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Also, check bonktown.com for inexpensive cold weather gloves.

40's I'll go with running tights over bike/tri shorts, 50's I'll do leg warmers. Just remember rule # 82

Don't forget shoe covers if it's raining.

ok so for a good example it was 41 and not sunny this weekend and here is what i wore:

wicking tank top
long sleeve jersey
giordana WindTex jacket (wind resistant, breathable, a bit heavier than a long sleeve jersey/warmer than a windbreaker, but breathable is key)

knicker length (below knee) bike shorts
slightly fleece-lined leg warmers (so these would be like those "thick" hot chilly's)
wool socks
neoprene shoe covers (a must with my vented tri bike shoes)

i have winter cycling gloves, but even they were a bit warm- i wish they were a bit more breathable.

i also wore a neoprene/fleece earband under my helmet. The BF wore his poly balaclava, but i'm tougher

It was 35, full overcast, 15-20 mph wind, and raining last Sunday for my 3 hour ride.  I was comfortable, and here's what I wore:

Bib shorts

Gore Tex rain jacket over heavy zipper bike jersey over UnderArmour middle weight compression shirt over light weight undershirt which I wore under the bibs

Pearl Izumi Amfib tights.  Bought them new on Saturday for $120 after my last pair finally wore out after 10 years of wearing them for cycling, running, skiing.  I can't recommend these enough.

Cycling shoes with Pearl Izumi Barrier shoe covers.

Ski-type headband with earflaps (covers the ears, but my head isn't sweaty like a hat).

This neck balaclava thing I bought years ago for skiing.  I could wear it over my head, but I just wear it around my neck and over my chin and cheeks.  I hate covering my mouth with it because then I breath through it and that's just ick.

Helmet

Performance Bike gloves.  These were their cheap $20 fleece style gloves from a few years ago.  They don't sell them anymore, but they are warm, not bulky, and breathe well.  They are better than my $60 fancy Giordana ones for <40 degrees.  They're not durable though - I expect they will fall apart next season.  

Hands are the worst.  You have to stop the wind, stop the water, and still be able to hold on to things.  I've used ski gloves and bike gloves.  Some work well, some haven't.  YMMV.  It seems with gloves, you get "works well, durable, affordable - pick any two".

Edited by brucemorgan 2011-03-01 4:26 PM

For riding below 5C I will wear fleece jersey and bib tights, lightweight jacket, ear warmer, toe covers and light weight cycling gloves (this works to about -5C). From 5C to 15C I ditch the fleece lined stuff and go with just long sleeved jersey and bib tights. No ear warmer or toe covers but I keep the light weight gloves to about 10C. However, the key is to find what works for you and when you do, write it down so the next time you face those conditions, you know what to wear.

Shane

This site is the best. Thanks for all the help. However I will not be riding my bike when the temps are in the 20's ....I will be skiing I have all sorts of water proof pants; gloves and jackets and pull overs  because I also teach skiing so I get a huge discount on that stuff. But ski pants flair out at the bottom and I know I could use a rubber band or tape but I figured I could pick up a nice pair of tights that will work in 30 to 40 degree weather which we get here in NJ throughout March and April. One question should I get a pair of tights that has the seat pad or just wear my bike shorts underneath the tights?   THanks

Let me add one thing. I have been looking around at bike tights but I want to make sure I just don't buy a pair of "Hot Chillie's" of which I have a bunch for skiing. I am looking for something I can either wear over my cycling shorts or instead of.  ANy ideas so I get what I am looking for many places I check have tights listed as "base layers" I don't need a base layer I want an "All in One" item. Thanks.

X2. Im about to go out . 40 degs . Except I add very light wind breaker pants over the topI would get the underaour or Nike tight fit cold gear pants

Edited by FELTGood 2011-03-02 8:09 AM

Pearl Izumi AmFIB Bike Tights

they have  a chamois, kept me warm enough this morning 32 deg F, mind that my warm enough is that I prefer my legs slightly cooler than chest & arms while riding.  I think your be fine in them as you southern folk like to be warm =P

Another vote for running tights. Just throw them over the tri shorts and you're good to go.

Under Armour cold gear mock turtlenecks and a lightweight jacket, some cycling gloves and toe covers get me down to about 20 degrees.

40 degrees?

Short sleeve jersey
Wind vest - sleeveless
Arm warmers
Full Finger Gloves
Beanie under helmet
Typical shorts
Leg Warmers
Toe covers

I have BikeNashbar brand tights with a pad. They were cheap on clearance and work fine. I also got the winter gloves. I would swear they they are simply re-badged ski gloves. The most important thing to me are my shoe covers. I got the Hincapie brand and they work great but without them my toes are miserable when its cold

The AmFIB tights I bought on Saturday don't have a chamois.  You wear them over shorts, bike or otherwise.  That way I can wear them as running tights as well.

sorry I have the bibs which do have it... they may not make the pants with chamois.  Didnt mean to be misleading.

So you are recommending don't get the Chamois. Anyone else agree or is it split. WHat about water resistant or water proof how important? I don't plan on riding in the rain in 30 to 50 degree temps. I would use my bike trainer.

I would recommend tights with no chamios, (i) you already have shorts, probably mulitple pairs, with a chamios, (ii) they give you more options with layering and (iii) they tend to be less expensive then an equivelent tight with chamios.

The amfibs are great though they didn't work for me because my legs are too long, I find better luck with the european clothing.

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For your original question of 40 and above I would say tights with no chamois since you can just throw them on over bike/tri shorts. I have a great pair on Bontrager weather resistant bib tights. Water/wind proof front, well made chamois, really nice product overall but over 40  degrees I get too warm in them.

My original Pearl Izumi AmFIB tights lasted ten years in the Seattle rain and wind.  They got a bit fuzzy in the butt the last two seasons, but the legs were still waterproof.  But on my Saturday-before-last ride, I finally tore a hole in them and that was that. 

For me, hands down, no question, I was going to buy another pair of AmFIBs.  I can't argue with ten years of fall, winter, and spring use, and I hope the new ones will also last ten years.