Commuting - saddles light on suit trousers

This afternoon having hung the suit i spotted some thread bare area in the saddle contact area of trousers
since starting commuting i have been going through 2 trousers per year approx 1 in 1500 mi

that is not a big deal but i wonder if anybody is willing to share ideas/experience on the subject

btw i never had the guts to give brooks saddles a try and wonder if leather is lighter on non cycling specific fabrics

t

Khakis and leather saddles, have been found to not be compatible..
unless a saddle cover 'condoms' between them..
perhaps you have favored wool, which will wear thru because of the friction,
over polyesters, which will last Much longer.
have an altered charity shop pair of Poly pants for my cycling trousers.
I got 2 one was cut up to double seat the other..
there are textured nylons used in outdoor gear pants with a non nylon feel.

a few years back someone mentioned the horse riding set offered pants
that were better priced than cycling tights. double seat standard ..

So, I'm saying consider tougher trousers, as the friction
between saddle and clothing will not be abated ,
unless you stop sitting down..

as the photos of the BROMPTON World Championship races attest,
the required suit and tie, and option of cycling shorts , is quite stylish..

Brooks are definitely easier on your pants. They are rather slick and therefore generate very little friction.

Brooks are definitely easier on your pants. They are rather slick and therefore generate very little friction.

I imagine this is true right up until you start to sweat, right? Or is the 'coating' on the brooks so good at shedding water that it is a non-issue? And if so, how often does one have to re-wax the saddle? And doesn't the wax from the saddle wind up on one's pants? Or perhaps I'm missing something?

I would think that a nylon seat cover, of the same fabric used for cheap 'gel' seats, would be low friction and low maintenance (but high failure) right?

I imagine this is true right up until you start to sweat, right? Or is the 'coating' on the brooks so good at shedding water that it is a non-issue? And if so, how often does one have to re-wax the saddle? And doesn't the wax from the saddle wind up on one's pants? Or perhaps I'm missing something?

I would think that a nylon seat cover, of the same fabric used for cheap 'gel' seats, would be low friction and low maintenance (but high failure) right?

The leather is VERY breathable. I have never had sweat get on my brooks saddle. You only put the oil/wax product on a couple times a year and it absorbs in so it is never greasy. Like polishing your leather shoes.... Your shoes shouldn't be greasy. You can also just put the oil/wax product on just the underside of the saddle if you are really concerned.

The leather is just naturally very slick. If you aren't used it and go from a plastic style saddle to the brooks you will feel like you are going to slip right off. I have ridden in about a dozen different saddles and the brooks is not only the most comfortable, but I never get sweaty in the contact area with the saddle and my shorts last much longer. The shorts/pants always wear out in other locations other than the seat area.

I have a pair of bib shorts that I have had for about 4 years. I am just now getting around to replace them. They are wearing out in the back near the strap area. The underside looks like new.

Go with a leather saddle such as Brooks. Your pants will last considerably longer.

Just don't go wearing a white pair of pants on a new black saddle (or one you just conditioned).

The leather is VERY breathable. I have never had sweat get on my brooks saddle. You only put the oil/wax product on a couple times a year and it absorbs in so it is never greasy. Like polishing your leather shoes.... Your shoes shouldn't be greasy. You can also just put the oil/wax product on just the underside of the saddle if you are really concerned.

Good to know. I suppose it should be not much different from leather upholstery in a car, and that's never caused me any trouble, or become excessively 'sticky' because of sweat.

Given your new, longer commute route (10-ish miles each way) being discussed in the DC Area advice thread, might I be so bold as to suggest you wear something more bike/exercise appropriate on your commute and carry your suit in a suit bag or neatly rolled into some panniers?

Unless I'm misunderstanding your question here, in which case never mind me.

Suits are far more expensive than saddles and shouldn't be a consumable. Pack the trousers, change in a bathroom stall when you get there.

I'll add to the crowd saying a Brooks would work better than other saddles. I wear all kinds of pants on my commute and around, including suit pants.

Given your new, longer commute route (10-ish miles each way) being discussed in the DC Area advice thread, might I be so bold as to suggest you wear something more bike/exercise appropriate on your commute and carry your suit in a suit bag or neatly rolled into some panniers?

Unless I'm misunderstanding your question here, in which case never mind me.

I'm guessing this is directed at me. I ride in 'exercise' clothes and carry work clothes, as suggested. But I always look for options and alternatives, just in case, particularly in case I need to transit between offices during the day :-)

Suits are far more expensive than saddles and shouldn't be a consumable. Pack the trousers, change in a bathroom stall when you get there.

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