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

[bpsmith]

I have a pair of Castelli Sorpasso bib tights. Got them in the sale for £90, which is a significant saving, but still fairly expensive.

They are definitely built to last and look as new a year down the line. Really comfy and fit well. The pad in them is a million times better than in my Specialized bib shorts. Much more comfy on short and long rides.

Sometimes buying more expensive items in the sale is better overall than buying multiple cheap alternatives.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

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

Another bikesters user here.

 

[Blue Hills]

Sorry if my comment is off topic but may as well ask here. I've never understood bib tights. Apart from the sniggers they cause with some folk i have never found that my cycling tights fall down any more than my jeans do without braces.

Anyone care to educate me?

I use a selection of tights with no pad - allows me to use the tights for several days with a new liner every day.

Have never understood built in pads in tights either.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Sorry if my comment is off topic but may as well ask here. I've never understood bib tights. Apart from the sniggers they cause with some folk i have never found that my cycling tights fall down any more than my jeans do without braces.

Anyone care to educate me?

I use a selection of tights with no pad - allows me to use the tights for several days with a new liner every day.

Have never understood built in pads in tights either.

Bibs are betterer because they hold the pad in place better, come higher up yer back to prevent chills and if you're a fat bastard stop having your waist bisected by the elastic round yer middle. They're just more comfortable.

 

[User6179]

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

Bought a pair of bikesters but they are a little long in the leg for me .

 

[confusedcyclist]

@confusedcyclistNot 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 ;-)

Thanks for the offer but I fear they would be too large!

 

[vickster]

There's a large (Italian) Sportful pair for sale in classifieds

 

[Dibs]

Decathalon do a decent pair of Bib tights for £20.

Bought them a few weeks ago and I'm impressed so far!

 

[Kestevan]

Wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-thermal-padded-bib-tight/

Sometimes buying more expensive items in the sale is better overall than buying multiple cheap alternatives.

Always nice to have some "best" kit for longer rides etc. But may not be practical for the daily commute. I have several "sets" of affordable commuter kit so I can have a clean/dry outfit every day - I certainly couldn't afford to run 5 or six sets of Assos kit (nice though it may be).

 

[bpsmith]

Wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-thermal-padded-bib-tight/


Always nice to have some "best" kit for longer rides etc. But may not be practical for the daily commute. I have several "sets" of affordable commuter kit so I can have a clean/dry outfit every day - I certainly couldn't afford to run 5 or six sets of Assos kit (nice though it may be).

Neither could I tbh. Totally agree. OP just stated that they were after a single pair but logically, with commuting, they will actually need multiple pairs on the assumption they ride multiple days per week. Nobody wants to wear the same thermal bib tights for 5 days on the trot or be washing them every night!

 

[confusedcyclist]

Neither could I tbh. Totally agree. OP just stated that they were after a single pair but logically, with commuting, they will actually need multiple pairs on the assumption they ride multiple days per week. Nobody wants to wear the same thermal bib tights for 5 days on the trot or be washing them every night!

I've managed to get away with washing my summer shorts and running tights every 2-3 days, cycling in to work 5 days a week. I do a dedicated wash for cycling gear every Wednesday. Not sure if thermal tights will be as fast drying as my summer bib shorts, but can alternate between the two if needed.

Quick update on the Tenn's shorts, I ordered a medium and couldn't get them up my thighs, I know I've bulked out a bit down there, but that was a surprise! Contacted customer services with my measurements and they were excellent offering a free return's label and full refund and recommended I try the Tenn Lazer Thermal bibs, not as cheap but more suited to my height. They even refunded £20 off the listing price (£49.99) for the inconvenience.

Tried them on for the first time today, and nice and toasty so far, and beats having all the layers, before I would have to put on my merino baselayer, socks, leg warmers, bib shorts and then running tights. Getting changed was becoming a bit of a chore, now its one layer and done! Will save lots of time, well worth the £30 I paid.

One happy and warm cyclist