Winter Cycling

[Csphilli]

Hi All,

I'm going to take the plunge and start riding my bike to/from work as often as I can. The region pass is getting ridiculously expensive (30 day 101€?! This isn't a gym/spa FFS!). My ride is from Olari to Helsinki and roughly 14km. I've done the ride during the summer but at the time went via Lauttasaari. Given my office is nearest Sörnäinen, that wasn't the most optimal route. Going via Tapiola and Lehtisaari should be more efficient.

That being said, I could use some advice

What types of clothes, shoes, gloves, etc. for winter? I honestly have no idea. Any recommendations on budget shops? Im trying to save as much on the initial start-up costs as I can

[kharnynb]

basic warm, but breathing clothes should be fine.

I've been biking in savonlinna all winter, last winter.
You really need spiked tyres once the white stuff comes down, unless you like going face first a lot.

[Upphew]

I'm going to take the plunge and start riding my bike to/from work as often as I can. The region pass is getting ridiculously expensive (30 day 101€?! This isn't a gym/spa FFS!). My ride is from Olari to Helsinki and roughly 14km. I've done the ride during the summer but at the time went via Lauttasaari. Given my office is nearest Sörnäinen, that wasn't the most optimal route. Going via Tapiola and Lehtisaari should be more efficient.

That being said, I could use some advice

What types of clothes, shoes, gloves, etc. for winter? I honestly have no idea. Any recommendations on budget shops? Im trying to save as much on the initial start-up costs as I can

I've used jeans and long johns, but would recommend something more wind/water resistant. Same with torso, something wind/water resistant, room for layers and hood, big one, is a plus. Shoes that block the wind and give some protection to ankles and room for wool socks. For hands something that doesn't separate fingers and keeps wind. -35 is no problem with those, but shocks are quite stiff at those temperatures.
Beware of overdressing, sweat and -something temperature is bad mix. You generate quite a lot of heat when working.

Oh, and studded tyres as kharnynb said. Normal knobby mtb tyres work too, if you are used to slippery ride.

[Csphilli]

Thanks for the replies!

[zax]

I rode all winter mostly wearing the clothes I would use for walking/hiking, no special bike clothing. Main problem on longer trips for me was freezing toes, but with double socks, insoles and hiking boots that would take a couple of hours. I picked up a pair of those "lobster claw" style mitts from Prisma which were cheap and very toasty. Probably the only special equipment I used were tyres - http://www.nicetrac.com/?page_id=19. Half the price of Continental or Nokian but just as good in all but sheet/wet ice conditions when more studs would have been useful...

[Upphew]

http://www.biltema.fi/fi/Vapaa-aika/Pol ... gas-27944/

[rider1000]

I can vouch for those Biltema tires. Used them all last winter without a problem. I had better grip on ice than I did in the soft snow.

Haven't found any cycling gear websites in Finland, so if someone knows of any they could kindly add them, please!

I've used these 2 UK websites for stuff in the past. Very cheap or free shipping to Finland depending on what you order. They have great cold weather gear. Although more expensive than you'd find at Prisma or something...
Chain Reaction Cycles
and Wiggle

But, Always support your Local Bike Shop

[oompah18]

I cycle thought winter, on a 26" mountain bike, usually pulling a bike trailer, and my boys have cycled on 20" and 24 " bikes, all with nokia winter tyres. (here is a link to the kind of trailer it is, in case you were interested - not a flimsy cloth thing!: )
http://www.lastentarvike.net/tuote/644/ ... a-punainen

Sturdy mittens with fleece or wool gloves underneath
Usual, winter walking shoes with homemade legwarmers to cover the ankle between trouser and boot!
Layers are best, I especially recommend specialist cycling, padded underwear, under whatever!!
I guess it is windy down in Helsinki, I find a thin silky balaclava under a wool cap is better than a huge wooly balaclava that the kids use!!!
Most annoying problem is FROZEN GEARS for me, grease the cables regularly!
There was such a huge difference to my health and allround fitness after I started cycling during winter, it is definitely addictive, and not as bad as many think! But I am just a country bumpkin in nowheremäki, east of Tampere....
Every item of cycling clothing I own (apart from underpants ) has come from huutokauppa, tori.fi or kirppis, so there are lots of bargains out there...
Good luck!