cmolway

As someone who doesn't don leg-warmers until the temps drop well below 50F, I have a feeling that this is one of those persistent cycling urban myths. Otherwise I'll simply say, "citation needed".

Oh and I 2nd pcad's west-coast wussies assessment.

ericm979

You'll end up with both arm/leg warmers and tights and long sleeve jersey. Not to mention a jacket and a vest. They're all appropriate under different circumstances.

We're having a la nina year so it'll be colder than ususal.

jeffs223

Its all about layering, You want stuff you can take on and off and store in your jersey pocket, Arm Warmers, Leg Warmers, and a light Wind breaker can go along way. My Windbreaker keeps all the cold air from getting in a rolls up about the size of a fist. Depnding on how cold it gets you may want to add a skull cap, to keep the heat in your head and your ears from freezing. For even colder days add a base layer. I like the craft base layers because they are warm and reasonably priced. When its really cold like here on the East Coast I add my tights, Shoe Covers, gloves, Hood, and Assos Jacket.

Daytrip

You can say that again.

Blackdays

Definitely a myth.

Quel

Every time a SoCal resident complains about cold weather, an angel loses its wings.

Blackdays

I thought a kitten was killed?

Caracalla.

it was 45/50 deg this morning, much too cold. maybe tomorrow.

icyclist 

In the lowlands of Southern California, I have yet to need more than leg and arm warmers, polypro glove liners, and a jacket, over shorts/bibs and a short sleeve jersey.

Last Saturday, riding into the Santa Monica Mountains, riding up to about 800 feet above Los Angeles, the temperature in the shady canyons was 41 degrees at 8 a.m. By L.A. standards, that was cold.

On a long downhill out of Cahuenga Pass, my fingers were in pain. The temperature was up to about 45, but wind chill as I zipped downhill in the shade, at 30 mph, was significant; I should have worn my polypro glove liners under my short-fingered gloves. Once on the flat, and in the sun, it took a while for my fingers to warm up and stop hurting.

So I say OP, add polypro liners to your arsenal of cold weather gear. Full-fingered gloves? Probably not necessary for S. California.

Mansram01

I use knee warmers, arm warmers, a vest and in addition, glove liners under my regular cycling gloves. A jacket and full-fingered gloves are a bit of an overkill in most cases, IMO. Yeah 41 degrees is pretty chilly here.

I have some co-workers out here from NY. Boy were they laughing at how we define cold weather. LOL. Guess we're spoiled in our sunshine state.

icyclist 

One more thing - I cut my hair short, and all of a sudden my head can get cold in the early a.m. My fancy bike helmet has a head cover, and it works; so does a bike cap, etc.

ravenmore

I just broke down and bought some Northwave bib tights from PBK for something like $80. It gets cold enough in TX that its nice to have them when you need them. I was tired of freezing my ass off during cold snaps - arm and leg warmers under summer weight lycra just aren't enough sometimes.

ctcycler

I rode in Buffalo NY last winter, 32 degrees out. I went with Pearl Izumi full length tights, hot chilly's shirt, short sleeved jersey, windstopper jacket, wool socks and toe covers. After the first 5 minutes the only thing that was cold was my nose. You shouldn't need more than arm and leg warmers.

DScott

1. Experiment with different layer combos.
2. Use what works for your riding style and conditions.
3. Ignore the BS.
4. Profit.

StephenT 

I think the OP meant the viscocity increases with cold thereby increasing stiffness. There may be some merit to this comment especially for those cyclists with arthritic knees - such as myself. Google synovial fluid viscocity cold for a number of various articles.

Caracalla.

it's funny that when cold weather/warm clothing are discussed CA riders are not far behind and come in droves to post their own grievances. gee, that makes us look lame.

Mhendricks

I also live in Northern Calif. and to be honest, wear bib tights when it hits 40 or below but the most important thing is keeping your head and ears warm. I also wear silk liners under my long finger gloves for winter.

superNoid

Haha, I live here and have said the same thing my entire life!! However believe it or not getting into the 30s is damn cold for orange county. I have nothing but respect for those of you riding in colder weather, thats some Rocky vs Ivan Drago madness right there (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SUzc...eature=related).

rooftest

In Orange County, with the lack of mountains, all I started with were arm warmers/leg warmers/windvest/beanie. As I got skinnier/older/wussier and moved to LA for regular mountain rides, I've bought a warm base layer, a long sleeved jersey/jacket, some full-fingered gloves, and some warm shoe covers. All that stuff will only come out for, say, an early morning ride out to the snow on Mt. Wilson in Feb. It's always a chore trying to track it all down when winter comes.

My point is - tiptoe into it; you don't have to buy it all at once.

Jandro 

I'm in SF, and for California, it does get pretty chilly here in the mornings and evenings, especially with wind. I just use riding tights and a long sleeve jersey. Seems to work great! My toes/fingers would get super numb so I got some thicker gloves, toe covers and PI wool socks. Did the trick just fine.

I have found that every time I try to put on a jacket of any sort, I overheat. I have a Mavic Helium in the mail though, so I would recommend a light weight wind break if you are still getting cold.

Oh and for your head, get a cycling cap(I find these much easier)/bandana to put under your helmet. A beanie with ear-flaps works well too, just doesn't wick sweat away as well.

Just my $0.02