Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Knee / leg warmer troubles with big quads?

Ok, it's starting to get a little chilly out here on socal mornings. My knees that are on their way to being arthritic and would like to take care of them a little better by wearing leg or knee warmers more often. I've got a pair of each by Pearl Izumi, but they fall down after about 5 minutes of riding. I've tried tucking them under the shorts, putting them over the shorts, really nothing works.

I've considered safety pinning them, but I don't want to cause any tearing in the shorts, has anyone tried this?

Any thoughts if this is caused by poor fitting warmers big or small? (They seem just right).

For those of you with big quads, what brands have you tried that work?

Thanks for any help.

My first question is, what do you consider big quads? (7" up from center of patella, 28" circumference, down from 32". I use 7" up because when I was fitted for a knee brace, that is the measurement the PT used)

Anyway, I've found that longer bike "shorts" work better than leg or knee warmers. Personally, I have 1 full length winter tights, and 2 3/4 length tights. On days that will eventually warm up (anything above 55 is warm to me when riding) I'll wear the 3/4 length. It will cover the knees while cold and you could roll them up a bit if and when it warms up.

Hope that helps.

I'm using Louis Garneau arm and leg warmers and Canary shorts. I get my leg warmers to stay on only if I put them on first and pull them to about 3 fingers from the top of my legs. Any lower and they slip down. Any higher and they get to rubbing in places they shouldn't.

Some of my friends don't use leg warmers and just use longer legged outfits as TheNJDevil suggested.

I'm with NJD on the 3/4 and full length gear instead of leg warmers. I've never had much of a problem with arm warmers sliding down because really, how much am I moving my arms when I'm on my bike? But my legs are in constant motion. Staples might be the only conceivable way of keeping leg warmers from sliding down when you've got big legs.
I have a pair of lightweight runner's tights I put on under my bibs when it's below mid 50s temperature, and I'm looking at some microfleece lined weather resistant bib tights with chamois padding for when the real bad weather rolls around in a month or so. I wore rain pants last winter, but I get tired of listening to them crinkle as I'm riding. It may sound like a silly reason, but 60 minutes a day of nothing but listening to the noise my rain pants made drove me nuts.

I never liked "warmers". If it was cold enough to use them I would just put on some 3/4 or full length tights depending on how cold it is out. If you are back before it warms up a lot out side you should be good to go.

Hazz

^^Warmers are good for cold starts and wild temp swings, but you've got a point.

I roll my shorts up a few inches and roll 'em down over the warmers to interlock the gripper stuff. Too small seems to pull 'em down, but with all the motion in the legs it's a challenge to maintain a seal. I'll toss my vote for the Ibex stuff while I'm at it.

Two words: Duct tape.

Seriously, though, I also use a full-length tights when it gets cold.

I have freakishly large guads :D. I don't use leg warmers - if it's cold enough for them, I just wear a bib knicker and call it good. Hardly ever need them here in my corner of CA, anyway.....

I can't keep leg warmers in one place either. I also prefer full-length tights. If it is below freezing, then I wear the ones with the wind resistant or neoprene fronts. Otherwise, I do just fine with regular tights.

I don't like arm warmers either. I prefer to use layers on the top. I can get away with a regular shell above freezing, and add thicker under-layers as needed for cold rides (thermal underwear and up to poly-fleece jackets). I've also found that tight-fitting skull caps, and those ultra-thin stocking-cap type hats to come in handy. They provide plenty of protection from the wind, especially when it is below freezing, and are thin enough to fit your helmet over with minimal adjustment.

Here in SoCal (I live near RonJon), the temps in the morning when I commute can be between 30--32 degrees (come January) and then warm up to low-70s by ride time home in the afternoon. Full length bibs or jackets are just too much! Arm/Knee/Leg warmers are great.

Unfortunately for the OP, I've never had problems with warmers staying put. And I've had Pearl Izumis as well.

Ron, I have switched to Nike's Roubaix thermal warmers for this year. They have a gripper that is unlike PIs and seems to do a great job. It's alot like a solid bead of glue all the way around, as opposed to the "stitched-in" look of PI elastic. See if you can find a pair. Maybe they'll work better for you.

:)

Here in SoCal (I live near RonJon), the temps in the morning when I commute can be between 30--32 degrees (come January) and then warm up to low-70s by ride time home in the afternoon. Full length bibs or jackets are just too much! Arm/Knee/Leg warmers are great.


Those are the days I'm talking about.


Ron, I have switched to Nike's Roubaix thermal warmers for this year. They have a gripper that is unlike PIs and seems to do a great job. It's alot like a solid bead of glue all the way around, as opposed to the "stitched-in" look of PI elastic. See if you can find a pair. Maybe they'll work better for you.

:)

I'll give those a shot, thanks!

Ron, I have switched to Nike's Roubaix thermal warmers for this year. They have a gripper that is unlike PIs and seems to do a great job. It's alot like a solid bead of glue all the way around, as opposed to the "stitched-in" look of PI elastic. See if you can find a pair. Maybe they'll work better for you.

I have these bands on my addidas knee warmers and they work fairly well.

I wear tights over my shorts when it gets colder but I hate doing that because they never seem to stay up. I wish I had some full length bibs.

I wear tights over my shorts when it gets colder but I hate doing that because they never seem to stay up. I wish I had some full length bibs.

Many racer friends I know, wear their shorts over their tights, precisely because the tights never seem to stay up all the way. FWIW, nothin' like bib shorts :)

I'm not sure quad size is a factor. I have relatively slender legs, for a 6'4"/240 guy, and mine won't stay up either. I've tried two or three kinds in two or three sizes, makes no difference.