*sadlebred and other cyclists*

raynes

My H is "training" (that's in quotation marks because he hasn't been on a ride in months) for the Ride to Conquer Cancer in June.  It's a 2 day, 200+ km ride.

He plans on getting back on his bike now that it's not winter here, and he's asked for a pair of tights to ride in.  The last set of bibs and jerseys he bought he just got off of eBay from China and they are cheeeeaaaaaap.  I was thinking (since his birthday is coming up) that I'd get him a nice, good quality pair of tights (he wants the bib style) but as I'm reading reviews, it seems like tights are more for the just above freezing type weather than the 8-15?C (45-60?F) type weather.

So, I ask, what would you suggest?  I read in one review that I guy did bib shorts and leg warmers when it wasn't freezing, but I don't really see the H going for that look.  Are shorts enough?  I understand that one generates a good deal of body heat while cycling.

EmiIyJ

Is your H typically hot or cold natured?  My H has never ridden in tights when the temperature has been above 40 - he'll do a bib (shorts) and layer on top, and then ditch the long layers on top as needed.  For the temperatures you're saying in June that's probably what I'd suggest.  

I would die in tights in 60 degree temps.   

JW28

It depends on just how fuzzy the tights are, but my FI only wears shorts when it's 70F+, otherwise it's tights or shorts with leg/knee warmers. I'll ride as cold as 60F in shorts. I'm confused about how bib shorts and leg warmers is that different of a look than tights - it's not like your leg warmers will be bright pink (unless you want them to be). My knee warmers (which cover most of my legs but not parts of my calves) are black, and my shorts are either black or green (team kit). Tights would be black. Wearing shorts and warmers is cheaper than buying tights because then when it's warm out you just take off the warmers. And yes, you generate a lot of heat while cycling, but there is also substantial wind chill, so it can feel quite cold. I think 45-50F is perfect running weather and dreadfully cold cycling weather.

mrs.jacinthe

Around here, most people don't ditch the tights until it's at least 65 or so out.  I think that's because it get so warm in the summer that wearing the tights as long as possible gets you "used" to being warm.

I'm only a casual cyclist (read: 15-miles or less at a time) but I prefer long pants no matter what the temperature is.  To me, it's just more comfortable overall (although I do get VERY warm in the summer), but again, I'm just a casual cyclist.

Sadlebred

For June? He'll need shorts unless it's going to be below 55 degrees. I HIGHLY recommend going with shorts and leg warmers. Sure, it looks a bit dorky, but so do tights. You can't see the leg warmers under the shorts. The upper "band" of the leg warmers goes under the shorts, and you pull the shorts over the leg warmers. It's layering. Layering is good. You could get him a nice pair of bib shorts. Guys LOVE bib shorts.

Personally, I won't wear tights much above 55F (12-13C) unless it's windy. Below 55, I'll wear tights. From 55-65 (12-15C) I'll wear knee warmers and shorts.  Above 65/15, I'll wear shorts. I would freeze at 40-55 degrees with nothing covering my legs. I'd say below 60, he'll want something covering his legs. DH wears shorts and leg warmers down to about 40. Below 40, he'll wear tights with shorts underneath.

Confusing? Could be. A lot of it is personal preference; however, he'll roast above 60/14 in tights. 

 

raynes

Thanks for all the info!  I guess I was probably just confused as to what cycling leg warmers were.  I think a good quality bib and some of these leg warmers might be the best option. 

By June he'll just be in the bib, the leg coverings are more for training, which he needs to pick up, asap.

Thanks again everyone!