Winter bib tights, are they worth it for a man on a budget?

[confusedcyclist]

This will be my first winter of cycle commuting and I haven't got a pair of proper winter fleece lined thermal bib tights and looking at the price of these online (£74.99) is making me sweat. Despite being the lower end of the market, that's still some serious dough to drop on tights and wondering if I can cycle in sub zero temps with summer shorts and leg warmers? There's only way to find out, but I like to be prepared for the worst the weather can throw at us, I'm thinking hail/snow etc.

I have a pair of these excellent spring/summer/autumn Altura ProGel bib shorts and if it gets cool in the morning I usually wear some running tights over the top, and when it's really bad I wear base layer longs under too.

Do I need to man up or are a pair of thermal tights or trousers essential for cycling through the winter?

 

[palinurus]

Do I need to man up or are a pair of thermal tights or trousers essential for cycling through the winter?

Not essential at all, unless you find your current clothing isn't keeping your legs warm- but with the base layer I doubt this will be a problem.

 

[User6179]

I used to wear Ronhill running tights over Altura bib shorts , when they wore out I bought winter bib tights , to be honest I preferred the Ronhills but only because they were perfect fit and I find it hard to get bib tights to fit .

I found cheap Crivit bib tights to be as good as Altura ones also .

 

[DCLane]

On my commute it's basic running tights (Karrimor) over shorts.

Outside of that I've got bib longs / thermal bib longs for longer rides.

 

[Leaway2]

I have an assortment of tights/bibs but never paid that much. I don't feel the cold on my legs much, it is mainly my fingers and occasionally toes.
Perhaps pinning a picture of the £74.99 bibs to your bars, will keep you warm.

 

[evo456]

Plenty of alternatives, double up by adding a compression tight, leg warmers on top of normal bibs. Value formoney options from dhb, and Tenn.

I got the tenns, and I not wanting for any more.

 

[confusedcyclist]

I have an assortment of tights/bibs but never paid that much. I don't feel the cold on my legs much, it is mainly my fingers and occasionally toes.
Perhaps pinning a picture of the £74.99 bibs to your bars, will keep you warm.

I was thinking the inverse, the thought of not having spent £75.99 on tights will keep me warm (ok, happier at least!)

 

[ScotiaLass]

I have used Tenn stuff in the past (undershorts and MTB shorts) and really like them. I haven't used their longs though.
I am still riding in summer-weight longs that I got as my first pair last year. I am finding it a little chilly some days, so may be forced into buying some winter ones now!

 

[MikeW-71]

They are very nice things to have, but you don't need to spend that much. I've just bought some DHB Active winter bib tights for £25. I'm impressed as they seem to have a decent pad, they'll do fine for commuting and many of my winter rides as I tend to stay below 2hrs duration when it's very cold anyway.

I also have some DHB Vaeon tights, which are better, but at about £55.

 

[jagman.2003]

As above I have the Vaeon versions. No they are not essential. I have got away in previous years with layering up shorts, knees & ron hills.
But I got tired of changing all those layers when commuting. The DHB's are very good & simple.

 

[slowmotion]

@confusedcyclist. I'm a fan of Tenn clothes too. They don't cost the earth. You could do a lot worse than invest in these for £15. Absolute bargain!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenn-Front-Cycling-Leggings-Moulded/dp/B000QEUPPU

 

[Fab Foodie]

This will be my first winter of cycle commuting and I haven't got a pair of proper winter fleece lined thermal bib tights and looking at the price of these online (£74.99) is making me sweat. Despite being the lower end of the market, that's still some serious dough to drop on tights and wondering if I can cycle in sub zero temps with summer shorts and leg warmers? There's only way to find out, but I like to be prepared for the worst the weather can throw at us, I'm thinking hail/snow etc.

I have a pair of these excellent spring/summer/autumn Altura ProGel bib shorts and if it gets cool in the morning I usually wear some running tights over the top, and when it's really bad I wear base layer longs under too.

Do I need to man up or are a pair of thermal tights or trousers essential for cycling through the winter?

Bit Retro, but the Tudor longs are very good, but not bibs unfortunately (in the old days we used braces), but they are hard wearing (last for years of daily use), warm, comfortable and very durable. If I was commuting again they would be my choice.
http://www.tudorsports.co.uk/index.html
Basic dhb ok too.

 

[confusedcyclist]

@confusedcyclist. I'm a fan of Tenn clothes too. They don't cost the earth. You could do a lot worse than invest in these for £15. Absolute bargain!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenn-Front-Cycling-Leggings-Moulded/dp/B000QEUPPU

WOW, At that price it would be rude not to! Ordered

 

[cyberknight]

I used to wear Ronhill running tights over Altura bib shorts , when they wore out I bought winter bib tights , to be honest I preferred the Ronhills but only because they were perfect fit and I find it hard to get bib tights to fit .

I found cheap Crivit bib tights to be as good as Altura ones also .

I use running tights over summer shorts atm for early commutes when its around 5 degrees, for winter i use ron hill bikesters .

 

[Soltydog]

@confusedcyclist i have some used longs (not bibs) that I got off someone a year or two back, but I prefer bibs & have only worn one pair once. Not sure of size, but will be XL or XXl if they are any good to you, yours for the cost of postage, or i might be in Leeds station around Saturday lunch time, could meet you there & no cost ;-)