h2o_polo_boi

I am considering wearing pants now because wearing tights to school is not really class appropriate attire. I've never worn pants on a bike before but have heard they get in the way of the cranks and chainrings. Is this only the baggy pants? I have some nike running pants, windbreaker material, and wondering if that would work. I would prefer not wearing those reflective leg ties if I can help it.

nycphotography

The key is to "peg" them.

plan a: go to staples, get a box of 10 "binder clips". $5. Fold your right pants leg at the angle, and clip from the bottom.

plan b: Get a reflective velcro ankle band at your LBS. $5. Wrap around your pants at the ankle and go dorkily on your way.

plan c: do nothing, and watch pants be eaten by sprocket, usually while climbing some nasty hill.

Edit: Make that a box of 144 Binder Clips for $5.58

squintal

plan d: (caution: fasion backward solution) tuck right pant leg inside sock. When you get to class, un-tuck.

Akugluk

wait... you've never worn pants on a bike before??? You must have gotten some strange looks when you were a kid...

Portis

I use these for everything. Including tying my pants out of the way. You can buy a whole roll of them at Lowes for $3.

h2o_polo_boi

I've only been cycling seriously for about 3 months.

h2o_polo_boi

wow looks like there's really no way out of getting the dorky "peg" on the pants huh? lol

How about the cycling specific pants? do you have to clip the ones that seem to taper at the leg without risking getting them eaten up?

Ken Wind

Roll up the legs. I say legs because if you only roll one, the other leg will eventually look a lot more worn on the bottom cuff. Get some tall, warm socks for the cold.

MichaelW

Polycotton hiking pants are good for cycling. Get a model with less flappy material.
You can secure the bottom using trouser clips:

staehpj1

Chain guard?

GCRyder

I commute almost 30 miles a day in stretchy polyester track pants that have an elastic cuff. I buy the "small" size, for about $6/pair at "Factory-2-U," even though my waist size would normally dictate a medium or large. So they fit a bit snug, but they're not at all uncomfortable. They've never even come close to getting tangled with my chain.

vrkelley

Jeans really work well i the cold. When I ride with jeans, I do this...as I ride the last block or so before arriving, I give the pant leg a yank (while pedaling) and arrive non-geek style.

wb 86

+1 for the cable ties. Or a large rubber band. Pull it off before you get to class and look less dorky.
Or rock shants and long wool socks ala hipster style. No one will mess with your coolness.

Not trying to be a jerk, but what kind of school do you go to where fashion plays an important role? I understand not trying to stick out,but like myself you already ride a bike to school. I figure it is a free pass to dorkdum and therefore roll with the one rolled pant leg all day. On my bike or in class. Wear my cleats some of the time aswell. My helmet is clipped to my Timbuk and I've sat through lectures full commuting dress.

Perhaps this may very well be the reason I am single.................

Craig

Ritehsedad

I wear wind pants. Yeah the bottom of the right leg is now stained but so what? The only damage to the pants are from when I have encountered black ice.

MichaelW

I used to ride in jeans the whole time but they soak up water and take hours to dry. They also have really thick seams which are probably more of a problem as you get older, I never noticed when I was young. They are OK for cold, dry, short rides but not recomended.

Roody

"C'mon already! Just cuff 'em up and go!!"

--my stepson Jerry

vrkelley

Well in comparing a really old pair with a new pair. The new pair's seams are thicker (where you'd least want thickness). So I and trimmed the seams back in the legs and crotch (but not to close).

legot73

A chainguard is the first line of defence. Depending on the bike you have, this could range from a ring that bolts on top of the big chainring, to a plastic top guard bolt-on, to a full chaincase (Dutch style bike).

With a typical front chainring (no guard), I find that wide leg openings (flared, etc.) are easier to tuck and roll that straight or tapered pants. You might also find hiking pants (or similar style) that have adjustable openings, like a strap and multiple snap or button positions. Finally, check LLBean or Nashbar for loose fit "tights" like these.

cooker

Takes too long to feed the end through the slot.

Shiznaz

Just roll your pant legs up? Thats what I'd do when I used to ride to class.

I'm working now and my commute is longer. I always wear long cutoff cargo shorts on my bike, year round. In the summer I just wear them over undies or a chamois, in the winter I wear them over tights or winter cycling pants that taper down the calf. Its really functional, as I can't deal with the no pockets of my tights or single pocket of my winter pants (think of it as a utility vest for your crotch). Plus if I wash out, the road is going to eat my cargo shorts rather than my expensive bike pants.

I think it looks cool, in that 'I'm alternative and don't care how I look' kind of way. I think chicks dig it, shows your tough and confident

caloso

Reflective dork band for me.



Two of them, actually, because I can't stand to be assymetrical. You can buy them at the LBS (big jar of them on the counter at City Bike Works last time I noticed), or online (look under "safety products" at Nashbar).

I've also used binder clips, electrical tape, and zipties. These work too.

Hezz

Here's a better option than jeans. Jeans can be warm if it's very dry but the minute thay get damp or wet they are the worst things going.

This inexpensive solution might work for you: 100% polyester stretch jeans from Wrangler.

https://www.denimexpress.com/wrangler...her-jeans.html

Then you can carry a lightweight rain pant in your pack in case of heavy rain

caloso

Those are what the old dude cowboys in my hometown used to wear. I'm glad to see that they're still available (even if the old dude cowboys probably are not....).

lima_bean

Are these considered Dorky?? ****, no wonder I never see anyone else using them!

caloso

Yes, they are dorky. But they are 8 million times less dorky than showing up for work with your right pant cuff a shredded, greasy mess.