You guys in cold environments, could you wear shorts, but wear some of those cycling leg warmers with them? Or is it still too cold for that?

Wear shorts!

Over here in the UK, for many generations, we have kept out "trousers" out of the chain by means of springy metal bands called Trouser Clips.

Modern ones have bright reflective coatings.

The advantage over velcro bands is that they are very quick to apply.

I don't own a pair of leg warmers but I can see their value if there's going to be a temp swing during your ride that would make basic tights too warm or shorts too cold. They're not enough for winter riding in the Upper Midwest.

There are a lot of winter clothing options that do work though, -including a pair of wind resistant track pants with ankle zips worn over a base layer and regular pants. As long as there's not a lot of excess material below the knee you're good.

I usually wear my Craft XC skiing tights over bike shorts or another layer of tights. If it's really cold, I'll wear PI Amfibs over padded tights but I like the Craft tights better. I mentioned the track pants because thats what I do when I'm riding a short enough distance to wear regular clothes.

Koolstop Chain Disk works like a dream.

You should be going about this backwards, wax your chain!

https://www.ecovelo.info/2010/05/30/c...-clean-freaks/

I did this two weeks ago, and have been loving the smooth, spotless chain.
No grease, no mess, why didn't I do this years ago?

Velcro straps really don't work for me. They move around on you, and don't protect enough of the pant leg. I stopped using the top chain ring on my MTB which helps somewhat. Otherwise pantleg-in-sock or rolled up pants are the only way I keep my clothes clean (somewhat).

double roll your pants. I ride all year in long jeans and never get chain marks

There is a free version of that: take an old sock, cut the toe end open, "wear" it on top of the trousers' leg. When you get off the bike, take it off or just roll it down, keep it on and slide it under the trousers. The elastic busts eventually, and it can get ripped with use - but that's what the other sock in the pair is for!

+1

This is exactly what I use. Simply rolling up my pant leg or using straps don't work on my recumbent bike as the chain runs right next to my leg all the way up to the knee area. Using one leg gaitor on my right leg has effectively prevented any grease marks on my pant leg.

Been there; Done that; It is not reliable.
It also does nothing to protect the pants when standing over the bike while stopped at intersections.

The heck with the pants ride natural, go nekked

I used packing tape the other day. Better ideas on here.

Ride safe,

Jeff

If you will be riding in a densely populated area, please wear a thong for modesty's sake.

What works for me: I ride a good ways and am going to change/shower when I get to school. So shorts, then insulated tights with shorts when it gets cold.

However, the OP may only ride a few miles and therefore will be wearing pants pretty often. In that case, I'd second all the suggestions of pants in socks, bungees, velcro, etc.

I use a small paper binder clip that I keep on my keychain so it's always with me.

paperclip..JPG

When I use it I fold my pants over my ankle and clip the folded end to my pants and push the clips back up into my pants.

paperclip_pants..jpg

It's nice because it's really small and always with me so I dont' have to worry about losing it - not to mention it's really cheap.

Somedood is on to something. Alternatively, buy some snap rivets and install them on your pants leg. Super custom and it's ALWAYS on your pants. Forever. I think I might do this to a pair of jeans for the hell of it and post the results.

Velcro or similar straps work. You can get a roll of plain double-sided velcro on the cheap at craft stores, or you can buy reflective velcro straps. They are also self-coiling straps that will wrap around things without velcro or other fasteners.