Jtgyk

I usually try to wear sweats or jeans to commute in and change into work clothes when I arrive.
Sometimes though, I have to ride in my work clothes if I'm running short of time.

Commuting is eating through the inside right thigh of most of my pants now. (I've checked the saddles for rough spots, etc.)

Any of you have the same problem? What have you been able to do about it?

This could start to get expensive.

3bikes

Consider using lycra bike shorts.... yes, it's strange for some people, but really, I can't go back to riding in cotton after having the comfort of a padded short or bib. It will take a long time to wear the smooth durable material used in quality bike attire.... I mean years of riding. (Hint: don't go cheap on riding clothes, it pays off in the long run.)

Sirrus Rider

I avoid wearing my work clothes on the bike for that very reason. The only thing you can do is plan a little better so you don't run late. Unfortunately even the slickest of saddles will chew up clothing. I'm on a Brooks Flyer/Conquest and B66 depending on which bike I'm riding and all my cycling shorts are eroded where they come in contact with the skirt embossing. Brooks saddles are pretty slick too!

recumelectric

I tend to wear out the seam in the back of my pants. I've got lots of "butt-holes" in various pants and shorts. My only suggestions are needles, thread, patches, and an iron.

Jtgyk

I have the Lycra, but only wear it under sweats or other clothing...unless I'm doing an organized ride when it's hot (Texas gets Darn hot) and then I "double bag".
At 365#, I'm not well received by the general public when wearing Lycra. (I have the psychic pitchfork and torch scars to prove it) Somehow being in a large group of cyclists in various shapes and sizes wearing spandex makes this more acceptable.

DataJunkie

They do make other forms of cycling pants that are non form fitting.
Novara headwind comes to mind:
https://www.rei.com/product/724365

Jtgyk

However they do not drape well on a size 58 frame. But yes...something like that would be great.
Aerotech needs to expand (no pun intended) their offerings to pants and mountain biking shorts in extended Clyde (woolly mammoth) sizes. They've already found a niche market in uber sized lycra.

sharkey00

The only problem I have had is my keys eating through my pants. That is an easy enough fix. I also use rain pants as a general shield to the elements (that way I do not need to find a locker room). That might reduce some of the wear on your pants.

DataJunkie

I wonder if anyone makes custom cycling pants.
However, I would guess that it would cost quite a bit.

Mr. Underbridge

Didn't we have the thread about the $365 cycling jeans like two weeks ago? Of course, since that was targeted at hipsters, they probably don't go above a 28 inch waist, and that's not going to work for the OP. Hell, or even all 160 lbs of me.

In all seriousness, with reference to the original post - it seems to me that wide-leg jeans that you can quickly pull on over shoes and cycling/athletic shorts might help. That way, you wouldn't have to ride in jeans, but wouldn't have to roll up in spandex if that makes you uncomfortable. When you get close to work, yank the jeans out of your backpack/panniers/rack, throw them on, takes 30 seconds.

Also, is it possible that you have the saddle slightly tilted (or you ride a little tilted)? You mention it's only the right leg. Slightly straightening the saddle might help. So might getting one with a narrower nose to reduce chafing.

Good luck!

InfiniteRegress

Adidas wind pants work well and can generally stand up to the wear-and-tear of bike commuting. I think those go pretty high up in size. I would definitely advise against wearing work clothes or any kind. You also may want to try pants or shorts that are made for hiking. They are a bit tougher and some of them have some lycra/spandex in them to give you a little stretch. Again, if you look online, they might have some in larger sizes.

BassNotBass

Who came up with that bright marketing idea? Most of the 'hipsters' I know are dirt poor and shop for clothing at thrift stores.

I_bRAD

those aren't hipsters. Those are people just living within their means. Hipsters look the same but they pay more to do it. *gasp* "this isn't faux dive, this is real dive!"

I had the same problem wearing through pants, and I solved it by putting my brooks on my commuting bike. I can't understand how I can wear through work pants, but not lycra on the other saddle but that's how it goes I guess.

trekker pete

You need to shop where I do. The salvation army store. Although, finding the right size for a well fed lad like yourself could be a challenge.

Keep riding anyway. You will eventually wittle that size down into the fourties.

Good luck.

twilkins9076

Just don't wear the good stuff when you're riding....yeah, I know that takes planning and thought, but in general most aspects of commuting by bike require some degree of extra effort. Just plan to change when you get there.

Based on pure comfort, I would never wear work clothes or even jeans while riding. Anything exercise specific will wick away moisture better and not be as likely to chafe your skin.

surfrider

My commute is 10 miles RT. I just wear sweats like you do now. I buy them at Wal-Mart or Target for under $10/pair. Usually a pair will last through the winter. When it warms up in the spring I cut off the lower legs and use the extra as patching for the worn spots on the butt (I've got a sewing machine at home ),and use those through the summer. Mid-fall the process starts over again. Don't wear the form fitting lycra/spandex stuff, but do have some MTB shorts that I use for weekend day rides and longer multiday rides. Use whatever works and keeps you in the saddle.

weavers

two words, "leather chaps"

seriously, the seat is probably the problem. does it have stitching or rivots on it? i've found that a bike seat will start to create holes in soft cotton, not so much denim. i also have the problem where i am in a rush and won't have time to change once at work. sometimes you gotta put up with a little chain grease, road grim, rain and sweat.

another option is over pants. i have a pair of nylon orange pants, that are bagy and fit over any pair of jeans/dress pants. they take less than 30seconds to put on, tie a strap around ankles and take off again. no holes so far.

geog_dash

I hardly ever wear nice clothes on the bike. Apart from the fraying, I worry about chain oil and dirt kicked up from the tires, and then there are the occasional clothes-tearing falls. For most riding, and I have couple of pairs of Dickies. Each has at least 1000 miles on the saddle, and they are only just starting to fuzz a bit. Also, they are cotton/polyester blend, so they breath well, and the seams are relatively flat. There have also been favorable postings about Ben Davis, although I have not tried them.

Jtgyk

Actually the Dress Code at the Library where I work is fairly casual. Khaki's and polo shirt are the norm.

I usually just wear bike shorts underneath....It makes the change easier, and a 4 hour stretch in bike shorts is fairly tolerable. I usually leave in plenty of time to change once there, but have a teenage daughter that needs to be carted places and I would rather ride in work clothes than not at all.

I like the wind pants idea and found two companies after an extended web search that carry my size. woohoo!
I'll also try angling the nose of my saddle slightly further to the left.
Thanks all!
It's nice to know others have the same problem and it's not just my fat ol' thighs.

dcrowell

You collect butt-holes? Odd.

mrbubbles

Buy tougher clothes? I wonder how the Dutch and Danes do it, they ride almost everyday.

recumelectric

They've probably got a lot of butt-holes, and use a lot of needles and thread.

Trakhak

I've been commuting for years in fleece pants (not sweats) from L. L. Bean, and they show no signs of wear yet. For commuting in below-freezing temps, I wear a pair of rain pants, also from Bean, over them. For long-wearing commuting clothing, stick with synthetic fibers (100% synthetic; not a blend).

Just did a quick search for "men's fleece pants." Sierra Trading Post has 50% off on 100% fleece pants that look very good.

By the way, I'm not a Clyde, but I read postings in this subforum all the time because everyone here is so thoughtful and mutually supportive. I see posters in Classic and Vintage, among others, who preen themselves on how friendly their forum is, but they've had plenty of threads turn a little nasty. That almost never happens here.

cyclezealot

Same experience. Most clothing is not geared for the friction.. After going thru several of my favorite street shorts; I switched to regular bike shorts. They are made to take the rubbing against the saddle and to stop the friction from rubbing against your skin.. Before I'd have boils on my posterior. No thanks.

Mr. Underbridge

Gives him something in common with the A&S forum.