gundom66

Bontragers. They were cheaper for me because of the additional 10% off due to my bike purchase with Trek. I like it a lot because the back is wider than most and the front zips up - more than enough materials for additional heat coverage. However, I liked the Specialized Roubaix Knickers better on the leg area. The material seems a bit thicker, but not fleeced. It was just a tad bit expensive - $180 - and I had to compromise with the wife. I guess what I can do is to buy regular tights to go over the knickers, so when it gets too hot, I can just peel it off and still keep some materials on my knees.

deadprez012

Hmm...tights in sub-30 deg F. I've taken out just the shorts on most of our 31-36 mornings lately. A bit of warmup before hopping on the bike has helped.

Upper body, though, is layered to the max. Sometimes the base layer under a long sleeve; sometimes a tight compression long sleeve under a loose athletic long sleeve under a plain cotton long sleeve T. Often a cap or beanie. Almost always gloves.

Huh...suppose I look pretty odd after those commutes. And sweaty.

gundom66

Well, it's gonna be in the low 30's when I wake up on Turkey Day. If it's too cold for knickers, I may turn around and wear sweats over it. For sure, I'm gonna wear my old Nike windbreaker and my backpack (don't worry, I ride an MTB on the road...) so when it's time to peel off, I have somewhere to stuff the sweats and windbreaker. If I can find something for my ears by then, then there shouldn't be an issue. Otherwise, I'll be sporting it with a beanie under the helmet...

coasting 

i find that if it is cold enough to need leg warmers, tights will not be too hot. so i might as well just wear tights.

dennisa

So, the only question that remains on the Nashbar tights is padded or unpadded ??

NickDavid

Tights are only necessary for temps below 30 degrees. Otherwise, it's bibs + knee warmers, then knickers, then bibs + leg warmers, then tights.

gundom66

Depends if you're wearing it over padded shorts. Or if your behind can handle non-padded.

umd

Haha, that's not cold, HTFU.

Jasper Storm

Saturday morning, wearing shorts and s/s jersey:

Avg Temperature: 39.5 °F
Min Temperature: 35.6 °F
Max Temperature: 44.6 °F

Did wuss out and wear full finger gloves.

roadiejorge 

I recently purchased knickers with "roubaix" lining and windproof fabric on the exterior which I plan on using through most of the winter depending on how cold it gets. I used my lighter gauge knickers down to the upper 30s but wanted something a little warmer; I'll save the winter tights for the very cold weather. My calves don't get cold so I don't mind having them exposed so long as it isn't frigid.

BikeMech

I just got tights recently but i have been wearing them on every ride. I do it really because i'm uncomfortable with the length of my cycling shorts. If it's 70 or so i simply push them up to right below my knees. When it's colder i just pull them down the rest of the way. It's nice because they're cool enough to wear when it's warm but if it cools down while i'm riding i don't have to freeze (Except my upper body of course)

Tip: They're just regular tights from target. $5.00 and walmart has them for i think $6.00. I know they're not actual cycling gear but it's so much cheaper and they do the job just fine. You just have to make sure to get the right material. You northern guys have it worse as far as winter so it may not work for you.

VT Biker

This all depends on the nature of the ride. Here in Colorado, you can be riding both at 5k feet and up to 13k feet on the same day. The temperature change on that ride is significant enough that you need to be able to add and remove clothing. However, if I am riding in the plains, on a colder day, where the temp is not going to fluctuate, then either knickers or tights depending.

Also - if you need to turn your knickers into full on tights - just get some longer wool socks (such as the over-the-calf socks). Are great for covering up any remaining portion of your leg.
https://www.darntough.com/ski-ride-1409.html

eippo1

50- 60 Knee warmers

32-60 Leg warmers (40 and below I throw in windblocker Craft undies)

32 -10 tights

10 and below tights plus bibs plus windblocker craft undies

vantassell

I'm in a pretty dry climate, so the cold doesn't feel as cold. I could see somewhere more humid (which would be pretty much anywhere) would be different.

botto 

if you went out in those temps wearing shorts and a short sleeve jersey, then you are the king of freds.

learnmedia

Surprisingly true. I wore my new Giordana bib knickers in 50 degree + wind weather yesterday. With tallish thin wool socks, base layer, long sleeve jersey, and skull cap (for my Kojak dome), I felt quite comfy. Born, raised, and living in SoCal, I'm a wimp. I don't do cold. The two other riders I saw out were in full tights, long sleeves, and neck wraps as well.

datlas 

OK, everyone is different but here is what I do:

Sorry to our non-usa folks but these are Farenheight temps

>55 shorts
40-55 shorts + leg warmers
30-40 shorts + tights
15-30 shorts+ leg warmers then tights OVER them
<15 ride rollers (or trainer - arrrgh!)

This general guideline has worked very well for me. YMMV.

umd

You troublemaker you.

gundom66

I have a buddy that lives in SoCal and he said after getting used to the warmer temps, 50ish is like freezing cold for him. LOL. We were just emailing each other earlier and he said he doesn't like knickers either because the style is... too girlie for him. So he wears tights over short bibs. Then he said when he gets a bit warmed up, he takes off his tights and puts on knee warmers to keep 'em warm. O.o <ehhh???>

I'm glad he's not a member of BF... it would've been "open season" for him.

umd

Tell him "yeah, cause wearing something called 'tights' isn't girlie"

coasting 

good point. i don't understand why you would want to expose a little bit of flesh.

umd

I'm pretty sure we've been through this limey. It's important to protect the joint, not the flesh. In the 40s and 50s you want the knee covered but the calves generate their own heat.

VT Biker

Well,

for some of us, the main point is to keep your knees warm in order to prevent injury. Calve muscles are not a joint, and therefore, even if a little cold, do not have nearly the risk of injury as your knees do when it is cold outside. If you do not anticipate the need to strip down further, then it is more beneficial to have knickers than knee warmers, since the knee warmers both: A) Stretch out the bottoms of your cycling shorts needlessly and b) fall down or move during the ride.

If you have the luxury of owning shorts, knee warmers, knickers and tights, then there are rides where kickers are the most optimal form of cycling bib. But again - these are for specific weather and riding circumstances. Not good if it is going to warm up, not good if it is really cold. but for most riding when the weather is going to stay in the 50's all day, perfect.

And as I posted above, if you get long-enough wool socks, you can then cover your entire lower 1/2. I use Ibex wool knickers with Darn Tough Vermont Socks (ski version, over the calf) length socks, and viola, I have in essence a pair of tights.

However - if on a budget - then knee warmers are the most economical.

Velo Vol 

No need to apologize.

Sundance89

Like I said, I'm originally from Michigan and I never forget my roots in my mind . . . but the body does. It only took 15 years, but mornings in the desert will get into the 30's and that's now cold for me. I checked the forecast and Scottsdale will have a low of 36 degrees on Wednesday, but it's common to have 30 plus degree swings to our high temps too.

The body does get acclimated. I also was on my bike every day throughout the summer. One day during the high of 116 degrees, so it balances out. By still commuting and training with long rides in the heat, I adjusted (relatively speaking) to the heat as well. So I guess you could say my threshold has gone up with the heat, but my bottom line tolerance for low temps have gone up too. - Thus tights for me.