+1

I would say a regular long sleeve skinsuit will do you better for CX than the thermal one. You have more variety of conditions you can ride, and once it gets below 20 you might just want to wear a jacket over your skinsuit, or wear a windblocking baselayer before buying a specific skinsuit for that one time you're going to race in those conditions.

Planning on getting arm warmers, anyone have experience sizing those? I wear a M jersey, could probably squeeze into a small...

@MaxThorn

I am a big fan of the CX Skinsuit and I don't usually wear skin suits for other races than TTs. I find it perfect for races in 40s and 50s. Basically most of the cross season except for freezing temps. I have also worn it in 40s with a base layer and leg warmers with success. I have never over-heated, but as a point of comparison I usually wear more layers than JP on winter training rides. Your comfort level may vary. 

@RileyHoonan, I've sized down for arm-warmers...twice. I wear a race-cut M jersey, and so bought fleece arm-warmers in M. They sagged, so I ended up ordering size S the next time the team store opened. Those fit well, and I sold the M pair. Then I wanted lycra arm warmers, and, thinking that the lack of fleece would justify yet another step-down in size, ordered an XS. It felt like a dare, but lo and behold, they fit wonderfully snug and aren't too short.

@MaxThorn on the lycra arm warmers, what made you get those? I always felt that if it was cold enough to slap on arm warmers it was cold enough for fleece.

I don't wear arm warmers over about 60 degrees, so they normally go with vests and knee warmers or at least a little embrocation.

@Dan Reiners A couple training rides in early spring felt too warm to me for fleece, but not quite warm enough to go sleeveless. I reckoned $27.50 for lycra arm warmers was an agreeable down payment on an interesting experiment. If they're useless, I said to myself, I can resell them here on the forum. Turns out I like them! I wore them often, usually while wearing nothing else but a jersey, sleeveless base layer, and bib shorts. I like options, and size XS lycra arm warmers take up about as much space in a jersey pocket as an energy gel. I went and bought lycra knee warmers, too. My leg warmers, however, are fleece. If it's cold enough to wear fleece, I feel it's cold enough not to leave any skin on my legs exposed.  

ETA: On one of those training rides I'm thinking of, the average temperature was 57F, according to my Garmin. It was a long day that started out chilly but warmed up in the afternoon as the sun shone. I also remember it feeling sorta humid, so that my arms felt clammy under the fleece. Such are the conditions in which I now put on my lycra arm-warmers.

opinions diverge, obvs. generally, unless you are racing very early and super cold days... the thermal CX skinsuit is not actually needed for cross, a normal long sleeve skinsuit, and some good base layers, is what I would recommend.

The CX skinsuit does get better around February, for early morning road training rides, throw a a layer or two, like jersey or vest, over it, and off you go.

Not exactly kit but I came up with a solution to bandaging palms that borders on genius. I took a nasty little spill recently and have been using down time to explore bandaging technique.

Nicely secured some gauze pads to the palms, still breathable and pads stay in place all day long, creating a nice little cushion for use of mouse / keyboard.

 
 
Just take some of the leftover stretchy wrap (big fan of CVS brand) and cut a hole for thumb. Place gauze pad on palm, apply some ointment to wounds (Bacitracin is my cocktail of choice) and pull half-glove over hand.



The gauze-securing-half-gloves go nicely with a half sleeve
 

Ashamed of road rash... Don't Be!! It pairs nicely with other fashionable items that fit right in on the summer streets of NYC!



You're welcome

Damn dude sorry about the spill, but great ideas!

@Brian Miele  what happened?

Anyone know a good company for small order short turnaround cycling kit (top/shorts)? 

P.S. Is that Rapha gauze Brian... sorry to hear you hit the deck. 

anyone have any tips for getting chain grease marks out of lycra? i tried dish soap and a green degreaser, both had little effective. any home remedies?

WD-40 works a treat, spray it straight on.

Used one of Whitey's cat tongue cloths at GMSR and it came right out - that was on fresh grease though… might have different results of its been on for a while.

On yesterday's ride, Malcolmson and I were discussing putting our shoes in the freezer to kill the odors that washing and air drying can't get out.

I've been told that this is a way to kill funk in jeans and a way to keep them going longer without washing.  Never tried it though.

While I didn't freeze my shoes yesterday, I did take the stinky brow pad that I had just about given up on getting de-stanked, and put it in the freezer.  I had hand-washed and machine-washed the thing and it was still too gross to use again.  After 24 hours in the freezer, the funk seems to have disappeared.

I always put the dead bodies into the freezer, totally clears up those pesky odors.  I'll try it with the bike stuff too

Pads for arch support, and change 'em when they're ripe.  They have different sizes for different arches.
https://www.rei.com/product/867100/superfeet-carbon-insoles-low-volume
https://www.superfeet.com/en-us/insoles-and-sandals

All my shoes now have them.  Also, vinegar for stinky things.  I wash my older base layers with water, detergent, and vinegar.  You could try spraying vinegar and 2 parts water into your shoes. 

I am done trying to keep my feet warm with flimsy little shoe covers that rip and get soaked with water after 20 minutes.  I just ordered Specialized Defrosters in Kissena orange and will let everyone know how they are.

Thought I said that up above but didn't post? weird

some nerd says don't freeze things http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-myth-of-the-frozen-jeans-129092730/?no-ist

I spray everything with a ton of Febreeze Sport

Those look heavy-duty.  I take my winter shoes out of the box when it's 40 and below.  I got them one size too big so I can fit an extra pair of socks.  No more cold feet.  Well worth the money, since they get very little use and cold toes are awful.  Yours will last a long time.

@Brendan Rigby Garrigan let me in on the Belgian secret; Neoprene diving booties with a hole cut out for your cleat. $10.

Jules said:

@Brendan Rigby Garrigan let me in on the Belgian secret; Neoprene diving booties with a hole cut out for your cleat. $10.

Flimsy but cheap.

I've done neoprene. Water gets in and I get cold. I'm done trying to make it work and am getting big old boots! 

Get ready for some more neoprene then, those boots have a collar made of the stuff to "...keep your feet warm and dry..." and to "...keep heat in and water out...".

Speaking of, I have a pair of Pearl Izumi neoprene covers that I don't use anymore since i don't bicycle commute.  Anyone want them?

One medium sized summer bib. As new. Yours for the not so princely sum of $30 plus postage or collect in the East Village.

niallsmart said:

One medium sized summer bib. As new. Yours for the not so princely sum of $30 plus postage or collect in the East Village.

I will take it!!

David Yang said:

Get ready for some more neoprene then, those boots have a collar made of the stuff to "...keep your feet warm and dry..." and to "...keep heat in and water out...".

Speaking of, I have a pair of Pearl Izumi neoprene covers that I don't use anymore since i don't bicycle commute.  Anyone want them?

I'll take them!  What size?

I meant that I'm no longer trying to use normal road shoes (or normal mtb shoes) plus one layer of neoprene.  Not enough insulation for me cold feets.  I want a whole shoe of soft, plush arctic delight!

Large and in charge.  I'm pretty sure they're more for road cleats so just keep that in mind.

They're the Elite Barrier ones in this review:
http://www.gearist.com/2013/11/04/review-cycling-shoe-covers-pearl-izumi/

Folks, a question: It is winter and cold.  You are going to ride your bicycle in your warmest gear...

Do you: (1) wear tights with no chamois, putting your summer shorts with chamois underneath; (2) wear tights with a chamois; or (3) some other method

science needs to know

Brendan Rigby said:

Folks, a question: It is winter and cold.  You are going to ride your bicycle in your warmest gear...

Do you: (1) wear tights with no chamois, putting your summer shorts with chamois underneath; (2) wear tights with a chamois; or (3) some other method

science needs to know

When it's below freezing, I go with my wind-proof tights (no chamois) and with fleece bib shorts underneath.

the issue regarding tights w/ chamois is that it's probably not advisable to wear them several days in a row.  Tights w/o chamois are more flexible.