a pair of 3/4 ‘tights’ which will come below the knee – preferably with knee warmers built in?

Not sure what you mean, all 3/4 lycra shorts go below the need, that’s why they’re called 3/4 and they all cover the knee.

I have roubaix dhb ones, the Vaeon I think, that are great and castelli ones, Sorpasso, that are even better.

DHB do these but I have no experience of them. More a spring/autumn item I think.

DHB 3/4

Any reason not to want bibs, they’re much warmer and more comfortable than non bibs.

Go for bibs. They warm that spot at the small of your back when your jersey tends to ride up or is pulled up by your Camelbak (or is it just me?). Much more comfortable too with the only downside being if you need to take a ‘comfort break’ out on the trails.

They look ridiculous but once you’ve got your baggies on over the top who’s to know.

I wear Sugoi RS Zeros – mainly cos I’ve always got on with their padded undercrackers. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sugoi-rs-subzero-bib-knicker/

*awaits flaming*

Rapha ones are really very good. If a little spendy,

Yup, completely agree.. Great bits of kit.

I use normal or roubaix 3/4 bibs all year round and just add knee warmers underneath when it’s particularly cold. this works really well for me.

*I suffer pretty badly from knee pain when it’s cold otherwise

I ended up getting Ron Hill running 3/4s, I found the pads in the lower end cycling ones ridiculous and a lot no longer come with waist drawstring, which is / was an absolute deal breaker for me (so double check beforehand if you want).

Something like these would last and are better quality than all the equivalent ‘cycling specific’ efforts at and around that price I’ve found. I use knee warmers underneath if it’s the depths of Winter with padded shorts over the top: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ronhill-trail-contour-34-tight-aw14/

I have been using Assos T 607 3/4 length bib tights for a couple of years now, not cheap but still look great and very comfortable.

Go outdoors do Polaris ones which seem pretty good so far.

Goan please explain exactly what it is about you that bibs don’t fit? 😕

got a fairly mental mental image going on here with all this combined with the other guy and his Ron Hills UNDER his shorts

you’d look a proper pantomime **** if you tried doing it the other way round, wearing shorts underneath Ron Hill tights ffs 😆

..they just act as warm, long liners for Winter riding when the temperature requires you to keep your ass warm with some shorts. Shorts go down to your knee usually, so you only see 4 inch or so, peekin’ out the bottom.

Well. I’m XL so ALL shorts are baggy to me. 🙂

I don’t even think they make narrow cut shorts or shorty-shorts these days for mtb use, do they?

Bibs are shite. There said it.

I’ve got some Gore 3/4’s. Very comfy, and will tick all your requirements.

Bibs are shite. There said it.

In what way are bibs ‘shite’. I’m intrigued.

Some bibs might suit you I reckon !

ok thanks.

I’ve tried bibs with less than ideal proportions too and also had bibs with adjustable mankini straps in the past. Endura IIRC. dunno if anything like that is still made.

I hate shorts myself. the drawstring waist cord never stays right for a whole ride and they don’t make me feel half as sexy 😉

Have this problem myself (not the tall bit) because of my CMT – one of the symptoms is ‘champagne bottle legs’ where the lower leg below the calf muscle is very slender, makes getting anything to fit a real pain. I just get the best fit everywhere else & either roll up the loose bit or simply ignore it.