Are you talking about these? These look like tights to me.
Novara Headwind Bike Pants - Men's - REI.com

Here's a different link:

Novara Headwind Bike Pants

http://www.rei.com/media/c31ecee2-20...b-3e9f8bdce33e

The text description:

"Are gray skies threatening to rain on your bike commute? Pull the Headwind pants on over your work pants to keep them dry and clean during the ride. Plus, they're breathable so you won't overheat. "

So you could pull these over regular works pants. Mine are a few years older and might be a bit more snug because pulling them over regular pants isn't easy, I just tried it. It can be done but they tend to pull the hems of my pant legs up over my knee. To be honest I don't think I've every tried them in the rain, I just wear them in cold weather.

Ah ok that's better :)

Carrying shoes, pants, shirt, socks, underwear - carrying all this ends up needing a pannier. Having a pannier adds wind resistance and reduces the "agile" feel of a lot of bikes. Aka it's more fun riding for some people without pannier. I have a trunk but prefer to ride with no pannier myself.

The bike just handles in a more fun way without a big block of weight on it.

I only discovered this morning, the Levi's have reflective piping inside the cuff on the outside seam, so it faces out if you roll them up. Not sure if this seems good or twee

An upright bike with fenders, and a chainguard or case. Of my 7 bikes, my Dutch Gazelle checks all the boxes.

1. There's plenty of clothing available that is suitable for all weather.
2. An upright bike accommodates most types of clothing.
3. The wider seats and riding position on upright bikes eliminate that problem.

I commute 16 miles a day in very hilly terrain year round in normal clothes. Last Saturday I rode 31 miles wearing jeans, golf shirt, pea coat, and Dr. Martin shoes.
Really the only bike specific items I find nessary are rain gear, and helmets.

I've worn them in rain a lot. They're not waterproof but definitely water resistent. A couple times I was caught in a heavy downpour and they soaked through but it took a whole.

I went for the thermal tights. No one batted an eye except for the better looking female coworkers, which I can live with. They're solid black and have the chamois padding, so they're not too revealing. And everyone knows I'm an avid cyclist, so no one cares.

I have a bike that matches that description. Technically, it would not have been necessary to commute on my bike in bike-specific clothing, even in 90 degree F summer weather with high humidity.

However, I opted to wear clothing that would improve the ride experience considerably over wearing my office clothes on a 13-mile commute under those conditions: Polyester t-shirt, mountain bike shorts, quick-dry socks.

My company uniform is basically active wear with items suitable for all weather conditions so that's an advantage, but there's not many styles of clothing short of formal wear that isn't available in materials and fit suitable for bike riding.

When commuting in uniform I do prefer to wear an active wear shirt so I can start my work day with a fresh shirt, but beyond that I don't find it necessary to change anything else. When it gets cold I wear a fleece vest or uniform sweater, and a wool or knit cap.

On my own time, I wear season appropriate active wear, causal wear, or dress clothes made of synthetics or wool, and occasionally European military surplus from thrift stores, and sources such as sportsmans guide. My most recent "cycling specific" purchases are a surplus navy pea coat and Italian army wool knickers, neither of which are limited to just cycling.

I enjoy riding my road bike when so inclined, but it comes with a lot of limitations from a practical standpoint, and I do have some cycling specific clothes to accommodate such riding. Its just not my "go to" most of the time.

I agree with the last part of your sentence. I wore non-cycling-specific clothes - jeans or office slacks, button-down shirt and cotton undershirt when I test-rode a lot of road bikes. One LBS though insisted I put on a helmet. I did end up drenched in sweat though after a summer evening test ride. I had planned to attend a concert at somebody's house afterwards, but didn't consider that it was far enough from a Metro station that I'd have to bike there. Social interaction in this sweat-drenched state was awkward.

My normal office attire is business casual slacks and button down shirt. I could commute to work by bike 13 miles each way in this attire but I prefer not to. When it is 90 F with dew point over 70, it is not possible for me to bike commute without sweating buckets, even when my average speed was below 10 mph on my upright bike. Riding my commute without sweat even during the hottest conditions might be possible if you're on an e-Bike and have the right combination of genetics.

I have coworkers who roll into work on their bikes in their office clothes with no perceptible sweat. These people live 3 miles away or closer and ride on flat terrain.

Re: bringing clothes to work. We have storage lockers at work, but I'm on a waiting list to acquire one. If I had one, I could bring my clothes and toiletries on my non-cyclocommute days and stash them in the locker. It would be nice to ride to work for once without a pannier or backpack. I guess I could stash them in my cubicle but then having to go up to my cubicle after parking my bike. Then again, I like being able to park my bike, and walk down the hall (where the lockers are) to the showers instead of taking a side trip to my cubicle. I'd rather carry a pannier/backpack down that hall than take the side trip.

I have the same pants and absolutely love them. I find I am good to about 40 degrees typical of morning winter rides here in Phoenix and when the temps dip into the 30's, I wear a base layer under them. I agree on the panniers for carrying clothes for work, which I do, but I have a pair of shoes I leave at work so I am only carrying clothes, underwear and socks. The trade off of course is performance which you loose with panniers and the extra weight, but I am not in a big rush and can make some speed if necessary and it solves the work clothing equation nicely for me.

For my 30 mi RT commute I always wear bike specific clothes. Last year tights and long sleeve baselayer were pretty much the only thing that kept me out of ER when I had a major spill. It was a choice between hitting concrete on the right or becoming a hood ornament. Massive hematomas, six months of sore shoulder and practically no road rash. Lycra is surprisingly tough. I started wearing full coverage year round, even in summer. Clean up on arrival is not all that bothersome.

I love the MEC Adanac pants for anything between 5-15°C. I only glanced quickly, but the Novara Headwind as mentioned in the above responses might be the closest comparable from REI.

I have a pair of mountain hardware hiking pants with zip off legs. I wear bike shorts underneath and underwear. I use leg straps as well. When it gets cold I will wear a pair of tights under the pants. If it gets warm, I zip off the legs. I use these same pants in the winter months even if I am on a long weekend ride. They are very comfortable, etc.

You can't get lower than 5°C with these? Makes price to °C ratio quite high (or number of days worn per year quite low).

I could...probably down to freezing, but I use thermal pants for 5°C and lower. You could also wear a base layer to use them in even colder temps.

I'd be surprised if they're not the same as the REI pants - it looks like they used the same model in the same pose! I try to avoid looking at MEC stuff because I want to buy it and it's just not economical for us in the lower states. When are they going to open a US location?!

But it's in Canadian dollars. Just mentally replace CAD by US and you shouldn't be so far off.

then add shipping to US... kaboom!

Shipping is already included. You get 25% off due to exchange rate. Shipping cost should make up for the difference overall. If you buy something $100 CAD you should spend something like $100 US in the end.

I work in an office, have to dress well, and for years I've been doing the ol' ride-an-switch thing. I even have a wardrobe at work for my dress slacks and shirts, which I would bring in on the weekend.

Just recently, I switched bikes to an upright, and have been riding to work dressed to the nines. I don't at all miss having to change clothes a couple of times a day.

Plus, I look fabulous.

I like Endura Hummvee (sp?) 3/4 length MTB baggies for commuting and if you want they make the same style as pants and shorts. these use a clip in liner so you can wear them with or without padding. My commute is mixed bike/rail and work is casual so I just wear MTB baggies for commuting.
I also got a pair of Zoic convertible pants one time, but my knees were too big. I also sometimes use hiking pants, and rain paints outside for bad weather. Rivendell's MUSA pants would be worth a look too.

Not trying to be argumentative because I'd like to order from MEC, but they're site says free shipping within Canada

Yep if you're in Canada. If you're in the US it isn't, it's 19$ (i guess $19 CAD or $14.75 US at current exchange rate) + import duties if ever + a few box for $US to $CAD credit card conversion fees = somewhere between (min $16 US, max maybe $40 US for a $100 CAD purchase)
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary...mation.jsp#usa


Which means in the end, if you buy something $100 CAD it should cost you between $91 US and $115 US

Hmmm... this could be dangerous!