[JaredP91]

With the weather beginning to change and the cooler, wetter and generally more unpredictable autumnal rides now the norm, I’m looking to upgrade to some more suitable autumn/winter clothing.

I’m struggling to pick between leg warmers and full bib tights. I wondered if anyone has a preference? And can explain some of the pros and cons?

For instance, will a good pair of thermal leg warmers see me through winter riding?

Topic

[don simon fbpe]

Blimey, what would you

Blimey, what would you recommend for 30 degree plus temperatures?

[BBB]

3/4 bibs, lycra or brushed
3/4 bibs, lycra or brushed depending on the temperature. It’s not Antarctica.

[andystow]

Same. And I can just take

Same. And I can just take them off at my desk when I’m at work without needing to find somewhere private to remove my trousers.

[Nick T]

Padless tights over regular

Padless tights over regular bibshorts for me, got plenty of knackered looking but still serviceable bibs that go under longs in winter. Double layered warmth and i don’t wear out my summer gear prematurely 

[hawkinspeter]

Bib tights for me as they’re
Bib tights for me as they’re more comfortable. I’ve got some leg warmers but have never bothered using them. I tend to regulate my temperature by adding/reducing what I’m wearing on my top rather than my legs and switch from bib-shorts to bib-tights when the temp is consistently lower than 10 degrees.

[IanEdward]

I got lucky in that I

I got lucky in that I inherited two sets of bib tights from my dad. I un-stitched the nasty cheap pads from them and wear them over a good set of ‘normal’ shorts.

I prefer them to knee or leg warmers as they don’t slip down (or up, they have stirrups) so you don’t get that ‘saggy tights’ look that I always eventually seem to get with knee or leg warmers.

Of course, the correct answer is both, as I’ll still use knee warmers for frosty dry mornings such as those we’re just about to start experiencing. Tights only come out for wet days as they have a spray-proof shin.

[Pilot Pete]

I wear roubaix shorts with

I wear roubaix shorts with leg warmers down to pretty much zero degrees.

There are a few reasons why. I have had bib tights, but the quality ones are very expensive and don’t offer the flexibility that shorts and warmers do.

When the temp goes below 15 degrees C, I will tend to wear the thermal shorts and a thermal base layer with a summer jersey over the top. If the weather may get a little warmer later on, I’ll wear a short sleeved winter base layer with arm warmers. If it is going to go significantly above 15 degrees then I may not wear the base layer and just put a gilet over the summer jersey with the arm warmers. I can then remove those if it does warm up. I won’t use leg warmers until the temp goes below about 10/11 degrees C.

When I go abroad in November, the rides tend to start off warmish, then it gets above 15, even up to low 20s, so summer kit with arm and leg warmers and a gilet for when the sun goes down and we are still out – perhaps sat in a bar after a long day in the saddle! It can then get bloody chilly! The warmers can be carried all day in jersey pockets and put on when the temp drops. I love that flexibility.

So back home, when the temp goes below 10 degrees C it’s base layer, jersey and gilet, or jacket with leg warmers and thermal shorts. Still just summer shoes, perhaps with thicker socks, until the temp goes below about 8 degrees C, or it’s wet, when I will wear winter boots with walking socks, and Spatz overshoes if it’s wet.

Now I could wear tights then instead of the shorts/ warmers, but I don’t need to, as I run hot and sweat even in the depths of winter! If it gets down towards freezing I will contemplate putting a pair of bib tights over the shorts and warmers if I know it’s gonna stay freezing all day. That lot is quite restrictive, but bib tights without a pad work fine as long as they are not too tight a fit. Mine are ancient now, probably 10yrs old, but they get very little use so have lasted just fine. I’ve been through several pairs of roubaix shorts in the same time as the pad/ bum material starts to wear thin/ through and it is cheaper to replace shorts when that happens than the equivalent branded full padded tights.

Another benefit can be if you take a tumble. I have taken the knee out of bib tights in the past as ive skidded on the deck. With tights, that’s an expensive replacement. If it’s only the knee of a leg warmer it’s only about £30 for a replacement pair. If you take out the hip on your tights, it’s the same expense as just a knee. If you do that with shorts, once again they are cheaper than bib tights. Free crash repairs from the manufacturer is worth considering when you purchase, which will do away with that worry. But, you’re talking top end kit to get that which costs a premium in the first place. If that’s out of budget, then cheaper branded warmers/ thermal shorts is a good option for this reason.

PP

 

[pablo]

Both. leg warmers if the
Both. leg warmers if the weather’s changeable although I don’t like them that much as they restrict my knee movement a bit. Not much but after an hour you start noticing these things. Bibs in deepest darkest winter with no hope of it warming up again the knee thing gets on my nerves but last year I discovered the castelli ones with the inner liner which were a revelation as it’s stays relatively stationary over the knee.

[BobbyG]

Winter running tights under

Winter running tights under my usual year-round bib shorts 🙂

[SuperCommuter]

Bib shorts with a Roubaix
Bib shorts with a Roubaix fleece can do you into surprisingly low temperatures. Sportful Fiandre No Rain for me for a bit of water resistance. Some £10 waterproof overtrousers cut into shorts and stashed in a stuff sack for when there’s a downpour. In deep winter the bibtights come out. I’d recommend getting ones without a pad that you can stick on over your usual shorts. Lusso aqua repel tights work for me. Some folk don’t like the stirrups but I prefer them. Previous tights would get a bit slack and ride up, even with the silicon gripper

[ktache]

My leg warmers, pearl Izumi

My leg warmers, pearl Izumi water resistant thermals are excellent to have around, sits in the bag when not wanted in the colder months.

I wear baggies, goes with my commuter/utility mountain bikeness. 3/4s in the winter, very cold or wet and I put them on when needed.  I even pull my socks up a bit if my shins are getting chilly, like in the beast from the east.

 

[Stratman]

Bib tights for me – Castelli

Bib tights for me – Castelli Sorpasso.  Like the don I found knee warmers tended to bunch up so I also have a pair of Omloop shorts that are about knee length and work for the intermediate days.

[Dicklexic]

Both!

Both!

I have knee and leg warmers to use with my regular summer shorts when it’s autumn/spring type weather, or for really early starts in summer when it can be chilly, and then I break out the full tights when I know the whole ride is going to be really cold. I really don’t like having cold knees.

It doesn’t have to be extravagantly expensive, simple knee/leg warmers can be had for £15, and if you get some roubaix tights that don’t have a pad you can put them over your shorts when it’s really cold.

There is also a third option; IMHO for riding through the winter you need some thicker roubaix type shorts or tights anyway, as a pair of knee warmers and regular summer shorts will still leave you feeling cold. Thicker Roubaix shorts AND knee warmers versus full tights is the real choice.

[peted76]

A good merino base layer, a

A good merino base layer, a good pair of winter socks and a pair of 3/4’s sees me through all but the coldest of days (when I’ll crack out the winter tights).

Also depends on the ‘type of riding’ you do.. my ‘lighter’ kit is okay for fast tempo rides as I’ll heat up pretty quickly.. but for more social rides, starting off warm is better.

[Anonymous]

Personally never wear

Personally never wear anything more than bibknickers. If it’s that bloody cold I’ll go and ride the missus under the duvet or go to the pub 

 

[Author]

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