Winter Cycling - Tights/Pants - Padded/Unpadded - Chamois

Hey guys,

I just starting cycling during this summer and now it's getting a little chilly to wear shorts alone.

I got a jacket, now I need to get long tights or bibs.

MY QUESTION:
I'm not exactly sure how the tights are worn - I see many of them are not padded: does it mean I need to wear my regular padded shorts underneath? Would it make sense just to buy padded tights?

Also, tights vs long bibs - any thoughts which are really better and why one vs the other?


Anyone could recommend any long padded bibs?

OH YEAH, ALMOST FORGOT --- WHAT'S C H A M O I S?

Thank you!
Alex

MY QUESTION:
I'm not exactly sure how the tights are worn - I see many of them are not padded: does it mean I need to wear my regular padded shorts underneath? Would it make sense just to buy padded tights?


It might or it might not. Padded tights mean you only have to wear the one garment, which is simpler . . . unless it gets warm enough for shorts alone and you're stuck wearing the tights because you've got no shorts underneath. With unpadded tights you wear the shorts underneath, exactly as you suggest, which lets you take off the tights, roll them up, and carry them in your jersey if the day gets warm enough. They certainly do make padded tights if you prefer, though.

You may also want to consider knee warmers. Worn with shorts they make a sort of poor man's tights (not quite as warm as actual tights), but when it warms up you can take them off and carry them much more easily (and they're cheap, relative to real tights).

Also, tights vs long bibs - any thoughts which are really better and why one vs the other?


Anyone could recommend any long padded bibs?


I've never worn bibs, but seemingly *everyone* who ever has loves them for their comfort. Inconvenient peeing (got to take off the jersey, apparently) and expense seem to be the only complaints.

OH YEAH, ALMOST FORGOT --- WHAT'S C H A M O I S?


Real chamois is a high grade of sheepskin if I'm not mistaken, and is seldom if ever used nowadays, again unless I'm mistaken. Now it more usually refers to the artificial padding in cycling shorts, which I believe is usually some kind of synthetic material such as polypropolene(?).

Thank you!
Alex

tights or bibtights without chamois are cheaper, sometimes as much as $40 cheaper. This way, you can don't have to invest in a more expensive pair of clothing with chamois that you won't ever use in the summer. The seat/chamois/pad is the main part of the garment that you need washed, you don't have to wash the tights that don't have chamois as often. You can just buy one pair and use them with all your regular shorts/bibs.
I like bibs better. They don't have a waist band that's putting pressure around your midsection. This feels much better. If you have regular shorts with chamois and waistband, and you get a pair of tights with waistband, you now have TWO wastebands constricting your stomach. Winter bibtights cover more of your front and rear upper area than shorts, not just with the straps but along the lower back and stomach.
In the summer, bibshorts also feel better because you don't have sweat collecting around, and soaking into the waistband. Your midsection, both front and back, has an open channel for air to circulate freely, keeping you cooler.
I'd recommend Santini bibtights. You can get a pair here
http://www.bicyclinghub.com/sabrexbiwite.html. I have another model, and have a couple pair of their regular summer bibs. They are more durable than normal, and more comfortable than others I've tried like Castelli, Assos, and Voler.

Thank you very much for the details. I will go with the bibs tights because it seems like they have more comfortable fit and no seams between upper and lower wear, which is especially useful when it's colder.