Now that winter is around the corner, I might as well buy tights (I only have one pair which I washed daily). However, would cycling specific trousers be better? My new winter commuter is a CX bike if that makes a difference.

Not having to commute very far (11km) I don't generally bother with cycling gear below the waist. I just wear regular underwear, a pair of stanfields thermal long underwear and top it off with a cheap pair of rain pants with the cuffs stuffed in a pair of old combat boots. On a longer commute, I would seriously go with the tights especially ones with a waterproof front like the Sugoi Entrant (which I am not sure is still being made).

I wear bike shorts under jeans or whatever. Works fine. If you've been wearing baggy mtb shorts this won't work, but if you've been wearing a road-style short it's fine.

Do they make baggy MTB style pants? I've seen the shorts...

This is where you went wrong, let that **** funkify.

Wear regular cycling shorts under your tights. Wash the shorts daily and the tights less regularly. I usually wash mine once a week or twice at most.

J&G Patrol Pants - I have one pair that I have been using for commutes <50F for three years...starting on the 4th. Legs zip off into shorts, for those days when it gets warmer for the ride home, they are wind resistant, water resistant, breathe well, and have plenty of room for long johns underneath when it gets colder. Reflective velcro on the legs too. You can wear your cycling shorts underneath, if you need them. I wear wool boxers.

The only time I use tights is if I am decking out in roadie kit for roadie rides...for commutes, not so much.

Unpadded cycling tights over regular bike shorts. Oftentimes I won't wear the tights on the ride home. I have several pair of tights for the various temperature ranges. The tights don't have to be washed each time but the shorts do. The tights are only for temps < 50F or so. I tried some more mainstream wear but just find the tights more comfortable. I plan to get some legwarmers this fall to see how those work for brisk mornings. My commute is over an hour each way.

wussy lycra gurly man

im looking at the j&g products now. thinking about picking up a pair of their lycra shorts, but $60... is that the normal going price? never really purchased "cycling clothes". i've always just ridden with gym shorts and a tight fitting undershirt, but maybe it's time to step up my game.

I pay a $150 for my favorite pair of bib shorts and $100 for my cheapies.

I would love to have articulated cycling pants and I would wear padded cycling shorts/liners underneath. I like a snug fit for pants but tights aren't my style, especially not for the ride home. Regular cheap nylon exercise pants or even my expensive rain pants still don't fit like a cycling pant would around the knee and ankle. There are some amazing cycling pants out there that I think are worth the money.

for example.....**********

i don't know off hand but check out what i'm looking at right now in the nashbar catalgue:

bellweather aqua-no pant

other places have things called cycling knickers

and "showers pass' has some expensive stuff

a friend has some I think he bought from "harris cyclery" near us and they have a web site