What To Look For
Winter cycling tight manufacturers offer several styles and fabric weights fitting many personal preferences. Many cyclists prefer tights with chamois built in for comfort and to remove the need for additional padded articles of clothing. Tights offer traditional pant shape as well as bib, include over the shoulder straps, tights. Bib tights offer more comfort, while traditional tights offer easier access in the event of nature calling. Many winter cycling tights offer heavier options as temperatures decrease. Often lightweight winter tights protect to freezing temperatures, while heavyweight tights keep cyclists warm well under freezing temperatures.
Common Pitfalls
Many cyclists spurn the advantages of bib tights without knowing the disadvantages of traditional tights. Bib tights move less while cycling and cannot slide down, as traditional tights often do. Bib tights offer increased comfort, according to online cycle magazine BikeCyclingReviews.com. Bib tights increase warmth in stomach and lower back areas, unlike traditional tights. Many cyclists expect wind and water resistant materials to function well in winter conditions. Wind and water repellent materials function much better. Many cyclists layer excessively. Often winter tights provide complete protection from winter winds and temperatures.
Where To Buy
Many local bicycle shops, triathlon outfitters and Internet cycle retailers offer winter cycling tights. Icebike.org, an online winter cycling specialist, offers winter tights fitting like Lycra, feeling like flannel and -- warmer than wool -- utilizing specialized space-age Polartec 100 Power Stretch fabric by Malden Mills. Most winter tights feature windproof material in variable thicknesses. Thicker materials work to lower temperatures. BikeCyclingReviews.com offers several reviews of cycling clothing to assist consumers. Many local bicycle shops and triathlon outfitters offer fitting rooms and knowledgeable staff not easily matched through online shopping.
Cost
Inexpensive lightweight winter cycling tights often cost from $30 to $50 and feature little comfort enhancement or protection. Quality tights, such as the ones featured at Icebike.org, sell from $50 to $100. Heavyweight tights or quality bib tights often cost $100 to $200. Winter cycling tights featuring high-end manufacture, for professional racers and die-hard cycling enthusiasts alike, often cost from $200 to $400. Many year-round cyclists utilize waterproof tight shells over windproof tights for cold wet winter conditions. Such shells often cost from $30 to $150 depending on quality and manufacturer. All figures are based on September 2010 pricing.
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