why knickers?
 

Advantages?

Disadvantages?

Is there any difference from shorts plus knee warmers?

Advantages: Can fit better. Knee warmers slip occasionally. Fabric tends to be a bit thicker for colder weather.
Disadvantage: Can't remove knee warmers.

I love the pair I have for brisk days. It is my favorite pair of shorts in colder weather.

I have to really hike up my knee warmers so they don't slide down while I'm riding, and on long rides the elastic gripper starts to irritate my skin. Knickers don't have either of these issues.

I hate knee warmers.
My knicks are semi insulated and are great for those above freezing, but otherwise cold/cooler days. I don't have any insulated shorts of any kind, so knickers fill that nitch when you don't need full on winter tights and bib shorts (even with leggings) are just too damn cold.

hth
zac

+1

I would suspect they're mostly worn for retro/fixed gear/ss style points more than anything else...but maybe not.

If you like them, great.

If not, there's a lot of other options to keeping your legs the correct temp.

I have both knee warmers and knickers and like both of them.


One thing I especially like the knickers for is some extra warmth on cold days ... I've worn shorts, leg warmers, and then pulled the knickers overtop and they add that extra layer of warmth I want.

I own only bibs and short sleeve jerseys. Knee warmers, leg warmers, and arm warmers work just fine for me and no irritation or slipping.

Knees need a bit of protection from the cold occasionally. I could put on full length tights but unless it is really cold- the calf muscles overheat.

So come winter and the KNickers are on hand for those cool mornings. Knee warmers don't work for me. They ruck up or slip down or if held in place by the shorts they move upwards.

If it's cold enough for knickers it's cold enough for full-length tights.

Not really. Knickers are for the temps between tights and shorts.

Completely false.

if it's colder than cargo shorts and tennis shoes can muster, go for cargo shorts and longer/thicker socks and tennis shoes.

If you like em, great. You 100% don't need a lot of trendy, stupid garments to ride a bike. Don't overthink it.

Knickers are basically knee warmers. There is a wide temperature range where it is wise to cover you knees but completely unecessary to cover the rest of your legs. So are you saying that knee warmers are pointless?

I would agree that you don't need knickers, but they are useful for that middle temp range.

You also don't need to randomly insult my clothing you cretin.

Point taken.

That I'm joking? I suppose a smilie would have helped.

If you live where fall or spring can have wide swings in temperature, you want leg warmers. If your ride starts with temps in the mid to high 40's, but you know they're going to climb up into the 70's or even 80's in a couple of hours, warmers let you peal off layers. I've climbed out of fog banks into sunny wheather with a 15-20 degree swing in less than an hour.

OTOH, knickers are great for overcast days that aren't that cold, but still require the extra thermal protection.