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[Urban Buy]

Cycle chic
As the temperature drops, pick up hot gear for the cyclist in your life

BY JULIA COHEN

IF YOU’VE ALREADY stowed your bike for the winter, afraid that you’re just not tough enough to commute on two wheels till springtime, think again. Despite some puddles along the road, the cold season doesn’t deliver too many new challenges for cyclists. So don’t let the New England weather relegate you to sitting in tedious traffic jams. Head to your local bike shop, pick up some of this paraphernalia, suit up, and get back out there.

Mud flaps may be the key to conquering the city’s potholes when the sleet and snow arrive. Models by Freddy Fender ($20), Topeak ($20 per wheel), and Wolf Gard ($20 for rear wheel) come in sleek black plastic. While they can’t protect you from getting sprayed by that obnoxious Suburban whizzing by, they may keep your butt from getting totally soaked. And don’t forget to protect your work clothes from the elements in a waterproof bag: panniers ($50) clip to the bike, or you can design your own hip messenger bag ($55 to $145) from Timbuk2 Designs.

Gloves come in all shapes, colors, and fabrics, sure to please any discerning cyclist. Fox, Pearl Izumi, Cannondale, Specialized, and Trek all offer an assortment that includes fingerless, fleece-lined, padded, and even thick mittens that you could wear on the ski slopes ($30 to $75). Castelli’s Wind Blocker gloves ($50) are good for three seasons, and a liner can be added on colder days, leaving you with no excuse for frozen digits this year.

With the days getting shorter, equip your bike with reflector gear to ensure that you’re seen from all sides (c’mon, we all know how bad Boston drivers are). Night Rider’s reflection system ($70) includes lights that can be clipped to a helmet as well as to a bike. Reflective belts, sashes, and vests made by Bikealite (from $10) may not be pretty, but better to be seen than to get blind-sided, right?

Layers are essential when cycling to and from work. Winter jerseys (from $40) and tights ($30) can be worn under other clothes. Pearl Izumi and Cannondale jackets ($110 to $350, depending on fabric and water resistance) combine fashion with safety. Maxit’s Head Gators ($8) fit like a headband, and Hot Head ($18) fits more like a ski mask, keeping your face warm under your helmet (which you should be wearing at all times).

As for bikes themselves, unfortunately not much retrofitting can be done for the weather. If you’re on a mountain bike, use tires with smaller knobs when the snow starts to fall — you don’t want big off-roading treads to collect the white stuff. Otherwise, use your best judgment — and don’t ride your super-light-titanium road bike out in a blizzard.

Where to get it:

• Ace Wheelworks, 145 Elm Street, Somerville, (617) 776-2100.

• ATA Bikes, 1700 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 354-0907.

• Back Bay Bicycles, 333 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 247-2336.

• Bicycle Workshop, 259 Mass Ave, Cambridge, (617) 876-6555.

• Timbuk2 Designs, www.timbuk2.com.

Issue Date: November 29 - December 6, 2001

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