Winter Bibs for Humans?

[verbs4us]

For years I happily rode into the twenty-degree range with Assos Bonka bib tights. They are starting to wear thin so I have tried a few others, including the latest Assos generation. Big problem is they all pinch behind the knee. The Bonka has this very smartly design mesh behind the knee that is snug but does not feel like a tourniquet. Alas, the model is discontinued. Does any mfgr do that anymore, since most of their customers do like unrestricted blood flow?

[ltwtsculler91]

Check out the Q36.5 Dottore Térmico which are basically a modern version of those Bonka tights. The Q36.5 pattern has some good shaping behind the knee and the gregarious winter could be another option but those don’t have the wind block front panels like the térmico or your bonkas.

I was once only spotted in Assos bottoms (or occasionally team kit) but have now gone fully Q36.5 for my kit. It really feels like a “next generation” of the great Assos stuff we were getting 8-10 years ago. Which makes sense, given that the founder was the former designer at Assos

[bthomas515]

Just a note, my winter rides are typically less than 1.5 hours and maybe 25ish miles (I hate the cold and riding indoors so it is what it is)

But, I’ve been really impressed with Amazon winter bibs. The chamois has been good and they’re comfortable. I’ve also ridden them for 3ish years, twice a week for a few months. That might change for longer rides or if you want them to last for decades, but overall very impressed

[makoti]

Rapha winter tights are great, but they DO pinch behind the knee. For me, that feeling goes away after a few minutes of riding, but the first few pedal strokes I can feel that

[novacyclist]

Originally Posted by bthomas515

Just a note, my winter rides are typically less than 1.5 hours and maybe 25ish miles (I hate the cold and riding indoors so it is what it is)

But, I’ve been really impressed with Amazon winter bibs. The chamois has been good and they’re comfortable. I’ve also ridden them for 3ish years, twice a week for a few months. That might change for longer rides or if you want them to last for decades, but overall very impressed

Got a link for those Amazon bibs?

[rwsaunders]

I have been using a couple of pair of the Artico bibtights by Voler for the past 5 years or so and they’re great. Sadly, it looks like they’re now only making a cargo version. Snap these up if you wear an XL.

https://store.voler.com/products/111...zt2zhHrAbk-IiT

[cuda]

wore Maap today, light thermal (45°-55°) not deep winter. No issues.
They are sewn in a way that allows for tight fit and functional ergonomics.

for colder days I have Cafe du Cycliste bib tights . They are fantastic. They even have a high waist with a zipper.

TBH, when it gets below 40° with wind I'm on the trainer or ERG so I cant say how cold the CDC tights and handle I do know I've never had any pinching behind my knees.

[Wunder]

Not sure if they're available anymore with the changes to the Wiggle/Chain Reaction business but all of my winter bib tights are from their house brand DHB. I'm pretty happy with their fit and performance down to freezing.

[verbs4us]

Thanks Guys. Specifically looking for (1) at or below freezing spec and (2) design that does NOT pinch behind the knee.

[benb]

I am badly in need of new winter tights too.

I went and tried on the Assos ones last week. I ended up walking out with a new pair of bib shorts but not getting the tights. Basically all the models of Assos bibs in size "L" whether race fit or their relaxed fit me great but the tights were ultra ultra tight in the same size, and they didn't have any XL ones to try on.

I have been wearing Perl Izumi Amfib non-bib tights basically the entire time I've been cycling and I need to replace them bad, they have holes at this point.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Rapha models? Their size chart makes me think I would fit very nicely in their L. The core is a great deal, I am curious what the $300+ ones bring to the table versus the less expensive one.

I am tempted to order the Perl Izumi ones again but they have changed the design and a lot of the reviews from long time users like me are pretty negative on the new design and a lot of reviews say they don't fit like they used to. I would probably order the XL in those to be safe. The older ones have a drawstring and zippers on the legs and they apparently eliminated both in the new design and people aren't happy about it.

I am really on the fence about a winter bib tight. I have always worn regular bibs underneath non-padded tights that didn't have big suspenders... in the dead of winter the bibs would be fine but we have traditionally here we have both a late fall and early spring season where you could need really warm thermal tights at the beginning of a long ride and really really want them off by the end. I wore the PI ones yesterday and it was 40 when I left and they were fine but by the end it was 46 and they were too hot. Bibs with the chamois built in eliminate the ability to take them off and put them in a bag for those long rides it starts in the 30s and finishes in the 50s.

I have light tights and leg warmers that are fleece backed.. the leg warmers are pretty great but do nothing for your crotch and stomach/hips once it gets cold enough, I'll end up with windburned skin through my bibs.

edit: Looking through the Q&A on the Rapha site their less expensive tights have fleece but no DWR and no windstop layer.

[C40_guy]

I still kinda miss my old wool cycling tights. They itched, they were too warm, they let the wind through.




PS...I never could figure out the bib thing. I mean...every so often ya gotta pee and, well, you know...

[thwart]

May want to check eBay for NOS or lightly used versions of the Assos you prefer. I’ve had some luck with that… too often it seems the ‘new, improved’ iterations really aren’t, at least for some of us.

[CNY rider]

I can offer info on a couple of brands.
For reference I'm 5'6", 150 pounds. Not svelte but not chunky either.

The brand you should [I]not[I] get is Rapha. I get a lot of pinching behind the knees, it doesn't go away quickly and I don't wear them on any long rides.

Brands that have been comfortable for me with no pinching: Giordana, old Assos (haven't tried new) and Boure.

Good hunting!

[verticaldoug]

The old Bonka S7 and Habu tights had that nice material. I still have my habu which are the best but not really suitable for below freezing.


The ultraz and such are a stiffer material hence not as comfortable

Assos just came out with the new GT Eisenhuez Ultraz S11 (who names this ****) which seem to be not as stiff and are suppose to fix the issues in the older ultraz but again up in price. This has a softer fabrix behind the knee. Did you try these?

The GTOs C2 are even nicer but those are really in nosebleed territory for price.


There is the Brownlee Brand Huubdesign.com which is for triathletes. The https://huubdesign.com/products/peak...hts-black-mens

peaks tight probably fits right for you, but zero C might be a bit chilly in these.

The nice thing about HUUB is it is really a decent price for good quality. Not sure if available in the states.

[marciero]

I like traditional bib tights for colder but still shoulder season temps. For full on winter I went with Twin 6 "winter bib pant". They are very warm and super comfortable. Plenty form fit just not compression-fit tight