echo the not for winter comments. I might try the new extreme one. It’s wet and cold here in the south west so we don’t get cold and dry, so wind, wet and poor circulation means I need something toasty.

Have invested in boots this winter and those gribgrab gaiters seem a good idea, thanks. I found I would still get slightly wet and therefore cold toes with waterproof socks as water would get in through the ankle/leg, which this should hopefully help.

you don’t need glasses.

You do if you’re a contact lens wearer.

Also, in a frustrating twist - waxing chains and singlespeed don’t go that well together as a freshly waxed chain elongates quite a lot over the first ride or two as the wax gets displaced, and SS needs a manual readjustment to take up the slack.

Happily SS also uses BMX chains which are really cheap, and the system doesn’t get clogged up with oily messy gunk from wet lube so it doesn’t matter anyway.

Those gripgrab gaiters - would they work with Freerider EPS shoes?

I’ve got the winter version and it’s really just an extremely DWR softshell.

Ahh I don't think they did a winter version when I got mine.

This thread really just goes to show that what works is different for everyone. I definitely want glasses when I ride, and I'm happy with a couple of layers, good waterproof jacket (I don't sweat much), water resistant trousers, 2 pairs of socks, and normal riding shoes. If it's negative temps then I have an ancient pair of endura cordura gloves I wear too, otherwise standard Briskers. I also hate having a rear mudguard, getting on and off the bike is hard enough for me already.

Glasses every ride for me.  I'd rather get grit on them than my eyeballs.

TLD Resit trousers are great when it's soaking.  Pull them down over my Five Ten boots.  Waterproof socks with merino liners when it's sub zero.

Beware of the fit on the Hydromatic Brisker.  They are very narrow on the fingers.  I think they kept the outer shell the same and added a liner.

My mate is a L in Briskers and my XL hyromatics were too small for him.  I'm crossing my fingers that Wiggle process my return/refund. At least I can cross my fingers now I've returned the gloves.

I like the standard ones down to about 5 degrees, then I add a linger. I carry some Galiber barrier deep winter gloves when it's closer to freezing but loose feel.  It's either loose feel from cold numb hands, or loose feel from thick gloves so I choose  warmth/comfort.

I found last year that winter riding was awesome. A lot of this was because I spent most of the winter in Spain.

Currently in Finale and will be cruising down the Boot to Sicily. Should be just about bearable in the winter sun.

Having said that I recently bought a pair of riding trousers for a sloppy day in the bike park. Not having pads that are covered in filth at the end of the day was worth the cost of the trousers.

Also have a pair of winter 5:10s that are well insulated and kinda waterproof and a pair of thin snowboard gloves if it is cold out.

I hate the slop for mtb, slow and slippery. Different in different parts of the country some of it is ok but crap down south. I now except it will only be the odd cold day that matches my free time until spring. Happy to do off road dad bike gravel poodle with family but MTB is out.

Bit of a change of subject, but dry frosty rides or rides in the snow can be amazing.  They could be some of my favourite rides.  Night rides in the snow are also fantastic.

I can get onboard with frosty and snowy rides

Yep. Love those rides when you come home with the bike lathered in snow, it melts off and the bike is shiny clean. 

I may be committing a heresy, but the Rohloff gives me the simplicity of a single speed with the advantage of dependable gears even in the heaviest filth. I may fit Gates at some point. I like a merino base layer and Bridgedale hiking socks. Six different winter gloves and neoprene for the rain, and three different under helmet hats. For my 27.5+ the surly dirt wizard is my mud tyre of choice, but awful and draggy in everything but deep filth. I commute mostly off road.

@ton

Columbia fairbanks boots

do you use the omni-heat ones? You made me look, and I must admit that those + gaiters look immensely good.

do you use the omni-heat ones?

That's the ones.

Some great advice here everyone. Tempted to try some gaiters after these recs. Also another fairbanks omni-heat owner here- have been really pleased with mine over the years particularly when it's properly cold. Grip can be a bit slippy in proper mud but they're so warm and waterproof. I think the only water ingress I've had is when I was carrying the bike through a stream and it went over the boot top, but even wading through I was fine.

I hate the slop for mtb, slow and slippery. Different in different parts of the country some of it is ok but crap down south. I now except it will only be the odd cold day that matches my free time until spring. Happy to do off road dad bike gravel poodle with family but MTB is out.

2 bikes yesterday were horrific, then the boy went out again this afternoon! Arggghhhh.

Full clean needed, then blow dried and lubed on all

“ best thing for winter riding is more rain. the sloppier teh trails the better and the more sideways you can get. the sticky, drying-out mud is just grim.”

This is so true! I love properly wet winter rides, where the mud just washes off the tyres.

My other things I love for winter are big front mudguards so I can see where I’m going, proper tyres (Hillbilly T9 is my fav front tyre, I’m not so fussy about the back), and either going singlespeed hardtail or full-fat full-bounce ebike. Both have their place and both make more sense to me than unpowered geared bikes.

“ Night rides in the snow are also fantastic.”

Yes, group snowy night-rides are the best. There is nothing quite like the (absence of) sound of getting air on a crunchy snowy trail.

Dunno if it's something odd about my Bizango, but I have a Mucky nutz large front mudguard and still end up covered from ankle to chest. Admittedly it keeps shizzle out of my eyes (along with glasses to stop me crying (I'm old) 😂), but the combination of mudguard, downtube angle and shape, means I'm splattered every ride. I've even had to invest in capped bottles.

I inherited some leather sheepskin gloves from my grandad.

They are awesome on dry, it has to be dry, sub zero rides.

As long as I'm putting in some effort I have warm hands.

I don't fancy getting the sheepskin liner wet. They've been fine for sweat, maybe the would be ok.

After 20 years the palms are a bit shiny. Other than that, no signs of wear.

Old school crown mounted mudguards. They're cheap, light, easy to fit, they work great, they're less ridiculous looking than the crown-mounted ones, and work better than all but the really massive ones, they can never clog or pick up a stick... .Topeak Shockboard is still great kit, the mounting hardware is terrible but god gave us cable ties. For me, crown-mount is for little all-year-round mudguards, crown mount is for actual weather.

These don't work with all bikes and they look terrible, but, they're good...

https://ass-savers.com/products/win-wing-2-gravel-black-dots

Fits most of my bikes (but wouldn't fit the Orange, and sits a long way out on anything 26er or 650b. Basically if it has something thta looks like a hardtail's seat stay it'll probably work). They go on and off in seconds which is a big bonus, and though they're small, they cover the really important bits.

big_scot_nanny
Full Member

do you use the omni-heat ones? You made me look, and I must admit that those + gaiters look immensely good.

I am not Ton, but, I have these too and they are my favourite winter riding shoes. VERY warm though, I just got them out of storage, I can't wear them til it's proper cold.