Eight mistakes new winter bike commuters make and how to avoid them

Riding a bike through winter can be a challenge, but there's no need to miss out on the pleasures and benefits of riding in winter. So, after doing it badly for years, I've compiled a list of mistakes that I (and some other people) have made over the years with the hopes of helping you avoid these rookie missteps.
0:00 Intro
0:55 Mistake 1: Gear Overload
2:05 Mistake 2: Overthinking Your Bike
3:25 Mistake 3: Overdressing
4:34 Mistake 4: Not Considering the Extremities
5:45 Mistake 5: Failing to Change Your Route
6:26 Mistake 6: All-or-Nothing Attitude
7:32 Mistake 7: Fear
8:35 Mistake 8: Going it Alone
My video about keeping your feet warm: • Five ways to keep your...
Playlist of winter cycling videos: • Winter Cycling
#cycling #bike #bikecommute
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Two Wheel Gear: My favourite bike bags for commuters and urban cyclists www.twowheelgear.com/
Buy my book Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: rmbooks.com/book/frostbike/
I don’t really do proper product reviews, but here are some products that I’ve tried on this channel that I like. (Of course, you don’t need anything fancy to ride a bike, other than a bike, but these are Amazon affiliate links, and I get paid a small commission if you buy them 😉)
• Here's the winter bike I'm riding these days: bit.ly/2PhqUqF
• Cliq Smart Bike Light (nice rear brake light): amzn.to/39lfqwo
• RedShift Acrlight Smart LED Pedals (clever lights for your pedals): amzn.to/3NL1Npg
• Aftershokz Titanium bone-conducting headphones (if you want to listen while you ride): amzn.to/3e9Tofa
• JBL CLip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (for your party-pace group rides): amzn.to/3pcMLPm
• Crane Bicycle Bell (the ding is sublime): amzn.to/3OwfZCu
• Ibex Merino Wool clothing (good for summer and winter): bit.ly/3xXkbEd
• Bicycle Cargo Net (why did it take so long for me to buy one of these?): amzn.to/31s1Ovu
• Vaude Cover II Rain Poncho (for higher-end, try Cleverhood or People’s Poncho): amzn.to/3jLkift
• Kryptonite U-Lock (your bike is going to get stolen eventually, sigh, but at least make it difficult on the thief): amzn.to/3tPWcGi
• Peak Design phone case (the one I use, paired with the Peak Design phone mount): amzn.to/3HGM0FU
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Instagram: / tombabin

[@bbarrett71]

What surprised me the most when I started cycling to work during the winter was how warm you actually stay as long as you keep on pedaling.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Totally. I always say: If you're feeling cold, just pedal toward an uphill climb. You'll warm up quickly!

[@Korina42]

@@Shifter_Cycling Or just pedal a little harder. My commute was flat as a pancake.

[@thommybikes6605]

so true! i find it's less about warmth and more about "temp control". So easy to overheat or get cold in different spots

[@Korina42]

@@thommybikes6605 Agreed; layers are important.

[@kesslerdupont6023]

Keeping my hands and face warm is always the hardest part for me.

[@randycarey-walden8530]

I never would have become a winter commuter without this guy. 1 degree F (-17 C) this morning and I still had an enjoyable commute to work.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Great to hear Randy! Thanks for checking out the videos.

[@dmyrick6438]

So my 5 mile commute in 10 degrees Celsius isnt as bad as I thought. I will never complain again..Be safe

[@mosaicowlstudios]

Damn, I biked in 23°F last winter and thought I was such a badass. Go Randy! A TRUE badass among us

[@donkee011]

I would add the front fenders also (mudgards) as a must. You are not commuting to set any speed records, nor the fenders will be of any nuisance during the ride. On the contrary. You trousers and shoes will thank you. Not to mention your bike will be protected from all that salt and melting snow/ice/mud from the front. Just look at the Dutch people. They know their any-weather-cycling better than anyone.

[@galenkehler]

100% agree, and make sure the front fender goes low enough to block the spray, most peoples front fenders at set too high

[@atilladebbag7356]

And probably use something like an extra mudguard (fender skirt) to prolongue your fender. Dutch bikes have them sometimes.

[@traviskitteh]

Definitely this. I do a lot of winter food delivery on a gravel bike, and I will absolutely take the extra weight in exchange for crudding up my shoes and components far less quickly, especially after the snow melts a little.

[@thommybikes6605]

any recommendations on types? I find a lot can get clogged easily with slush. Have some favourites?

[@galenkehler]

@@thommybikes6605mud and slush clogging is more about setup. Make sure that the fender has a tighter fit where the tire first meets it, and then gets less close as the tire rotates through. Thick mud and slush may need a stronger stay to scrape off the excess.

[@325xitgrocgetter]

One of my coworkers was into winter biking,...I asked him for advice and he asked me if I have skiing equipment. I said I had a ski helmet and goggles...his response "You're halfway there" meaning I could repurpose my ski garb for biking....I added studded winter tires on an old mountain bike and have been giving it a try.

[@PixelShade]

I was fortunate enough to get my driver's license at the age of 28. I was a student at the time living in a bike friendly city of Sweden, and because I was forced to use a bike, I learned to adapt to my environment (even in the cold of Swedish winter). Once I got my car, which was very comfortable for a couple of years (and I finally felt like an adult), well after a while I realized I actually didn't need a car in my life, I started to gain weight, I spent most of my commutes in traffic jams or being frustrated with other drivers. Ultimately it was this made-up ideal of what it meant to become an "adult". So I ended up selling the car in favor of walking, biking or using trains, buss (or in worst case, renting a car). And my life has actually drastically improved, both in having a healthier lifestyle, as well as removing a huge financial strain on my economy. One thing worth thinking about is that you can build 50x e-bikes for the same amount of material 1x Tesla car requires. That's 50 commuters instead of 1 commuter. :) For cities that focus on bike infrastructure. they would reduce traffic, pollution meanwhile increasing safety, citizen independence (less strain on commute services meanwhile children can bike themselves to school). It also boost city economy since citizens will buy goods from local shops and vendors (which is great tax revenue), far less road maintenance (since bikes don't break asphalt) there's literally nothing negative about increasing biking infrastructure for anyone except the car industry.

[@bonniesilva5162]

I'm in my 60s & have never driven a car, live in New England, have always done my grocery shopping, etc. by bike all year round...🚲

[@lascurettes]

One more big one that should be near the studded tire recommendation: BABY that front brake or don’t use it at all when conditions are packed snow or ice! A rear skid is much easier to control than a front skid. Slow your roll, especially when cornering. Go slow enough so you can make your corners in an upright position. Lower tire pressure can help.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Yes! Stay upright as much as possible

[@gumbilitous2804]

i wheelie into snowbanks and take corners quick, i'm not commuting anywhere though, just cycling around so if i fall and get snow all over me it doesn't matter.

[@mosaicowlstudios]

Ah, the Ol' Tom Brady Special: cold weather = deflating your inflatable items slightly to make them easier to handle 👍

[@Darklife66]

I Biked all winter as courrier for the city of Montreal. Staying out from 9am to 4pm. This is a great Video. If i can add a few things : 1- Food is important. You have a way higher chance of feeling cold if you do not eat properly. 2- Snow can be splipery, but it does make for a smoother ride. Potholes and cracks in the road are less prominent with a bit of snow. 3- Keep your cellphone in a warm place, otherwise it will freeze. 4- keep your ears warm 5- don"t leave your bike outside for too long. If you have some space, bring your bike inside of your home with you when you're done with your day. Cheers

[@bgv728]

Props to my city Salem, MA for keeping their bike infrastructure running. It's a small city without many ppl cycling in the winter but it's still important to them they keep it cycleable and it shows

[@chris-terrell-liveactive]

I'm impressed that your city clears the bike lane of snow! Almost never happens in UK! For me the biggest factor in winter is black ice, a regular problem here in Scotland on country roads. Good video, thanks.

[@alpd7638]

Flat pedals. Plastic ones. No moving parts to freeze, can use normal winter boots, and the plastic doesn't hold the cold like metal does. (I use raceface chester)

[@msironen]

Oh, definitely. I'm using Crankbrother Stamps and the large version is big enough even for the ice fishing kind of boots that I use in the winter.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Yes, ditch the clip-in pedals in winter!

[@underbikedoverconfident1142]

Outdoor thermometer was a game changer for me in terms of knowing what to wear and how fast I can go without feeling cold. Most good tyres grip on ice way better than shoes do.

[@khwolter9038]

I'm at the point where I can just step out the door with what I plan to wear and judge if it's adequate. I find it more reliable than looking at the temperature.

[@YaH_Gives_Wisdom]

A few more great tips: 1. Lower your seat a few centimeters from your normal summer height. A higher seat gives you more pedaling power & leverage as your leg has more space to straighten out in the downstroke. However, this actually is something you don’t want in slippery conditions. Plus you’ll catch any fall easier & ride more confident. You want to easily step off the bike when the tires slide out from under you, general seat heights leave you touching the ground with tippy toes. It depends on your abilities and condition of the road but if it’s icy everywhere, I would consider a height where your heels touch the ground on both sides (both of your entire feet). I go with my heels just barely lifted off ground because I’ve biked since childhood. 2. Deflate your tires slightly, deflated tires have more grip because the rubber forms more to the surface. Mud racing trucks do the same thing with their tires when racing. 3. Limit your front brake use & never use it while turning, you’re just asking for a face plant. When moving straight you can get away a bit on slippery surfaces but never in a turn. 4. Key to turning on slippery surfaces is to actually lean as little as possible and actually turn the fork, so you must limit your speed. If you are taking a quick turn and aren’t sure how slippery it is, slide your foot (on the side you are turning to) a bit in front of you on the ground. If your bike ends up sliding from under you, you basically just stand up on your feet instead of plowing into the ground face first. This is what motorcross riders do in turns, they use the leg as a tripod if the bike is slipping from under them, pushing back up with the foot (basically kicking the ground quickly to be upright again). With all these together, you should greatly minimize the chance of a fall, especially one that will be very painful or damaging. Lower the seat = easier to catch yourself by having the body & feet closer to the ground, less tire pressure = more stability, less front brake = less instability & sliding the foot on the ground while turning = security/stability.

[@emilyfdee]

The one and only piece of winter gear I use, and a total game changer for me: handlebar mitts. I bike year round in Boston and couldn’t live without them.

[@BartAnderson_writer]

Great common sense! I rode many miles in England during winter of 1983. 2 or 3-speed bike. Wool pants from WW1. Lots of fun.

[@ronmcmahon508]

I find that I need to adjust my clothing choices in 10° steps...30s, 20s, 10s, 0s, -0s, -10s, -20s, -30s each require a distinct and deliberate clothing change. The best part is simply knowing the current temperature makes picking the right clothing a snap. Calgary's dry climate makes it an ideal winter riding city unlike Ottawa, where the high humidity, warmer temperatures and salt ubiquity very quickly destroys bike components. A quick wash / rinsing of your chain and gears at your destination will make a huge difference...but yeah, expect that your chain and other components will degrade from the salt and ice.

[@alexanderwest1064]

as some on trying out winter cycling for the first time this year in Ottawa I agree with this a lot. The times I went out I find it's more damp than dry on most days so after I've run my errands for the say I'll fill up a bucket of warm water and take out my bike cleaning gear and do a full spray down and wash of my frame and components. After that I'll do a extra wipe down of my chain with a shop towel and then degrease and reapply lube just to make sure there is not dirt and salt left over in my chain. As for rim brakes.. they freeze up really easy as I found on the hard way one day. Now that I am aware of that I tend to always do break checks multiple times on my trip and keep tools close by (imo it's good to tools regardless on every trip) . There has been one occasion so far where I've had to jump off the bike and pull out a hex key and readjust my breaks cause some type of freezing has caused them to not function or come out of alignment.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

This is great. Maybe we need a spreadsheet!

[@OneLessCar]

I perfected my clothes layering and such for each 5C change in temp, shows how sensitive I am to the cold 😁

[@RyanAggabao]

I follow the same "guideline" for layering. 50F is trousers or leg sleeves + tshirt; 60F is good for shorts + Tshirt; etc. Rain does mess this up somewhat.

[@ruprecht9997]

Mittens meant for cross country skiing keep my hands mostly warm, except when it dips below minus 8-9 degrees C. I use one fleece buff on the neck, another around my head, under the helmet, plus a bright yellow helmet cover that stops the wind, and some additional thinner buffs to cover most of my face if it still gets too cold. Another important issue is fenders. Splashing down your bike with slush one day leads to gears and brakes freezing up the next. I'm riding an old Merida MTB 3x9, which is just banged-up enough that I don't fear it getting stolen. It even has V-brake on the front wheel. Disc brakes are a plus, compared to rim brakes. I upgraded to disc on the rear wheel a few years ago, and it performs excellent in winter. Rim brakes can not be trusted in winter. My city (Trondheim, in the middle of Norway) actually does a very decent job of removing snow from bike paths, so my winter route and summer route are the same. The work commute is about 12km each way, which is perhaps 2-3km longer than the shortest route, which includes a heavy climb / descent.

[@bicycles-as-far-as-im-aliv5725]

Correct, rim breaks aren’t to be trusted in wet winter conditions especially during freeze thaw cycles. However they perform just fine when it’s dry cold

[@Korina42]

If your mittens are big enough, when it gets really cold you can layer some thin wool gloves inside.

[@arthurbuttons]

I don't live in Canada I live in the UK but I don't think the don't wear too many clothes CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. My commute is really not very long but there is no way at all I'm going to freeze commuting to work but do you when I will freeze.... If I get super sweaty and get to work and take off a layer and then am essentially walking or standing around in the cold while I'm wet. Given that I'm in the UK I'm not sure I'm going to get studded tyres (for the 0.5days of snow we get a year) but I think lights are super important. Especially for me. Like it can just get dark so suddenly (it's not really sudden the world has been doing this for years). I always have a front and rear light, I also wear a helmet and that has a light on cos someone said that's good for cars to know your a bike whenever they see you and not a camel or something. I also keep a spare front and back light in a little bag on my handle bars. Just in case.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Yes, this! Getting too sweaty is annoying in summer, but can be dangerous in winter.

[@moisesrosario9716]

me watching this video: nice then i remember that I live where it never come even close to snowing and the temperature rarely falls under 18°C

[@ann-marieeigert2720]

Make sure to wear something wind-proof. Zipper instead of buttons and no open necklines or sleeves. I tried to wear a wool coat and a scarf in the beginning 🥶.

[@Lance54689]

VARYING THE ROUTE: That is so true. I regularly walk, bike, and drive, and each mode has different routes to the same place. And different routes there and back.

[@repmidwest]

I definitely think you should factor in windchill, wind speed, and wind direction before a ride on winter days. A head wind with gusts is a drag even on a warm day. It will freeze your face and hands on top of that in the winter here in the Midwest USA. But if your local public transit has accommodations for bikes then you can utilize that for the portion of your ride that would be adversely affected by the wind then ride with the wind at your back on the way back.

[@sleepingbearffg5008]

Heck ya!

[@amchen1219]

Hey, I live in Calgary too! So helpful to stumble upon your channel tonight. I just started winter bike commuting and after just three rides, I had learned pretty much everything you're talking about. You're so right, if you just get out there and give it a red hot go, you pick things up quickly and it doesn't seem like a huge deal anymore. My biggest barrier is the mushy bike lane on Bowness Rd ... you've inspired me to write the city about it. Thanks for the content!

[@jonasmuthing7046]

Double gloves (one really thin pair and a loose fitting thicker on top) and warm winter boots - even when I still only need to put on a light jacket. If my core gets warm I tend to sweat a lot, although my feet and hands are freezing off. Moreover I tend to ride rather fast (using an e-bike and including some long hills) so that windchill really kicks in and affects the extremeties. For the legs I can also recommend using your rain trousers to protect from the wind.

[@lothilear]

I find one of the components to cycling in weather for is me is willpower - and for me, my willpower and resilience are fortified by the cycling that occurs in October/November/December. Your knowledge, comfort level, and resilience will adapt to the cold rains and early freezes of the fall - and carry you into Winter. I can't take a break from cycling and just start up in January/February. For me, it's too much. But the adaptive knowledge and will gained by those wet cold slogs in late fall can really carry you through to winter commuting.

[@WheelsonaBike]

This is a fantastic video. Thank you, Tom. I think the point about "big bad winter" is so valuable. Riding in a heat wave and in the summer is sometimes worse than riding on a cold day, because there's not much you can do to regulate your temperature when it's 38+°C, whereas in the winter months, you can always add or remove a layer and adjust as needed. Pros and cons to riding in every season. Thank you again!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

I agree 100%. I'll take a very cold day over a very hot one anytime.

[@chaintedgrind5094]

I also agree 100% I work on the bike throughout the year as a messenger. It's the summer days that really get at me, July? Forget about it. I'd rather dream of going home too enjoy a cup of hot chocolate/wine after my shift is over, during winter months.

[@cbailey2376]

I now live in TX...108+ in summer. Not cycling weather unless you're a camel. 🐪 🥵

[@chaintedgrind5094]

@@cbailey2376 bailey the cammel, so many comments in such a short time frame. You must have had you're coffee already

[@cbailey2376]

@@chaintedgrind5094 guilty....😉.

[@IndiTheBull]

Been binging this dudes videos and Holy god I would kill to live somewhere with this level of cycling infrastructure.

[@aswtx75]

In Texas where I live it’s so hard to dress for winter because, even though it rarely gets seriously cold, it can be cold in the morning and then by noon it literally feels like the summer. There’s a lot of fluctuation in the temperature during the winter. Super annoying. During winter I always carry my gloves, winter cycling cap, and a thin windbreaker (absolute must have) and a fleece jacket or long sleeve shirt to wear under the windbreaker just in case the weather turns cold unexpectedly and I need to add layers. With that fairly simple combo I can just about make it though our winters, which usually usually don’t drop too much below 30’s. Maybe it’s just because I don’t get to ride in seriously cold weather that often, but when I do I love it. Makes you feel alive.

[@cdnLilwolf]

I commute on my ebike and also agree that a studded tire is a must with a knobby mountain bike tire on the rear. More than enough traction even when towing my trailer. I try to put extra k's on the ride to work for exercise 8-10km, but use fastest route home at the end about 3km. Yes, all the drivers think I'm nuts. I think googles are the only piece I would add as my eyes feel like they are now the most vulnerable part despite my balaclava and helmet visor.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Yes, a few people have mentioned goggles. I've never felt the need to wear them - perhaps I've deadened the skin around my eyes! - but I know a lot of people who swear by them

[@danieltdp]

I love winter cycling because its warm instead of hellish hot as when it is summer here at Rio de Janeiro

[@robertcochran7103]

This is a wonderful video! Thank you so much for it..

[@atilladebbag7356]

The black & white part with the line "back in my days" made me spill my drink. You´re great fun to watch!

[@richardmcnally2056]

Outstanding. Thank you. Just bought barmitts and love them. And arm warmers.

[@georgebranekov]

Excellent video, thank you! As we enter winter and sub-zero temperatures in continental Europe, I am kind of anxious about ice on my commute to work, especially since I fell on black ice last year. I take it as an opportunity to improve and there are small tips here and there that would add to a bigger change, but attitude change is the most important one and that is what I loved the most about this video.

[@JisooKim-wo3if]

Watching this in sunny Southern California. Not likely that I'll have to bike in the snow any time soon, but still appreciating this content.

[@xbmarx]

I commute in Minneapolis and 100% agree with everything here. Great video.

[@benny.m.b9303]

this makes me want to do some winter cycling again. I commuted to work for about 2 winters and it was great. moved and got a new job and now I don't ride as much any more :( love these vids, keep em comin 😻

[@tilleylepew5944]

I only live a few blocks from work.Biking gets me there in the winter with fairly dry shoes-n-socks !

[@kh455]

Excellent video ! Fear is the thief of joy.

[@saramuresan9305]

I definitely just ride on mild days- and this is encouraging:)

[@micktaylor5024]

Tom I’m an experienced outdoor senior. Your information is absolutely the best. I find that one finger mitts work well whether I’m using my chainsaw or riding my Brompton or BMC electric bike. This will be first winter riding an e-bike. I use a neoprene cross country skiing gator as a battery warmer. I’ll add a hand warmer or two when the temperature is nice and cold. Winter is paradise below zero.

[@OriginallyToowie]

I had no idea you wrote a book! I just put it on hold at my local library. Can't wait!

[@christinehauck8035]

Thanks for all of the help your videos and book gave me in transitioning to winter biking. I am a chubby middle aged woman and I have succesfully been bike commuting for two winters now. I ride a single speed cruiser style bike with one studded tire, and manage to commute and have fun with my winter rides.

[@amo_res9266]

I'm just thankful that one of the popular channels that support winter cycling is from Calgary, Alberta. Because they get just as much snow where I'm from which is the northern sister city of Calgary (Edmonton) and I've been so worried to go winter cycling because of how extremely cold it is here, especially -40C windchill, unshoveled 2ft snow, etc. and whenever I look into winter cycling on youtube, I mostly see people that cycle in mild winter, so I can't visualize actually doing winter cycling in harsh winters. After watching NotJustBikes' video about Finnish people cycling in winter conditions that perfectly match what it is here in Edmonton, That really inspired me, and I also discover your channel (from NotJustBikes) and It has been the channel I've been looking for. Thank you so much. (It's only June but I'm already planning for the winter LOL)

[@faridvargas8881]

Thank you so much for this video. I just moved to New York ,I have been a cyclist for 9 years now and this is my first winter. All you said made a lot of sense and it really cleared a lot of very specific questions I had about the experience Thank you so very much for this video

[@elricengquist9989]

I would definitely say that as a new winter biker take your time while you ride, and even slowly ride on more rough days. What I mean is that many times people will start to ride in all conditions an get scared when they hit some slush an almost skid out, or hit some ice under some fresh snow, and think that they can't ride in that, but if you take time to learn how to deal with that slowly going out on worse an worse conditions it will improve. I found after ten years of riding all year round (without studded tires thru it all.) that my biggest bonus was just learning to know how to steer my bike when i hit some ice, or slush wrong, and one aspect of that is just not panicking. All the additional gear is nice, but if you have the basics down it improves the overall experience so much more.

[@mariansfieldnotes]

So constructive! I love it!

[@space-junk]

The first winter I ever tried riding, I hit a patch of ice and got into a little accident. I was okay, but it definitely really hurt & scared me off of trying to ride in the winter. This past winter (which is only just ending where I live) I didn’t try to ride at all. I’ve purchased a better bike, and taking your advice from this video, I’ve decided I’m going to try to bike through the winter this year when it comes. Wish me luck 🙃

[@cbailey2376]

I wiped out a couple of times on black ice, but the extra clothing offered some protection & since I was a good distance from home, I had no choice, but to get back on the bike & ride. That probably was a good thing, plus I wasn't hurt. So give it another try & just avoid icey conditions & you'll be fine.

[@jonas2674]

Many great advice. I would add that a lot depends on the distance of your commute. Mine is fairly short, so trying to keep it as simple as possible. Only difference from walking is that I usually use a pair of lose protective pants on top of my jeans, just because of the wind-chill and the dirt.

[@BrettWightman]

Yes! Fellow YYC year round commuter. I’ve had two winter commutes so far. This year I purchased a studded tire for the front. Greatly increased my confidence and kept me vertical all winter. 🥶

[@Raxmei]

Regarding mittens, I've had good results wearing convertible flip top mittens. They're almost as warm as regular mittens but can downgrade to fingerless gloves when you need the dexterity or when the temperature swings.

[@rowejon]

My tip is to make sure you have winter clothing in graded sizes. If your1st, 2nd & 3rd layers fit easily over each other you also trap more air.

[@aemiliadelroba4022]

I like your tips . Where we live , ( not city) snow ❄️ stays on the road and Icy too , ,,, + sometime a hot coffee helps too .

[@Zak_How]

This video has eased my mind

[@sagehiker]

Great list. Number 9 suggestion is being open alter to how you ride your bike. I am not a MTB'r but I found how I position my weight and pedal stroke, affects the success of negotiating crusty snow and ice. Same pathway in summer is a meh. I had to discover this as I came into bike late and did not have mad BMX skills of my children.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Great point. You really do have to adjust your riding style in the winter, even just subtly. I also lack mad BMX skills, so I feel you.

[@danmanthe9335]

I grew up racing mtbs, and commuting 13 miles one way into work. I think I can agree with a little authority that commuting is a different skillset

[@CookingMike]

Minnesota winter biker wool gear is life ! Year round super awesome and packable.

[@thephilshow9701]

It's all true, Never thought I be able to do it, but I can do it. - Thanks

[@dragonlordblazer13]

I love your video, after I got into a car accident last year I become entirely hooked on cycling culture. While I don't love super far north the Mid-Atlantic does still have some chilly winters. I have found using simple Walmart Swiss Gear Jacket and gloves have served me quite well

[@RandomPerson123321]

This winter was a test run to see if I could sell my car and only bike. I found that a surprising amount of days that were considered "very cold" to my coworkers weren't really all that bad once you layered up. This spring, I'll most likely list my car for sale. Hopefully I can find an ecargo bike nearby to replace it

[@TheWaterfallman]

Did you do it?!

[@RandomPerson123321]

@@TheWaterfallman I did! My Urban Arrow should arrive literally any day now.

[@arbormatos832]

@@RandomPerson123321 tayo!!! How is it!!!!

[@RandomPerson123321]

I don't regret it. The bike will pay for itself within the year. My kid likes riding in it. My family isn't missing much by only having one car. I would recommend it to others, but only if they live in an area where it's feasible.

[@illyadmark3223]

Seattle WA, not much snow, but WET and chilly. Just have dry clothes at work, and you're good to go. Been a year around commuter for years. oh yeah, FENDERS and lights!

[@erwinslootweg7938]

As a dutchie, "started winter biking" sounds so funny! once i learned to bike (when i was like 3 or 4 ) i just never stopped. winter ? rain ? high winds ? ice ? what ? why wouldn't you ride your bike :D

[@bpsutherland]

Thanks, I found this video very helpful. It looks like you're in Calgary, which gives me great confidence that I can do this in much-less-cold Western Mass., US!

[@HerbertBalagtas]

Great video! Had several spills before I decided to finally get studded tires, really made a difference, also having an outdoor thermometer helps. Grew up in the tropics so my tolerance for cold is pretty low, for one winter I recorded the temps when I ride and noted the layers and clothes I was wearing, that helped me plan for future rides until I could just tell by the outside temp what I needed to wear.

[@OneLessCar]

I grew up in Halifax and my tolerance for cold is terrible lol. Most in the UK (where I live now) are shocked to see me sitting inside with my coat on (they don't know how to heat the indoors properly here). After commuting for a winter I knew what to put on or take off every 5C change in temp. It's funny how fast you learn!

[@ianbarr4716]

Tom, another informative, entertaining and inspirational video. Cheers.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thanks for watching!

[@timothydrew993]

Nice one. Doesn't get quite as cold in my part of Germany, but good to watch in any case.

[@mike2190]

I've been winter commuting for some years now. I always have people saying I'm crazy. And how don't I freeze. And like you said when you're riding you are warm. I take a train mid commute. And one of the hardest parts is just waiting at the station in the cold after riding. This year I will be investing in some mittens. I use regular gloves but doing so has definitely taken a toll on my fingers. Handlebar mix I have those and those work very well I just don't use them always. And the balaclava is definitely my main necessity and I feel. Good videos. I will definitely be taking your advice on the keeping some breathing room in my boots. Between that and mittens you helped me out. Thanks. Lol

[@juliengagnon-ouellette6381]

Hey Hi Shifter! As a fallow winter biker in Canada (Montréal), I totally agree with your tips. I gave this fall 6 winter bike's workshops and I say pretty much the same think. Enjoy your winter season!

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge in the community Julien. I think it's super helpful to newbies to hear from veterans. Also, I love Montreal!

[@Sivah_Akash]

Love the first point! I've never brought any clothing gear specifically for cycling. Any normal winter clothing would do for most cases (I'm not a racer, so it's totally fine for me to wear those normal huge coats).

[@PhilipSalen]

Great video. Good point about keeping one's hands warm and about mittens. Sometimes I double glove. It's interesting to do a ride on a cold day and arrive at the destination perspiring excessively, perhaps I have too many layers of clothing in that situation.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thin gloves inside big mittens 👍🏻

[@definitelynotacrab7651]

Great video!

[@jirdesteva]

#8 Wish that would happen here in New Jersey.

[@coffeepot3123]

Definitely go for the mittens. I'm 27 and wear my grandfather's mittens made of sheep wool, works great during wintertime and i've never had cold hands even when cycling. Also they are great for absorbing the runny snot!.

[@ruprecht9997]

A bike poncho can provide a lot of extra warmth when it's cold, particularly for hands. Note however that perspiration that normally escapes through your clothes will condense on the cold poncho, over time soaking your arms. I rode without gloves under the poncho at -1C through wind and snow/hail today. Thanks for the poncho video by the way. I got me a yellow Vaude poncho some months ago, after seeing your video on those! Good buy!

[@cjohnson3836]

#8 especially. I agree people tend to overthink it. Honestly, I just find that as the weather turns colder, my set up just becomes less "cyclist". The same mixed material "wool" socks I picked up pretty cheap at a hardware store for daily use also work really well on the bike. The same half priced Merrell shoes I wear off the bike work great and as time passes I more prefer flat pedals anyways. The only "cycling" gear I use in the winter are some thin fleece lined leg and arm warmers I got cheap online, as I find its an easy way to add another layer to the extremities without making the core hot and sweaty.

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Great points. I agree most cycling gear doesn't work well once it gets cold.

[@PRH123]

Exactly, that’s what I learned in my first winter riding, is that what is called in the catalogues “winter” cycling gear is really spring and summer. There is really very little real winter cycling gear. I use for example winter running pants (Puma, Nike, etc) that are great for cycling. Up top i layer cheap polyester shirts from decathlon. Cross country ski gear is very good also, gloves, boots, etc.

[@myusernameislongerth]

When I started riding in winter I didn't know that studed tires for bikes was a thing. For a couple of winters, I had some interesting rides. When it comes to keeping hands warm, I am using 2 layers of gloves - inner layer for insulation, and outer layer for stopping wind. Works good even in -20C, and can still use brakes and switch gears.

[@cbailey2376]

I biked year round while living in Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪. I found that my neck , ears & fingers were the most susceptible to the cold. The core stayed warm once I started pedaling. I used my mnt bike in snow bc of the wider tires & it was really fun. Since I was also a downhill skier for many years, I wasn't afraid of winter. Berlin has tons of great bike lanes which made it safer & easier to ride year round. Another plus to winter cycling...less bike traffic. 🙂 Grüße Berlin.

[@kevviekevvie]

I've been winter riding for a few years now in Northern Ontario and much regularly when our local ski hill was closed from Covid. I found that knocking the tire pressure down makes for a much safer ride on icy conditions. I have 650B knobby 2.4" tires on my mountain bike and will take them down to 5 - 15 psi and will run 25 psi on sandy slushy conditions. The fat tire bikers that ride on the cross country ski trials run under 5psi to get the tires to float on snow. I ride with waterproof sorel boots with a good winter sole and a pair of snowboarder waterproof shell pants to keep me dry. I have a passion for riding through puddles and there's nothing like a good melty spring thaw to bring out my inner child. I keep my feet warm and dry with wool socks and wear microfibre base layer that wicks and old ski mitts. You need to wear a touque because 50% of your heat is lost by your head in winter. Bike maintenance consists of gettting a bucket of hot water and dumping it on the gears, chain and rear derailler to get the sand and salt off. I hose the chain and gears down with WD40 or a Silicon lube before each ride. A can lasts a season.

[@Allan_son]

You will start to slide at some point if you ride on ice and snow. Stop pedalling. Do not grab the brakes. Let the bike match itself to the road. Now, having said that, go find an empty snowy parking lot and deliberately try to spin out the wheel. Deliberately try to lock the brakes. You do not want your first experience of these things to be a panic on a real road or path.

[@jonathanleach3914]

Good lights are essential. To see and be seen. I have both dynamo and rechargeable battery lights, so I can be confident that at least one type will work. Thanks for your channel. V interesting.

[@msironen]

Great video. Some personal observations about gear: if you're living in a country with real winter (meaning at least -10 celcius or colder during winter months), cycling specific winter gear is mostly bullshit. They're okay for around zero degrees and that's about it. There are some better brands that specialize in winter gear such as 45North, but you'll be paying through the nose for those. There are good news however; skiing gear is both cheaper and better (for warmth, at least). When the thermometer goes more than a couple degrees below zero, I ditch my cycling brand winter gloves and put on my alpine skiing gloves that I got for under half of the cycling gloves and they are easily good for at least -15C. As for boots, I got a pair of ice fishing boots that are rated for -40C and I've never had anything but toasty feet in them (my SPD winter cycling shoes, supposedly good for at least -10C, again good for nothing under zero really).

[@Shifter_Cycling]

I totally agree about most winter cycling gear. It tends to be expensive and built for milder temperatures.

[@Soundbrigade]

Great video! Great advices. And much like driving a car, biking in Winter is a different story as the conditions are so much different. Try braking hard on an icy road ….🤕 Where I live there’s maybe a problem with studded tyres. Normally bike lanes are plowed and sanded when needed, but some 15 years ago the “sand” was finely crushed rock and that “sand” was often like broken glass, puncturing the tyres constantly. Whenever I wear out a tyre, I swap to non-puncture (correct name?!) as I simply hate fixing flat tyres, but do they come in a winter edition 🤔. Now the “sand” is tumbled, but are always a bad apple waiting to penetrate my bike.

[@doncudney7875]

My evolution of gear went from old snowboard gloves to wool mittens, lithium powered gloves and finally porgies.

[@josephbrorby1148]

I'd love to have a beer with this dude if he's ever in the quad cities

[@kylebenton458]

I definitely have a cold season outfit: - Wind breaker cycling jacket (so it's slightly longer in the back and keeps the plumbers crack warm) - thermal shirt (for when it's below 30, otherwise just a long sleeve) - leggings and sweatpants combo plus longer socks to make sure there's no gap - regular gloves or big chonker gloves (again, depending on if it's below 30) - tight fitting skull cap (ear coverage is a must) - if it's extra cold I have neoprene toe cover things that fit inside my shoes - balaclava (except I always end up with a very damp face at the end of my ride, open to suggestions on that)

[@AndrogyneMichinaga]

I live in the UK and I got through this winter by buying some cheap army surplus clothes. I bought a rain jacket and overtrousers for £35. They are Goretex, so breathable, windproof and waterproof. The rain and sleet did not touch me. The jacket has zipped vents under the arms and the overtrousers have zips running all the way up. I also bought army surplus mittens with an inner and outer mitten. I rode a bike with grip shift gear changers, so they ciped fine with the mittens.

[@TheKos2Kos]

I grew up in Miami, Florida. I never was a regular bike commuter until I moved to Maryland. Honestly winter riding is my favorite simply because less people seem to be out especially when I gotta use the sidewalk. And we have a wonderful Baltimore promenade that walkers and cyclists share unless it's winter 🚴

[@chickensmack]

I have SPD pedals on my commuter and have found that the cleat with just wicks cold through the sole and into the shoe. So, I bought a pair of cycling shoes two sizes too big. This allows me to slip in a thicker insole, under my foot and also wear thicker socks. (Living in Texas, I only wear these shoes a few times each winter.)

[@mtbboy1993]

hey from Norway. mistakes I see people make: riding fast down a steep road with semi slick city riding tyres, on icy road, no chance to brake in tame if someone suddenly jumps out, or if you have to turn. Studded tyres is a must. you need studded tyres on both wheels, only one is absurd, uneven terrain, ice cover on road will, put the bike into a sideways slide, making you land on your thigh. you have no chance. on climbs the rear tyre will spin. you might be able to ride flat stuff like this, but that's a rare scenario. I need proper studded tyres, I ride a mountain bike, so I use 45nrth studded tyrtes, they work well, I have 30mm rims, so 2.35 nicotie( discontinued, but it measures at 2.40 at 30mm rim), use a 2.6 front tyre. these tyres are good all rounders for winter, as they don't clog up with snow, and they have studs on some knobs and none on others, but has many studs, so it's a good mixture, giving grip on various surfaces. no lights, reflectors, don't use plastic reflectors, use those intended for wrists instead. not washing the bike, letting it rust, corrode. only using one light, using weak lights. I recommend using a helmet light to look into the corner, and handlebar light to light up the path ahead.

[@xavierbuck7179]

With regards to mittens, there are snowboarders mittens you can get which will free up your pointer fingers. These are also known as crab mittens. I used them on the slopes and they are great. They will be a little less warm than full mittens, but the functionality makes up for it.

[@gordonlbelyea4409]

Excellent! I would echo the suggestions about mudguards - $50 worth of plastic clip-on units kept slush & melt-water (yuch) off me & the bike.

[@Coccinelf]

I guess it's normal to have a light even in summer. But to me winter equals dark at 15h45 so you absolutely need a light. Sometimes in the morning too depending on your schedule.

[@grahambonner508]

I wish I could stop my nose from running, in summer it's not an issue but in winter it's like a bloody tap.

[@Coccinelf]

Have you tried ski goggles? It helped me in any case.

[@grahambonner508]

@@Coccinelf wow, I really didn't expect a suggested solution, I do wear glasses, but I guess that's not the same right. I don't have sky goggles, but I might give it a try. Thanks.

[@Coccinelf]

@@grahambonner508 I also wear glasses, like I-can't-take-them-off-at-all-glasses. I think it's worse for us folks. I advise you to buy ski goggles that goes over normal glasses. They are pricier but normal ski goggles are not made to accommodate glasses.

[@Schmendrikson]

Actually got some cheap light mittens recently. Previously riding in -30C was hard even with my warmest gloves. Damn, those thin mittens have been keeping me really warm in -25 so far, what a drastic change.

[@austinhemmelgarn1956]

Regarding the mittens, some companies (such as Gorewear) make ‘split’ mittens which have an articulated thumb and forefinger, but group the other three fingers like a normal mitten. I don’t use them myself (I don’t go out cycling when it gets cold enough that my regular gloves are insufficient for keeping my hands warm), but I know a number of people who absolutely love them for winter cycling because they make it easier to shift and use your breaks.

[@derekjolly3680]

There's a lot for the differences from place to place for what winter actually boils down to. Even at 5000 ft here, where it does get cold and there is snow and ice some of the time, being in the Southwest, it's never going to be like squarehead country in Minnesota which Americans see as the closest to Canada for a couple of things. One key thing is when we get snow, it's never perpetual snow. It comes and goes.

[@kevinsheffield3689]

Im a yr round bike commuter. I agree with this video except the mittens. Lol. Gloves are a must for changing gears

[@michaelbosch9024]

If your ride is pretty flat riding a fixie in the winter keeps you very warm and thew grip is amazing (its like locked diff on a truck). I wear shorts rain or shine or cold. packing extra clothes for working is nice cuz i get so sweaty. gloves are a must for me sub 50 F. water proof footwear can be nice when its raining.

[@customer0815]

Studded front tyre Number one safety feature in winter

[@OneLessCar]

Mitten's and endbar shifters, a match made in heaven. The one thing I do is lower my tyre pressure when it's icy (which is about 3 days of the year in the UK 😁 ) You've not seen anything when it comes to salt on the road until you've lived in Nova Scotia. My first car had so many holes from rust due to the salt on the road in the end I had to give up on it, the engine was strong but the breaks stopped working due to the brake lines being totally rusted out. Out west it's not used as much as it's usually too cold for salt a lot of the time (-9C is its limit) but the maritime weather is perfect for it.

[@Xydroos]

0. Any bike is good winter bike, others just might be quality of life. 1. best winter gear is walking gear minus one layer.. jeans work just fine, something wind proof is just quality of life, but you could over sweat.. 2. buy 4-5 row studed tires ONLY, anything less is waste of money.. you want row in middle for stopping and rows on sides for turning.. but you lose stud while braking so you want least 2 rows on middle.. PS you want back tire to be studed, it's almost more important than front.. you can predict when you will lose front grip, but it's lot harder to predict when will back tires flip to side or at front! 30mm width is better than 20mm, so take as wide tire as can fit on your current bike. 3. bring backpack where you can put extra layers while biking and or change most bottom one to fresh. 4. nothing to add 5. nothing to add 6. it's actually quite enjoyable 7. studs + studs.. it's scarier that you can get to places with studed tires, where you can't walk off without studed boots.. just look finnish winter videos, we don't get bad weather, just poor choice of clothing. Schools or businesses won't close because of snow or temperature. 8. you can do it with or without city support, but sure does make huge difference.

[@baconeater312]

been winter riding for 7 years studded tyres on both rims for 5 of them with a good pair of gloves,pajamas under my pants, snow mobile jacket, and a toque under my hood. this will be my 8th year and still love it ,I didnt buy a winter bike I use my trusty 2020 norco XFR1 year round ,although it does routinely see my bike shop

[@baconeater312]

No winter accidents ,but I must admit this is my second adult bike as my original 2015 xfr 3 was totalled in a T-bone collision fall of 2019