Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

What happened to the 60 degree "rule"?

Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

What happened to the 60 degree "rule"?

Old 10-08-15, 10:50 AM
  #1  
Unlisted member
Thread Starter
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
What happened to the 60 degree "rule"?

When I first started visiting here about 2007 or so the advice of covering your knees if the temperature was below 60 degrees used to be pretty common. That's 15.6 for you Celsius fans, eh? Bad things would happen to your knees if you didn't do this according to the those that believed this even though there wasn't anything in the way of proof offered beyond a lot of grizzled old riders who just knew it was true after years of riding. But lately it seems like there aren't many that give or follow this advice anymore, what happened?
no motor? is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 10:57 AM
  #2  
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
Maybe those guys had knee surgery and quit riding?

Hey, you are coming up on 10 years. That's a long time on an Internet forum.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:09 AM
  #3  
Nigel
 
nfmisso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,991

Bikes: 1980s and 1990s steel: CyclePro, Nishiki, Schwinn, SR, Trek........

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 384 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Maybe those guys had knee surgery and quit riding?.......
They would not have quit permanently after knee surgery - cycling is very good PT after knee surgery.

The 60°F (15°C) "rule" came from south Florida riders. Those of us who lived many years in the upper Mid-West subscribe to a 40°F (4.5°C) short "rule" in the fall, and a 32°F (0°C) "rule" in the spring.
nfmisso is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:18 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
GovernorSilver's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Posts: 1,218

Bikes: Breezer Uptown 8, Jamis Renegade Expert

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
This is the first I ever heard of this rule. It's been below 60 every morning this week when I've ridden to work, wearing shorts every time.

Will let y'all know if my knees go bad because of this.
GovernorSilver is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:39 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
kickstart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kent Wa.
Posts: 5,332

Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 396 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts
My knees do ache some in cooler weather, but the coolness doesn't cause it, a lifetime of abuse did.
kickstart is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:47 AM
  #6  
staring at the mountains
 
superdex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560

Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times in 112 Posts
45-60 I'll use embro or knickers, depending on how the weather feels (sunny and 50 is different than 55 and cloudy) ...
superdex is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:48 AM
  #7  
Let's Ride!
 
RidingMatthew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Triad, NC USA
Posts: 2,569

Bikes: --2010 Jamis 650b1-- 2016 Cervelo R2-- 2018 Salsa Journeyman 650B

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 327 Post(s)
Liked 37 Times in 24 Posts
Originally Posted by no motor?
When I first started visiting here about 2007 or so the advice of covering your knees if the temperature was below 60 degrees used to be pretty common. That's 15.6 for you Celsius fans, eh? Bad things would happen to your knees if you didn't do this according to the those that believed this even though there wasn't anything in the way of proof offered beyond a lot of grizzled old riders who just knew it was true after years of riding. But lately it seems like there aren't many that give or follow this advice anymore, what happened?
I heard that as well. I have ridden a few times under 60 with no knee covering and it was okay I don't think I would want to ride in the 50F with no knee covering
RidingMatthew is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:49 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
PatrickGSR94's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Memphis TN area
Posts: 7,391

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 676 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
First I've heard of such a "rule" also. I use just shorts down into the lower 50's, but below 60 I usually add arm warmers.

As for forum membership I've been on Honda-Tech.com since January 2002, nearly 14 years now.
PatrickGSR94 is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 11:58 AM
  #9  
Unlisted member
Thread Starter
 
no motor?'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 297 Posts
Originally Posted by Darth Lefty
Hey, you are coming up on 10 years. That's a long time on an Internet forum.
Originally Posted by GovernorSilver
This is the first I ever heard of this rule.
Get off my lawn! Just kidding, but it I have been here a while and only see a few of the regulars from when I started. When I first read this after I'd started commuting instead of just riding around for exercise I was pretty surprised and figure it was something else that i was doing wrong according to conventional wisdom. The funny thing about this was the people who said you needed to keep your knees covered below 60 never said how much protection they needed and I pictured things like vintage wool knee warmers being the choice for those that held this view. I use a nylon pair of convertible pants until it gets to be about 50 and figured the thin layer of nylon isn't providing me that much extra warmth and haven't noticed anything that bad happen to my knees yet.
no motor? is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 12:04 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
I still follow it.
caloso is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 12:36 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
79pmooney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4741 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times in 2,509 Posts
I rode an early season ride almost 40 years ago as a racer, doing ~100 miles in Massachusetts early March wearing one layer of thermals under unlined tights. For that indiscretion, I paid with knee issues in both knees that are lifetime or until I replace the OEMS with 3rd party. Chrondomalcia patella. A fairly high penalty for breaking that "rule" that is being discredited here.

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 12:40 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
wphamilton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 15,280

Bikes: Nashbar Road

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2934 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times in 228 Posts
It's one of those conventional wisdom rules that wasn't supported by medical investigations. I think that it may serve to reduce pain and discomfort, although I don't follow that rule.

Last edited by wphamilton; 10-08-15 at 12:45 PM.
wphamilton is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 12:44 PM
  #13  
meh
 
Hypno Toad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,699

Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,011 Times in 518 Posts
Originally Posted by nfmisso
The 60°F (15°C) "rule" came from south Florida riders. Those of us who lived many years in the upper Mid-West subscribe to a 40°F (4.5°C) short "rule" in the fall, and a 32°F (0°C) "rule" in the spring.
Yep!
Hypno Toad is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 01:29 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 178
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by nfmisso
The 60°F (15°C) "rule" came from south Florida riders. Those of us who lived many years in the upper Mid-West subscribe to a 40°F (4.5°C) short "rule" in the fall, and a 32°F (0°C) "rule" in the spring.
Burr. Northerner here: I'm cold just thinking abut 5C - let alone thinking of that temp w/ shorts.

At 10C (50F): I've got fleece lined long bike pants. They breathe well enough once I get moving that I don't get too hot.
At 15C (60F): I'll use long bicycle pants (unlined)
SpikedLemon is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 02:01 PM
  #15  
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
Originally Posted by no motor?
there wasn't anything in the way of proof offered beyond a lot of grizzled old riders who just knew it was true after years of riding.
I resemble that remark and still do as my 1st coach advised: ride on the road w/ knees covered <65F.
Worked for me for the last 40 years so I'll keep dressing as always, to not cold stress the knees or overheat in cool/cold weather when it's Base Miles time with a light pair of tights/leg warmers.
When/if it warms up stash the warmers in a jersey pocket, no great burden. When it starts to rain out come the warmers......

For 'cross the lower speed, running/dismounting/carrying efforts and far less wind chill make for shorts wear down to freezing for me.

On cool evenings at the track we'd cover our legs between events and pull on a top.

Old School, common sense or whatever: As always, suit yourself.

-Bandera

Last edited by Bandera; 10-08-15 at 06:12 PM.
Bandera is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 02:33 PM
  #16  
Disco Infiltrator
 
Darth Lefty's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times in 1,366 Posts
@no motor? I wonder if you'd get better answers in the Traning forum
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Darth Lefty is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 02:34 PM
  #17  
born again cyclist
 
Steely Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,402

Bikes: I have five of brikes

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 201 Post(s)
Liked 78 Times in 31 Posts
i've heard of this "rule" before; i've never bothered following it.

i suspect the rule only applies to normal people. i'm not normal.

i think my mother must have been impregnated by a polar bear.

life can be challenging when anything above 50 degrees feels hot.

i've spent all 4 decades of my life in this world trying to get cold.

Last edited by Steely Dan; 10-08-15 at 02:44 PM.
Steely Dan is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 03:47 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
groovestew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 1,688
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 60 Post(s)
Liked 43 Times in 33 Posts
I wonder if riding a fixed gear is doing more damage to my knees than riding in shorts down to 5C.
groovestew is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 03:52 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by caloso
I still follow it.
California... Go figure.

Guess that equates to 35-40 around here
chefisaac is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 03:52 PM
  #20  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times in 1,574 Posts
Originally Posted by groovestew
I wonder if riding a fixed gear is doing more damage to my knees than riding in shorts down to 5C.
Sometimes I wonder about that when riding my fixed-gear in shorts, at around that temperature.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 03:55 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by 79pmooney
I rode an early season ride almost 40 years ago as a racer, doing ~100 miles in Massachusetts early March wearing one layer of thermals under unlined tights. For that indiscretion, I paid with knee issues in both knees that are lifetime or until I replace the OEMS with 3rd party. Chrondomalcia patella. A fairly high penalty for breaking that "rule" that is being discredited here.

Ben
if the rule was applicable, wouldn't be true for soccer, baseball, football, running and even walking?
chefisaac is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 04:20 PM
  #22  
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
Originally Posted by chefisaac
if the rule was applicable, wouldn't be true for soccer, baseball, football, running and even walking?
No, as noted previously referring to Cyclo Cross the wind chill from moving a road bike right smartly along is a whole different deal than non-vehicular sports.
Also, there is no need for the freedom of movement that shorts provide in field sports since we are sitting/standing in fixed positions not dodging and weaving (hopefully) with our knees in the airflow.

PS: Rules? No such thing just tradition, experience & common sense.

-Bandera

Last edited by Bandera; 10-08-15 at 04:27 PM.
Bandera is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 04:25 PM
  #23  
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
Originally Posted by ThermionicScott
Sometimes I wonder about that when riding my fixed-gear in shorts, at around that temperature.
"Back when" winter base miles were FG miles in our club.
A brisk day, a head wind, wet roads and a few hours out on the FG, might as well dress for the occasion.......

-Bandera
Bandera is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 04:49 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
mcours2006's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,198

Bikes: ...a few.

Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2009 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 231 Posts
Skin is a covering, right?

I've never heard of this rule, but I haven't been in the community long enough, I guess. But as a Northerner, at 15* I'd instinctively cover up, either with 3/4 or full tights under shorts.

Maybe it's just common sense. If it's cold, cover up.
mcours2006 is offline  
Old 10-08-15, 04:52 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
grolby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BOSTON BABY
Posts: 9,787
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 287 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times in 59 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
I still follow it.
Originally Posted by chefisaac
California... Go figure.

Guess that equates to 35-40 around here
I'm from Massachusetts, a fair ways north of NJ if I recall correctly, and I follow it more or less.

I follow the 60 degree rule partly because I find it more comfortable and partly because it's good common sense. The knee isn't very well-supplied with blood flow under the best of circumstances. Whether your knee really will be more readily injured when cold, I'm not sure, but why take the chance? There's a tendency on the part of some people to underdress for the sake of seeming harder or something, I don't know. If leaving your knees bare at 50 degrees really is more comfortable, go for it I guess, but it doesn't make much sense to me.
grolby is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.