Pants for cool weather...
 

What do you guys use for cool weather riding? I have tights but I feel silly when I'm not on my spandex worthy bike. I use cheap target (champian runnning pants) when it's REALLY cold (< 30 degrees) What are some good options for 30-60 degree weather?

I still wear shorts when it's in the 40's and 50's.

When it gets colder I have some fleece pants and some shell pants that will keep me cozy even when the temps are in the negatives.

I wear cheap running tights from about 55*F down to 35 or so, then switch to cheap running pants as you do.

Regular pants rolled.

Or knickers (plus fours, plus twos).

With long wool socks in the winter.

Sporthill 3SP stuff for me. Good to below zero and pretty much anything above.

I always wear my tights (though one time I forgot to pack my work pants, and I felt silly all day at work in my tights).

Your bike isn't spandex worthy? I didn't realize that was possible. I judge the spandex worthiness by the ride, not by the machine. For example, a trip to the grocery store (1 mile) is not spandex worthy, but a visit to grandma (20 miles) is spandex worthy. I haven't figured out where the cutoff is though.

i agree with the above ride in comfort for colder weather i wear layers it works down to 20's or so you just have to find the right layers somtimes it can be a tradeoff cold to start warm up as you go or warm to start and too warm when you get there

I always wear spandex when visiting gram-gram, regardless of whether I'm biking or not... :wtf:

For me, it's summer clothes (shorts, jersey, sandals) down to 50°F, and then I start adding jackets and tights as the temperature descends. I use half-gloves all year, but in the low 40s or so, the Moose Mitts go on the bike and I'll break out the Gore-Tex boots. (Or, if I'm on my road bike, the Lake winter cycling boots.) Much below freezing, I'll add a second pair of tights.

http://icebike.com/Articles/strategy.htm

I'll be using Mountain Hardwear tights of its too cold for Lycra bike pants alone. See: http://www.altrec.com/mountain-hardw...ansition-tight

The windstopper fabric breaths but also holds off minor wind, ran & snow.

The perfect cool weather, active gear: windproof, breathable and lightweight with inset stretch panels and a DWR finish. Wear alone or over a lightweight baselayer for aerobic activities. Sheds light rain and snow.
100% polyester Windstopper® Featherweight™; 92% polyester, 8% elastane Windstopper® Featherweight™ Stretch
Low profile waist
Reflective patches
Stretch inseam gusset and stretch back waist yoke
Updated fabric and fit
Welded construction at all body join seams
Windproof and breathable
Weight: 9 oz. / 249 grams

30+ degrees I just wear jeans. Below that I might wear a pair of sweatpants under my jeans. It works quite nicely.

I wear what I wear off the bike. That means jeans.

I almost sweat more in winter. Frozen jeans... ew
I wear the following in various combinations due to the weather:
-lite weight PI tights
-poly long john bottoms
-leg warmers
-heavy weight performance tights
-jogging pants as a wind blocker or for snow. (these are due for replacement this winter).

I wear Pearl Izumi winter cycling tights. But they aren't spandex. They are a polyester of some sorts that is most similar to non fluffy fleece. They work really nicely. They fit snug and keep you warm. I change in the locker room.

The REI Headwind pants are excellent in every way. I've had a pair for 4 years and they show no signs of wear anywhere on them. At least 200-300 days in them, probably more. They're not tight, but not real loose either. The fronts are windproof. No chance of getting them caught up in your crank/chain. I wear normal biking shorts under them, and if it gets below about 35, I also add a pair of long underwear under them. I'd say they're good to 20 degrees like that and that's as low as I go.

http://media.rei.com/media/517569.jpg

I usually wear my regular shorts down into the mid 20's (F) then I'll don a pair of nylon wind pants. Below 10, I'll wear a pair of UnderArmour Cold Gear leggings.

Weenie.

It really depends on how long your ride is. My commute is only 4 miles and I will be wearing jeans once it gets cold, with cotton long johns underneath when it gets really cold. For longer commutes, I might wear tights with fleece pants over the top. But I get cold really easily and this might be overkill for others...

I wear shorts till it's not too hot and then I get to wear my work clothes. Below freezing (pretty rare here) I might wear longjohns.

Those headwind pants look cool. Do they have pockets? I went to Value Village and purchased a pair of Nike nylon trainers that zip and bunch at the bottom, so they don't get caught in the gears. They work really well and aren't too hot in 40 degree weather. Other than that, I just wear my regular clothes (Dickies jeans, Levis jeans, REI cargo pants, etc.).

I have always worn a hodge podge. One year it was lined running pants. Last year I even spent a while wearing an old pair of dockers.

This year I have been looking at some wind/rain cycling specific pants. At $45, these seemed interesting. Anyone have these>
http://www.rei.com/product/724558

http://media.rei.com/media/500936.jpg

Only one zipper back pocket as I recall.

Performance fleece pants are comfy. I won't pay the $50 asking price, I will wait for a sale, or one of those 30% off deals.
http://www.performancebike.com/produ...-BLK-FRONT.jpg

Base layer under regular pants works for me.

I have an older pair of xc skiing bibs in brushed lycra, with a windproof backing in front, in a 1993 stylish mauve color. Does the job for wet and cold weather (under 5 deg C). Usually it is windy around here, but sometimes when it's not I like the warm fuziness of my fleece pants. Softshell pants are cool also for cold weather riding, and nicier looking. I don't like to wear my regular clothes, I get sweaty way too quick (even with little layers) so I have to change anyway.

Think I'm gonna go with jeans with bike shorts under, just for the upside of not having to lug around a lot of extra clothing (jeans = workplace attire for me). On days with a bunch of precip, I'll be using...something else.

I have used various knee warmers under Mocean bike patrol pants, with long Smartwool socks as needed, but late last winter used Assos Roubaix bib knee-length tights for the first time, on a cold evening ride, and it was heavenly. I think I wore the Mocean pants over the Assos tights, but the Mocean pants are merely to keep wind out; they do not increase actual warmth. I should add the disclaimer that winter is not very cold here; the average January low temp is 40-ish.

I wear standard roadie lycra. I agree that they look silly, so I wear my mountain bike shorts over them while commuting. Good to about 20F or so.

I wear shorts down to about 55 or so...knickers down to 45 or so, J&G patrol pants below that...with poly long johns as needed.

Poly long johns and windproof lined cycling pants works fine for me down to 0f or so. Colder and I put a pair of pants on top of them. Don't recall the brand on the pants offhand but the REI ones are probably similar.

I use this part of DJ's list. My girlfriend doesn't think I'm spandex worthy - especially when I stand on her front step wearing the tights. She prefers the jogging pants on me then.