I think you're on the right track with poagies and a frame bag. Poagies keep the hands warm, frame bag for extra layers. Since its a Mukluk, there are frame bags already designed for that particular frame (even an XS). Boots, of course will cost you twice as much poagies and a frame bag combined...
Recommend some accessories for a new fat biker
My wife was lucky enough to score a new Salsa Mukluk and winter is almost upon us. So is her birthday and I'm trying to come up with some gift ideas.
What are a couple things no fat biker should be without? I'm thinking a pair of pogies and some sort of frame bag to hold extra clothes, tools, etc (but her frame is an XS so we might be limited there). Shoes?
What are a couple things no fat biker should be without? I'm thinking a pair of pogies and some sort of frame bag to hold extra clothes, tools, etc (but her frame is an XS so we might be limited there). Shoes?
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
How is she set for winter recreation clothing? Gloves, skullcap, buff, pants, clear lenses, etc. I carry a light windproof jacket with me, since fatbiking here involves sweaty climbs and fast downhills.
Pogies are definitely a good choice. (Although last year was mild enough that we didn’t use ours.) As far as footwear, our preference is flat pedals and warm winter hiking/snowshoeing boots.
A frame bag is also a good idea. I have one on my fatbike, and it always has a pump, buff, energy bar, and some hand warmers. I usually jam a fatbike tube in it as well, which takes up more room than I’d like. I might just rely on plugs this year, and accept a hike if that doesn’t work.
I like a high volume hand pump for fatbikes, and a low-pressure gauge.
Lights?
Hand warmers? We have a case from Costco, but I also have a couple rechargeable ones that double as external batteries.
Pogies are definitely a good choice. (Although last year was mild enough that we didn’t use ours.) As far as footwear, our preference is flat pedals and warm winter hiking/snowshoeing boots.
A frame bag is also a good idea. I have one on my fatbike, and it always has a pump, buff, energy bar, and some hand warmers. I usually jam a fatbike tube in it as well, which takes up more room than I’d like. I might just rely on plugs this year, and accept a hike if that doesn’t work.
I like a high volume hand pump for fatbikes, and a low-pressure gauge.
Lights?
Hand warmers? We have a case from Costco, but I also have a couple rechargeable ones that double as external batteries.
Couple of cheaper options I've found useful for fat biking/winter riding:
ESI grips (foam has an insulative quality that 'rubber' grips don't have)
Low pressure tire guage (mentioned already)
Insulated water bottle
Hydration pack insulated hose cover
Neck gaiter
Heated socks
Insulated/thermal insoles
ESI grips (foam has an insulative quality that 'rubber' grips don't have)
Low pressure tire guage (mentioned already)
Insulated water bottle
Hydration pack insulated hose cover
Neck gaiter
Heated socks
Insulated/thermal insoles
She runs all year long and also has downhill and XC ski gear so I think she's pretty well covered except for her hands - which tend to have poor circulation and are always cold. I bought her a lifetime supply of handwarmers for xmas last year too.How is she set for winter recreation clothing? Gloves, skullcap, buff, pants, clear lenses, etc.
Re lights: we have some already but I don't anticipate her riding in the dark since she plans to ride on groomed trails that are just too far away to be convienient after work. She'll be riding during the day on weekends.
I'm kinda curious to see how much she uses the fatbike. It'll be a matter of how much her love of biking outweighs her hatred for winter and also how often she can find partners considering they, me included, are ski/snowboard addicts - but I want to help her get set up for success and it'll be easy to sell all this stuff if she doesn't stick with it.
The ESI / foam grips are a great idea. She's used those on her MTB in the past and liked them.
Pogies and shoes. Makes a would of difference.My wife was lucky enough to score a new Salsa Mukluk and winter is almost upon us. So is her birthday and I'm trying to come up with some gift ideas.
What are a couple things no fat biker should be without? I'm thinking a pair of pogies and some sort of frame bag to hold extra clothes, tools, etc (but her frame is an XS so we might be limited there). Shoes?
I found carbon bars to not get as cold as aluminum.
I’m not a fan of Pogies, so I would recommend some really great gloves. I went with the 45nrth Sturmfist 5. They are a little cool for the first 15 mins, then perfection.
Most of the XC Skiing gear will work, but I would invest in some good boots. I again went with the 45nrth stuff, but folks like Lake too
I’m not a fan of Pogies, so I would recommend some really great gloves. I went with the 45nrth Sturmfist 5. They are a little cool for the first 15 mins, then perfection.
Most of the XC Skiing gear will work, but I would invest in some good boots. I again went with the 45nrth stuff, but folks like Lake too
The thing that made my rides way more pleasurable last year was bringing a vacuum bottle filled with tea on my rides. A good kleen kanteen or hydroflask 16oz coffee mug will fit in a strong cage (I use lezyne) and make a world of difference. I steal my wife's fancy loose leaf teas...
Otherwise, 45nrth pogies (amazing), carbon bars (definitely a luxury item) and if using flat pedals consider OneUp composite pedals. Less heat loss.
Oh and check out Sturdy Bag Designs. You could get her a custom top tube bag or frame bag in her favourite colours.
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Otherwise, 45nrth pogies (amazing), carbon bars (definitely a luxury item) and if using flat pedals consider OneUp composite pedals. Less heat loss.
Oh and check out Sturdy Bag Designs. You could get her a custom top tube bag or frame bag in her favourite colours.
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It’s the foot warmers that I like, since they are adhesive and can be gripped to the handlebar. Give them 15 minutes in a pocket opened up to reach operating temp, then use inside your pogies gripping the bar. A little tape can be helpful, but they still work better than “hand warmers”, due to their conforming nature. Hand warmers are only really useful IME inside a mitten or in a pocket when you are walking. You gotta reach the tips of the fingers with the warmth, that’s what makes the difference.She runs all year long and also has downhill and XC ski gear so I think she's pretty well covered except for her hands - which tend to have poor circulation and are always cold. I bought her a lifetime supply of handwarmers for xmas last year too.
Re lights: we have some already but I don't anticipate her riding in the dark since she plans to ride on groomed trails that are just too far away to be convienient after work. She'll be riding during the day on weekends.
I'm kinda curious to see how much she uses the fatbike. It'll be a matter of how much her love of biking outweighs her hatred for winter and also how often she can find partners considering they, me included, are ski/snowboard addicts - but I want to help her get set up for success and it'll be easy to sell all this stuff if she doesn't stick with it.
The ESI / foam grips are a great idea. She's used those on her MTB in the past and liked them.
As far as insulated gloves vs pogies,
Insulated gloves: poor bike control due to much reduced grip ability. Fingers still get cold while the palm sweats. Gloves still get damp overall while riding.
Some people have an irrational fear of pogies where they think somehow they’d get “caught” in them.
The key is being comfortable in the cold. This comes from practice and having the right gear. The opposite is trying to stay warm the entire time and not being able to enjoy it. You gotta be willing to stop and adjust clothing/warmth layers.She runs all year long and also has downhill and XC ski gear so I think she's pretty well covered except for her hands - which tend to have poor circulation and are always cold. I bought her a lifetime supply of handwarmers for xmas last year too.
Re lights: we have some already but I don't anticipate her riding in the dark since she plans to ride on groomed trails that are just too far away to be convienient after work. She'll be riding during the day on weekends.
I'm kinda curious to see how much she uses the fatbike. It'll be a matter of how much her love of biking outweighs her hatred for winter and also how often she can find partners considering they, me included, are ski/snowboard addicts - but I want to help her get set up for success and it'll be easy to sell all this stuff if she doesn't stick with it.
The ESI / foam grips are a great idea. She's used those on her MTB in the past and liked them.
I'll pile on the reccomendationfor for pogies. Especially if she has chronically cold hands. Check out the wolf tooth singletrack. I don't think I folded them up all winter. Warm without the weight and bulk. A bit less expensive than 45nrth too.
www.wolftoothcomponents.com
Singletrack Pogies v2
single track singletrack pogie, bicycle hand warmer, pogie, foldable pogie, wolf tooth pogie, wolftooth pogie, handlebar mittens, bar mitt, bicycle hand covers
www.wolftoothcomponents.com
Another vote for pogies. I got the cheap Bar Mitts kind, and they worked awesome. I also like the idea of an insulated bottle/flask. Good for hot tea, or if you're feeling punchy, a little whiskey or tequila water.
I didn't need to. Our LBS which we have a loooong time relationship with did that without even asking. I'd post a link to them but maybe that's against forum rules.Set her tires up tubeless.
So, tell me more about pogies. Wife thinks the 45Norths are the way to go but I wonder about the Wolftooths that you can roll up when they may not be needed. What other features/quirks should be considered?
I have the dogwoods and being able to roll them up is the best feature IMO. By far the most versatility. Pockets are nice…but not necessary. If you are going into real cold weather making a foam plug for the controls can be a good idea. Most people’s hands will get real hot and sweaty and being able to roll them back is a huge plus. At other times you may want mittens inside of pogies for max warmth. I always bring an extra set of bail-out mittens on rides in my pack. One trick if it’s a colder ride is put some chem heaters in mittens in your pack early on. And hour and a half later you got some 160 degree bliss for your cold hands and it does not suck.I didn't need to. Our LBS which we have a loooong time relationship with did that without even asking. I'd post a link to them but maybe that's against forum rules.
So, tell me more about pogies. Wife thinks the 45Norths are the way to go but I wonder about the Wolftooths that you can roll up when they may not be needed. What other features/quirks should be considered?
Do you guys have lights? Less daylight in winter. Night rides in the snow are pretty awesome.
A good facemask can be critical. Most ice up in really cold weather, restricting your breathing and leaking your breath into your goggles. I ended up trying this one and I love it: Combo Clava® It has never iced up enough to affect my breathing down to about -20F. Simple but effective. The fleece is a bit warm at times, but when it's that warm I usually just wear a regular thin balaclava.
I was going to buy dedicated biking boots but I found my Columbia Bugaboots worked well enough. They aren't the best but are still a reasonable combination of traction, bulk, weight, cost, and warmth. I wasn't overly impressed with the biking boots I looked at.
I think pogies are the way to go, I tried the expensive 45nrth gloves but they weren't all that warm and did not inspire confidence. With pogies I can usually wear my summer gloves and grip the bars and operate the brakes and shifter like normal. When it's below zero I can still get away with midweight gloves. I carry handwarmers with as well just in case I have to hike out.
Yes there is not much daylight in winter so a light is going to be essential for most people. I tried a light on a handlebar and that was terrible. Handlebars are often not pointed where you need to see. Mounting it on my helmet was much better. Having both would be ideal but I don't find it all that necessary.Do you guys have lights? Less daylight in winter. Night rides in the snow are pretty awesome.
I was going to buy dedicated biking boots but I found my Columbia Bugaboots worked well enough. They aren't the best but are still a reasonable combination of traction, bulk, weight, cost, and warmth. I wasn't overly impressed with the biking boots I looked at.
I think pogies are the way to go, I tried the expensive 45nrth gloves but they weren't all that warm and did not inspire confidence. With pogies I can usually wear my summer gloves and grip the bars and operate the brakes and shifter like normal. When it's below zero I can still get away with midweight gloves. I carry handwarmers with as well just in case I have to hike out.
What temps will she be riding in? I think that needs to be addressed before any suggestions can be made regarding poagies, clothing, footwear, and other accessories.My wife was lucky enough to score a new Salsa Mukluk and winter is almost upon us. So is her birthday and I'm trying to come up with some gift ideas.
What are a couple things no fat biker should be without? I'm thinking a pair of pogies and some sort of frame bag to hold extra clothes, tools, etc (but her frame is an XS so we might be limited there). Shoes?
Since the OP mentioned pogies explicitly, I presume cold-ish temps.
Frame bag, seat bag, gas tank (top tube bag) are all helpful for keeping layers handy.
Unless I'm riding within easy walking distance from home (in the cold), I always have a spare hat and puffy jacket.
I really like the Revelate Shrew for this.
Frame bag, seat bag, gas tank (top tube bag) are all helpful for keeping layers handy.
Unless I'm riding within easy walking distance from home (in the cold), I always have a spare hat and puffy jacket.
I really like the Revelate Shrew for this.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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