I used to have some of these and loved them, However nowadays I cant help thinking if its cold enough for 3/4 you may as well go full tight. Whats the benefit of having that small part of shin uncovered?

Ground Effect did some great ones 10 years ago, I see they still have them on their site, but look a different style to what I still own (yep, they are looking a bit worn now, but still usable).
Ground Effect Montezuma

It’s covering the knees and not shins. And there is a whole season between shorts and full-length

I get what they do… I just don’t see the benefit 5″ of exposed skin between sock and short.

I wear 3/4’s a lot more often than tights, even in winter. I run quite hot so 3/4’s are more comfortable for me. I also have the Ground Effect but the older ones as they just won’t die.

Eddie Van Hooydonck has a lot to answer for! 3/4 tights have long been my favourites – I had a pair of the original Assos ones in purple! For those that question their need, it keeps the cold off the knees – there aren’t many veins down the front of the shin, so as long as you keep your feet warm / dry. As for alternatives? Castelli Sorpasso are superb, but bib variety only.

Non bib? Polaris do some, the Three Quartz. Lizzy has had some for years and she says they’re especially good compared to her Sugoi ones. I had some and thought they were OK. Bibs are best though.

Shorts + knees for me. More versatile, and if crash and tear up the knees, they’re cheap-ish to replace.

Fox do (or did) some, and they’re pretty durable. I have lots of pairs of them.
Polaris also do some, although they’re more expensive.

7mesh have a sale on. Non-bib thermal 3/4ers were available in all sizes last I looked.

They even supply them with detachable suspenders, though I’m not sure if these are for keeping up the tights or your socks.

Oh, I’d forgotten I bouight these last year:
Polaris Trident

£15 when they are in the sale, they are £30 now. They are excellent.

Thanks for the ideas so far. I’m busy googling but struggling to find some of them – e.g. DHB, Santini, Altura and Madison all draw a blank. To re-iterate, I’m looking for something without a bib.

I hate to say this – I know you mentioned it in your original post – but knee-warmers do the job and have the advantage of being available in different weights, plus if you get WKS – Warm Knee Syndrome – you can always remove them. Mavic and Castelli both work for me, bad experiences with Endura ones going prematurely baggy in the past.

I was going to mention the 7-Mesh ones, but it’s been done. Other than that, there are lots of trail running options around – Montane from memory, I think Mammut do some and others – but the seaming and fabrics may not be optimal for cycling use.

I suspect a lot of the ones you’re drawing a blank on are bibs because people read the title, skim the actual post and then do the STW thing of recommending what they use. Knee-warmers in my case, but at least I bothered to read the post properly 😉

i have some Pearl Izumi 3/4 tights that are a few years old and are excellent both for comfort and coverage – google seems to suggest they are still available