Slightly padded.

Well, we are all different. What works for one guy is not necessarily going to work for another. But I believe you would not have this problem with a hard saddle.

I think it's a sign that you need to get rid of those pants and stop buying them.

Wear this instead:

Apparently if one purchases a $195 brooks leather saddle, trouser wear is virtually eliminated. I'm told that the softness of artisinal, hand-cured leather minimizes chaffing while the copper rivets serve to neutralize electrostatic friction. However, the weekly application of proofide ($20) is highly recommended.

Sheep Fleece saddle cover and a Wool Kilt, it's only Right ..

I wear mt bike shorts or tights under them. Try some poly blend twill work pants, 100% cotton will not wear as well. Start with carhart or work n gear. Plenty of options out there.

LOL

My lycra tights last for years (and obviously are not very work appropriate), but some high quality synthetic shorts last me about 6 months - and that is using a brooks saddle (the rivets don't help much either).

I've switched to bike specific shorts (usually on sale somewhere) where the stitching does not go down the middle. That makes a big difference.

(I ride at a fairly high speed & high cadence btw).

I know you think you're a funny guy, but just in case anyone takes you seriously.

1. Brooks saddles start around $80, not $195.
2. The leather isn't soft, it's hard. That's the point.
3. Not all saddles have the large copper rivets. Some people have issues with the rivets, some don't.
4. Proofide is not applied weekly. Maybe yearly, or maybe that's even overkill. A tin costs about $10 and will last many years.

I like BDU's, which are made of sturdy material (in a few choices), and have a reinforced butt. They take a lot longer to wear holes in than other pants, and if the outer layer gets a hole, at least it doesn't go all the way through yet. Even the 100% cotton ones wear very well. I have one or two pairs of dress pants for when I have to get dressed up, but otherwise I wear nothing but BDU's in the winter and the shorts version of the same thing in the summer.
In general, fabric with a tighter weave will last longer than fabric that's soft or drape-y.

I swear by boxers, btw... many years ago before I "discovered" them, I used to get frequent saddle sores in the areas where the underwear seam goes, but the problem completely disappeared when I quit wearing briefs.

BROOKS ENGLAND LTD. | ROAD+&+MTB | SWIFT+CHROME
BROOKS ENGLAND LTD. | ROAD+&+MTB | B15+SWALLOW+CHROME

$200-$300

My Gazelle came with a Brooks, and I use Snow Seal from the hardware store once a year. Using clothes I already have or my employer pays for is free.

OP, what is the make & model of your saddle? Two things I can think of; 1) wrong saddle, 2) saddle is too high. I've never had a problem with abnormal wear on an upright city bike. Same goes for millions of people in Europe who ride to work every day in chino's, cotton suit pants, and everything else imaginable. A good leather brooks is one option but you'll see few of these in Europe since replacing them after their stolen gets expensive. Here are a few saddle that will work well without wearing your pants out: Saddles. There are others.

If your seat is too high that will cause premature wear as well. On a city bike you should be able to just tiptoe the ground while sitting on your saddle. This is a bit lower relative to the pedals than you'd be setup for racing the Tour but works well for around town or 50 mile recreational rides on Saturday.

Corduroy is a sculptured velour or velvet..... and isn't really suitable for any use that involves a lot of sitting. Although some of the poly-blend corduroy is surprisingly durable.

I'd go the seat cover route and see if that solves your problem.
Back in the day I used to ride in jeans. Some would wear out in the crotch, others wouldn't. I now commute in the morning in my cotton work pants. I've never worn out a pair due to riding in the work week. Get a seat cover, they're cheap. But now. In the aftn ride home I do wear cycling tights because they are more comfortable. In the summer I wear cotton shorts. I've never worn them out either.

Go to Aerotech and pick yourself out a nice looking seat cover. Assorted Lycra Spandex Bicycle Saddle Bike Seat Covers

I am extremely picky about seat design and comfort. If it don't fits, i don't sits. I put my comfort cruiser seat on the uptown, and it was immediately clear that it was not going to work. Stuck the stock seat back on, and couldnt be happier. I will say though in all honesty that ive gained a bit of weight since 2 years ago, so that causes my pants to ride up in normal operation. Hopefully back to my lower stable weight soon so such issues go away.

I've been wearing C9 boxer briefs (only target has them it seems) and they work really well keeping everything streamlined if i'm wearing pants or my signature warmer weather cargo shorts.

- Andy

wear MTB shorts (w/o liner) (or basketball shorts) same color as your chinos over your dress pants?

or put 2 holes in a clear plastic dry cleaning bag & wear it upside down, but tied at the waist so it's only covering your bottom?

I had this problem in college but have not lately. I couldn't tell you what the difference is. Plastic seats and cotton jeans either time.

Obviously the undies are the problem. Don't wear any! I can't help but wonder how what is on the other side of that seam might be affected

Kilt?

- Andy

Your Uptown and my Gazelle are good quality bikes built to be RTR and do a specific job, it stands to reason their saddles were chosen with more than casual consideration to compliment their intended use.

Indeed!

Honestly, the trek i had was "rtr" as well, and did rock for 1.2 decade. It's so funny how picky i was about a softer seat on the town & country, because i would never have looked at the one i use now on the uptown as remotely an option, yet it really is quite comfy, especially in warmer weather when it's a bit more compliant when i hop on after its sitting out a while if i'm in the store etc. Makes me re-think my MO about certain things..... maybe i just didn't give those other seats a chance to break in properly.....

- Andy

Some fabrics certainly fare better when rubbed on saddles than others; corduroy does tend wear really fast. Plain cotton is not all that durable either, based on my experience.

I know (too well) it is no longer PC to like and/or wear cotton... as advocates are pushing hemp. But:

Cotton is a natural fiber... which is not generic in quality. Back when I was a kid Levi's were made of high quality (XXX I believe) cotton. Those things wore like iron! Higher quality (long fiber) cotton still does. As a matter of fact... the whole back-story about "American jeans" is about how Mr Levi Strauss made really durable trousers out of (100% cotton) tent canvas... during the gold rush.

Previous to Mr Strauss's idea... men would pan and/or dig for gold wearing wool trousers with leather pants (AKA chaps) protecting their fronts.

For me, cotton/poly blend pants wear the best if you are the pant wearing type...That's all I wear,cut off and hemmed for summer....My riding pants are $2.50 from the Salvation Army...