3/4 bibs or thermal bib shorts and merino knee warmers.

Simonhi
Simonhi Posts: 229
edited October 2011 in Road beginners
First winter coming up on the roads for me, so now that things are still warm I'm contemplating what to get for when it gets a bit chillier.

Was thinking about getting 3/4 bib but a recent magazine article has suggested that those in the know use thermal bib shorts and merino knee warmers.

I'm thinking in the 5-10 Celcius range cos anything above ten will see me in my usual bib shorts, anything less than 5 and I'll be in full legs / tights.

Would appreciate what others have done / do when it starts to get nut tighteningly colder :-)

Cheers,

Si :-)
Feather Cycles XCR Modern Classic 911R
Enigma Echo
Singular Gryphon

Comments

  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    I find that bibs and knee/leg warmers work well enough for me. And you don't have to fork out for extra 3/4 bibs or longs when it gets colder.
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • Duffer65
    Duffer65 Posts: 341
    edited October 2011
    doppelganger post
    Where would you be if you fell down a hole?.. Stuck down a hole... in the fog... Stuck down a hole, in the fog, at night... WITH AN OWL!
  • nickel
    nickel Posts: 476
    I've just bought a pair of thermal bib shorts which combined with my endura kneewarmers will keep me nice and toasty down to a few degrees c. Was out on saturday when it was about 10 degrees in standard bibs and knee warmers and wasn't cold at all so I'm sure thermal bibs will be fine down to 5 degrees.

    I also have a pair of unpadded roubaix tights that I can just pull on over my shorts meaning the shorts can be used throughout the winter. Cheaper than buying bibtights too!
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Personally, I wouldn't go with merino knee-warmers because they hold water in the wet which significantly reduced their thermal properties - far better going with a roubaix material like the shorts. Also, whilst thermal shorts are good, they are a spring/autumn garment and don't offer the warmth for deep-winter riding IMO
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rob13
    rob13 Posts: 430
    Whilst not wanting to break the bank by buying an inbetween pair, I've got a pair of Bib Shorts which I've been using lately and finding the limit of warmth with them. Should I just get a set of Roubaix bib tights or will I then be too hot?
  • jehannum5
    jehannum5 Posts: 54
    you could always wear longs and therefore avoid looking like a girl riding back from a pump class...
  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    I find if its cold enough to wear anything over my legs / knees then i need another layer over my crotch !

    I carry a pair of running tights in my bag that do a great job and pack down smaller than roubaix leg warmers.
    FCN 3/5/9
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Don't underestimate 3/4 bibs, my roubaix ones are fantastic + leg warmers for colder and autumn riding
  • Mad Roadie
    Mad Roadie Posts: 710
    giant mancp wrote:
    Don't underestimate 3/4 bibs, my roubaix ones are fantastic + leg warmers for colder and autumn riding
    3/4 bibs are great - far more versatile than you might think. I wear them often to protect m knees, but on those days dont feel i get too hot at all.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    yeah that's it basically, the knees ......
  • lef
    lef Posts: 728
    Id go bib shorts and warmers. you can use the shorts all year round and if you get a pair of unpadded roubaix tights you can wear them over the shorts for extra warmth in winter. You can wear the unpadded tights more than once (if youre not having a too hard a workout!), rather than forking out for multiple pairs of expensive padded bib tights which you definitely should wash after every ride.
  • morrisje
    morrisje Posts: 507
    Another way to do it is Bib shorts made from Roubaix material. Keeps your important areas warmer than normal shorts made fro lycra. This means that you can match them with knee or leg warmers warmers. You are pretty much sorted for 3 seasons.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=67635
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=29166

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