Cycling tights - confused!

I wore my Pearl Izumi leg warmers today and was annoyed to find they "fall down". I had tucked the top up under the grippers of my shorts, but none the less, I had to stop now and then to retuck.

Now I'm thinking I should invest in a pair of "full length shorts/cycling pants" (I don't know what they're called). My first thought was that PI must make a full length version of the shorts I love (it took forever to find the perfect fit).

But then I started browsing in TE and saw some cycling "tights" and wondered, "how do you wear them?" :confused: :confused: The pair I was looking at say "No chamois"

So how do you use tights? Under your bike shorts?

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

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ditto

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Veronica

I wear my tights that don't have a chamois over my bike shorts.

Veronica

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Thanks for letting me know.

Since they're over your bike shorts (which is where the chamois and fit are so important), do you have to buy an expensive brand of tights or can I save a bit here?

I once scrimped on a pair of shorts, and yikes, I discovered this is NOT the place to save money. So now I ask.

Also, do you size up the tights? Or just buy your normal size.

Thanks!

There are some tights out there that have a chamois. However, I, too, wear tights without a chamois over bike shorts or knickers. I like having two layers over my butt. I like Sugou tights the best.

If you're riding in temps where knee warmers are adequate, but find the droop to be annoying, you may find full tights to be too warm for you. You may want to consider knickers, such as these. Shorter than full length tights, usually with a chamois, and generally not as warm as tights. Personally, I find them great for the 50-degree range, but different folks have different tolerances.

I guess it depends on how cold it where you're riding. I have a cheap pair of tights from REI that I wear to run in. But I'd never wear them on the bike because they don't have enough wind resistance. I HATE to be cold.

While we don't have the freezing temps that some chicks are riding in, I have been out in the low 30s and I want to be warm.

Veronica

Deb- For mid temps we have in Texas I am partial to knickers. I don't like to spend a lot so I have some Pearl Izumi Sugar Knickers. DH found them at Bicycle Sport Shop for Christmas last year. My Specialized leg warmers don't budge, are yours possibly too big?

I wear unpadded tights over shorts myself. My favorites are some you can find at Performance because they have zippers and stay in place pretty good. My back up pair I like quite a bit are Cannondale tights we got back when 360 Cycleworks was open. Actually overall I am partial to Cannondale shorts as well. REI carries Cannondale, Nelo's might since they are a Cannondale shop. But personally we don't get colod nearly enough to spend too much on cold weather clothes, unless of course you got it to burn. I would go to REI (hint Clearance starts 1/9) or Performance.

V- She lives in my area. While we do see blustery 30's, upper 40's and low 50's are most common for winter highs. Just shocks the heck out of us Texans when it dips below 60!

I wear Smartwool wool tights over my knickers, they work great. Unfortunately the microlight ones aren't very durable so I have lots of holes in them. But since I wear them over knickers anyhow the holes are not all that obvious.

Now the problem I'm running into is that I cannot find the Smartwool tights in black in either microweight or lightweight. My usual sources (TE, REI, Backcountry) appear to be out of them and they are on backorder from Smartwool. Bah! :mad:

I wear my old running tights over my bike shorts. I'd go with some comfortable ones that work for you -- I often layer up on the tights -- but don't worry about getting super-fancy name brand tights. Your good shorts are what really count in this department, so if you can find good warm off-brand tights, go for it.

Ditto what kfergos said. I don't spend a lot on tights, but I'll spend a fortune on the shorts that go under them!

I picked up a pair of Canari tights from ebay for about $20. They have a light chamois and are just enough for extra warmth. I too hate the leg warmers, slippage sucks!

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights, and the ones I purchased from Sierra Trading post are warm and didn't cost a lot. However, I'm having a problem with winter hives on my legs and rear end and hip area, and I wondered... does anyone wear something over their padded full leg bike tights?
It seems like if I can keep my legs almost overly warm, I don't get the hives.

Becca,

I've gone so far as to wear long johns (both silk ones and more high tech ones) over shorts and under biking tights.

You're sure the hives aren't more a heat rash?

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Originally Posted by Aquila

Becca,

I've gone so far as to wear long johns (both silk ones and more high tech ones) over shorts and under biking tights.

You're sure the hives aren't more a heat rash?

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Yes, I never get them in warm weather, and it's always when I am starting out really cold. It's red with welts and little bumps underneath.

I like both tights and shorts both padded. I have seen at Proformance chamois undies that I haven't tried yet but it is on my list of things to purchase before the Texas MS 150.

Thanks for the help everyone -

Today we're in the 60s so I'm headed out bare legged. But I'll buy either tights or knickers so I can get out there comfortably when it gets colder next month (or to get in some early AM winter rides, when lately its been in the 40s.)

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Originally Posted by Sin Younger

I like both tights and shorts both padded. I have seen at Proformance chamois undies that I haven't tried yet but it is on my list of things to purchase before the Texas MS 150.

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You mean those Andiamo things (or whatever they're called)? I tried them on in store once.... The liner things were flimsy-feeling and didn't stay in place very well, IMO. I prefer regular lycra cycling shorts under other shorts to those under another layer.

You might want to try them on first, that's all....

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Originally Posted by beccaB

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights, and the ones I purchased from Sierra Trading post are warm and didn't cost a lot. However, I'm having a problem with winter hives on my legs and rear end and hip area, and I wondered... does anyone wear something over their padded full leg bike tights?
It seems like if I can keep my legs almost overly warm, I don't get the hives.

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I wear a pair of thick compression shorts. They are just enough to help keep my thighs warm. I'll were them under my padded capris or tights. I think the extra layer helps keep me warm. We just don't get cold enough that I feel I need actual long johns. So, it may just depend on how much warmth you need to stop the reaction.

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Originally Posted by beccaB

I like the sleekness of wearing a pair of padded bike tights.

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I keep peddling with the hopes that someday I too will be able to publically proclaim that I look sleek in padded bike tights :p -

Right on BeccaB!

I haaaaaate to wear unpadded tights over shorts! I've tried a few different pair, but I always end up fussing with them at some point during the ride because they've slipped or rotated or something else obnoxious.

I have one pair of pretty thick bib knickers that I use for super cold days as well as a not-as-thick pair of non-bib tights and bib knickers. Strangely enough, I've never had an issue w/slipping leg warmers unless I don't have them pulled up high enough.

From the outside in:

Tights (no chamois)
over
Tights with chamois
over
Wool long undies, also more fashionably known as "base layer"

It's COLD out there!

I have 2 pairs of non padded tights, one from Performance and one from Hind. I have had both for years and I like them, because I also wear them for running, walking, and hiking. The regular bike shorts feel fine under them. I also have a pair of Ibex wool/windproof tights that are for winter sports that I have won cycling a few times. It has to be in the thirties to need these. Then I wear long wool ski socks, so almost my whole leg is covered.
The Andiamo liners s*uck. The chamois is huge and they fit horribly under anything I tried them with. However, I bought a pair of Sugoi liners that fit like cycling shorts, have a nice chamois and would be good under tights, too.

Believe it or not, it gets cold here in Canberra, Australia( I miss california!).
So ( being weak to cold);
padded shorts under
leg warmers( on warmer days with slightly cool mornings) . Mine are ok ones from netti . I have small thighs so they had some slippage so I wear the shorts that used to fit me before I got a bigger tummy. A nit of a squeeze but keeps warmers up.
tights( thin ones from netti) on days that are cooler but dont warm up
roubaix tights( lined)on really cold days

shorts, tights and lined tights on really cold days
and adding a outside layer of merino in winter when you freeze your buns off.

I have castelli lined ones. I have cheaper tights( as I still fall off now and then), but expensive shorts( nzo tarmac) which I find keeps chafing at bay.

As for sleek, I tend to have a cartoon dolphin sort of look, whilst bundled up in these!( as the guys wizz by in only tights and a jacket!)

I also have knicks( lined, padded) for days I cant keep pulling up warmers( like group rides). Ive found, in a variable climate its good to have one of everything, as seasons, seems to require it( also, I used ot buy lots of clothes, now just cycle gear!)
None of my longs have liners.

A guy cyclist also told me that if your shorts get stretched from too many washings( although mine have gotten tighter), wear them under tights.

On my legs, a single layer of ancient mid/heavy weight wool tights over regular shorts is plenty down to the high 30s F (and below that, I don't ride, sorry :p). I don't know if anyone makes tights like that any more (they're PI circa 1987, and I know PI doesn't make them any more). Actually they had a natural leather chamois in them originally - when I returned to cycling three years ago I just took the chamois out and wear them over regular shorts now.

In warmer weather I'll either wear knee warmers or over-tights. I wear the same tights for either running or cycling. For me, the chamois stays in place better if the garment ends mid-thigh, so if I want more coverage on my legs I wear over-tights.

I forgot- if I attempt a road ride in sub-45 degree weather I put my leg warmers on with padded shorts and then tights over all that. My leg warmers do not budget but do give an unpleasant sausage look. :rolleyes: I have found that if it is below 50 I am much happier hiding in the trees on my mountain bike, I hate cold.

I have a pair of wind pants that look more like tights, but not quite so tight, on order from REI. They were on sale! It looks like I could probably do my fitness walking in them and that they're not so form fitting. I would probably wear my padded full length bike tights under them . I never have liked being too hot, but I hate hives worse.

I get a 'sausage( veggie one!)' look too with leg warmers. But its the flesh that keeps them up, I think!
I think that watching too many tour de france reruns has corrupted my idea of what my legs should look like. Next to those guys, my legs look like they havent finished growing and need more fertilizer!!