Shorts or tights?

rusty_nail

I'm looking at getting my 1st pair of bibs and wondered whether I should opt for tights, shorts or 3/4s? This time of year would I need tights, or would 3/4s be ok? If i got tights now would they be too warm in a couple of weeks? And how soon would people bring out the shorts? I know I could get shorts and leg warmers, but I don't mind buying a cooler pair in the spring/summer months. Do people use 3/4s or just have a shorts/tights combo in their wardrobe? Thanks!

u05harrisb

Take a look at maybe getting some normal bib shorts then buying leg warmers or knee warmers also. Very good alternative when weather is changeable or if you can only have one set of bottoms

MattyyP

I wear padded bib shorts, with unpadded tights. I would think a lot of others do this too, it's the cheapest way around getting an all weather cycling wardrobe!

lc1981

I've been using 3/4s all this winter. Shorts and knee or leg warmers is a good shout though.

mrbubbaman

MattyyP wrote:

I wear padded bib shorts, with unpadded tights. I would think a lot of others do this too, it's the cheapest way around getting an all weather cycling wardrobe!

Same here, but I'm a wuss and have thermal leggings on as well

lotus49

I've been wearing bib tights for the last few months. Any more than one layer and I'd roast but it hasn't been shorts weather for a depressingly long time.

Since Spring is on the way though, your best bet would be shorts and leg warmers because it's not that cold at the moment and, with any luck, it will be warmer any day now.

simon_masterson

Full length tights are best for this time of year, but I will second the unpadded option; it's what I use. If I had money I would almost certainly go for padded tights, but unpadded ones on top of shorts work perfectly well.

Monty Dog

You can get shorts made in a fleecy-backed roubaix material from the likes of DHB, Northwave, Castelli and Santini amongst others - get some matching legwarmers and kneewarmers and you'll have most seasons covered. For deep winter, nothing beats a pair of decent padded bid tights - shorts under tights is far more restrictive IME.

Teece

This one of those things that's personal to the rider.
I wear shorts all year round!

rusty_nail

Thanks for all the replies, think I'm going to get some DHB shorts so I'll need some leg warmers this time of year, any recommendations?

u05harrisb

DHBs good for both the warmers and shorts. Roubaix are hte fleecy ones and the pace or what ever they now call them are just lycra ones

Gizmodo

I haven't worn leg warmers for ages, the shins don't seem to feel the cold, so it's either cold enough for bib longs (for me below 8 deg C), warm enough for bib shorts (for me above 16 deg C), or somewhere in between which means shorts and knee warmers.

Good shorts, knee warmers and leg warmers gives you all possible combinations. DHB Roubaix are a good choice.

drlodge

I'm currently using DHB Vaeon Zero bib tights (padded) with leg warmers, and they're only just warm enough! Another benefit of using unpadded bib tights with padded bib shorts is that you get 2 layers of material on your thighs for extra warmth so I'll be going this way in future.

feemackenzie

MattyyP wrote:

I wear padded bib shorts, with unpadded tights. I would think a lot of others do this too, it's the cheapest way around getting an all weather cycling wardrobe!

Same here (plus a thin pair of merino wool thermals for when it was snowing and windy).

Don't forget overshoes - amazing how much crud it keeps off your feet

philbar72

MattyyP wrote:

I wear padded bib shorts, with unpadded tights. I would think a lot of others do this too, it's the cheapest way around getting an all weather cycling wardrobe!

quoted for truth. muddy fox shorts at 7.99 and karrimor legggings!

cyco2

Before getting a pair of padded bibs I bought leggings from Primark, black and blue, for £3 a pair. I tried the 3/4 ones ok but the full length ones better because if it's warmer to start I would fold the calf up. Then if it got colder on the hills I could lower them. I use padded shorts with the leggings. At times the leggings get mucky from off road rides but having a few pairs at that price I can always have some clean ones. Because Sportsdirect took over JBB stock I was able to get the bibs for about £12 which are pretty good.