Commuting - Commuting in jeans.

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View Full Version : Commuting in jeans.


no motor?
11-04-10, 11:58 AM
I did that for the first time this morning and it was great! They kept my legs nice and warm, and will allow me to walk a few blocks to some volunteer work after work and not have to subject others to the site of me in tights. I wish I would have done this earlier.


bijan
11-04-10, 12:05 PM
I've been doing it for a while. Jeans have a good combination of wind-resistance + breathability. Plus they are great if you ever take a fall...

tjspiel
11-04-10, 12:18 PM
I happily used jeans for my 2 mile commute a few years ago. When I decided to turn my commute into training and the distance went up to about 7 miles, I gave up the jeans. Even at two miles, they were never enough for our January weather. I didn't find them very wind resistant at all.

The sight of me in tights is something the world has just had to adjust to. It's all about having the proper attitude. I don't "subject" others to the sight of me in tights, I "grace" them with it. ;)


no motor?
11-04-10, 12:27 PM
I happily used jeans for my 2 mile commute a few years ago. When I decided to turn my commute into training and the distance went up to about 7 miles, I gave up the jeans. Even a two miles, they were never enough for our January weather. I didn't find them very wind resistant at all.

The sight of me in tights is something the world has just had to adjust to. It's all about having the proper attitude. I don't "subject" others to the sight of me in tights, I "grace" them with it. ;)
:) It's all in the attitude isn't it?

How's the bike storage experiment working out for you? It sounded like it should work pretty well.

xtrajack
11-04-10, 12:33 PM
Carhartts work for me.

tjspiel
11-04-10, 12:37 PM
:) It's all in the attitude isn't it?

How's the bike storage experiment working out for you? It sounded like it should work pretty well.

Oh yeah, that. ;)

I decided to lead by example and keep my bike down in the new bike storage room. For the most part, it's been lonely at the top. Most of the organization's staff still park their bikes in our lowly suite. I've typically had the storage room to myself.

The good news is that it's gotten kind of crowded in our suite as it's evolved into a more normal workspace and as others have started commuting. Because of that a couple of others have started keeping their bikes downstairs along with me. About every other day or so, there's another bike in the storage room with mine.

I noticed the building has a new "Energy Star" plaque proudly displayed near the front elevator. I'm sure the bike storage room met part of the requirements for that.

The more exciting news is that a new bike trail expansion is about to be completed and it runs along the back parking lot. In fact part of the lot had to be given up by the building for the construction of the trail. It remains to be seen whether or not a fence will be constructed between the lot and the trail. Hopefully not, or at least there will be a gate put in.

Yes, I am spoiled.

AdamDZ
11-04-10, 12:39 PM
The seams is what bothers me in regular pants/jeans. But if I wear one of those padded undies I can ride in jeans too now, because I'm slimmer than I was a year ago :D Although, I much prefer bike specific tights for cold weather, I just wear baggy shorts over them and a loose wool sweater or a jacket not to be associated with the Lycra-clad crowd :D

RichardGlover
11-04-10, 12:42 PM
Never cared for riding in street clothes, but I've been known to wear baggy shorts over lycra.

MijnWraak
11-04-10, 12:54 PM
Don't bike in "tight" ish jeans though. Your legs will be rubber for a few hours after!

bijan
11-04-10, 02:09 PM
I happily used jeans for my 2 mile commute a few years ago. When I decided to turn my commute into training and the distance went up to about 7 miles, I gave up the jeans. Even at two miles, they were never enough for our January weather. I didn't find them very wind resistant at all.


I find they're more wind resistant than other types of casual (or especially less casual) pants, I'm sure technical clothes are superior.

Though I guess everyone is different, I got a lot of mileage in Montreal winters, though I sometimes had to wear two pairs in the coldest weather...

imi
11-04-10, 02:10 PM
I just got back from town (15 mile round trip) in jeans. I only do this if I'm "going out" but much prefer track suit pants or shorts for regular commuting.

Jeans wear out pretty quick from saddle rub (ime...)

edit: ...and wet jeans are downright horrible!

CCrew
11-04-10, 02:45 PM
Jeans wear out pretty quick from saddle rub (ime...)



That isn't what wears out on me from jeans rub! I'll let the imagination work and you're probably right.

ghettocruiser
11-04-10, 03:09 PM
Back in my BMX days I used to wear through them in one semester.

And that was on a bike I mostly stood up on.

Andy_K
11-04-10, 03:16 PM
I used to commute in jeans, but I traded them in for shorts made of coarse grit sandpaper to increase my comfort. I eventually worked my way through rough burlap before deciding on tight fitting lycra with a soft chamois.

Seriously, I can ride in jeans for a few miles, but for more than a few miles they really rub me the wrong way. I do, as other have mentioned, grant the world the courtesy of wearing loose shorts over the bike clothes.

TurbineBlade
11-04-10, 03:32 PM
With a brooks b67 I can ride in damn near anything and probably be more comfortable that most of you ;).

I prefer cheap polyester jogging pants over jeans, but do wear them on occasion.

wolfchild
11-04-10, 03:49 PM
I don't use jeans for commuting, too uncomfortable ...but I do own a pair of black slim fit 'LEVI' jeans.Yes I am 40 and I can still fit in skinny jeans.

3speedslow
11-04-10, 04:10 PM
I do the comute in my work pants and most times it calls for jeans. I have no issues with this choice probably cause of the distance ,4.5 miles one way.

I also like the use of street clothes because of the idea I adhear to. Biking should not be considered a "special" activity, but a normal part of my day.

3ss

tjspiel
11-04-10, 05:24 PM
I do the comute in my work pants and most times it calls for jeans. I have no issues with this choice probably cause of the distance ,4.5 miles one way.

I also like the use of street clothes because of the idea I adhear to. Biking should not be considered a "special" activity, but a normal part of my day.

3ss

I'll wear street clothes for short trips or when going someplace where bike clothes aren't appropriate and changing isn't practical.

Sometimes normal activities call for clothes other than what you'd wear around the house or at work. If I'm walking to the store and it's raining, I put on a raincoat. If I'm playing in the yard with the kids I might be wearing something completely different than if I'm having lunch with my boss. All of these are normal activities and often people dress differently depending on what they're doing.

I don't feel the need to make an exception for cycling. It is a normal activity for me but it's not the same as going back and forth to work in a climate controlled bubble that requires virtually no physical exertion.

hairnet
11-04-10, 05:25 PM
I don't think jeans are all that bad, but they aren't ideal of course. I've gone out for 50 miles with jeans and my biggest issues were my underwear riding up and heat. That said, I ride 7-8 miles each way without much discomfort

colleen c
11-04-10, 05:28 PM
Is wearing a Jeans skirt allow in this thread? Ha ha :D

I've tore up too many jeans with my gear when I am carrying my bike up/down the stair at the train station. I switched over to tactical pants with ripstop material and gazzilion pockets to help me loose all my things :p

stringbreaker
11-04-10, 05:43 PM
The seams in a pair of jeans can cause an excruciating condition in a very sensitive area of ones anatomy especially if those seams are similiar to the ones found in Lee jeans which are the brand I usually wear. I had this happen a couple of years ago even with padded knickers underneath. I now ride with either bike specific pants or in pants with flat seams or gusseted crotch where the seams don't come together in one spot. Oh yeah the padded undies are a godsend they can be worn under anything that isn't too tight and be comfortable. In summer I like the REI Sahara convertable pants, just remove the legs for shorts in the afternoon when its warm.

Titmawz
11-04-10, 05:53 PM
All day, Every day =) I love jeans

h. bicycletus
11-04-10, 06:34 PM
Jeans? If you never get wet and don't sweat in them and only ride a couple miles they're probably ok. .. .but other than that. . .not the best choice. They're rough, don't breathe, retain moisture, have bad seams in bad places, don't flex or stretch well. . .other than that i guess they're ok. If appearance is more important than function maybe they work. . . .

bijan
11-04-10, 06:55 PM
Jeans? If you never get wet and don't sweat in them and only ride a couple miles they're probably ok. .. .but other than that. . .not the best choice. They're rough, don't breathe, retain moisture, have bad seams in bad places, don't flex or stretch well. . .other than that i guess they're ok. If appearance is more important than function maybe they work. . . .

It's weird but I've never had my jeans get sweaty. I don't know what it is. My t-shirts are often soaked. If I wear gloves when it's a little too warm they get soaked, etc.

Anyways I don't know why there's always some thread here about jeans (or lycra,) nor why people feel so strongly about it, but I am perfectly comfortable riding in jeans...

The functions of my pants are to cover my legs, and to have pockets to hold my keys, phone, wallet, etc...

BA Commuter
11-04-10, 07:29 PM
I do wear em on casual Fridays, but the seams seem to get me every time! However, I have a fleece lined pair that I wear when the temps are in the single digits, that are much softer and warmer!

MichaelW
11-05-10, 02:31 AM
I used to ride a lot in jeans but there are much better everyday, normal-looking pants. Most modern hiking pants are lighter, more windproof, quicker-drying, thinner-seamed, longer lasting.

Scheherezade
11-05-10, 03:23 AM
My legs were nice and warm through the 29F weather this morning in jeans.