As I've explained elsewhere I'm new at this but not new at cycling, however, much of what I usually wear doesn't work very well as off road stuff.

My lower legs are getting sprayed from puddles. I'd rather not be wearing full overtrousers when it is only damp and groundwater is being flung up. Are there any tights that don't soak up water and that don't have pads in them (although I can remove pads, I guess)?

Thanks for any help

I've got some Gore Bike Wear tights that have a windstopper fabric down the front. They're pretty good in poor conditions. I'm not sure there's much out there that'll keep you totally dry, but provided you can minimise windchill, wet doesn't matter too much.

For the bear bones 200 I wore a pair of light 2XU compression tights with a pair of knee length gore waterproof shorts. They were good the whole time and didn't really feel uncomfortably chilly ever when the temp got below freezing.

Riding around the puddles also helps quite a bit :)

Ian wrote:I've got some Gore Bike Wear tights that have a windstopper fabric down the front. They're pretty good in poor conditions.

I've got some of these and they're definitely the best solution I've come across to date.

I managed to tear a massive hole in the knee (riding with Stuart and Kevin funnily enough) and (once sewn-up) they're still better than anything else I've tried for normal winter conditions.

Not cheap though!

On my lower half in the last couple of years I've had
- Long skins compression tights
- Endura knee length mt500 waterproof shorts

Both in the cold and wet, never felt the need to add more
Been really comfy

Ian wrote: For the bear bones 200 I wore a pair of light 2XU compression tights with a pair of knee length gore waterproof shorts. They were good the whole time and didn't really feel uncomfortably chilly ever when the temp got below freezing.

I see two people have mentioned waterproof shorts: Gore and Endura. Any further opinions on these or other makes.
I'm wondering if waterproof shorts with leg warmers would work ok. The leg warmers would obviously get wet and muddy but are easier to wash out and small enough to carry a second pair.

Ian wrote: Riding around the puddles also helps quite a bit :)

I'm new enough to this to enjoy riding through the puddles but not the result of doing so. Anyway, I feel that making the erosion deeper rather than wider is a much more ecologically sound manoeuvre :D

Coldest ride I've done was Thetford WS1. 4 hours in the rain & Mud. I wore 3/4 Lycra & a pair of Lidl waterproof trousers cut off below the knee articulation. For £8 a pair they make for decent VFM versus Endura, etcs offerings.

johnnystorm wrote:Coldest ride I've done was Thetford WS1. 4 hours in the rain & Mud. I wore 3/4 Lycra & a pair of Lidl waterproof trousers cut off below the knee articulation. For £8 a pair they make for decent VFM versus Endura, etcs offerings.

That reminds me that I've a pair of cut down Altura overtrousers that I used to wear on my recumbents. I'll find them out and try them with leg and knee warmers.

Thanks all

nobby wrote:

Ian wrote: Riding around the puddles also helps quite a bit :)

I'm new enough to this to enjoy riding through the puddles but not the result of doing so. Anyway, I feel that making the erosion deeper rather than wider is a much more ecologically sound manoeuvre :D

You could try the manual and/or bunny-hop technique? :D

Back to on topic:

Waterproof shorts and leg warmers are a good and very adaptable combination IME. FWIW, I find the Gore Bikewear shorts good. You might not like the price (£115), but you can literally ride all day in the rain in them and not be totally wet through by the end of it. I used to have some (wiggle) dhb shorts made with eVent, but they haven't lasted anything like as long as a eVent jacket I've got.

My lbs has just come up with Lusso Max Repel tights at 50 quid (but a tenner cheap on the web that he will get close to, if not match)
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s57p1022

Anybody got any experience of them, please?

I've got a pair of Scott Helium gore tex shorts which I picked up in a sale. They are generally great except that the only way of tightening the elasticated waist is using these very simple cord lock devices which I've found don't stay tight - so I ended up with the shorts dropping down my waist. Which is annoying.

When its horrible I pair them with Endura Thermolite leg warmers which are amazing and only £22 from CRC. I wouldn't say they are totally waterproof, but theyre certainly warm when wet. I pull them up mid-thigh and have my undershorts sitting over them (helps the leg warmers stay up if the top seam is against the skin). They pack really small, insulate as well as keeping the water off and save carrying a whole set of extra tights / waterproof overtrousers (which I found really uncomfortable when I tried some). The only issue is that they are quite tight so it can be a squeeze zipping up the bottoms over over-shoes to avoid water running down and into your shoes...

InspiredRamblings wrote:
When its horrible I pair them with Endura Thermolite leg warmers which are amazing and only £22 from CRC.

Thanks for that.

nobby wrote:My lbs has just come up with Lusso Max Repel tights at 50 quid (but a tenner cheap on the web that he will get close to, if not match)
http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php ... b0s57p1022

Anybody got any experience of them, please?

Well, that was a failure.
The large size drooped around my ankles like ballet dancers leg warmers and the medium cut off the circulation to my feet.
Baggies and leg warmers it is :)
My lbs says to wash the leg warmers in Graingers or Nikwax to make them water repellent.