Sweatpants or Tights
08-14-05, 01:35 AM
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Sweatpants or Tights
It is now starting to get cooler in the mornings (Below 60) at 6 a.m.. I work third shift, 10pm-6am riding to work temps in the 70's riding home temps in the 50's. I have read that if temps below 60 you should wear leg warmers, would sweatpants do the same thing? I live in Northwestern Michigan and it's starting to cool down at night.
I also do weight training after work, ride about 100-125 miles a week, my commute 15 miles rt with a 2 mile steep hill at the end of my route. I am 53.
Jim
I also do weight training after work, ride about 100-125 miles a week, my commute 15 miles rt with a 2 mile steep hill at the end of my route. I am 53.
Jim
08-14-05, 03:34 AM
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Any athletic leggings will do the job but cotton is not a good material when wet, and sweatpants are often too baggy and may catch in the chain.
08-14-05, 06:51 AM
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I've always worn long johns and these great nylon outdoorsy pants over them that I found at the thrift store. I don't know what the pants were for, but they are just incredible for bicycling! And only 2 bucks!
If it's not too cold, but too cold for shorts, I wear the long johns under my shorts (regular shorts, not bicycle shorts). I know, it looks rather dorky, but It's very comforable and I've tried sweatpants and never liked them.
If it's not too cold, but too cold for shorts, I wear the long johns under my shorts (regular shorts, not bicycle shorts). I know, it looks rather dorky, but It's very comforable and I've tried sweatpants and never liked them.
08-14-05, 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by alwaysbefirst
I have read that if temps below 60 you should wear leg warmers, would sweatpants do the same thing? I live in Northwestern Michigan and it's starting to cool down at night.
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This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
08-14-05, 09:12 AM
#7
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It sounds like we were separated at birth! I'm 50, live in Lansing but ride in Traverse City about four days a month. I prefer shorts, but older knees tend to get a little stiff in cool weather! And it was quite chilly in T.C. this morning.
I will stick with the shorts as long as I can. In winter, I have a bizarre solution that works well for me. I wear cycling shorts as a base, topped by thin polyester long johns (cheap at Meijer's) and regular khakis in nice weather, outdoor pants in sloppy times.
One of the funnest aspects of bike commuting is the challenge of finding unique solutions to the little problems that come up. Keep on experimenting. I know there is a good chance that I will dress very differently this year than I did last year, depending on new ideas I dream up or find on the bikeforums.
I will stick with the shorts as long as I can. In winter, I have a bizarre solution that works well for me. I wear cycling shorts as a base, topped by thin polyester long johns (cheap at Meijer's) and regular khakis in nice weather, outdoor pants in sloppy times.
One of the funnest aspects of bike commuting is the challenge of finding unique solutions to the little problems that come up. Keep on experimenting. I know there is a good chance that I will dress very differently this year than I did last year, depending on new ideas I dream up or find on the bikeforums.
08-14-05, 09:16 AM
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Tights. Although for inbetween weather I recommend bike shorts with leg warmers. I generally save my tights as a second layer over the shorts and leg warmers.
08-14-05, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by alwaysbefirst
I have read that if temps below 60 you should wear leg warmers, would sweatpants do the same thing? I live in Northwestern Michigan and it's starting to cool down at night.
Mid 40's for me before I switch to sweatpants. Shorts and sweatpants from 10° to 25°. Shorts, sweatpants, and longjohns below 10°. Below-10°, I'll drive, because I can't keep my feet warm enough at that temperature by any acceptable/practical method.
Can anybody reference any substantiated reason to wear leg warmers/covering below any specific temperature other than based on personal comfort level?
I have read that if temps below 60 you should wear leg warmers, would sweatpants do the same thing? I live in Northwestern Michigan and it's starting to cool down at night.
Originally Posted by dobber
I typically ride in just shorts till the mid 20's.
Can anybody reference any substantiated reason to wear leg warmers/covering below any specific temperature other than based on personal comfort level?
08-14-05, 03:49 PM
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Tights are great when you know that it will be cold/windy all day. Leg and/or knee warmers are super for the transitional days that you are describing in Michigan. Most physios *do* recommend that you cover those legs up when it's below 60 deg.F I also use a balm on cold days around the knees/calves that helps keep the blood flowing. I believe it has menthol and vanilla and aloe in it...
08-15-05, 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by bikin'wrench
I prefer blue jeans, just tie a bandana around the lower right leg and go. Works great.
</laughing>
08-15-05, 01:51 PM
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I wear nylon soccer pants. They have elastic and zippers at the cuffs, so they stay out of the chain, but I can easily pull them off over my shoes.
08-15-05, 02:06 PM
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Soccer tights or nylon soccer pants - both have the zippers at the cuffs . (I bought a pair of nylon/flannel lined adidas pants for 5 bucks at marshalls)
08-15-05, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by MMACH 5
I wear nylon soccer pants. They have elastic and zippers at the cuffs, so they stay out of the chain, but I can easily pull them off over my shoes.
08-15-05, 02:34 PM
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not good in rain. I even tried to scotchguard a pair of cheapies, and that wasn't effective.
best to get the cheap coleman rainsuits, if you don't want to spend for high-end goretex-like prodicts
best to get the cheap coleman rainsuits, if you don't want to spend for high-end goretex-like prodicts
08-15-05, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Zee
Do those keep your legs dry if it rains, at least in a light rain? Or are they not waterproof enough? My hubby has some but I've never worn anything like that.
) —— Sorry, I got lost there for a sec. I have several that have a mesh liner and do bead water on them. They don't breath very well, so I only wear them when it's really chilly.
08-15-05, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by lilHinault
Superman wore tights.
08-15-05, 05:14 PM
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It was in the 40's this morning...Way to early for 40's yet and weather report says cold next week. This (Traverse City)is a medium size town maybe 20,000 people. I will start looking in the sporting goods stores this weekend.
Jim
Jim
08-15-05, 11:37 PM
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Tights.
In spring & autumn a thin one. In winter a thick one
In spring & autumn a thin one. In winter a thick one
08-16-05, 03:56 AM
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Originally Posted by skijoring
Most physios *do* recommend that you cover those legs up when it's below 60 deg.F
08-16-05, 05:40 AM
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Performance makes a loose microfiber tight that I have been using for the past 2 seasons when the temps get below 35 otherwise I just wear some Zioc wind pants. Zippered cuffs is a nice touch.
YEars ago I used to use sweatpants.....but they always pick up grease from the chain.
YEars ago I used to use sweatpants.....but they always pick up grease from the chain.
08-16-05, 07:06 AM
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If you're going to look at a general purpose sporting goods store, look for Hind Drylete clothing. Different weights for different temps, super dry wicking, blocks some wind, and pretty cheap. And they make looser tights, a variety called the Hind Munich tight is kind of baggy yet still made with this high tech fabric. This stuff is really good for running, xc skiing, etc. you should be able to find some in Traverse City (I lived in Empire once upon a time!)
08-16-05, 07:48 AM
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Yeah that loose microfiber tight from Performance has worked great for me too. They aren't too baggy and the price is definitely right. I treated mine to waterproof them which helps a bit too, unless it is just pouring. They are a great outer layer when it is really cold and windy. I haven't had any trouble keeping them out of the chain either. If in doubt, I just tie them down.
08-16-05, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by alwaysbefirst
It was in the 40's this morning...Way to early for 40's yet and weather report says cold next week. This (Traverse City)is a medium size town maybe 20,000 people. I will start looking in the sporting goods stores this weekend.
Jim
Jim
I wait until temps get into the 40's before switching from shorts to long pants (tights, or long underwear with a pant shell) but here in Colorado the sun shines a little more, and the consequence of wearing too little is not quite as severe as in TC, MI.
