If you’re not dealing with a lot of snow, a skinnier tire can actually work really well as it will cut through the thin layer of snow and slush down to the pavement.

The point is, while you don’t necessarily need to drop a ton of money on a bike, you do want to put some thought into finding a setup that works. And, as you can see, there are a variety of options.

3. Wear the Right Gear

"There’s no such thing as bad weather - just bad gear.” That’s from one of our members, Alex Pline, commenting on a story about walking in the winter. I couldn’t agree more.

But here again, one doesn’t have to spend a ton of money on some highly technical gear. Nor do you have to dress like you’re going out on an Arctic expedition. The key is layering.

Start with a base layer to stay dry. I’m a huge fan of merino wool. A synthetic wicking fiber (such as polyester or nylon/spandex) works as well. You may add another layer such as a fleece for extra warmth. Then, an outer layer shell to provide some wind and water resistance.

A common mistake is to overdress. Bear in mind that your body produces a lot of heat while riding. My friend, Aaron, commutes 4.4 miles to work and has the following advice: “You should feel a little cold when you leave the house. By the time you get to your destination, you’ll be warm, but not too sweaty."

Here in North Dakota we get some wicked winds. Ski goggles and a face mask help a lot. I recently did an 8 mile ride on a day when the temp was -7F. The combination of a face mask and goggles kept me nice and toasty. In fact, the big issue I had on that ride was that I overdressed and ended up getting too warm.

Some additional tricks for keeping your hands and feet warm:

Layer your socks. A synthetic liner sock with a thicker wool sock over does the trick for me. Avoid cotton. If it gets wet, you’ll be cold.

A synthetic liner sock with a thicker wool sock over does the trick for me. Avoid cotton. If it gets wet, you’ll be cold. Get a pair of liner gloves. Same approach here as with the socks.

Another trick for keeping your hands warm are bar mitts. These fit over the handlebars offering some warmth as well as wind resistance. For a cheaper alternative, Aaron suggests ATV bar mitts.