[Joe Gardner]

Ok, time to buy some tights, what should i look for? Chamois or Not? Thermal? Name Brands?

Temp range will between 0 and 32F.

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[Rich Clark]

Personally, I wear my regular bike shorts under the tights (with chamois), which gives me more flexibility (if it warms up I can take the tights off) and gets the tights less icky.

I've been very happy with the tights I've gotten from www.geckogear.com.

RichC

[Jean Beetham Smith]

Icebike gives the Geckogear tights a rave review. It all depends on how long you are planning to ride and how cold you expect it to be. Short errand rides on days in the teens I actually dress warmer than I do for longer rides. One of the reasons I'm so happy with my new panniers is that I can take a better set of "keep warm if stopped" clothes. Mostly I wear some "cafe pants" or windfront pants or thermostat tights with rain pants over them. For cool weather rides under an hour, I don't feel the need for a chamois as much as I do in the summer (gel saddles).

[mike]

For 0 to 32 degrees F, get thermal tights or at least heavier guage.

Chamois or not? I would opt for 'not'. I don't like the diaper feel of the chamois and it tends to chafe.

Brand? They are all pretty similar. Try to find some with zippers at the cuff and reflectors sewn in. If you are riding in the cold, it probably means you might be riding at night. Since virtually all tights are black or at least dark colored, you should avoid turning into an invisible bicycle ninja when riding in the dark.

[Joe Gardner]

Thanks for the replies, my LBS has the Giordana glacier bib tights on sale this week for $120. Sounds a bit pricey, but may be worth the cost.

I currently use the CP-4 shorts for Giordana, and couldn't be happier. The thing i really liked about the glacier tights was the build and thermal qualities. The looked and felt very warm, but i'm not sure if they would hold up to 0 degree F riding. Tthey also have reflective material all over them :)

Just found some info online about the glacier tights here: http://www.celoeuropa.com/clothing/g_glatight.html , they rate the bibs from 30º-50ºF...

[OldDog]

Mind if I piggy-back another tights related question in here?

Does anybody sell tights in tall sizes? I'm 6'2" with a 32" waist and ~34" inseam - and all the tights I've tried (Performance brand, PI, and whatever they sell at REI) end up only going just below mid calf when the waist and seat area fit. If I go to one that's long enough, the top ends up being baggy.

Giordana brand clothing is supposedly geared more toward the lankier part of the population, but nobody I've seen around here carries them. I can order them from Colorado Cyclist, but does anybody have any experience with their fit in terms of waist and inseam?

Thanks -

OD

[mike]

Originally posted by OldDog
Mind if I piggy-back another tights related question in here?

Does anybody sell tights in tall sizes? I'm 6'2" with a 32" waist and ~34" inseam - and all the tights I've tried (Performance brand, PI, and whatever they sell at REI) end up only going just below mid calf when the waist and seat area fit. If I go to one that's long enough, the top ends up being baggy.

Giordana brand clothing is supposedly geared more toward the lankier part of the population, but nobody I've seen around here carries them. I can order them from Colorado Cyclist, but does anybody have any experience with their fit and feel?

Thanks -

OD

You have the rare long and thin physique that should allow you to get great stuff on sale. We envy you, OldDog.

[Joe Gardner]

I'm 6'4" tall, 178 lbs, 32" waste. The Giordana wear fits me great, i require a XXL for there shorts, and tried on the XXXL tight, it fit me quite well.

BTW, The tights are $40 off due to the size.

[Alan Perkins]

Damn beanpoles. :p

[Pete Clark]

Originally posted by mike
For 0 to 32 degrees F, get thermal tights or at least heavier guage.

Chamois or not? I would opt for 'not'. I don't like the diaper feel of the chamois and it tends to chafe.

Brand? They are all pretty similar. Try to find some with zippers at the cuff and reflectors sewn in. If you are riding in the cold, it probably means you might be riding at night. Since virtually all tights are black or at least dark colored, you should avoid turning into an invisible bicycle ninja when riding in the dark.
mike, I LOVE YOUR NEW PIC! You're beautiful!!!

:)

<sob, sob--sniff, sniff...>

[mike]

Originally posted by Pete Clark

mike, I LOVE YOUR NEW PIC! You're beautiful!!!

:)

<sob, sob--sniff, sniff...>

Thanks, Pete. You know I'm workin' hard at it. Ya know, its like granpappy said, if ya can't be beautiful at least try not to be ugly.

For more, check out the thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=14883

[Tom_The_Bikeman]

Hi Joe,

I've got some warm tights that are kind of lycra like, and warm. They keep me nice and toasty down past 0 F - but you'll be having other problems like fingers, toes, and face to worry about then. The manufacturer of the tights is Dutch, I think...if you're interested, I'll dig 'em out.

This morning it was chilly for the first time in a LONG time...made me think about putting on some long fingered gloves.

I wore my Burley rain suit again today, (with rain-pants) and the pants really help to keep me warm even though it was pouring.

*sh*t*! That's what I get for not reading to the end...You definitely don't want chamois in the tights...also, it shouldn't really matter that much if the tights are baggy when you get them. That's what suspenders are for...I have two pair of the lycra heavies, and one set is ENORMOUS!

take care,
tt

[MtnBikerChk]

I just went to REI to try on the Pearl Izumi Thermafleece - they are so SOFT and comfy. They are probably only good to 40 degrees but I don't see myself going outside any colder than that.

They are pricey but with my 20% off coupon..... :) code gearup

[nathank]

well, i have tried different things over the years and i use a combination of the following 3 for different conditions of cold/wet:
* leg-warmers - most of them have some wind protection and are surprisingly warm -- these actually get the most use by me these days as i use them alone or OVER my basic running tights
* basic running tights - these are for moderate temperatures. mine are NOT windproof which is good for temperatures down to say 32F or so. if it's pretty cold and/or cold and wet i wear these and then add the leg-warmers as needed...
* winter tights with windproof material in the front, but normal lycra in the back so that it breathes. mine are from Performance and have a thin fleecy liner on the inside, but they are not the thickest out there. the biggest problem i have with mine is that they are TOO warm. in the 20-30F range i usually overheat in them while cycling (they are nice for the first 10 minutes before you get warm)

i always wear regular padded shorts and then some form of tights and or leg-warmers --- you don't need multiple padding and you pay more for the padded tights, plus you have more selection and they are smaller (when stowed in the pack) w/o padding and you can take off the tights and you still have padded shorts.

for most near and slightly below freezing riding i wear the running tights and the leg-warmers which i can then take off if it gets too warm. Then only when it's truly cold do i break out the winter tights. i only wore them once the whole winter the first year i had them in Portland, but then in Massachusetts we had a few sub-20F days and in Munich i wore them a lot for temps betwenn 15 and 32F.

as someone said, when the temp is low enough that you need something more than medium weight windproof tights you're going to have to have some really special stuff for your hands (i wear liners and snowboarding gloves), feet (gaernot Polar winter fleeze-lined shoes, thick socks and neoprene booties) and face.

lastly, for tights, i really recommend some kind of reflective material -- most important on the back of the lower leg, visible from the rear.

[Joe Gardner]

Thanks, I went ahead and purchased some pull over tights, without the chamois. I'm going to take them on tour, and only plan on using them when zipping down the mtn canyons at break neck speed! I still plan on purchasing a heavy duty cold weather tight, as i just dont think these will do much good for cold windy utah winters.

[Spire]

Joe,
What exactly did you order?
Cheers,

[OldDog]

Joe -

I just picked up a pair of Sugoi MidZero bib tights in XL, and they fit my frame very well, so they might be a good fit for you. They seem really comfortable, and have a wind and rain proof upper thigh pannel. No chamois - they are the pull over shorts variety, which strikes me as a better option.

It hasn't been cold enough in Denver yet to need them, but as soon as I do take them out for a real ride, I'll let you know how they perform.

Cheers -

OD

[naisme]

I have two tights. One is just normal Trek tights wear over shorts, usually the oldest in the drawer, as they have holes, and I can't throw them out, this is their last season though. The second is Bell Weather(?) with a ripstop nylon front, and nice thick lycra/lined legs. They are excellent, with a gap in the rip stop for knee bending. They keep me warm all winter.