Video: Joe Barnes Shares his Wet Weather Bike Setup from EWS Zermatt Including Homemade Heated Grips

Sep 6, 2020
by Joe Barnes  

After a wet and cold race in Zermatt Joe takes the time to share a few of his bike set up tips from the weekend. If you suffer from cold hands, howling brakes or get muck in your eyes then there will be some good info inside to boost your MTB set up.

Thanks for the feedback on #1 of this science series. Plenty of additional info on the juice bottle hacks to digest and refine.

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46 Comments
  • 54 1
 There is another valuable advice in the video: even as a sponsored rider, drive an unbranded delivery van for advanced theft protection.
  • 6 2
 It is going to be interesting to see what happens with that battery & wires "when the track becomes a river"...
  • 38 0
 @webermtb: being Scottish, i reckon he has well and truly tested the water resistance.
  • 3 0
 I did prefer the old Dudes of Hazzard van though
  • 10 0
 How many riders use double wall lenses in the horrible weather? I used to find them invaluable living in Blighty as your lenses never steam up in the cold and rain, even when stationary... the do distort vision slightly though on the downside.
  • 3 0
 Never use anything else!
  • 138 0
 I find making weak excuses and then staying indoors, definitely helps when its wet.
  • 4 0
 @pbuser2299: Helps staying dry, indeed Smile
  • 2 0
 Got any make/model recommendations for double wall lenses?
  • 4 0
 @secondtimeuser: Scott Prospect
  • 1 0
 @secondtimeuser:
Leatt 5.5 are the cheapest option for goggles with a great quick release lense system and double wall lenses I could find. They're also super high quality.
  • 3 2
 @secondtimeuser: Oakley do double wall lenses for all their mx goggles that I know of, if you can't buy them stock with it just get a lense to install, plus Oakley are the best in the biz
  • 2 0
 @secondtimeuser:
Small correction, I meant the Leatt Velocity 6.5, not 5.5
  • 4 1
 I'm happy with Ryders Tallcan.
  • 2 0
 @secondtimeuser: 100% accuri, strata racecraft, all fit the replacemnt doublewalled lenses, which run for less than 20usd (lens).. I dont think they come fitted with doublewalled ones
  • 1 0
 @Loki87: Got the Leatt 6.5 and as good as they are for the money, they are much tighter across the bridge of the nose than the Oakley MX. Means the Oakleys are less claustrophobic and better on longer descents for getting air in. Shame as Leatts' are really well made.
  • 1 0
 @Niseach1:
Hmm,yeah fitment is of course always an issue. Compared to my Oakley Airbrakes for example they feel better in the nose area to me and i usually have problems with goggles rsestricting airflow as well. I will say though, they are less flexible and are probably less suitable to a flat face structure compared to the Airbrakes. In my experience these things do depend on a lot of factors. Face structure, helmet type and fit and even how tight you run the goggle straps. With my Leatts i found i simply had to run the strap less tight to alleviate the issue. As always though, try before you buy!
  • 1 0
 @secondtimeuser: the cheapest option will probably be buying a clear snowsports goggle, or replacing an old scratched snow goggle you have with a clear lens
  • 1 0
 @secondtimeuser: 100%, 100% of the time...
  • 2 0
 @pbuser2299: you must do that a lot Wink
  • 18 4
 My wet weather tip is get the fukc out of Scotland.
  • 6 0
 Didn't work out did it? Wink
  • 10 0
 Emergency latex or nitrile gloves in the bottom of your pack! Take up almost zero room and good last resort when it's soaking and freezing
  • 8 1
 i wonder if there is any other bike that looks so ghetto and tinkered as Joes Orange in the EWS.
  • 5 0
 It's an Orange which definitely helps Wink
  • 5 0
 next : ebiker takes power from battery and melts hands and grips.#soonintheaters
  • 1 0
 Always wear pants when it is cold and wet. Water resistant soft shells are great unless it is going to be a long one. I don't typically bother with a water proof jacket unless I am going for a long ride or the temperature is just above freezing. Wool or another technical fabric for your layers are critical.
  • 1 0
 Having Raynauds, I'd love to know how to make those heated grips Joe. I tried the heated grips (proper pack that a brand is selling. The battery is bulky, the grips are too big of a diamater)...

How does it work on the carbon Bar? (also yes, carbon bar for less cold... alloy was terrible for me...)

Thanks in advance!!
  • 2 0
 Me too! I had a set of heated grips made by AMI but they are super old and they finally bit the dust last year. Good reminder about the carbon bar @akamera, now I have a good excuse to buy one ????
  • 5 1
 Waterproof socks Joe, surely a must for toasty feet!
  • 4 0
 Heated socks...
  • 2 0
 loving the knee length sealskins over a thin pair of merino socks - I will be ever in debt to the Scotsman who introduced me to the dry toasty combination and if ever our paths cross again, there will be a dram or two on me
  • 2 0
 @Puddings: I upsize my biking shoes for exactly that purpose!
  • 2 0
 Electric jocks
  • 3 0
 Sweet tips. Good luck with the next race Joe.
  • 1 0
 Also between 2:51-2:59 min, is this a new prototype EXT coil shock that he is running? And the camera man tried to avoid showing so casually?
  • 4 0
 Nope, Formula.
  • 1 0
 I think you will find that he is the camera man!
  • 2 0
 Good quality riding trousers with waterproof crotch/ass area is a real game changer.
  • 2 0
 Great tips and greasy stash!!
  • 2 0
 Are your heated grips powerful enough to stop your water bottle freezing?
  • 1 0
 Don't leave us hanging Joe, please find some better foam! Never quit on yourself!
  • 2 0
 Need more info on the heated grips!
  • 2 0
 That intro/outro song is phenomenal!
  • 2 0
 What a SOUNDTRACK!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Dang it..I want that van lol







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