For Winter riding what is the best solution for providing warmth and protection from the mud ? Tights under shorts, or dedicated mountain biking long trousers ?
In Winter I've always worn either shorts+knee pads (only possible on warmer days and they don't protect the lower leg from mud) and running trousers on colder days but they aren't comfortable and I hate the fact that they don't have any pockets.
Also any links/recommendations on which specific ones to get ? Any tights must not have padding, not be bib style tights and not cost the Earth
I generally go to 3/4 bibs with shorts and pads for winter but hold a pair of full length bibs for truly cold weather. Something like the £15 PX ‘365’ 3/4’s are ace but definitely autumn/winter weight and cheap enough to have a few pairs. Sizing is normal not Euro roadie.
Edit: ah, you said ‘no bibs’. Sorry! Maybe running tights then? I had a pair of cheap Decathlon ones that lasted a couple of winters commuting but never did more than half an hour or so in them. Didn’t feel like they’d be a problem though - they skipped the crotch seam for a separate panel...
Waterproof shorts, knee length sealskins and knee pads serve me well through anything I’ve rode in.
cross country ski trousers here in sweden. with normal cylcing shorts and waterproof socks underneath
Here in the mild SouthEast ,3/4 bib shorts work best for me too but I do have some 3/4's which aren't bib ,used for for mtb only. I add long socks if chilly. If it's absolutely Baltic ,full tights and maybe pair of windproof 3/4 britches.
You want some Fox Flexairs
wohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Wear them over your knee pads if it's normal cold or combine with Aldi Women's Fleece Tights (£3.99) if it's really cold. Yeah
Trousers for me too. I have some of the above Fox, some RF Agent & the Specialized Demo ones.
All better than shorts & leggings IMO.
I bought a pair of Endura trousers last year, after years of winter riding in shorts and knee warmers or 3/4 bibs and claiming that cold calves aren't really an issue
I still think they aren't, but I had no idea how lovely it would be to peel off the trousers in the garage after a filthy ride and be perfectly clean, warm and dry underneath. Unexpectedly delightful!
And if the cuffs sit over the tops of your shoes your socks and shoes stay much drier and cleaner too, and all the cack isn't running down your legs straight into them.
Madison waterproof shorts, which go down over dakine knee pads, which go over knee high sealskinz, keeps all the water out the socks as well. And Five10 impact vxi.
None of it winter specific, so can be worn in various forms all year round.
Works a treat in all weathers, as ned says, great peeling it all off and clean legs below.
Pair of Boardman convertible MTB trousers have served me well this autumn, will wear over cycling bib tights if it gets really bitter.
Personally I wear either Castelli Nano Flex Plus or Sorpasso bib tights and if it's really wet a set of waterproof soft shell shorts.
To be honest, from about October on I wear bib tights, up until it's back over about 15deg C for sustained periods
Full bib Roubaix longs for me. The ones with windstopper or similar on the front are great. Add waterproof shorts over if it's truly grim.
Mainly the same as Yak, but knee pads are a bit of a problem. With bib longs the knee pads can't go underneath the bib and they move about too much over the bib.
If its really bad weather wise I wear a pair of waterproof walking trousers. Thought the walking trousers would be too restrictive but work well. (Knee pads fit under with no problem)
I've got some of these and think they're great for winter/muddy riding (and on offer at the moment too!): https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Am-1000-Repel-Mountain-Biking-Trousers-p/pol01-5323-p.htm
I bought Hummvee trousers and didn't get on with them what with the zips at the bottom and the flappy lower legs, it really didn't work for me so gone back to wearing Nike compression trousers/tights under Hummvee shorts.
I've tried loads of stuff but always end up with cycle shorts, Ron hills and cheap waterproof trousers.
Ron Hill tracksters, £16 off Ebay, or an old pair of Rab VR trousers if it gets really parky. I don't bother with cycling specific clothing, it's mostly overpriced underperforming gash.
Shorts in proper winter? Good luck with that.
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Bibs are great, but for winter even more so as they cover your lower back up. A trip to Decathlon is all you need, the 900 winter tights are lovely, baggies over the top if you must.
Running tights could work too, but the back of high back and the seams in the wrong place make them nowhere near as good as proper bibs.
Anything made from Roubaix type material. DHB used to do some that had a water resistant outer surface - it wasn't soft-shell but just done in a way that the outer surface felt very smooth. The finish was also wind resistant so even better!
As above once it gets really cold then something like the Rab VR trousers but you might need something to stop the material on the drive side from flapping around.
I am using full cycle shorts,, full bib and waterproof shorts will change to just tights and baggies in summer - I was out yesterday wind and rain and was totally protected and on my feet I used MT500 covers.
I use roubaix leg warmers then just usual favourite undershorts & shorts. If it's just cool rather than cold then kneewarmers. Pads can be worn on top if required.
With winter boots and thicker socks keeps me toasty . I also use short gaiters if it's really splashy to keep the water out of my boots and lower legs dry.
Your username indicates you are an old lady, so tights are acceptable.
If you are a bloke, then get trousers.
It's pretty rare that the conditions are too cold for roubaix bibtights.
I find trousers a bit restrictive when throwing my mag cover pose shapes. Baggies over the top to avoid willy outline in MTB groups who just aren't used to it, and allow a quick layer to be removed for adequate cleanliness for an MTBer's car for the lift home. I've never bothered with waterproof ones but I can see they might be useful.
Ron hill tracksters? Forgot this place is full of pensioners... 🤣
Decathlon do a sort of updated ronhill in their running range from a roubaix style fabric needs a pair of braces to keep them in place on the bike though.
The problem with cycling is you want something windproof, especially on the road. Whereas ronhill etc are all designed to be warm but not windproof so they cool a bit as you run and get warmed up. More expensive cycling bibs tend to use a much tighter weave.
DHB always seem like good value and fit well to average proportions. Decathlon are good too but fall into the trap of assuming that an XL is 6ft6 and fat rather than just the same proportions as an L just a bit chubbier.
If anyones 6ft+ and a few extra lb's ive a set of their 900 series roubaix longs, theyre just too long for me both in body and leg.
Howies unpadded bibs - https://www.howies.co.uk/men/clothing/cycle/unpadded-recycled-bib-tights-black.html see me through the winter.
Ion Shelter pants are good
I am a recent trouser convert. Singletrack from endura. Waterproof enough, pads fit under bit most importantly they are super super comfy.
I've got a pair of Endura, I think it must be Singletrack, bought them 2nd hand off here. Seems like I've had them forever they just won't die! Absolutely bombproof, for wet rides Madison 3/4s waterproof that I don't think they make any more? Underneath the best bargain ever Campri thermal tights to keep lower legs warm, bargain at 8 quid!
I normally use a pair of Goretex shorts over bibs/undershorts (length depending of the temperature) and it's been great.
However I decided to treat myself for an early Christmas present and bought Endura MTR trousers. My first commute in them yesterday, in biblical conditions and the setup with neoprene overshoes was a revelation!!!
Decathlon are good too but fall into the trap of assuming that an XL is 6ft6 and fat rather than just the same proportions as an L just a bit chubbier.
This amused me as I get frustrated as well, but because I want the XL to be like a large (or even a medium) but longer. Don't assume all us tall people are fat too.
I’m watching with interest. Always a 3/4 bib over waterproof shorts in winter type with sealskins (on the mtb at least).
Did my research, read reviews, set on the Race Face Agent Pants and now I can’t find a pair anywhere - including across Europe!!! Just when I decided three figures was reasonable for a pair of pants.
Too late to edit - how do you find the Race Face Agent, Hob nob??
The last two rides I've been rocking knee length Sealskinz over Endura tights, with padded shorts under the tights and some Tenn waterproof baggies over them.
Seems to be a good balance of warmth, waterproofness, and the ability to still move.
Though I suspect I probably look ridiculous (especially as the Knee length socks have luminous orange stripes 😳 )
I thought only PE teachers were allowed to wear Ron hill tracksters?
t’s mostly overpriced underperforming gash.
At least your ronhills are cheap underperforming gash, eh?
I am with Lunge.
I'd love a pair of trousers, but having a 32/33" waist and 34/35" inside leg I have yet to find anything that fits. Those polaris trousers looked great - at least they quote the inside leg, which most manufacturers dont - but I need a Medium for the waist measurement and an XXL is just long enough.
3/4 tights and shorts for me, with sealskin socks.
Perhaps HebTroCo could do some HebTroMtbCo trousers for tall folk? 😉
Again, I will recommend these
https://www.pearlizumi.co.uk/men-s-escape-softshell-pant
So good I've bought 2 pairs so have a pair when one is in the wash. Stretchy, light, warm, fraction of the price of ones with a big MTB branding on the leg.... Wore knee warmers under in the recent cold snap.
(Limited sizes there, but worth a hunt around.)(Sizing is spot on too)
I used to wear Endura leggings under baggie shorts, but then discovered the ones that Aldi do for a fraction of the price. Think I have about four or five pairs of them now, a mix of bib longs and normal, although I prefer the bibs as they keep my back draught free in the really chilly stuff.
But if you look at the size guide for those Pearl Izumi trousers in XL, it's the usual story - designed for a paunch and stumpy legs, i.e. your average British mountain biker. I've become convinced hiding a fat arse and overhanging belly is the main design criteria behind the circus clown sh!te I see MTBers wearing. It's the only logical explanation for such obviously non-functional clothing.
It’s the only logical explanation for such obviously non-functional clothing.
Wait, what? According to your first post; MTB specific clothing is too expensive, now it's too hide the fact that mountain bike riders are fat? By your our admission on the same thread you've spouted out at least 3 "explanations"... because now it's non functional as well? this from a man who goes about in public in Ronhills... 🙂
montgomery
Member
But if you look at the size guide for those Pearl Izumi trousers in XL, it’s the usual story – designed for a paunch and stumpy legs
Seeing as I recommended those (not actually mtb trousers) you're calling me fat with a paunch? Well, you're an ugly turd. I don't know this for a fact either, but hey, just type shite eh?
Reading comprehension's clearly not your strong point, Nick, so, in summary: overweight mountain bikers buy clothing that flatters (or least camouflages) their physique; they are willing to pay over the odds in order to achieve that; the companies making the kit know this, so put more effort into the marketing and aesthetics than they do into the function and performance.
No, Dez, I'm saying that manufacturers making size XL clothing (I don't know your size) do not scale up the fit properly. As others have said, the assumption is that tall people are also fat. When one considers the UK population as a whole, and mountain bikers specifically, that's probably a safe assumption to make, but even so, it can somewhat frustrating if you sit outside the bell curve.
tallmart10
I am with Lunge.
I’d love a pair of trousers, but having a 32/33″ waist and 34/35″ inside leg I have yet to find anything that fits. Those polaris trousers looked great – at least they quote the inside leg, which most manufacturers dont – but I need a Medium for the waist measurement and an XXL is just long enough.
3/4 tights and shorts for me, with sealskin socks.
Perhaps HebTroCo could do some HebTroMtbCo trousers for tall folk? 😉
Maybe take a look at Keela as they do three leg lengths for all sizes?
https://www.keela.co.uk/roadrunner-trousers.html
https://www.keela.co.uk/sizing-charts
