Over the course of the year there is a single piece of cycling clothing that you will get a ton of use out: the fleece lined bib knicker. If you choose the right one, the bib knicker can serve as your only lower body clothing to start your season in early spring and finish it in the fall and early winter. If you live in California or somewhere that has moderate winters, you can use them all winter.

A bib knicker is also perfect for cyclocross in cold weather; it will keep your knees insulated without the extra fabric of a full tight, that will soak up spray and mud. Knee warmers don’t work well for cross, because they tend to fall down when you’re off the bike running.

The fleece lined bib knicker has a temperature range from the high 30s up to about 60 degrees. This encompasses a wide range of seasons and weather. Knee warmers are great for days when you’re starting early and it’s cold, but predicted to warm up above 65 degrees. Knickers are great for days when you know it won’t go above 55 degrees.

I’ve been using bib knickers for my winter gravel rides. I found that my wool winter socks were long enough to cover most of the bare skin on my shins. Back in the old days I used to just wear summer shorts with a pair of full length tights over the shorts. But I found that two layers of clothing are less comfortable. If I am riding in very cold weather, I have full length thermal tights with a chamois. No more two layers.

What about that 4-6″ of your shin that is unprotected with a bib knicker? Well the reality is your calf muscle is at the rear, so it’s not directly in the wind. Your lower shin can be out in the wind without adversely affecting your muscles. If you’ve never owner bib knickers, they are definitely worth a try.