Carbonfiberboy 

I have a spreadsheet where I log the clothing I've used in various weather conditions. That's been very helpful. Leg warmers start at 55°, tights at ~48°. The wild card is precip. That changes things a good bit but how much depends on the degree and frequency or duration of the precip. I can forecast that quite well, so the SS makes sense. My coldest ride was 75 miles in a steady heavy rain at 36°. That's hard to defend against. I don't ride when there's a chance of ice on the road. Around here most of the riders who've gone out in those conditions have broken something. You're riding a dry corner and ooops there it is.

Eric F

60s = Arm warmers.
50s = Knee warmers and a vest
40s = A high chance I'm staying on the couch
I won't ride if it's raining.

staehpj1 

I agree with this. Also it varies geographically. In Maryland there was a general pattern more or less followed. Since I moved to Tallahassee I see everything! On a chilly morning you might see someone in just running shorts run past someone who looks like they are on a polar expedition. Cyclists here are the same. Early morning it can be chilly, it has been in the 30's for a number of my rides already this season. I see riders dress in all manner of clothes.

BTW, what exactly is supposed to happen to unprotected knees in the cold other than discomfort? Torn meniscus during the ride? Longterm creaky knees? Something else?

rsbob 

Purchased Marino Tech socks and upper base layer and am super impressed by their warmth and softness. More the warmth than anything. Just ordered another base layer last night - but the heavy one for winter.

StarBiker

That pattern coincides with what one rides. I never see folks like me unless I am on the NCR, and I really see no pattern.

Any longish shorts, long socks, and black LJ's, but man, are most of you 80? Many of you get cold easy. Oh well.

LV2TNDM

And ruin a perfectly good set of knees???

I kid. Kinda. Mostly. A friend of ours blew out her knee skiing 25 years ago. Avid cyclist. Her knee suffering has progressively gotten worse over the years. She'll need a new knee eventually. Friend of ours put off double knee replacement. Once he finally did it (double replacement at the same time - a glutton for punishment), he hit himself in the head and said, "Damn, I shoulda done that TEN years ago!" He was back skiing in no time and crushing it.

I've never really fallen for skiing like I thought I would. Probably because I suck at it. Well, not THAT bad, but I never learned properly when I was young. My wife is always yelling, "Pole plant, idiot!" I sometimes even listen!

Ironic I say this after playing 8 years of youth soccer. I've always felt my healthy, injury-free knees are the result of avid cycling before, during and after soccer.

In much of CA we never have to hang up the bikes. Just hop on the road when the trails are too soggy (not like that's very common these days). And then it's back to the trails!!!


Oh wait, I never even addressed the OP's post:

I'm a habitual knee warmer wearer. SF Bay Area fog necessitates it - and my knees are sensitive.

Oh and I also HATE sunscreen, so knee and arm sleeves are becoming my new normal. So I'm basically in "knee warmers" most of the time. Love 'em. Used to wear knickers but now much prefer knee warmers as they're easy on and off and can go with any shorts.

PS "Knickers" are really only undies in the UK. Everyone else around "here" understands what they are!!!

robobike316 

Below 60 time for the wool knickerbockers!










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philbob57

How do you knee-warmer users keep them from falling down?

rsbob 

Lycra reinforced with elastic around the top usually does it. Since I have skinny legs, I took the knee-warmers in about an inch and sewed them so they are tight. No more sliding down my legs.

rumrunn6

those look great. I'll bet they feel great riding in them

rumrunn6

well, if you're a DIYer you can use tape
I put on cycling pants over this
I was having trouble w/ 1 knee & thought I'd give this a try

philbob57

Thanks. My legs are by no means skinny; that may be my problem. I never thought about tape, which looks like a great idea, definitely worth trying.