Cold Weather Bibs Temperature Rated?
I know this is rider specific but is there any temperature rating categorization to bibs to know which ones to buy for different temperatures? I don't want to buy $1000 in bibs to figure out which ones to have. I do not get very cold, but I am an XC rider who is now starting to ride road and discovering that normal bibs do not always work in the cold. I see there are different types of full length bibs and do not know which to buy. The coldest I would ride in is 25 degree F (not Celsius) but mostly in the 50s F. I was hoping to have just one set of cold weather bibs. Would a set of just full length standard thick bibs work or do I need thermal bibs or??? Thanks!
God Bless!
2008 Pinarello FP5
2012 Specialized Epic Comp 29er (2022 Rockshocks SID Ultimate Brain)
2005 Trek Fuel Carbon (26er)
Comments
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You won't find a standardised temperature rating scale but most manufacturers have their own - check out Sportful for example. Their bib tights are pretty decent and Sportful list the temperature ratings for the different models.
In your position I'd probably look to get a reasonably warm pair and then maybe some knee or leg warmers to use with your bib shorts on milder days.
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Yes that's a tough one, you're best bet imho, is to go with some that have a volume of reviews, and or look up reviews on youtube.
25F is pretty cold, so I'm guessing you're like to be needing some windblocker type fabric on the frontal area at least.
Good luck!
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 181 -
As above, it really is rider specific as to which bibs are suitable for a given temp. I would say that most people riding in a wide range from 25-50F like yourself would probably need 2 options.
Most mid weight bibtights will be good to just above freezing temps, but it is that extra 2 or 3 degrees where you might need a full on winter tight. It is whether or not you ride regularly at the colder temp, and if not, whether you feel buying another pair for a handful of rides a year is worth it.
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i use these for winter...
don't confuse with the standard sorpasso ros which are not as warm, the 'wind' version is much warmer
my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny1 -
The best I have tried are the Rapha pro team winter bibs. They have a wind blocker/polartec fabric lining on the front panels and then fleece lined on the rear. They are a really tight fit due to the fabric used but they are outstanding in anything below 5 degrees. Added benefit of being water resistant (up to a point) Honestly, I ride outdoors most winters and have done the Festive 500 for a couple of years now and nothing comes remotely close to keeping you warmer in freezing temperatures. They’re ridiculously expensive but you can tell how much effort has gone into the design and the quality of materials. If you can afford them, give them a try. The first ride I did in them I actually overheated and it made them a bit uncomfortable to ride in.
I’ve also tried the Castelli RoS winter bibs and they were crap. Initially they seemed decent but after a few washes the issues with the straps starting to fray and the elastic coming away happened. After that the pad actually disintegrated to the point where they became unusable.
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I find reading this thread strange as I used to get chastised on this forum for wearing shorts at 10C. 🤨
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
These are my ‘go to’ on really cold days. The windstopper material makes a massive difference to staying warm.
https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/c3-windstopper-bib-tights-mens-100337?variant=608
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Same here, I use the Rapha below 5c and the Albion all season tights from around 5-15c. Added benefit that the Rapha last years, picked up a new pair last winter after 6 or 7 years use out of the other pair.
You can pick up the Rapha for £156 a pair in the winter sale, most sizes in various colours still seem to be available.
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There is a lad near me that rides in an aero skinsuit all year round. The only concession he makes to winter is a gilet (lightweight one!).
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I'll add my 2ps worth then.
My 'deep' winter tights I use mainly for commuting, these are Pearl Izumi, and were around half price at £80 - they have oodles of windblocker material, and a decent pad.
The challenge, which has been alluded to already, is that with the wind blocker material comes a huge reduction in the stretch of the fabric, so it can become a bit of a mission to put this type of clothing, definitely a situation where you have to budget extra time to get kitted up prior to riding, if you are rushing, you will almost certainly bust seams.
In defence of Castelli, I suspect @feelgoodlost had a lemon, I've only had one issue with a Castelli product, and that was a pair of mitts where the stitching was evidently not done properly, and they separate very quickly.
I have a LOT of their jerseys, and many pairs of shorts (Including the truly excellent Omloop long winter shorts) and two pairs of the sorpasso bib tights - these are not the ROS ones mentioned above, but I can confirm the standard ones, for me at least, will not comfortably see me down to 0 or thereabouts.
The Progetto X2 pad is probably my favourite pad (Tied with the Rapha pro team II one, but I only have one pair of them), I also love their endurance 3 bib shorts - again, same pad.
I was about to say the Tutto Nano bib shorts appear to be the omloop replacement, but then spotted they have the KISS pad, which is a pad my rear end hated.
The other option you have instead of bib tights, would be to get some longer thermal winter shorts and add on either a leg warmer, or if you really don't feel the cold, just a longish knee warmer - might give you more flexibility.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 180 -
I'd agree for £156, this is likely the nearest to a sure thing the OP is going to get.
As they also have free returns, if I was the OP I might be inclined to order 3 sizes to ensure he gets the correct fit.
Felt F70 05 (Turbo)
Marin Palisades Trail 91 and 06
Scott CR1 SL 12
Cannondale Synapse Adventure 15 & 16 Di2
Scott Foil 181 -
Yep, for £150 odd quid I think this is probably the best deal going, I know a lot of people can find Rapha a bit hit and miss but IME these are a very good quality piece of kit, very well made and really do the job in cold temperatures.
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I use the pad-less "traditional" bib tights from Lusso. I'm on my second pair now, the first pair lasted well over 10 years, and I have another pair ready for when the current ones wear out. I like the fact that you wear them over your standard bib shorts - you get a double layer of fabric over your upper legs and important bits. They also come up high on the body (with a a zip for comfort breaks) so they help in keeping the torso warm. The other advantage is when I am using them for commuting I can sometimes ride home in just the shorts if the temperature picks up over the day. The only problem I have with them is that the material is quite thick and you get a bit of bunching up behind the knee at the top of the pedal stroke - not a problem on the commute, but it becomes annoying on longer rides. I have another, thinner, pair of bib tights with Merida branding for wearing on the longer rides, but then I don't expect to be riding in temperatures below 0°C.
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