GiantDefyGuy

Just curious, really.

I've got shorts (and now some bibs) that I'm happy with. And I've got arm+leg warmers for when it's cold, and I like those too.

I just can't figure out a situation where I would want to be wearing knickers. It seems less versatile than regular bibs+leg warmers. Is it something about compression of the muscles around the knee? Just curious.

sdgrannygear

Remember, there are leg warmers and then there are knee warmers. I'll take knee warmers over knickers since they are a cheaper option and can be taken off mid ride if it gets too hot. knee warmers are nice on cool but not really cold days. It is nice to keep the knees warm although I typically don't notice after 20-30 minutes, once my legs are warmed up adequately.

Seattle Forrest

I wear knickers when I'm hiking and some of the time when I'm cycling. Great pants. But I won't do bibs because I'm not a professional wrestler. I guess knicker bibs are for British wrestlers?

bbattle

I prefer knee warmers; I can take them off if it gets too hot.

Commodus

I wear bib knickers a lot. I like them because I don't like my knees uncovered any time it's below 20*.

Comfier than the warmers because everything stays in place really nicely, though to be honest it's a small difference. Warmers work too.

roadiejorge 

I use knickers once the colder Fall and early Winter temperatures set in. I've used warmers and they're ok but I like the fact knickers have the fleece throughout the garment, that way my legs and nether region is a bit better protected against the cold than just having summer gauge fabric with warmers.I like the fit as well and since I wear them when the weather won't change much where I'd want a short not having that option isn't a problem at all.

GiantDefyGuy

I forgot they made knee warmers. That makes a little more sense....not too much though. Just use your leg warmers!

Right now, I have 1 pair of bibs that I've been wearing on sundays for long rides. They do totally look wrestler-ey, but not with a jersey on top. They make me look hella-sexy though. I really don't find them any more comfortable than shorts though.

GiantDefyGuy

Ah.....I never even thought that they would be a different material than shorts. That totally makes them seem more practical. My package gets pretty cold with just shorts and warmers, but I thought that's just how it had to be if I wasn't wearing tights over them.

island rider

Funny, I am in the process of making a Ribble purchase and have been asking the same question. My end result was that when it's cold I don't like wearing summer weight shorts with fleecy knee warmers, I would rather have the full protection. Think November and December in New York. Otherwise I use use the warmers. Think October and late september in New York.

DScott

My bib knicks are also a little warmer than bibs/knee warmers and are for days when it starts out and stays cold, but isn't quite cold enough for tights. It's nice to not have the hassle of knee warmers. There's some overlap with all the different combinations.

Same with different combos of base layers, jerseys, vests, etc. Just another tool in the box...

roadiejorge 

The added benefit is that most of them also extend the fleece up the back and front of the garment so you have an added fleece layer below your base layer.



Go for it, you won't regret it. I use my knickers from mid-October through December then use them again late Feb through April depending on conditions.

GiantDefyGuy

Looking back at y'all's posts, I'm realizing that location has a lot to do with this.

Down here, I'm not so sure we need so many options when it comes to riding in cold weather.

etane

I wear bib knickers (goes down to just below my knees) and sunsleeves on my arms. It's just to prevent my skin from getting burned as I don't like using sunblock. The material is very light. I pull down the sunsleeves to my wrists when I am climbing.

Seattle Forrest

I have cashmere arm and leg warmers. They have a great warmth-to-weight ratio, and lose their insulating properties just before I begin to sweat, so they're always the right temperature (except summer when any extra layer can be too much), and softer than kittens. The sweater they used to be cost about $5 at the thrift store.

DScott

I'm just trying to help feed this poor girl. She's clearly starving, and could really use a cheeseburger and a beer.

island rider

Sometimes I browse their site just for fun...

Quel

I'd like some bib knickers, but can't really justify buying them instead of just using knee warmers.

Ionpro

Where I live you go from bib shorts with knee or leg warmers almost straight to bib tights with fleece lining. No happy middle so I have never spent money on bib knickers.

Psimet2001 

I use bib-knickers. Did not use them for the longest time but then we had them available in this last team kit order. VERY nice and comfortable. I would easily use them in then in the low 50's and below.

They will be great for cross this year.

ruindd

If you have something under your base layer, you're doing it wrong. If it truly is a base layer, put it under your bib straps.

ruindd

Bib Knickers really are great for chilly (50F-35F), but not cold (35F and colder) temperatures. The main advantage to knickers over warmers is that knickers have a thicker material and go up higher on your torso. With the bibs & warmers setup my knees/legs would be ok and my thighs would be freezing, Knickers solve this.

I also use my knickers as a base layer for when it gets really cold and put a pair of sweatpants over them. This keeps my lower half warm down to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

RacerOne

Above 50F: Bib Shorts
40-50F Bib shorts and knee warmers
30-40F Bib shorts and leg warmers
Below 30F Bib tights

carpediemracing 

Someone already mentioned this but wearing summer lycra around the crotch area in 35 degree weather doesn't cut it. A thicker "roubaix" material works. Bib knickers made with the thicker material works great because it keeps the lower core warm. I wear them down to about 35 degrees (racing), 45 degrees (training).

If you have non-bib knickers they're probably thin material. Wear them under (under!) your regular shorts. This gets two layers in the "shorts" area, one layer on the knees.

I wear booties under 55 degrees pretty much all the time. This means that I wear them with shorts down to 50 degrees (racing) or knickers down to 35 degrees. It's much more important to keep the feet relatively warm.

I'm thinking of converting some of my older bib knickers (roubaix material) into shorts. This way I can wear knee warmers with them.

Basically the more time you spend in that 45-55 degree weather the more you can use knickers. I ride about 4-5 weeks in the fall and maybe 7-8 weeks in the spring using knickers consistently (less time in fall because I dramatically reduce riding time). Around here temps don't change dramatically from AM to noon to PM, and I usually ride in a 1-3 hour window where the temperature might change by 5-10 degrees.

In SoCal I've used knee warmers, but if it's cold enough for them it's usually cold enough for knickers. Maybe an early morning departure time to assault Palomar (55 deg depart), 40 deg or lower at the top, then 55 deg or so when I get back. Valley might have hit 75-80 in the mean time but I've been elsewhere during that time.

caloso

Like others have said, they fill the sweet spot around 50F down to the 30s.

jdon

This thread just makes me sad. That time of year already?