When do you break out the long pants?
11-02-17, 07:57 AM
#26
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It depends on the individual, as should be evident from reading the responses so far. I'm not a fan of knee warmers; they always slide down and have to be re-adjusted once or twice, per leg, within the first two miles. But I'll put on warmers maybe below 55, definitely below 50F. Somewhere between 40-45F I prefer to go to tights, heavier tights for colder weather.
11-02-17, 08:41 AM
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I'll start covering my legs in the mid to high 50s F. I'm not an early riser, so the temperature I start with is generally the same as or higher than the temperature at the end of the ride.
Fortunately, there's not many of those days to worry about around here. It seems to go straight from nice weather in the 60s to putrid cold rain.
Fortunately, there's not many of those days to worry about around here. It seems to go straight from nice weather in the 60s to putrid cold rain.
11-02-17, 10:46 AM
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I recall (probably mis-remember) a recommendation that legs need to be covered at 60F and below. I usually stick to this advice.
11-02-17, 01:53 PM
#29
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California.........never.
11-02-17, 02:43 PM
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This looks hard to beat: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CLOOMP...rm-leg-warmers
11-02-17, 05:32 PM
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I heard 60 degrees was the limit for uncovered knees years ago and wear long pants below that. I wear pants that zip off to shorts for those times of the years when the temperatures fluctuate around that temp as I'd rather wear shorts if possible.
11-02-17, 05:41 PM
#32
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That’s an old tale from years ago when you heard it. The logic was knees don’t function in cold temps and you get injured. That’s not true. A better rule is wear whatever is comfortable.
11-02-17, 05:48 PM
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I wear the knee warmers when below 50. They stay in place and I can handle the additional warmth after it starts warming up. On top, I wear a long sleeved undergarment, jersey, and wind breaker. Also put a pair of cotton gloves over my bike gloves. It keeps the fingers warm enough. Don't ride with the temp much below 40. Being retired has its advantages of choosing what to endure temp wise.
11-02-17, 07:22 PM
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rode in shorts last night in the high 40s I think? with a long sleeve quilted cycling shirt & regular thin fleece jacket. I was fine until I got home then I got really cold & had to bundle up before bed. knees were fine
11-03-17, 08:50 AM
#36
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No long pants for me until the snow flies. I will go with long sleeve when it's between 40 and almost 50.
My problem now is trying to hold the umbrella while riding 16 mph on my hybrid.
My problem now is trying to hold the umbrella while riding 16 mph on my hybrid.
11-03-17, 09:04 AM
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It depends on the individual, as should be evident from reading the responses so far. I'm not a fan of knee warmers; they always slide down and have to be re-adjusted once or twice, per leg, within the first two miles. But I'll put on warmers maybe below 55, definitely below 50F. Somewhere between 40-45F I prefer to go to tights, heavier tights for colder weather.
11-03-17, 09:40 AM
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When the temps drop into the 50's, as the high, is when I switch. My knees don't like to be cold.
11-03-17, 11:12 AM
#40
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Here in the South East I break out the tights when it gets to 50 to 55 degrees. The reason is the humidity. The more humid air going downhill is a little too chilly once I work up a sweat. Plus, I like my legs and knees to be warm and not chilled as I can spin faster.
Now this is all relative given the weather conditions the day of the ride. If it is full sun I may wear my shorts in 50 degree weather if I know I'll be in the sun for most of the ride. If I'm in and out of the sun I'll slip on the tights. The tights I wear go over my riding undershorts so I can take them off in the middle of a ride if I'm over-heating. My undershorts look like regular shorts so I don't scare away folks.
Anything below 50 degrees is long tights weather for me regardless.
Now this is all relative given the weather conditions the day of the ride. If it is full sun I may wear my shorts in 50 degree weather if I know I'll be in the sun for most of the ride. If I'm in and out of the sun I'll slip on the tights. The tights I wear go over my riding undershorts so I can take them off in the middle of a ride if I'm over-heating. My undershorts look like regular shorts so I don't scare away folks.
Anything below 50 degrees is long tights weather for me regardless.
11-03-17, 12:48 PM
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of course right now it's 6 degrees away from 80F & just under 60% humidity
11-03-17, 03:24 PM
#45
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We don't have a proper winter season here in north central Texas. It can be shorts weather one day, tights and winter gloves the next, and back to shorts again the day after.
Sometimes, like this week, it's in the 30s in the morning and 70s in the afternoon. So, knee warmers, arm warmers, two-layer gloves, maybe an ultralight windbreaker, all of which can be peeled off an stashed in a pocket or saddle bag.
About once a winter we'll get consistently cold weather for a week or two where I can dress the same all day and night for bike rides.
Sometimes, like this week, it's in the 30s in the morning and 70s in the afternoon. So, knee warmers, arm warmers, two-layer gloves, maybe an ultralight windbreaker, all of which can be peeled off an stashed in a pocket or saddle bag.
About once a winter we'll get consistently cold weather for a week or two where I can dress the same all day and night for bike rides.
11-03-17, 07:36 PM
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46F when I left, 43F when I returned, exposed knees were fine. Could use a bit thicker jersey at these temps tho 
11-03-17, 08:29 PM
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About age 10 or 11.
11-03-17, 08:56 PM
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Like many posters here, the upper 40's is the shorts/long tights dividing line for me. Here in Chicagoland we're right on that line, so it can go either way.
I kind of look forward to the cooler weather for the extra protection extra clothes offers in case I go down... even though it's been almost 10 years since that's happened.
I kind of look forward to the cooler weather for the extra protection extra clothes offers in case I go down... even though it's been almost 10 years since that's happened.
11-03-17, 09:24 PM
#50
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Knee warmers at 15C, leg warmers at 7C, full pants with chamois (so no bibs) and jacket at 3C. Wore pants and jacket twice so far this Fall.
PS. Keep in mind that wind chill will affect the temperatures stated above.
PS. Keep in mind that wind chill will affect the temperatures stated above.