UniChris

Let's say this time of year my riding goal would be 15-30 moderate pace miles, heading out geared up for enjoyment rather than a commute or utility cycling.

My chamois tights aren't quite warm enough any more, especially towards dusk.

I think what I really want is some sort of quick-drying fabric synthetic pants of some sort that I can pull on over them when I'm cold and take off when I'm not. Or maybe something to wear over summer shorts of which I have far more pairs.

Alas what I've managed to find so far:

- Uniqlo lined pants, poly cotton but some fancy "heat tech" fiber technology, wish they were more of an activity cut than goofy flat front slacks with pockets but seem like they'll probably work, still need to try them on over tights when those are dry in the morning and decide between tossing in the washer or a bag to return.

- A pair of somewhat stretch jeans a size up from usual to fit chamois tights or shorts under... seems "all wrong" but sort of feel like they may actually work. Have worn the same type on their own in usual size for a few shorter "first ride of spring" outings after past winter's inactivity and it doesn't seem like the knees bind much.

- Dirt cheap pair of polar fleece pajama pants, kind of thinking I could dig out the serger and contour their seams a bit to be less floppy. Not sure how they're going to do in wind, though guess I could explore that by stepping out the door without going for a ride in them.

At a certain point I start thinking I should just buy a second pair of cheap tights (preferably without the chamois) to double up the first - I'm basically layering multiple long sleeve summer tops to give warmth adjustment already so there's logic to extending that pattern. Or even buy another copy of the cheap chamois ones and take the pad out, since I know they fit. It does occur to me that come spring, there could be a role for having a quite packable warmth layer for part of the day or especially for train rides home from rail trail adventures further afield.

79pmooney

I use windblock tights, not bib-tights (no chamois) with clip-on suspenders.Shorts under. Suspenders grab both. I put as many layers between as is called for by the weather and ride. The layers between can be ordinary thermal long underwear (REI and the like). I do all my body temp regulation with my upper body. Arm warmers, warm hat, usually leather "chopper mitts" and wool liner mitts under. Maybe a jacket that can get stuffed into a jersey pocket.

Oh, for warm feet, I made gators of stretchy outdoor fabric. They fit snugly around my ankles under my tights and are a size large below to go over my boots or shoe tops. They make a huge difference keeping my feet warm.

Edit: I just looked at your post. Are you riding unicycle this time of year? And those distances? If so, my hat's off to you!

Ben

bpcyclist

At those distances, I wouldn't worry too much, as you won't be out super long. So, just dress for comfort. I lived in the city for a long time and, when it got cold, just wore a "base layer" (tee shirt and thin tights) plus fleece kit-type top and bottom. Plus a gilet. Piecea cake. Worked then there and works now here, down to, say, upper 20s if it is dry and upper 30s if wet. But then, I am quite cold-tolerant. My mom and dad used to make fun of me when I was little because, when we would have a big ice or snow storm, I was usually running around the house in my underwear. I am always hot.

UniChris

As this is recreational cycling rather than going somewhere, they do involve being out for fairly long periods of time. So far when moving things have been okay until the cold wind just pulled too much heat out of leg muscles towards dusk, but I've also only headed out on the warmer days, and want to try to escape that limitation. Also the rides that are most interesting are outside the city, which can mean things like standing around afterwards waiting for a train home.

rumrunn6

when it's time to cover my legs I use cycling pants
when it gets colder, I play with something under that, such as cheap thin running tights or thin fleece tights, (like what women wear but sized 3XL queen, plus size, stretchy, off Amazon. kinda weird but they work!)
if it's going to be brutal out I'll use my double layer cycling rain pants w/ EMS fleece pants under

anyway sounds like another layer is a good idea & since you already have "tights" then maybe it would be smart to get cycling pants to go over the tights. just size up, so it's not all too snug. mine are Novara (REI brand) "Headwind" pants but they don't make them anymore. I found a pre-owned pair on ebay. you can find Novara cycling pants on Ebay & Poshmark

I tried getting cycling pants on Amazon but what I got was weird & didn't fit right

UniChris

That was my plan, and then after reading a lot of reviews, my fear. And then it was too late to get something in time for this idea I have of riding tomorrow, so I ended up making a tour of local clothing stores.

I do think the "cycling pants" idea is about right if I can find something that seems like it's going to work, what I got in terms of normal people clothes yesterday was sort of the closest I could find to approximate that.

The multiple layers of long johns idea is tempting, what I'm not sure about there is how that would interact with the chamois layer. I did think of trying to find something that could just go over chamois tights or shorts, maybe that's the way to go.

There's also the idea of something with zip off legs, though I'm not sure how well that really works or if it still exists.

One thing I don't want to end up with is the feeling that I'm stuck wearing something too hot for the conditions in earlier afternoon and so getting sweat buildup, not thrilled about having to take off my shoes to shed a layer but guess I should just accept that.

Jim from Boston

Quote:

Originally Posted by UniChris

Let's say this time of year my riding goal would be 15-30 moderate pace miles, heading out geared up for enjoyment rather than a commute or utility cycling....

My chamois tights aren't quite warm enough any more, especially towards dusk….

I once posted this speculation about cold legs to this thread:

rumrunn6

my cycling pants are snug but not tight. the seat isn't lined so I wear thin lined tri-shorts underneath



so I can fit thin cheap running tights under these pants. I can fit other stuff too but the EMS fleece pants are too think & I feel too restricted. when I buy jeans/pants I get 38" waist, but the Novara Headwind pants fit well at size XL, if that info helps

they have zip up ankles


deciding what to wear under them is just educated estimations. for me, I know if it's 50 degrees I'll be ok with just my trishorts under. if it's 40 I might be OK if it's not raining & doesn't get colder, if it's 30 degrees, I like something under them. they have a thicker front panel than the back, I guess that's why they call them "Headwind" but that's a common feature of cycling pants

one year I experimented making my own knee warmer from fleece leg warmers. I had you sensitive knee that year


over that I put the ladies fleece tights



then the cycling pants


I don't use that DIY knee warmer anymore

the other nice thing about "cycling" pants, is that they flex properly at the knee


when it's really storming, my Showers Pass cycling specific rain pants are roomier & I can fit my EMS fleece pants comfortably under them


& they have fancy ankle closures, which are good so I can customized the fit over boots


if you just want an overlayer for your fleece tights then I think they do make "convertible" "tech" style pants w/ zip off legs, but not sure if they are cycling specific

before I got cycling specific leg wear I used common snow pants, usually with just my shorts underneath. I added reflective tape for commuting

UniChris

Plus they come in such nice colors ;-)

Quite seriously, I may look into it. There are lots of places where society says men get the practical clothes, but mass-market stretchy performance fabric tends to go the other way.

rumrunn6

like my Asics brand Men's Tights
$29

no fleece but they're smooth, comfortable & provide a really good base layer

wolfchild

There are pants out there made from softshell fleece. They come in various styles, some are slim fit with enough room to be worn over thermal tights. They are perfect for cycling. ..Jeans worn over tights will also work to keep you warm, but jeans are heavier and may not be as comfortable for longer distances, they're ok for shorter distances

alloo

Since I don't ride in ice, I used fleece lined jeans or cargo pants.

UniChris

I bought some uniqlo lined pants and used them today. They sort of worked, needing some tugging up now and then and started thinking about the suspenders idea.

Main issue was they were too warm for the actual riding. I had to walk some rugged trail, but a bit over a mile after I started riding again stopped and shed them. Were nice to have as I was winding up after the good portion of the ride with another stretch of urban hassles and getting on a train home but I think I want to find a lighter second layer I could wear while determinedly riding - it would have to be really cold to need those while cranking along.

UniChris

Those are tempting, but I notice you say "base layer". Do you think they'd work over chamois tights or shorts?

rumrunn6

over tights? no

BobbyG

I don't know what brand I use, but I wear a loose, but still stretchy generic atheletic/active pants that breath. In fact there is a slightly perforate panel down the sides. This works for me down to 15F-18F. From there to my lower limit of 5F I hear non-breathable, fleece-lined jogging pants over that. I will also put on the non-breathables if there is a lot of snow.

02Giant 

When the temps drop below freezing I will wear a pair of merino wool base layer tights (long underwear) under my thermal cycling tights. Really cold, 10* and lower, I have a pair of Under Armour ColdGear 4.0 leggings, they really do the trick.

UniChris

Are you wearing these under, over, or without a cycling chamois?

I'd be fine going without for commuting or something, but my circumstances are such that for getting around I either walk or get on the train - riding is only worth the bother if I'm going for a greater distance, so that's going to be part of the kit.

Just ordered a pair of jogging tights a size up with the idea of wearing them over chamois tights or shorts (and also thinking they might go along well into spring for mis-estimations). Will have to see if they work. Starting to think I may source some suspenders too.

02Giant 

Both are considered base layers, so worn under thermal cycling tights.
I don’t use tights or shorts with a chamois. I haven’t found I need a chamois, so far.

rumrunn6

I get my cheap clip on units from walmart. they are by the belts

UniChris

Most accessible Walmart is up the road from turnaround point of my usual metric century route, probably won't be back that way until it's a bit warmer ;-) . (And yes, I have actually considered stopping in)

I think I may have some somewhere, have mixed feelings about the effectiveness of elastic ones, but also have a sewing machine, so...

rumrunn6

can probably just tie a cpl pieces of cord around belt loops & cross them over your back (1/2 kidding). I use the cheap suspenders so I don't have to keep hoisting my work pants up at my 2nd job. use them w/ cycling pants & when I go out in storms to rake my roof. I just adjust the length to provide the right amount of support. I fold over the edge of the pants, it helps keep a tight connection

back to the cord, I have a ring of cord on each tall Bogs brand tall boot to keep pant ankles from getting hoisted up when trudging thru deep snow around the house. dunno if I have a pic of that. before using the string/cord the pants would move up & I've get snow over the top of the boot. we get some wicked drifts!

Jim from Boston

Keeping the legs warmI keep my legs warm with layer(s) of tights (base layers) of light, medium, and heavyweight material, and use the various combinations according to the temperature under my cycling shorts:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

The way I organize my winter dress is by levels, 1 to 6. (I got that scale from whitewater rafting, where difficulty of a river is rated from 1 to 6, and it works for me).

The levels do not mean layers, but the combination of gear for temperature intervals, in increments of about 10 degrees F. A few years ago I posted the scheme on a Road Cycling thread, ”Your clothing choices for various temps".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

I think of my degrees of dress in six levels. Adopting to your table for my 14 mile commute (temperatures in parentheses):

50-70F
Level I (>70): Shorts….

Level II (60): Add thin long legged tights and/or long-sleeve jersey
(50): Add … long legged [medium weight] cycling tights over thin tights

30-40F
Level III (40):…two layers of tights [heavy weight and light or medium weight]…

10-30F
Level IV (30) …[two layers as above]…

Level V (25): …[as above]

Level VI: (<20): …additional windproof pants [scrub pants or rainproof pants] over two pairs of tights…

<0F?
My personal best has been leaving at 8 degrees in Boston and arriving at my suburban destination at minus 9

I don't like being cold, so I tend to overdress a bit, but I have a rear trunk bag and can remove layers.

For legwear, I consider it a compromise between warmth and flexibility (elasticity of the fiber). The two thinner pairs of tights have lost elasticity, and I do use clip-on suspenders to hold them up when not wearing the otherwise snug heavyweight type as the outer layer.

One other item I have used since that scheme was described are leg length warmers, with zippered ankles, though they don’t cover the pelvis. I did have a problem keeping them hitched up as far as possible, so I bought hockey garters used to keep up long length hockey stockings.



Kind of like wrap-around chaps for a cycling cowboy.

rumrunn6

+1 for the trunk bag

Jim from Boston

˄˄˄˄

I also posted about these additional considerations for legs: