I don’t own any winter gear because I never needed it in South Texas. But now I’m living in a rainforest in Washington. So yeah, clothing is inadequate. I’m pretty broke, but can’t let myself be confined by winter. So I’m wondering-will a pair of running tights work on the bike, or is the fabric not reinforced enough for that.
I’m not terribly concerned about a chamois being missing. I’m fine for 2-3 hours riding without one. I’d rather cycle without a chamois than run with one, and I’m pretty sure I only have the money for one pair of pants here.
Just don’t want to waste my money here-I’m in seasonal hospitality, so this is the lean time of the year. Thanks y’all.
Not sure what temps you are talking about, but for me:
40-65 legwarmers
under 40F I have 4 different thickness tights I wear, and I wear my regular cycling bibs over the tights. I’ve ridden down to 5F and been OK like this…below freezing and the 2 ply in the crotchal region is a feature imo. Frozen junk is pretty much the worst.
I know you only asked about tights, but as an extra credit answer, if you are inclined to celebrate the X-mas holiday, there is probably someone somewhere thinking “Hmm, wtf am I going to get Jsully for Xmas?” If you can somehow hint (perhaps by emailing the link to them) that this is what you want, you’ll be psyched:
They have another version (the wx barrier one) that is lighter and pretty awesome from 30-45 degrees, but if you are only going to have 1 pair, go for the thick ones. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone complain about their feet being too warm during cold weather rides.
you can wear your running tights over your normal cycling shorts and they will be OK, they will wear out in the crotch but so will any other tights, especially if the roads are gritty.
Running tights are kind of thin though
Leg or knee warmers are an option, but in answer to your question just throw the tights on and go ride, but do wear shorts under, yeech
I don’t have an answer but I’m very interested in the responses.
I’m thinking more for brick sessions, where I don’t want to cycle in running shorts and don’t want to run in padded cycling shorts, so running tights/short-tights seem like the ideal solution. I could break out a tri-suit but it seems a bit pointless for a training brick-session and I feel like a dork running around my neighborhood in one of those! I’m thinking something like the Adidas Supernova tights:
In winter I ride a lot with running tights over biking shorts and I am surprised how strong they all are. I stopped riding in jeans to work because they wear quickly. But the running tights I’ve got hardly wear at all. And I’m talking about 6 hours per (winter) week over years.
I was in the same boat last year and found these on Amazon. I routinely ride down into the single digits with my normal cycling bibs underneath and these over the top. In fact, they can be almost too warm if it’s in the high 20’s to low 30’s. Best $35 I spent on cycling gear in a long time.
I wear tights over my bib shorts for all my cold weather riding. No worries on wearing them out. Will buy my first pair of bib tights soon… don’t think it will be any better.
Running tights over shorts always works for me.
But in some cases leg warmers are better because you can take them off quickly if you’re overheating or put them on if you get cold or just don’t want rain spraying up on your legs
My local TJ Maxx and Marshalls carries running tights by Hind and Asics from time-to-time. They are $14.99 and are as thick of a fabric as my Pearl Izumi cycling shorts.
I don’t like how straight cut running tights bunch up behind the knee. Most cycling gear is cut with a slight angle to them generally. I ride enough in cold weather that I just invest in proper bib knickers and cycling bib tights. that’s my suggestion. For milder weather over 50F, knee warmers are often good enough. Though lately I just ride the trainer. Too many distracted drivers out there, too few roads with wide shoulders.
