RManS

Hi, I'm getting into road biking more, and moving away from cruising around on my hybrid bike. I used to wear baggy MTB shorts, and am thinking about getting knickers for summer (I'm not fond of wearing short shorts while riding).

Are there any good bib knickers available that aren't insulated so I can also use them in the summertime? Or can insulated knickers be used in the summertime without getting too hot?

botto 

pearl izumi made (makes?) knickers with a regular weight material. only problem is their chamois.




btw - other than modesty, what's you issue with regular bibs?

Ames

I have had good luck with PI chamois. Guess it depends on your a__itude.

If you are talking about a standard pair of knickers that are not designed forcycling rides the seams may eat your bottom. I know they would mine.

RManS

So these might be ok (with some disagreement on chamois quality) https://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...duct_id=759456

Any opinions about Castelli Ergo Due Bib Knickers, Castelli Dome Due Bib Knickers, or Cannondale Bib Knickers? I assume I'd need an XXL since I'm 6'4'' with a 38'' waist.

I've got no issue with bib shorts other than modesty! And I've got some wide and hairy legs.

botto 

guess you don't know any better.

roadiejorge 

Bib shorts are the way to go in the summer, knickers are for the cooler fall temperatures and could probably be tolerable in mild summer weather but I'd rather find shorts that are a little longer at the leg.

grolby

Then get over it! Cycling shorts, including bib shorts, are not "short shorts" by any stretch of the imagination. No one is going to care if they see your knees. I'm not telling you this to be mean, I think that you'll quickly come to regret riding in knickers in the summer.

Sheesh, usually people are embarrassed by the potential visibility of their package and/or butt, and it's not like knickers improve that situation. The shyness of many American men about wearing shorts that stop above the knee is just insane. I especially love the way straight men who like nothing more than admiring women in tiny shorts and tank tops suddenly fall all over themselves declaring how embarassing and/or degrading it is for THEM to dress in a way that exposes 1/4 as much skin. Double standard much? Running shorts are "short shorts." Cycling bibs? Not in the least. Get over yourself and wear weather-appropriate gear. Otherwise, you might as well stick to your MTB baggies, they'll be cooler.

seb1041

Shave and get bibs.

RManS

Way to make my choice of wearing knickers political; that's how I roll, so I'm asking advice about wearing them in the summer. If it doesn't work out, I'll just pack them away and wait for winter to show up again.

I fail to see how 2 extra inches of clothing will spell the difference between me overheating or not...it's really the material I'm concerned with. If no companies make a knicker that's essentially an extra long bib short, then I am out of luck.

seb1041

Knee warmers?

JohnDThompson 

"Plus fours" for the traditional look.

coasting 

aren't knickers ladies' underwear?

Benjamin11

Holy moly, $205??

Are they really that nice? (Not a hypothetical).

JohnDThompson 

I've never tried them. You can probably get generic golfer's Plus Fours for much less, but they wouldn't have the bicycle-specific crotch pad. I'll bet Kucharik could sew a pad into the golfer's Plus Fours for a total cost much less than the Rapha's.

botto 

ah rapha...

Ames

Chamios is like saddles. No such thing as one for all butts I guess. I have only road the PI to 125 miles or so without a problem.

I think the longer knicker type bike shorts are made to be warmer so it is more than a few extra inches of leg.

I do not shave my legs as I feel they are more aerodynamic with the rougher surface like the new aero wheels.

botto 

incorrect.

Ames

Shucks,

Val23708

are you Amish or something? what is it about seeing knees?

DScott

Knickers are definitely warmer. I've never seen any that weren't made of a heavier fabric than comparable bibs. They're not just a "few inches" longer, they extend WAY past your knees, often down to mid-calf or lower. Plus, they often cover more of your torso as well, front and back.

I don't know where you ride, but here in So Cal, I stop using bib knicks or knee warmers on rides with temps in the mid-60's and up. I prefer having my knees uncovered, and definitly stay more comfortable when it gets much warmer than that.

How do you feel about low-cut cycling socks?

umd

this thread is great

:

mattm

canari makes some decent knickers, that aren't bibs, and they're pretty thin. ibex makes some nice wool ones, but those would be too thick for summer rides.

but you should probably just get used to showing off those pretty legs with some lycra shorts - it may be hard at first, but you'll get used to it!

and consider this: either way the rednecks will think you're effeminate..

roadiejorge 

+1

I used to be overweight when I started riding and felt embarrassed about wearing cycling specific clothes but sucked it up and chose comfort over body image.

San Rensho 

Go over to the fixie forum, they have endless threads about Man-Pri pants, which are essentially knickers.

Those guys over there are really hung up on the fact that lycra is gay, so they have all kinds of suggestions for manly girl pants.

roadiejorge