Baboo

Hi everyone,
Question about pants for riding in colder weather 30 to 40 F. I tried using tights that I would wear on my df with shorts over them but my A$$ got cold quickly. My wind front tights for my DF have no insulation or protection in the back. I ended up using a pair of regular tights with sweats over them, this worked ok but I had to use pants bands on them to keep them out of the chain (LWB). I am wondering what others use for these temps.

Allen

Dudelsack 

I use PI AmFibs at that temp and haven't had trouble down there. My underlayer is a set of compression briefs or Cannondale cycling undies. Neither are cotton. Cotton is evil.

Baboo

Thanks for the response Dudelsack. I don't have any AmFibs but I bet they would work good are they the same insulation property in front and back, my winter front tights don't have any insulation or wind protection in the back as they are designed for riding DF bikes.

Allen

bclc4life

I use a pair of cheap workout pants (nylon), these work good for wind breaking. Under that a pair of under armour long underwear. Some shoe covers work good for keeping the feet dry, warm, and I tuck the pants in which prevents the chain eating my pants. By the way cotton is evil.

Baboo

Thanks bcic4life sound like an inexpensive fix, I like that. "Cotton is evil" now where have I heard that, sounds familiar umm.

Allen

Wilbur Bud

Well, I ride in a wide range of temperature, and over time, I gave up trying to remember and made a clothing vs temperature chart.

So, if I was out riding in the 30-40F range, I'd have regular cheapo windpants, and I might have on a pair of thermal underwear. Problem is, in that temp range, it's a tough call and I generally consider other factors, like is it sunny out or nighttime (if sunny, I might forgoe because the black windpants will soak up some sun), or perhaps, how windy is it or what season (in winter, with frozen ground or summer, with hot, sun-baked ground), etc.

If you're finding the conductive cold temp to the backside bothersome, then many riders put in a sort of seat cushion as an insulator. I don't, or I'd give you a link to one, but they are out there, about an inch thick, like a stadium seat I think, I'm sure someone else will post a link if you think that would help out.

jmio

I have found that all my DF gear is useless. My windbreaker has vents in the armpits, I have a rans xstream with arms up, wind goes right to the core! I also have wind proof front on my bibs, wind goes right down the hammy! Also, my shoe covers have no protection from the bottom, and the shoes just barely fit with socks, thick socks wont go inside!!!!! Looks like I need to start from scratch which is not cool considering the 1000 or so dollars I have in gear aimed at DF riding. I still ride the DF, but not anymore once my lowracer panniers get here, then i will be commuting entirely on the xstream.

Cyclebum

I'm a fan of running pants over thermals for the 30-40F range. Often, zippered running pants are tight enough at the ankle not to be a chain problem on my lwb. For when they are, I use a velcro band. They make a good wind break, are light, and full enough for easy movement.

adgmobile

Hey, a solution I have not seen anyone post on this forum for cold/wet/snow riding is a Dingy Spray suit. These are used in sailing, completely waterproof, but get really hot. Sailed in one in 36 degree temps getting splashed, and was sweating. The nice thing is the legs taper under the knee to let you put on boots, so it does not get in the way of the cranks and the pants have heavy duty fabric on the butt and knees to be durable.

Here is one like mine: https://www.gillna.com/dinghy/dinghy_4352.php
And the bottoms: https://www.gillna.com/dinghy/dinghy_4359.php

BlazingPedals

Best single item to cut the cold wind would be a fairing. Second would be a full body or a sock. For myself, if it gets too cold for heavy tights, I add a layer of thermal underwear. If that's not enough, I add some nylon wind pants. My feet are always cold below 40F, but catalytic toe warmers let me last longer than any other solution I've found. My upper body is not so much of a problem, as long as I keep the wind away from my core.

Baboo

Thanks everyone for the responses some good info here. I also have found most of my DF gear doesn't work in colder temps on a bent. I have ridden my Rans Stratus for several years but this is the first year I want to try it in cold weather. I quickly found out my cold weather DF gear didn't work well

Allen

Dudelsack 

I don't have any problems down south, but that might be because my butt is so well padded

vic303

Hehehe...I have a windbreaker with forearm-to-armpit mesh. I know well what you mean! It's great though--seriously. It's no longer a passive venting system, but an active venting forced air system! It actually lets me wear warmer gear around the core and use the arms for temp control.

Trikin'

Yes, a fairing works very well for rain protection as well as the bitter cold and heavy headwinds