(Winter) bib tights....over bib shorts?!!

[Valerio]

I've seen gear breakdown video recaps from at least two well known and reputable ultracyclists mention that they brought full length bibs (with no chammy) to wear over their regular bibs when temperatures dropped on the Atlas Mountain Race.

It got me wondering if this is a good strategy, instead of going for bib shorts + leg warmers, what are the advantages and if the friction between tights over bib could do any damage.

For me personally, I'm not able to ride through the night, not for multiple nights at least. So I'm not sure it'd be a great advantage as I wouldn't be spending as many hours as them riding in cold temperatures.
The other potential issue I can see is that, especially if running a hydration pack, there would be several layers (backpack, jacket, jersey(s), etc) to ge off and on to be able to wear the bib tights.

Has anyone used this layering strategy on a race/bikepacking trip in cold weather?

[jameso]

Why bib tights rather than regular tights than can be layered on/off easier?

I wore bibs for one race, never again. Faff, annoying as F generally. Got colder than I should have when doing do's or changing. I'd be more inclined to layer with a light overtrouser that's water-resistant. Or leg warmers as you suggested if it's not too cold - smaller pack size when not needed. Leg warmers with some knee length WP shorts can be good too, add in some long WP socks and it's a pretty weather-resistant combo. (though getting bulkier to pack than some unpadded tights).

[Dyffers]

Not necessarily during multiday rides as I tend to only do those between April and September, but I ride all winter, road and XC MTB, in bib shorts and whatever unpadded roubaix longs/biblongs I have over the top.

However, this is almost entirely because I have quite a few pairs of Assos and R apha bibshorts which continue to be extremely comfortable but the arse has gone see-through, necessitating something over the top.

[Valerio]

Why bib tights rather than regular tights than can be layered on/off easier?

I wore bibs for one race, never again. Faff, annoying as F generally. Got colder than I should have when doing do's or changing. I'd be more inclined to layer with a light overtrouser that's water-resistant. Or leg warmers as you suggested if it's not too cold - smaller pack size when not needed. Leg warmers with some knee length WP shorts can be good too, add in some long WP socks and it's a pretty weather-resistant combo. (though getting bulkier to pack than some unpadded tights).

Motivations in favour of bib tights seems to be:
- side pocket
- additional cover to lower back for additional warmth

My thinking would be to layer up with leg warmers (they get fairly high up over the knee) + thick socks + goretex trousers.
Admittedly I've never cycled far with the goretex trousers and I guess it could be a very sweaty affair.

I've got a couple of winter bib tights and I have to say they're much warmer than bib shorts + leg warmers. Whether the additional warmth is required on something like AMR, I don't know.

The bib tights could also be something to wear off the bike while say, the bib shorts dry over the night but I can't see that scenario being very likely to happen in a race-situation.

[Valerio]

Not necessarily during multiday rides as I tend to only do those between April and September, but I ride all winter, road and XC MTB, in bib shorts and whatever unpadded roubaix longs/biblongs I have over the top.

However, this is almost entirely because I have quite a few pairs of Assos and R apha bibshorts which continue to be extremely comfortable but the arse has gone see-through, necessitating something over the top.

Thumbs up for getting 110% out of your gear. That's the way!

Any issues experienced with the bib shorts + bib tights combo?

[Boab]

In winter I generally wear my normal bib shorts under a pair of Endura Pro SL bib tights, that don't have a shammy. If it's really cold, then my Roubaix bib shorts go under. It can feel cumbersome at times, especially with all the shoulder straps, but then knee warmers generally either pull up, or fall down and are terrible if adjusted repeatedly.

[jameso]

- side pocket
- additional cover to lower back for additional warmth

Bike bags or jersey for pockets, gilet or jersey for core warmth?

Goretex trousers sound sweaty to me but I do like waterproof 3/4s, they cover my knees and vent well. I can see the appeal in tights as a warmth-for-weight (orpack size) layer just not the bib faff aspect, but that's maybe just me.

knee warmers generally either pull up, or fall down and are terrible if adjusted repeatedly.

This is true, I have a couple of pairs that fit me well but others were a PITA.

[Wotsits]

I've used 3/4 bib shorts + long socks for 'overnight' events in the colder months for a few years now. I find with the socks pushed down during the day allows enough cooling, with also keeping my knees warm. Then at night i pull the socks up under the bib-legs & have never had any problems keeping warm when dry, even well into minus temps. 3/4 bibs tend to be a bit more suited to cold-weather riding..

On this years Montanas Vacias trip in April i managed to get some Crikey, how much leg-warmers cheap & with a bigger temperature variation over the course of a day, were also very good. This was my second attempt at using leg-warmers as the previous Lusso effort resulted in the 'Nora Batty' effect...

[Dyffers]

Any issues experienced with the bib shorts + bib tights combo?

No, with the exception of access issues in certain scenarios as James alludes to.

[Stinginglip]

Bibs over the upper outer layers is your answer

[Lazarus]

I allready own bibs shorts or shorts so just buying tights makes sense, as its cheaper and dont have the risk of a new pad.
.
I dont personally think there is any performance advantage of bib shorts and tights v paded bib tights ( which I also own but they are waterproof ish)

I also use tights with shorts as way easier to go to the toilet (number 2 ) rather than undressing in winter.

[RIP]

Has anyone used this layering strategy on a race/bikepacking trip in cold weather?

Why bib tights rather than regular tights than can be layered on/off easier? ...... Bike bags or jersey for pockets, gilet or jersey for core warmth?

Am with you on both those points James.

Slightly trolling here, sorry, because I've never used bibs. I now almost never use shorts either - as James says shorts pockets are pointless.

However, my alternative is: £20 bamboo leggings in summer, no frills £10 fleece leggings in colder months, both together in well below freezing temperatures. If it's raining add Paclite trousers. (All with my permanent sandals + w'proof socks combo; plus layered bamboo base + fleece(s) + jersey + w'proof up top).

Case in point last weekend was down to 1degC with occasional heavy showers. Wore the fleece leggings, added Paclites in the rain. Very breathable, never got sweaty, lightweight, easy on/off, 'internally accessible', zero faff.

[Valerio]

I wish I could ride without a chamois, and maybe I should try it, but atm I find it really helpful for long endurance rides.
Perhaps I just haven't found the perfect saddle for me yet.

Short pockets: I find them incredibly helpful and I will not buy shorts that don't have them
Having said that I could of course survive without them for a night or two, and I agree on the point that regular tights might be better BUT I do think that straps would help keeping them in place.
I guess I'll just have to try it.

Reason I asked the question here is to have a pool of credible opinions, which are likely to not be driven by sponsors or brands, which seems to be the case with nearly every review out there these days.

[Dyffers]

I can't get over the thought that if I have pockets on the side of my shorts I'm using energy to lift whatever is in them every pedal stroke. Jersey pockets for wallet, phone, jelly beans and bike bags for everything else.

[Dean]

I find shorts pockets very useful for stashing multiple gloves/glove liners (often rides start before sunrise in winter) and means that I don't drop them while trying to put back into full jersey pockets. Or I use a bumbag.

Fleeced bib shorts were the same warmth for me as a regular padded short and a second non-padded bib legging, but I found the single thicker layer more comfortable. I assume racers don't want to fully change their bibs out.

[RIP]

Short pockets: I find them incredibly helpful and I will not buy shorts that don't have them

Vive la difference

Stuff in pockets get in the way of my upper leg movements when pedalling. Jersey pockets for me or better still on the bike.

Stu got me on to the 'no undercrackers' ploy. Didn't believe it, was a padded man, but now I'm sold. Lot of bum cream, and much saddle experimentation to get there though.

[fatbikephil]

I like pockets - I stuff my camera in one for easy access (my right leg is probably slightly bigger than my left due to lifting the extra weight ) But mainly for shopping trips - I can stuff my gloves and wallet in them whilst browsing the Co-op / Spar. Plus I can put my hands in them for when I'm slouching around

I do sometimes use Bib longs for day rides but a need to get easy access for toilet stops makes them a no-no on bikepacking trips - speed is of the essence at my age!

Been pad-less for a couple of years now - a manky 5 day old pad causes as lot more problems than a pair of bamboo boxers. In the summer it will be shorts only (baggy mainly or non bib cycling shorts for roady rides) Winter, endura long trousers. For reasons unknown, tights cause my knees to get sore...

[RIP]

Never trust a man with his hands in his pockets

[jameso]

Slightly trolling here, sorry, because I've never used bibs. I now almost never use shorts either - as James says shorts pockets are pointless.

I do like shorts with pockets, for things while at camp, change etc, but not used much on the bike. On the bike there's better places to carry things for sure. Don't get me started on Cargo Bibs but at the same time, really, wear what ya like.

+1 on padded shorts being not as essential as cycling culture seems to think (I don't wear them anyway).

BUT I do think that straps would help keeping them in place.

- is it daft (of me) to wonder if some basic plastic clip braces wouldn't be a bad idea? Certainly would help changing layers and not needing to take jacket/jersey etc off. Restrap Racer-Braces, maybe coming soon!

[Lazarus]

I wear braces* for (waterproof) shorts as its hard to get shorts that fit my ( tiny) waist and they slip down when i ride.
Lycra shorts are fine in use , and yet to embrace or try the no pad approach to a ride ad not likely to.

* cheap ebay ones, elasticated and work fine for me . Was always having to pull up over shorts

[MuddyPete]

Stu got me on to the 'no undercrackers' ploy. Didn't believe it, was a padded man, but now I'm sold.

This needs a BB splinter group: 'Boner Liberation Front, or Plumdanglers Anonymous?

Not so much a formal list of supporters: but rather, a loose collection of members.

[Sajama]

No need for (winter ) bib longs , wear autumn/winter 3/4 longs and light bib longs.
For a while it was almost impossible to find good bib longs with no pad. Another plus is longs with out a pad are easier to pack away if away a few days in the winter .
The Europeans are way ahead of us with cycling gear that's made for spring/autumn, winter and summer, our problem is if living in the north you can have all 4 seasons in one day.

[Valerio]

No need for (winter ) bib longs , wear autumn/winter 3/4 longs and light bib longs.
For a while it was almost impossible to find good bib longs with no pad. Another plus is longs with out a pad are easier to pack away if away a few days in the winter .
The Europeans are way ahead of us with cycling gear that's made for spring/autumn, winter and summer, our problem is if living in the north you can have all 4 seasons in one day.

I'd say, apart from a few exceptions, we have one season all day, all year. And it's not summer

Winter 3/4 longs won't work for me as I could be pedalling in 30+ degrees during the day. So my main item will be summer bib shorts.
Temperatures could drop below 0 at night though.

I have a pair of old-ish winter bib tights I might modify to take the pad out, and try them on. I'll have to wait for temperatures to drop though.

[BridlewayBimbler]

I recall a Josh Ibbett video-possibly from Tour Divide-where he wore some thermal and rainproof bibs over his normal.bibs. He removed the chamois if I recall correctly?
I think they were DHB Aeron Rain Defence? I could be wrong, so don't quote me!

[Boab]

I recall a Josh Ibbett video-possibly from Tour Divide-where he wore some thermal and rainproof bibs over his normal.bibs. He removed the chamois if I recall correctly?
I think they were DHB Aeron Rain Defence? I could be wrong, so don't quote me!

Pretty sure I saw a video of him on the Tour Divide and he was wearing down trousers when it was cold, i.e. early mornings. Maybe he took stuff for dry cold and wet cold...