cycling tights

liketobike said:

I'm new to cool weather cycling and am wondering if padded tights are better than wearing tights over top padded shorts, and if nylon-spandex, or polyester-spandex is better for cooler weather?

I have been wondering this also. I'm still deciding if I should just buy tights, or just get leg warmers.

I talked to a friend who cycles alot, she wears tights over shorts. She said if it ends up being warmer, you can always remove your tights. I'm going to go with the tights, I'll let you know how they are for me.

Andatura Veloce said:

I have been wondering this also. I'm still deciding if I should just buy tights, or just get leg warmers.

Well, what you wear depends on your internal heat engine, the outside temp, yada yada yada. Below 60 I wear bibs and leg warmers, just to keep my knees warm and workin' nice. Once it's below 50, I put on my bib knickers and wear those down to around 30. Below that I'll slide tights on...unpadded tights.

I got a pair of Voler Dryline Tech XM Bib Tights for about $38 on ebay and have yet to give them a run in cooler weather. It's still around 90*F where I am. 🙄 They felt warm when I tried them on.That seller has yet to leave me my second feedback which I would really like to have. 🙁

Several thin layers are better than one thick layer, especially if the weather is bad. Also as you warm up you can peel them off, and if you get a flat, put them back on so you don't freeze.

I'd suggest padded shorts, with the tights over the top.

Leg warmers are OK as long as you don't need to walk about or get wet/muddy, then I find even the hold up types fall down, catch in your gears etc..

And what I always recommend: if you're getting cold then you're not peddaling hard enough. 😄

alienator said:

Well, what you wear depends on your internal heat engine, the outside temp, yada yada yada. Below 60 I wear bibs and leg warmers, just to keep my knees warm and workin' nice. Once it's below 50, I put on my bib knickers and wear those down to around 30. Below that I'll slide tights on...unpadded tights.

+1 on that. It's best to have different clothes for different temperatures ranges. The actual temperature for different ranges depends on each person individually and whether you like to have extra knee warmth. I like to go from normal bibs -> knee warmers -> leg warmers -> light tights -> heavy tights -> it's too freakin cold to cycling so I'll go running.

I like unpadded tights because they are more versatile. You can use them for sports other than cycling.

alienator said:

Well, what you wear depends on your internal heat engine, the outside temp, yada yada yada. Below 60 I wear bibs and leg warmers, just to keep my knees warm and workin' nice. Once it's below 50, I put on my bib knickers and wear those down to around 30. Below that I'll slide tights on...unpadded tights.

Ewwwwww, not a good picture, how much are a good pair of leg warmers and bib knickers?

Cycler6n said:

Ewwwwww, not a good picture, how much are a good pair of leg warmers and bib knickers?

I'm sure leg warmers from Performance are exceptionally cheap, on the order of $20-$40, I'm guessing. Knickers, well, they're usuallly in the range of $60ish up to $200 or more. I think I paid somewhere around $160 or so for my Assos knickers.

alienator said:

I'm sure leg warmers from Performance are exceptionally cheap, on the order of $20-$40, I'm guessing. Knickers, well, they're usuallly in the range of $60ish up to $200 or more. I think I paid somewhere around $160 or so for my Assos knickers.

wow, thats a good amount of cash. I still have to get a jersey too...:p

Cycler6n said:

wow, thats a good amount of cash. I still have to get a jersey too...:p

I ride down to about 20 degrees F. I wear padded shorts in all rides, and add tights, which I wear over the shorts, when it is below 50. My layering is focused on my core for my upper body.

I guess it depends on preference. I noticed that it looks like the pros wear their shorts over the tights. Could be so we can see their sponsors?

But speaking of Cycling tights, I wore mine today because it was 91 and sunny, two days ago, but today it was 50 and cloudy with a nice breeze. Damn, it felt more like the 30's after all the hot weather we've had. Goodbye summer. I'll miss you.

alienator said:

I'm sure leg warmers from Performance are exceptionally cheap, on the order of $20-$40, I'm guessing. Knickers, well, they're usuallly in the range of $60ish up to $200 or more. I think I paid somewhere around $160 or so for my Assos knickers.

On a light note, there is a very funny blog piece on Assos here that really cracked me up.
fatcyclist.coman open letter to assosOpen ↗

If you are like me, the worst body part to keep warm is my feet. I ride to about 20 degrees and have tried everything to keep my feet warm to no avail.

ovalbackmarker said:

If you are like me, the worst body part to keep warm is my feet. I ride to about 20 degrees and have tried everything to keep my feet warm to no avail.

I just ordered some new shoe covers because these are too expensive for me.
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gizmodo.comwireless heated insoles keep your toes attached 205901.phpOpen ↗

Just found these. They are cheap
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Sidi's,
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