oldokie

On my road bike I wear regular biker pants but I am looking for something different to use on my other bike for around town errands/etc. Tried regular jeans but they seem heavy and are not very flexable while riding. Looking for something else (long pants) that would be more confortable and have some flex while riding.
Suggestions**********?

Edidid

Look into rock climbing pants. They should be hitting clearance right about not too.

Climbing pants are generally very durable, in dark colors, gusseted for flexibility and cinch down around the ankles and just below the knee (so no need to bring anything to keep your pant leg out of your chain).

They are not cheap and the last pair I purcahsed was ~$50 on clearance, but they are less pricey than cycling knickers and much more durable than most.

ThePizzaBandit

Well, i think almost anything works better than jeans. They do make $90 "messenger" pants, but here's what i do:
-REI sells "travel" pants that are flexible and don't have seams in the crotch. maybe they're about $45 bucks. this is a lot of money compared to what i usually spend on clothes, but these pants are special. they resist water, they stay clean and resist stains, they are shants (you can unzip to turn into shorts), and they have good pockets. Go to an REI or other outdoors store and try some on. Or go to a Goodwill or other thrift store. Most any pants can work for bike pants.

mtnwalker

For long pants other than cycling specific clothing I bought a pair of Starter all poly sweat pants that taper down the leg. They work great and stary away from the big ring and chain because of the tapered leg and quite comfortable too.

mikepoole

+1 on climbing pants. Comfy. You can get heavy duty canvas duck ones or light cotton ones...

zephyr

+1, I use the same pants too, very lightweight and great not just for cycling but walking around town and hiking too. If you get a dark color they don't look much different from any other pants, you don't look like you're walking around in a polyester jogging suit.

Roody

I wear khakis in cool weather and wool pants in cold weather, usually with bike shorts and long johns. Baggy pants are good, cuff up the right leg or clip it, and you don't have to change when you go to a restaurant. I would like to find a pair of breathable rain pants that are sturdy enough to last a couple seasons.

shuttoj

On the cheap side, I've found sturdier cotton cargo pants in department stores for $25. Think of a Sears store in an older mall near the outskirts of town. On the fancy side, cargos from Lucky are nifty as long as you don't mind the occasional and inevitable chain mark. In either case, get a few reflective bands to hold down both pantlegs.

MichaelW

Polyester-cotton or pure polyester travel pants are ideal. I wear my Rohan pants all year between -10 to 25C. They dry in 10mins, wear very well and look normal.

elbows

Look for a pair of BDUs at an army surplus or thrift store. They're very comfortable on and off the bike, pretty tough, and they have drawstrings to cinch the ankles and keep them out of the chain. I think mine cost me about $15.

The only downside is they don't breathe terribly well, so they can be a bit sweaty on warmer days.

bikebuddha 

I use REI convertible hiking pants. That way if I get hot I can just zip of the legs and they turn into baggy shorts.

M_S

Hate to say it, but Dickies work pants are great. You can turn them into cutoffs or jiust roll them up. If you rol down the leg they just ook like khakis. Great if you don't want to have to change when going somewhere.

Chuck G

I bought some very lightweight workout pants at Dick's Sporting Goods a few years ago. They are a very stretchy cotton blend, have front pockets, and came in standard grey and black sweat pant colors. They are my Mr. Rodgers pants in the cooler months. I think they would be great for riding in dry weather if it's not too cold. Maybe $20 a pair.

Industrial

Nothing is more comfortable than basketball pants/shorts. They breath well, are stylish depending on your age and they are cheap. About ~$20 a pair for name brands on sale. The only problem with them is that they tend to be pretty baggy at the bottom so you would need a ankle band to keep the driveline side of the pants in check.

I-Like-To-Bike

Plain, no-name 50-50 cotton/polyester sweat pants in dark colors. Cost about $5-10 at any big box store. Comfortable to ride in, easy to wear long underwear underneath when it really gets cold; easy to wash and wear, presentable enough to be seen in public without looking like a dork.

squeakywheel

+1

That's what I wore to work this morning. El cheapo cotton sweat pants. The ultimate in comfort. If you're cool with the sloppy look, they can be a fashion statement too.

climbhoser

I have those baggy Novara bike shorts I wear everywhere and when it's cold I throw on a pair of polypro longjohns underneath. If REALLY cold I like the wool pants option you can get in Army/Navy surplus stores worn OVER the aforementioned cold weather set. Wool is awesome.

I also have a pair of Black Diamond Schoeller pants meant for my mountaineering and BC skiing sojourns, but they double as an awesome pair of cold weather commuting pants with an ankle band to keep them off the chain.

chephy

Any pants will do. Like, you know, any regular pants: cargo, hiking, khakis, sweatpants... I don't know whatchacalums... Just pants. That's what I use.

CommuterRun

Any cotton or cotton/polyester blend, khakis, work pants, etc. Just about anything is better than jeans. I think Dickies from Wal-Mart are less than $20. GoodWill and local thrift stores are other good places to look for pants like this.

I wear cargo shorts that the wife picked up from Wal-Mart, a lot.

Brian Ratliff

Slacks.

Just roll them up past your calf like a bike messenger. It actually works pretty well. I do this when going out for errands at lunch time.

missile meister

I commute in uniform almost every day (normal uniform is a flight suit, but I prefer to ride in BDUs) and will second the comments on BDUs. The winter weights are definitely warm, but if you can find the summer weight they're not that bad (look for little boxes in the fabric). Also, since the USAF is switching uniforms, there should be plenty of BDUs hitting the thrift stores over the next couple years.

Chuck G

May I suggest black or navy blue pants. Chain grease won't show up as bad in case you forget to roll them up or tuck them in your sock.

Should be lots of BDUs in surplus stores now, the Army and Marines ditched BDUs within the last year or two.

oldokie

Thanks all. I think I will look at the REI pants option first. I will be traveling next week and will be close to an REI store so I can check them out first hand. I have used pants like that (zipp off leg) before but they were made for fishing and were extremely light weight ....not durable enought for my needs.

Artkansas 

I wear some light-weight khakis from Target. They work fine. I buy them a size large so that the legs will be loose.

Johnny Nemo

Opportunity/charity shops are best. Cheap and always variety.

I have a pair of warm woolen pants for cold weather - either roll them up or cut them short. Also a pair of the tech fabric hiking ones for hot, where you zip the legs off for a 3/4 pant. Both only a few bucks and to a good cause!