(Part 3) Top products from r/chibike

Keeping your bike in shape:

• Rust-proof your frame/fork if you ride steel. Salted, slushy streets are bad news for damn near everything on your bike.
  
• Get some lube designed for wet/gritty conditions. Again, salty slushy streets; your chain'll be going through more than it usually does in the winter.
  
• Fenders are awesome. You already have some, but to anyone else who's reading this and doesn't, get at least a rear fender. SKS makes a few cheap, solid seatpost-mount ones for $14 or so for road and mountain bikes.
  
• Tyres: This one's optional, really. Knobbies help when the streets are so oversalted that it's like gravel, but if you've got wide tyres then you'll be fine on slicks. My housemate's done winter on his 23s, came out of it fine. Obviously, MTBs have a tire width advantage here.
  
  Keeping yourself warm:
  
  
• Base layers are great. You don't have to go all-out on these, just get something snug and comfortable. Something like this will do you just fine, and may even be overkill on some days. I used MEC's T1 and T2 tights throughout last year, and had no trouble. Was even pretty toasty on most days!
  
• Softshells are also great. I'm a fan of the Gore Bike Wear stuff, specifically their Phantom jacket. I realize last winter was pretty mild, but I only donned this and a simple long-sleeved shirt (usually polyester, occasionally cotton) and much like my bottom half, was nicely toasty. Shameless plug: I'm selling a grey medium-sized Phantom for $80 (got it as a gift but only wore it for a week in the fall, bought a small instead)
  
• Tights are nice, but optional. Any kind of waterproof/resistant pants should do you alright. Look into Craft brand stuff, or swing by REI if you're near one. They've got plenty of cheap stuff.
  
• Gaiters/shoe covers/plastic bags: Whatever keeps your feet dry. Wet shoes/socks are, if not the start to getting frostbitten feet, at least pretty damn annoying.
  
• Wool socks: Because your feet are going to get cold, possibly wet, and wool both insulates nicely and dries quickly. On that note, keep a spare pair of socks on you during your commute. Nothing sucks like biking to work/school, getting wet feet, and having to deal with it all day.
  
• Gloves: If you're getting some simple softshell gloves, go one size larger than your usual; wear some cheap mittens under those, and voila, instant double-layered hands on the cheap. If it gets really frigid, throw some wool mitts over that combo and you're set for anything. Alternatively to all this, just get some gloves meant for skiing/snowboarding. It's easy to keep most of your body warm since it's moving all the time, but your hands are just sitting on the bars getting hit by wind. Easy for them to get chilly.
  
• Shoes! Riding on platform pedals? Salomon makes some damn nice waterproof/resistant shoes/boots. Riding clipless? Five Ten makes some great, heavy-duty shoes that have some decent weatherproofing thanks to the "action leather" they're made wtih. Check out their Cyclones.
  
  Tips:
  
  
• Remember, you've got to dress for both being active and not. Sometimes you'll be pedaling hard, sometimes you'll be pedaling lightly or walking around. Find a good balance in layers that won't have you being too hot with the former, or too cold with the latter.
  
• Lights are always a good investment, be it winter or any other season. Winter especially, since the sun's not out for quite as long. Keep visible. For a powerful front light, get a flashlight and a handlebar mount. I use the Fenix TK-21 and this cheap mount. for commuting, touring, mountain biking, you name it. And then you've got yourself a flashlight off the bike too!
  
• "Cotton kills" is a bit of an overdramatic statement, but cotton's generally good to avoid. It doesn't dry particularly well, meaning if you get wet, you'll be wet for a while. Wet + cold is a nasty combination, too. Polyester and wool stuff is nice.
  
• Head to Village Cycle Center in Old Town. They know their stuff and they'll talk winter biking (or any biking, really) with you for however long you like. Good folks.

• These giro winterproof shoe covers have been lifesavers when I want to wear normal shoes/non-boots. I just wear them with my gym shoes and platform pedals and they work fine. They're not waterproof, but they're water-resistant enough and warm. I've found they're good enough that my shoes keep totally dry in snowfall. Just don't try except them to stave off heavy rain
  
• champion base layers from Target keep my legs just warm enough. I don't even wear the thermals, but I'm sure they'd be great
  
• Topside's helmet light is bi-directional (front and back) and really bright with steady and blinking modes. I find it's handy to have a light this high up when visibility is tough in winter
  
• Showerpass waterproof socks are fantastic if you think your shoes are going to get soaked. I've had days where my shoes are drenched from the rain but these keep my feet dry. The only downside is they get a bit clammy if your shoes are soaked
  
  I typically adjust my helmet so I can just put my hoodie or a normal winter hat under it, which keeps me pretty warm on my ears and head. Barring that, a balaclava is nice too
  
  I have yet to find gloves that are good enough to keep my hands from freezing so I often take the time at lights to rub my hands together. I really want to try out Bar Mitts or similar "pogies". I keep Hot Hands in my backpack in case of emergencies
  
  I've found that cheap light waterproof non-breathable jackets can be helpful because they're thin and really trap heat. Most rain shells are breathable so they don't suffocate you in warmer weather, but I've found that the crappy non-breathable ones are great for winter for that same reason. I can go with just a sweatshirt and one of those and I'm usually sweating by the end in freezing temps. The only problem is I have to keep moving. It's useless if my body's not doing work to keep the heat building up, which is problematic if you may get stuck somewhere remote.
  
  I want some clear glasses as well, for windy/snowy days when the precipitation stings my eyes. I think something like these would probably do the trick. REI sells, Tifosi, a brand of bike glasses, but I think these would be overkill for me

A couple of my friends have had good luck with Vittoria Rubinos, a similar colored side-wall style tire.


EDIT: Personally, I ride Gatorskins.

I have a silver 59cm Windsor Wellington 3, bought this summer, less than 100 miles on it, with new Shimano A530 pedals (SPD on one side, platform on the other)

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington3-xv.htm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MZ2AGO

It was inspected by Bike Lane in Logan Square after assembly, everything's in good shape.

I just prefer my old bike and I still ride it exclusively, so this one is just taking up space. Make me an offer if you're interested. Thanks!

I run this on my rear and like the results. Only used last winter, worked well in the slush, can run at lower PSI as well (at least on my rim)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4Z0JW8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And this one on my front:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025U2NX0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Weird circumstance on how I have two different ones, but seems to work out well since the "beefier" one is on my rear where my weight is mostly.

I've got some toe covers (these) and I've honestly never had that problem. Sounds like your boots are messed up or something.

I dig sportier helmets like this. I've had this exact helmet in 3 different accidents over the years, and it's never failed. My bf has a Bern helmet which he says doesn't breathe as well.

Personally, I don't know if there's a huge difference between $20 and $50, but I'm usually willing to spend a few extra $$ to get something that'll hold my brains in - just in case.

Take a look at this: http://www.amazon.com/Abus-523137-U-Mini-40/dp/B004HXJRA0/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1462161970&sr=1-5&keywords=abus+410

The weight of the kryptonite mini U but the shackle locks on each side so you have to cut through each side to open the lock, just like the $100 Kryptonite NY standard and fahgettaboutit.

Its a small shackle but I use the Sheldon method all over Chicago with this lock and never have to look for a place to lock up. Also don't just buy a lock based on the price of your bike, buy the lock based on how inconvenient/ badly you want the bike to be there when you get back. I have had to leave my bike out overnight way more times than is wise and it, and my bike have always been there when I get back.

Crane Bell Suzue Brass Lever. Loud. Pure Tone. There should be a picture of this bell next to the dictionary definition of "bicycle bell."

I have these Helly Hansen Voss Pants.

The Pros:

-Keeps me dry

-Fits over my normal clothes or winter layers


The Cons:

-Not enough tapper in the legs I have to throw on a leg strap since they are not made just for cycling

-Does not breath (Great for cold riding not for warm!)

I wore them a lot over the past year, daily in the winter as a wind breaker, without any issues, little to no wear.

I'd go with gatorskins - http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Gatorskin-Bicycle-700x23-Folding/dp/B001UL5JNG/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1377714003&sr=1-3&keywords=gatorskin

Treads serve no technical purpose for commuting.

Edit: Also, it's all about performance.