Details

Reviews

UnderGround - Jun 08

Sugar Daddy...
As an original from our first product line up in 1994, the Daddy Long Legs have stood the test of time as a winter wardrobe essential. Right from the get go they were different, with no pad so you can pull them over your Lycra shorts when it turns nasty and peel off again as you heat up. They also were unique in providing warmth at the knees and shins, initially with an extra layer of micro-fleece 100 and more recently with panels of WindFoil fleece. Another unusual feature was the micro-fleece internal rear pocket that doubles as a kidney-warmer.

Also innovative back then were Hazard! Reflective labels on the calves. The reflective logos down low exploded in car headlights. The movement from pedalling amplified the effect. Anything above the waist was not as effective when the lights were dipped. The Daddy's reflective labels and trim add a lot of safety to nocturnal travel.

The biggest evolutionary change over their 14 year life has been the main fabric. The first version was built with cotton Lycra - low sheen but chilly in the wet and prone to abrasion with heavy use. A cotton-polyester blend followed, providing extra toughness but still guilty of slow drying. ShockWave nylon Lycra came next - tough with a soft feel and fast drying. Two winters ago we upgraded to HotShot Lycra, brushed on the inside for comfort and additional warmth.

The success of the Daddy Long Legs has spawned variants: the simpler Jungle Jims and the 3/4 length Montezumas and women's Witches Britches riding shorts. All good options but the Daddys remain the original and best solution for seriously cold conditions.

Frase,
Ground Effect Product Designer.

What Mountain Bike (UK) - Dec 07

Simple but cost-effective design from Down Under. These mix cosy fleece-backed Lycra with windproof front panels from the knees downwards, plus a fleeced kidney patch/inside pocket to ensure fantastic winter warmth. Our only complaint is that those fleece outer bits seem to attract a ridiculous amount of muck.

What Mountain Bike (UK) - Mar 05

Tights offer the best level of comfort and freedom when it comes to cold weather winter coverage and, although they're not as waterproof as over-trousers, they're lighter and stay warm even when wet.
Ground Effect's tights use WindFoil fleece protection over the knees and lower legs to keep you wrapped up like a woolly mammoth while a furry kidney warmer reduces those deep, sickening chills at the back. The Lycra is not brushed for extra warmth - unlike [some] other tights - and you'll have to wear a pair of shorts underneath as these Daddy Long Legs come without a chamois. They may not have all the details of the higher priced tights but quality and practicality is excellent and at this price they're hard to fault.

WMB Verdict
Simple but very effective
Performance 8
Value 10
What Mountain Bike GOLD Award

BikeMagic.com - Jan 04

Daddy Long Legs are Ground Effect's warmest bike tights. The basic construction is hefty Lycra, but added warmth comes from the windproof fleece panels on the knees and front of the legs and a fleecy bit at the top to keep your back warm.

Unlike most winter tights, these don't have a bib. The idea is that they're easy to take on and off - they've got ankle zips that open far enough to let the tights go over shoes - and there's a high back to give you most of the warmth associated with bibs.

They're designed to be worn over shorts, with no padded seat of their own. Comfort is good, although as with all non-bib tights some riders won't get on with an elasticated waistband. They're certainly warm, too. Reflective piping under the knees and logos on the back of the legs are neat finishing touches.

Positives: Warm, easy to get on and off, great price
Negatives: Not as comfy as bibs

Verdict
We've always found Ground Effect stuff to be well put together and very well priced, and the Daddy Long Legs are no exception. If it's going to be cold all day we'd probably prefer bibs, but if it might warm up later then these are just the job.

Performance 4/5
Value 5/5
Overall 4/5

Mountain Bike Rider (UK) - Jan 03

Constructed from four-way stretch nylon/lycra, with additional protection courtesy of WindFoil fleece panels covering the knee and lower leg. Front reflective piping is also found, as well as hazard logos on each calf. A micro-fleece kidney warmer provides a valuable pouch. Although bib-less, a 'HighRise' rear keeps the back covered. Ankle zips aid removal over shoes-handy if the ride suddenly hears up. The customary Ground Effect puncture repair patch is found in the seam for extremely lightweight epics. Just a few quid dearer than Sugoi's tight, but offering a lot of extra features for the money.

Value: 5/5; Performance: 4/5

Cycling Plus (UK) - Nov 02

Unlike most of the longs here, Ground Effect's Daddy Long Legs tights have no padding in the crotch and are designed to be worn over your shorts. The 15-panel construction combines Lycra with WindFoil fleece insulation around the knees. The high back ensures a generous overlap with your cycle top and Ground Effect's trademark tube repair patch. And though there is no waist draw-cord, the elasticised band is so effective we didn't feel the need for one. We particularly like the absence of seams behind the knees and the reflective piping on the front and back. An added bonus is that with the zip undone you can put these on without taking your shoes off. Handy.

Verdict: 8/10
Best longs for cold dry weather if you feel bibs are too bulky.
Cycling Plus 'Recommended Buy'

UnderGround - Feb 01

Hi there
A few weeks back I ordered some Daddy Long Legs to see me through England's legendary tropical winter. The tights arrived within a week, just in time to go riding in a local forest over the weekend. After a few hours blasting through the trees (with toasty warm legs) we headed for home - or the railway station as was the case. On the way back I suffered an unscheduled high speed dismount. I managed to avoid damaging my bike and helmet by landing on my face (after spending a few hours repairing the damage, the surgeon agreed that this was indeed a clever idea). I arrived at the hospital strapped to a backboard. The staff proceeded to butcher my one day old Daddy Long Legs in order to inspect for collateral damage. They ignored my feeble protests that I had landed on my face for a reason and that any damage was clearly visible. I'll be back in NZ for a few weeks and was wondering if you could make good their 'handy work'? By my assessment it only requires the simple insertion of a new, very long seam down the front.

Thanks, Roger Dennis

Ditte hunting for pots of gold on Mt Grand View, Central Otago.
Photo: Dave Mitchell