Commuting - Chain guards or whatnot

Hey guys, I was just curious to how various people dealt with the pant-legs-in-the-chain/chainring problem with your utility cycling or your commutes. Does anybody use a chain guard their bike? Anyone use one of those trouser bands? Any custom jobs?

How do YOU keep your jeans/slacks/pants out of the chain and chainring?

Thanks!

Josh :p

Socks! Traditional, yet functional. If I'm not wearing socks I'm not wearing trousers so the problem isn't there.

I do also have some reflective leg band things that do a good job.

Ellie

I use a dry lube, so you dont get that messy oil everywhere. The chain still gets dirty, so I either wear leggings inside my socks, or normal trousers with bike clips. So far I havent been caught by the fashion police.
I used to have a 3speed with a chainguard, for nipping into town. I didnt wear anything special for cycling then.

My commuter bikes are all older bikes - vintage 70's/80's 10-speeds for good weather, single speed coaster brake models for winter.

Both have some kind of chain guard. The single speeds, of course, have full chain guards. The 10-speeds have chainring guards that do a so-so job of keeping your pants out of the chain.

I usually use a reflector ankle band to keep my trouser cuffs out of the chain. This serves two purposes as it also is a safety device.

When I am in a pinch, I will use a rubber band or even a hair band borrowed from a female friend.

Hub gears and a chainguard. When I rode derailleur bikes, I used a rubber band around my pants cuff. This worked quite well, although I vastly prefer just being able to hop on the bike and go.

Paul

Just tuck my trouser bottoms in my socks, but I did opt for the chainring with guard (not a full chain guard).

Richard

I use the leg band for grease avoidance. I am often asked why I also wear one on my left leg. I hate the feeling of the cuff of my pants flopping in the wind. I have even been known to wear two leg bands on my right leg. One slighty further up than the first. This keeps my pant leg from poofing out and hitting the top of the chainring.

I stuff my pant leg in my sock, tie a handkerchief around my head and do my best Monty Python impersonation. The plus side is the drivers stay way out of your way! :D

I haven't tried this yet, but am inspired by this thread;

Today, on my way home from work, I will tie my necktie around my ankle to keep my trouser cuffs out of the chain!

The flag effect should be impressive with the necktie flapping about with every revolution of the crank arm.

Perhaps I can start a new fad like Michael Jackson did in the 1980's by wearing only one glove :rolleyes:

I also use two metal clips. The right one does its obvious job of keeping my trousers away from the chain and chainrings, but the left one also prevents the trouser leg from getting caught near the bottom bracket.

Regards,