Commuting without a chamois
 

Older dude here and would like to commute to work but don't want to "lycra up" every day (plus I look like a stuffed sausage = ugh). My jeans don't cut it and cant think of any pants / slacks, shorts that might work
Any ideas?
ps. I ride a road bike

The important questions: How far is your commute, and what are your weather conditions?

Great question. 5 miles each way but enjoy taking out at lunch for 15 to 20 miles

I personally never use padded shorts. I think it's pretty easy to get used to it. I usually just wear regular shorts or rain pants.

Gotcha.

running shorts

I've been wearing black golf/coaches shorts for years. WHen it's cold I wear thin, black athletic tights/pants over them.

Two words: Liner shorts. Wear 'em under your choice of cycling shorts.

Also, I second the "coaches shorts" recommendation. Typically they're a lighter weight poly which breathes well and stretches with activity. And they're most often basic black.

-Kedosto

Have to try something. Jeans are killing me. They laugh at Brooks saddles ha ha

I went Sweat pants , more polyester the better.. and now... suspenders ..

I've started wearing synthetic hiking pants. They seem to satisfy "business casual" at my workplace, and are a lot lighter and more durable than dockers or equivalent. Also, oddly enough, chain and brake goop washes off more readily than from cotton pants.

Bike shorts under street clothes, with a change of underwear in a bag or pocket.

Adiamo padded undershorts. Put 'em on and you can wear anything over them.. But bring a pair of regular undershorts to change into or you'll feel like you have a load in your pants all day.

cargo shorts when its warm and dickey style slacks in a size too big when its cold. i am definitly not a fashion plate but it works for me. hell i wear the same thing with regular underwear to tour. padded shorts can be nice and i wont begrudge anyone wearing them but i find them completely unnecessary.

i really enjoy addidas Joggers. theyre tight around the calf and lower leg so they dont get caught up in the chain but they're baggy-ish near the man parts so i'm still decent when i show up to work.

Jeans are possibly the worst piece of clothing to wear for cycling more than 20 minutes at a time. There are too many large seams. If one doesn't get you another will.

You can get padded shorts, something like this:
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/big-...ed-shorts.html

Not sure if they come in a long version.

Athletic apparel with a saddle that is comfortable for your commute. Some prefer a Brooks (like me) while others like a sprung gel covered sofa cushion saddle.

i prefer the brooks my gf prefers the "sprung gel covered sofa cushion saddle". thing is, she commutes every day!

Suspenders with sweat pants? :eek: I can't even imagine what that looks like, got any pictures?

i bet its awesome!

I've gotta agree with mcours2006. I stopped wearing (and even owning) jeans in my car free days. Now the Dockers of the '90s and '00s were quite rideable if you wore decent underwear. I like the UnderArmour jockey briefs (I think I got that right). They cost ~$19/pair but they last forever.

Ben

I recommend looking for cycling specific pants. You can find non-lycra clothing. Cycling specific clothing will have seams in the right places and the seams will be low profile. Liner things are good for having chamois for longer rides. I forgot to put my shorts on between my unpadded underwear and cycling pants without realizing it until I got to work. It explained why my 22 mile ride was a bit uncomfortable; I moved around the seat quote a bit. I see plenty of people riding in lycra who look like stuffed sausages. So what.

Search for "commuter pants bike". Something like these are good for cooler weather riding, but are kind of pricey. Best time to buy is at end of season: https://www.rei.com/product/119919/c...ell-pants-mens

When I am just cruising through town on my day off, I wear grey or black hiking pants. They already repel water a bit, but with a coat of Scotch Guard they will keep your legs dry even in rainy weather. Something like these without the yellow.

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