Commuting - My commuting invention

I've been wearing a velcro ankle wrap on the drivetrain side to try to keep my pant leg off of the chain, but inevitably the pant leg just overlaps the band, and now almost every one of my pants have a grease stain on on the calf area.

http://members2.photofun.com/gonesh9/iTOOLImageGallery/legband%2Ejpg

Notice that the velcro strap doesn't really do much good....

So, I went down to the local outdoor fabric shop, and came up with my own full-calf strap that has worked great so far:

http://members2.photofun.com/gonesh9/iTOOLImageGallery/legwrap1%2Ejpg

It is made of waterproof material with velcro straps to hold it together. It took a while to get it the right shape to accommodate for the curves on my leg. This is just my prototype, but I am thinking of perfecting it and trying to sell it to some of the local shops. I figure I would need to at least make a small, medium, and large. I am still trying to design a more adjustable version....

Would any of you wear something like this, and do you think it would be useful?
I know a lot of people will just say roll up your pant legs, but in the rain and cold weather I'd rather wear this.

Get better fitting pants. That just looks like it wouls get really hot.

Looks pretty cool. The addition of some reflective strips would be a good idea too. IMHO ;)

with an ankle strap, (uk bike clips), it helps to fold your pants (uk trousers) on the outside, not the inside.

That is an excellent idea.

I have been using gaitors in the winter - essentially the same thing you made. Get them at stores which sell cross country ski clothing and accessories.

They do an excellent job of keeping your pants clean. I added reflective tape which I bought at the fabric store.

Anyway, great idea. Keep 'em coming.

Puttees.. we wore them as part of our uniform while I did my National Service in the Army.

I've seen those in stores here too but they look a little pricey. Good too see people taking things into their own hands.

GJ gonesh9

Gonesh, I have noticed that often, bike commuters are unsatisfied with some of the products offered on the market and take matters into their own hands like you have. As Mike said, keep the ideas coming--that's how a secretary made money on inventing Liquid Paper, through the necessity of correcting her own typo's with homemade white paint (or something like that.)

I think bike commuters (especially in countries like ours, where we are a small minority) are among the most inventive people around.

I love my tights, good down to -20C and no worries about getting caught in the gears. :)

Hi,
take a look at this, you may be reinventing wheel.
http://www.altrec.com/shop/dir/0/28/?googche&paytoplay=1

I have some decade old Outdoor Research gaiters I've meaning to try on the bike. Maybe I'll dig them up this weekend.

Thanks for the input...

I did think of trying gaitors when I was having issues with the little leg bands, but at $20-$50, they are a little over board for something that just needs to hold my pant leg off of the chain. I just wanted something light that I can throw on around whatever pants I am wearing.

The material I bought is completely waterproof, light, and only $2 a yard. The velcro straps were $0.50 a yard, and since I don't have a good sewing machine, I simply used duct tape around the edges. So I figure I could make 6 leg wraps out of a yard, making each one come to a cost of about $0.42.
Maybe with a sewing machine I could stitch them up better and use a seam seal. Add a few reflective straps at about $0.30 a leg, and it'll come to around $0.90 a piece. At any rate, its been working great for me, and has got me thinking of creating a whole line of commuting gear. I know that many bicyclists, especially commuters, will pay for nice gear that will make their ride more enjoyable.

It's a cool idea. If you do end up making some of these and selling them for a reasonable price, it'd be a good thing beacuse I'd rather my money go into the hands of a fellow biker and entrepreneur than a large mass-production company.

I ended up making my own toe wind covers with some old inner tubes for last winter so I know the feeling.

I was going to suggest the Gaitor method too but any seamstress should be able to make one that looks professionally made. Or if you're like me and have no clue how to sew, you could get some material and staple them together!!! :)

Anyway, I use a pair of Marmot Precip as rain gear, they're made for hiking and you can get ones that are full zip or just zip down by the ends so you can pull it on without taking off your boots. I also use a Marmot Precip jacket as my rain jacket too. But my other passion is hiking and backpacking so I have to buy stuff for multiple activities. I hike in bike jerseys cause the rear pocket is really handy to have around.

Jay

I ended up making my own toe wind covers with some old inner tubes for last winter so I know the feeling.

Interesting idea! Can you spare some details? (although I'm sure I could figure out my own version...)

I have been using your first method for some time. It works great for me when I just ride around on short trips, but I have tried this on longer trips with wind paints, and they ride up and cause my foot to go to sleep. Do these ride up or down? How far have you gone (long) testing them?

Still they look like a great idea! :D


You know this kind of thing would make a great idea for a seperate heading.

"Homade bicycling products and tools" ;)

B]LittleBigMan]As Mike said, keep the ideas coming--that's how a secretary made money on inventing Liquid Paper, through the necessity of correcting her own typo's with homemade white paint (or something like that.) [/B]


Good reference, Pete. Did you know that the "secretary" who invented Liquid Paper was the mother of Mike Nesmith from the 1960's musical band The Monkeys!

http://www.monkees.net/gif/michaeln.gif

Thanks for the input...
since I don't have a good sewing machine, I simply used duct tape around the edges.

Hee hee. That's rich. I thought the silver stuff was reflective tape. Gonesh, man, you are a creator and inventor. Go to the local thrift shop and pick up a used sewing machine for $10.00. The world will be a better place with your inventions and creativity.