Winter Cycling - Gore Oxygen WS bib tights or Pearl Izumi AmFib?

I'm wondering if anyone has compared these two. I'm looking for a bib tight with wind-proof front panels, and no chamois. This is for temps ranging from 40F to 10F. If it gets to the lower range I will be wearing another layer as well. Also am open to any other bib-tights that anyone might suggest. (*Yes, I searched ad naseum already).

Thanks!

I haven't tried the Gores, but I've got some PI AmFib bib tights without pads and they are great. Make sure you get the bibs because the regular ones are cut really low and didn't pull up enough to fit me properly. The only problem with AmFibs is they are too warm for temps much above 50F. I have ridden in temperatures down to the mid-teens in my AmFibs and they kept my legs toasty.

I haven't tried the Gores, but I've got some PI AmFib bib tights without pads and they are great. Make sure you get the bibs because the regular ones are cut really low and didn't pull up enough to fit me properly. The only problem with AmFibs is they are too warm for temps much above 50F. I have ridden in temperatures down to the mid-teens in my AmFibs and they kept my legs toasty.

you should be in shorts anyways if the temp is above 50F!

to the OP: i have the PI tights as well. they work really well but have not compared them to the Gores. i was not aware that the PI tights came in a bib style and what tarwheel said about the regular tights not pulling up at the waist very high is true. i wear black bib shorts under them so its not too noticeable if my jersey rides up a bit. i would recommend them 100%

Thanks for the replies. My legs run very cold. I wear leg warmers if it's under 60 degrees on a hard road ride, and these are going to be used for touring, where the pace/effort is usually significantly less. Also, it will be at altitude, so that ads a little bit to the chill.

If you get the non-bibs, and find your saddle nose snagging, clip-on suspenders work. amFib is very warm. To me, a little too stiff-legged, so I go more with lighter bib tights and a loose-ish thin longjohen and cheap loose rainpants (with clip-on suspenders and ankle bands) for super-cold. Otherwise Assos LL-S5 are my cold (10-30) go-toes.

I just looked at my amFibs. The back of the pant is roubaix, the front amFib material. Each leg has a straight medial seam running from ankle to crotch, and a straight lateral seam running from ankle to waist.

Higher-priced tights such as Assos, Craft use more sophisticated fabric-piec- shape and seam designs for their windblocking panels. This is to place the windblocking panels where they do the most good without bunching / resisting knee and hip flex. Their knees are nicely articulated, in particular.

I guarantee you that with amFibs, at least the 2008-2009 model, don't know about this year's, you'll use more energy to go a given speed, or you'll go slower.

I wouldn't buy another pair, but to each his own. For example, if you decide to wear padded shorts underneath, that will increase knee and hip motion resistance. It's a lot more noticeable adding bottom layers than top layers when you get moving. Also getting on and off the bike is waay less "natural" with multiple crotch layers.

It may well be that my complaint about stiffness stems from my wearing shorts under the amFibs. But I'm not willing to ride padless, except for short rides.

The cost factor is worth thinking about. You already have shorts, so $100 for amFibs is cheap. On the other hand, your shorts' pads are going to wear out faster wearing them all year than if you save them for warm weather. If you bought shorts to pair with the tights, that could be $180+.


Also worth noting is that if you can wait until spring, you can get some great deals.

I paid $85 for Craft Storm tights in June, and although it was too warm to do anything more than a quick ride, it was quickly apparent they were really comfy (with an Assos-proprietary Elastic Interface Tech pad to boot!). I should have ordered two. When I went back a bit later, they were sold out. They were $199 list.

I got some DeMarchi Contour Racing tights, last DECEMBER, 2007-08 model, for around $120, also EIT-padded. Sadly, they're no longer carried.

Assos is close to impossible to find seriously discounted. But they fit like the proverbial glove, more so in the riding position than standing up, and this is deliberately concelved. You should done them like a wetsuit: Get into them partially, and starting at the ankle, pull the fabric taut, then move up a little, and repeat, keep moving up...until the pad is snug. Then pull up on the ab section. Then get into the straps.

Personally, I'd make do with a budget ensemble this winter, whatever it takes to get by, then go for some end-of-season Crafts in May to have for next year. The Elites in particular are reportedly designed for Swedish winters. You might be able to score some for $150 or thereabouts. WCP has DeMarchi Contour Plus for $199. Warmer than my model. That drop to $130 or so in the spring, perhaps.

I have no experience with Oxygens. I love Ozon and Xenon bib shorts, GBW jerseys and windstopper shells. Oxygen bibtights have Ozon pad--I rode 1500 mi/mo on this last summer--as good as my Assos pads (no surprise, Gore uses Cytech EIT pads. "Cytech EIT" is a proprietary trademark owned by Assos, and licensed to other mfrs.)

GBW's mid-segment and higher lines are superb quality, and excellent bang-for-buck on end-of-season and NOS closeouts. I wouldn't hesitate to try the Oxygens. Maybe trial order them and cross-compare to amFibs.

I have no experience with Oxygens either but I did get my Amfibs last week. There's things I like about them and dislike. First of all the sizing isn't the greatest for me. I'm a short guy (5-8) and I don't have a huge build either so I got a medium. They are a little snug in the leg for my tastes and it's not like my thighs are all that massive, - especially for a cyclist. I'd get a large but even the mediums are a bit too long.

Like Eclectus said, they're kind of stiff too. I have some Craft wind-front tights with an articulating knee panel that I think works better but it might not be as durable. My last gripe is that they make this little scritch-scritch sound when you walk or pedal ;) They remind of wearing a wetsuit.

I did get the bibs and I think that was a good choice. On really cold days last year, I'd get a little draft under my jacket even though it was cinched down tight. The bibs should help keep my stomach comfortable. Other positives are that they are warm and appear to be very durable. I only wish I had room for a couple of thin layers underneath them. I do have room for one. Finally, they are made in the U.S. from imported materials. Nothing against China or the Chinese but I already own plenty of items manufactured there and I think we're better off keeping some manufacturing close by.

I like my Amfib bibs a lot. They keep me warm in 30s, under 30s i put thin wool underwear. The front is waterproof too. I agree that bibs are better than regular tights, they'll add warmth. And yeah, they're a little longer but I like that actually.

Adam

I tended to find that amFibs were warm enough to around 25 without a base layer by Jan. Your body adjusts and you need fewer layers than for the first Alberta Clipper of November and early weeks of December.