Better Weather, what to wear ?

[Downward]

I'm already wearing shorts (but not for the commute yet, it's a bit nippy in the mornings).

My winter bicycle clips have already been swapped for the lighter brown summer ones and the flat cap is looking a bit peaky.

Thought 7 Degrees was the Shorts threshold ?

 

[Downward]

Depends really. Not buggering your knees is the big plus of longs for most, but if you've particularly hardy knees, it may not be a consideration.

Yeah this is true - I have done it about 5 Degrees and my knees were killing esp any more than 20mph.

 

[John the Monkey]

It's still a fair bit colder than that here. We had a hoar frost again this morning.

Rapha buyers will all know that, on account of the writeups of the Spring gear waxing lyrical concerning the wind over the muurs etc.

 

[yumpy]

I've only been on and off the forum occasionally, so not sure if this is the right place to ask, but wondering what bib tights are like to wear ?

Most of my cycling is around country lanes, sort of half leisure - half keep fit. With the odd visit to a hostelry, the obvious thing about bib tights I suppose is fighting them in the loo ? Any other obvious drawbacks please ?

 

[J4CKO]

They are so comfy, they dont ride up or pull down so, for me, compared to my previous jogging bottoms I can get on with cycling rather than adjusting my trousers which must be a safety benefit.

The main thing is aerodynamics, if you have pants and coat flapping in the breeze it makes a hell of difference, especially in a headwind situation, might as well make the most of the limited aerodynamics we have rather than compounding the problem, it does depend on speed as the faster you go the more noticeable the aerodynamic effect, so to squeeze a bit more speed out they are worthwhile, its part of the reason Roadies overtake commuters and we wonder how seeing as you only see most of them at the weekend.

With regards going to the loo, bit more complicated but not much of an imposition.

Its just the wearing of them invites comments sometimes, you feel a bit self concious but the benefits make it worthwhile.

 

[yumpy]

I wondered about the comfort - if they pull on the shoulders, but sounds better than separates and just discovered you can get padded ones as well. If am going to lose some cred. then so be it - may as well get some pink ones then ;-)

 

[Duds]

over about 5 degrees, and its shorts for me.
shorts have been on for the last week - hopefully until November at the earliest

usually a long sleeve jersey with windproof over that. windproof in the bag from now - unless rainy.

 

[J4CKO]

Does anyone ponder the benefits of wearing more in case they fall off, not that Lycra offers much protection its better than bare skin on Tarmac or is it a case of if you fall off that much then give it up !

I think I am going to wear gloves all year round whatever.

 

[John the Monkey]

Does anyone ponder the benefits of wearing more in case they fall off, not that Lycra offers much protection its better than bare skin on Tarmac or is it a case of if you fall off that much then give it up !

Last time I was knocked off, the road shredded my outer shorts (Altura Ascent) - it didn't go through my dhb bib longs (worn underneath) but I still got a nice big abrasion thanks to friction on my hip. My arm warmers had two smallish holes in the elbow, but my elbow was still a mess with a large abrasion from the higher bit of the forearm down to and just past the point (and has a 3 inch scar on it now). If you're really worried about this, body armour as used by MTB riders may be the way to go.

I think I am going to wear gloves all year round whatever.

A good idea. Road rash on your hands would be no fun at all.

 

[Plax]

I've moved to my 3/4 length humvees this week (and Sunday I wore shorts!). I've also stopped wearing my skull cap and I've changed to thinner long fingered gloves.
For the top half, still wearing my Berghaus waterproof jacket with a long sleeved cycling top on the way into work, but on the way home I stuff the Berghaus in my pannier as I've started to overheat otherwise.

 

[Downward]

Beware cold morning like today !
I had to grab an old spare coat as my bike coat was left at work.
Luckily I had some arm and leg warmers cause I only had my shorts

 

[HLaB]

According to the met office it was 3 deg C here for my commute this morning; there was hardly any wind though for a change so it was short slieves

 

[John the Monkey]

Ha! +1 downward - rode to the station wearing short fingered gloves, and could barely feel my fingers. Luckily for me I'd packed my Cyclechat buff and windproof long finger gloves in the rucksack.

 

[Downward]

Ha! +1 downward - rode to the station wearing short fingered gloves, and could barely feel my fingers. Luckily for me I'd packed my Cyclechat buff and windproof long finger gloves in the rucksack.

Lucky for me my morning commute is pretty much a good slog uphills for 25 minutes out of the 40 so I am very warm after what 8 minutes of cycling ?!

I just had fingerless gloves.

 

[fossyant]

Road rash on your hands would be no fun at all.

It isn't

Tend to wear gloves or mit's these days - due to the much increased vehicular interaction of my 'commuting' rather than training runs....