Winter Cycling - Pearl Izumi AmFib Bib Tight

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landshark1
02-21-08, 12:31 AM
For those who have tried these out. What temperature range do you find them useful? Are they durable? Would I be better off to by the P.I. Gavia w/chamois for another $40? Is it more comfortable to wear biking shorts or padded underwear (such as Andiamo) underneath?
For bottoms, I currently have shorts , bib shorts, Specialized leg warmers, light weight P.I. running tights, Craft rain pants, and now P.I. AmFib Bib Tights (which are new and still tagged).
Rod Arnold
02-21-08, 06:57 AM
I wear PI AmFib tights, albeit not the bib version. I've worn them comfortably down to 10 degrees F, but just mountain biking on snowmobile trails. I don't know how low you could go on the road when you throw in a 25-mile-an-hour wind chill factor. On the upper end, they get too warm when the temperature reaches 50 degrees (road riding).
As for durability, they seem fine. Have crashed into crust several times, not a mark. Haven't test-crashed them on pavement, though.
Mine do not have a chamois, so I wear padded shorts underneath.
I bought a pair of Pearl Izumi Amfib tights before the winter and find them fantastic. I have ridden in temperatures as cold as -30 Celsius (-22 F) and find them sufficiently warm. I find them a little too warm for temperatures above about 5 degree C (40 F).
I prefer wearing my PI Tri shorts under my Amfib tights.
tarwheel
02-21-08, 02:06 PM
I bought some PI Amfib tights this winter. I've been using PI Thermafleece tights for years and love them. The Amfibs fit differently than Thermafleece even though I got the same size. I found that the Amfibs didn't really pull up high enough and tended to slip down at the waist, so I ended up exchanging them for some Amfib bib tights that fit much better. The Amfibs are also thicker than Thermafleece tights, and the fabric is more slippery, so you move around more on the saddle. However, the Amfibs are very warm. I've worn them in temperatures down to 17F and even then my legs sweated a little bit. They are too warm for temperatures above 40F for me, unless I'm riding very easy. If you are not riding in temperatures much colder than 30F, then the Thermafleece tights might be warm enough for you. I've been comfortable in the Thermafleece tights down to about 25F. I always get tights without pads and wear them over bib shorts.
Amfib fabric is amazingly warm, wind blocking and water resistant. I've also got a Gavia jacket made with Amfib and it is too warm for temperatures much warmer than 40-45F. I've worn it in temps down to mid-teens and been very comfortable with a long-sleeve base layer underneath.
cyccommute
02-21-08, 05:49 PM
I bought some PI Amfib tights this winter. I've been using PI Thermafleece tights for years and love them. The Amfibs fit differently than Thermafleece even though I got the same size. I found that the Amfibs didn't really pull up high enough and tended to slip down at the waist, so I ended up exchanging them for some Amfib bib tights that fit much better. The Amfibs are also thicker than Thermafleece tights, and the fabric is more slippery, so you move around more on the saddle. However, the Amfibs are very warm. I've worn them in temperatures down to 17F and even then my legs sweated a little bit. They are too warm for temperatures above 40F for me, unless I'm riding very easy. If you are not riding in temperatures much colder than 30F, then the Thermafleece tights might be warm enough for you. I've been comfortable in the Thermafleece tights down to about 25F. I always get tights without pads and wear them over bib shorts.
Amfib fabric is amazingly warm, wind blocking and water resistant. I've also got a Gavia jacket made with Amfib and it is too warm for temperatures much warmer than 40-45F. I've worn it in temps down to mid-teens and been very comfortable with a long-sleeve base layer underneath.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. Good tights for real cold...not so good for just cold. Some days I suffer in mine when the temp starts at 15F and bounces to 50F+ for the ride home. They are way too warm for that:eek:
landshark1
02-21-08, 09:49 PM
Thanks for the replies! Sounds like they will fill the temperature niche that I was hoping (15-40 Deg. F). Above that I'd probably go with my lightweight tights or leg warmers, and below that I'll be staying inside.
tarwheel
02-22-08, 09:00 AM
The problem I'm having with getting much use out of the Amfibs is the large temperature swings between my morning and afternoon commutes. It is often cold enough to wear my Amfibs in the mornings, but much too warm in the afternoons. A few times I have carried my Thermafleece tights in my seatbag to wear on the ride home, but it depends on how much room I have in the bag on a given day.
landshark1
03-10-08, 09:46 PM
I've now worn these from ~20 deg. F to ~45 deg. F and am quite happy with them, especially since this winter doesn't want to end. I expect they will be used for my pre work rides for at least another month. As mentioned in the replies 45 deg. F would be as warm as you would want to use them.
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