Does anyone wear knee warmers under cycling tights?
I have recently started commuting the 12 miles each way instead of busing in the morning and now that it is getting cold in the am, my knees seem to be bothering me more than they ever have.
I am a pretty big guy and generate a lot of heat during my ride, so i definately do not want to wear thicker tights. I was thinking that maybe some knee warmers under (or over for a cool fashion statement) my tights might help keep my knee joints warmer and reduce the pain.
Any thoughts? experiences??
As a larger human, myself, I never liked knee warmers. They probably work better the more cylindrical your legs are, but my quads are significantly larger than my calves and I can never get knee warmers to stay up.
That said, they are relatively inexpensive and probably worth a shot. When it gets too cold for just tights I'll throw on a pair of rain pants on top of 'em.
I use a neoprene knee deal from Dicks every now and then and will wear right over my pants if I can't easily get it on.
Have done it before. They may or may not stay up depending on if you're wearing shorts + tights. Knee warmers under just tights probably won't work. Might. Worth a try.
BTW, Descente is apparently getting out of the cycling business. Their very nice clothes can be had for cheap right now. Wearing some leg warmers of theirs right now.
fwiw, i believe they have pills now if you "can't easily get it on."
Knee Warmers can work if you are willing to pay. I have several different kinds of knee warmers in several different price ranges, the ones that never fall, sag or move are the castelli nanoflex knee warmers http://www.realcyclist.com/castelli-nanoflex-knee-warmer
I have also heard of the Embrocation knee warming cream I've never tried it but it gives a slight warmth to your knees.
Do not use embro. It's not a substitute for proper clothing. It's hard to deal with (put on, take off, not get anywhere else). Some people have bad reactions to it (it is a skin irritant after all)
Ok I will scratch that off my list of things to try
It's basically meant for racing where you might not be warm on the line but will be soon enough. It's mainly helpful in the rain because a) leg/knee warmers soak up water like a sponge b) the petroleum jelly acts as a barrier between skin and water.
I've never used embrocation cream and haven't looked up exactly how it works. Is it the same as Icy-Hot, but with a fancy euro name?
On the subject of knee warmers, get them. One of the nicer accessories to have around. I have a pair of DeFeet wool ones that are just awesome. Many times instead of tights I wear shorts, knee warmers and big socks, all overlapping a bit to keep everything in place. It allows me to shed or add layers easier once out there, especially in the spring/fall when you my begin a ride at a very different temperature than the end.
Capsaicin is the active ingredient. Icy Hot and the like primarily use methyl salicylate. It's like Icy-Hot but w/o the icy. And typically vaseline based not a cream.
@ Chris thanks for the warning about the embrocation cream I had considering trying at some point.
@mr marv: Embrocation is also known as "Belgian knee warmers", due to a bunch of hard Euro racers riding bare-knee'd and embrocated in sleet and freezing cold and whatnot.
Also, it's not to be confused with chamois cream.
Also, it's not to be confused with chamois cream.
Speaking from experience?
I'll never forget the time I had sore leg muscles after a hard workout at the gym, I decided muscle rub would do the trick. I rubbed it in a little to high up on my leg..... cry
Knee warmers are great and generally the more expensive the better they seem to fit. Just be aware that if you are not built like *most* cyclists they are selling to you might have issues.
Also, it's not to be confused with chamois cream.
Speaking from experience?
Nay, merely a vivid imagination and a knack for extrapolating consequences.
This popped up in my reading today:
http://redkiteprayer.com/?p=6946
It's typically of the sort of Rapha style romance that is becoming really popular regarding embro. (Ironically people seem to be wearing less clothing [on the legs] with Rapha style marketing)
Anyways, as you read between the lines this stuff has virtually no heat and ends up being more about rubbing one off (on your legs) for a hill A WHOLE MILE FROM YOUR HOUSE.
That's totally epic. All we need are some grainy B&W shots of him rubbing it on.
The dude needs to htfu
It could be possible that you might have early arthritis, which people say is aggravated by the cold. Have you tried Anti-inflammatories? This may get rid of the need for knee warmers. Also it sounds like you are headed in the right direction with weight reduction. That usually decreases knee pain.
I was referring to the article btw. Not the op.
beast, I just remembered something during the night. XX years ago I broke my knee, and for a while cold would bother it, so I used a neoprene rubber sleeve thingy for support, and it worked really well. They are stiff enough that they don't bunch up behind the knee like the similar fabric type things, and thin enough that they would go nicely under tights or whatever. Available all over, CVS and such.
Now my knee is pretty much a non-issue, I heal really well. I have considered the possibility that I am the step right before the full-on Wolverine mutation.
Anyway, as you mentioned that you are a large person (met you on the Viking ride, yes, understatement), you may find that available cycling specific gear just isn't that size.
