My Morning Commute

[hozn]

@GregBain 70169 wrote:

Apart from the obvious fashion / style points, what are the benefits of knickers over full-length tights? Is it for when it’s too cold for shorts but not cold enough for pants?

Yeah, exactly. Knickers (or knee warmers) are useful when full-length tights would be too hot. I think knee warmers are actually practical, because those can be rolled up and put in a jersey pocket for the warmer commute home. While I do have a pair, I think knickers are some of the most niche / least useful articles of cycling clothing. (When you want your knees covered because it’s too cold, are you really going to be sweating by wearing full-length tights? I suspect not.) I survived just fine with tights for years. But the knee warmers thing just makes it possible to commute backpack free for a few more days the year, and I value that.

[americancyclo]

@jrenaut 70139 wrote:

waiting for the light at 15th and K, a bird pooped on my arm.

That’s good luck!

[consularrider]

@hozn 70170 wrote:

Yeah, exactly. Knickers (or knee warmers) are useful when full-length tights would be too hot. I think knee warmers are actually practical, because those can be rolled up and put in a jersey pocket for the warmer commute home. While I do have a pair, I think knickers are some of the most niche / least useful articles of cycling clothing. (When you want your knees covered because it’s too cold, are you really going to be sweating by wearing full-length tights? I suspect not.) I survived just fine with tights for years. But the knee warmers thing just makes it possible to commute backpack free for a few more days the year, and I value that.

1. I actually prefer knickers down into the 30s when I see lots of others with full tights. I just couple mine with long lightweight merino wool ski socks.
2. Some of us height challenged individuals of a certain girth find that most tights in the right waist size are too long, so material may bunch up where you don’t want it.
3. Some of us old foogies with arthritic knees want our knees covered even in the low 60s, so why bother with knee warmers when you would wear them for both the morning and evening commute or for the duration of the ride?
4. I prefer tights with no chamois pad and will wear cycling knickers instead of shorts under them on days like today, and
5. Finally, I have always liked the look of knickers.

[hozn]

@consularrider 70176 wrote:

1. I actually prefer knickers down into the 30s when I see lots of others with full tights. I just couple mine with long lightweight merino wool ski socks.
2. Some of us height challenged individuals of a certain girth find that most tights in the right waist size are too long, so material may bunch up where you don’t want it.
3. Some of us old foogies with arthritic knees want our knees covered even in the low 60s, so why bother with knee warmers when you would wear them for both the morning and evening commute or for the duration of the ride?
4. I prefer tights with no chamois pad and will wear cycling knickers instead of shorts under them on days like today, and
5. Finally, I have always liked the look of knickers.

Good points — and I guess a good reminder that we’re not all the same physiologically, etc. I always wear full-length tights when I break out the shoe covers [or certainly boots] which is around 45F for me. I like knees warm up into low 60s too, honestly; I just find the days rare when that make sense for morning & evening. The other points don’t really apply to me, though I tend to agree with #5 — they generally look “better” (though that feels weird to say in cycling when everything that is cycling clothing looks completely ridiculous to the other 95% of the population).

[OneEighth]

@GregBain 70169 wrote:

Apart from the obvious fashion / style points, what are the benefits of knickers over full-length tights? Is it for when it’s too cold for shorts but not cold enough for pants?

Thanks

Any conflict between comfort and aesthetics is resolved by Rule #5.

Honestly, like most things, you have to find what works for you. I’ve got full length tights for lower temps or wet plus temps in the low 20’s.

[KLizotte]

As someone who is vertically challenged I have ended up with more knickers than tights/pants because no manufacturer seems to make pants for the petite set. And it costs a small fortune to bring them to a tailor when there are leg zippers involved. I wear my knickers with SmartWool’s knee length Ph.D. socks when it gets into the 30s and 40s.

[DismalScientist]

I find that sizing issues are rare when I buy mass marketed khakis.:rolleyes:

[oldbikechick]

After freezing yesterday, I went out in full winter regalia today and ended up sweltering. But, easy to problem to solve by removing a layer. Although my commute also took me an extra 15 minutes with all the putting on and taking off of layers. I need warm cycling shoes that don’t need covers and warm pants that don’t require layering. Any suggestions?

[KLizotte]

@oldbikechick 70237 wrote:

After freezing yesterday, I went out in full winter regalia today and ended up sweltering. But, easy to problem to solve by removing a layer. Although my commute also took me an extra 15 minutes with all the putting on and taking off of layers. I need warm cycling shoes that don’t need covers and warm pants that don’t require layering. Any suggestions?

I couldn’t find any women’s winter cycling shoes (we are being discriminated against!) last year so I ended up buying a men’s pair. Ugly as sin but quite warm and comfy when paired with wool socks.

I’ve had very good luck with a pair of wind proof fleece lined pants (no chamois) from REI’s Novara line. If I’m going for a long ride I just throw on a pair of chamois shorts or knickers underneath. I don’t see the exact pair I have on their website.

[pfunkallstar]

My face had a nice waxy feel to it by the time I got into work yesterday. It only occurred to me later that, according to that film about K2, this may be the onset of frostbite. THINGS TO CONSIDER!

[guga31bb]

Today was miserable. It didn’t really start raining until I had already left, but by the time I got to work I could barely feel my feet. Really could have used my shoe covers today . Too bad every cold weather cycling shoe I’ve seen has been ridiculously expensive…

[cyclingfool]

My morning commute: spent sitting in a metro car.

On the plus side, I should get my repaired frame back from the venerable Bruce this evening, so I plan to be back in the saddle again tomorrow AM.

The weather may be crummy, but I need to get out there and ride. I’m going into withdrawal!!!

[Jason B]

If anyone finds a nose on Military, it might be mine. Man, that was nasty.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Almost completely dry this morning. Most of the precipitation was water blowing off the trees. At least when it’s this cold, I can wear my rain gear like a normal layer without sauna-fying myself. Also, I saw only two other people on bikes between Westover and Foggy Bottom.

[KayakCyndi]

@TwoWheelsDC 70313 wrote:

Almost completely dry this morning. Most of the precipitation was water blowing off the trees. At least when it’s this cold, I can wear my rain gear like a normal layer without sauna-fying myself. Also, I saw only two other people on bikes between Westover and Foggy Bottom.

Ditto. Nobody was out. I saw two people between EFC and Georgetown which is pretty incredible. Hope that means everyone is getting a jump on the Thanksgiving weekend.

[Author]

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