Nyah

For most of my life I've worn BDU trousers/shorts. They come with crotch reinforcement panels built-in. It wasn't until I got a pair of more stylish trousers, last year, when it dawned on me that riding bicycles will wear holes near the crotch. I would like to add reinforcement panels to the trousers that don't already have them.

Is there anyone reading that does this with their own trousers? Any tips to share on fabric that would work well for this project? My trousers that are starting to wear holes are 97% canvas and 3% spandex which allows some elasticity. Would I need to use fabric that matches this elasticity or, would it be just as well to use some 100% cotton duck canvas (no elasticity, but is locally available to me)?

rsbob 

mtnbud

I've never tried to reinforce pants. I'd think you'd need to do it just right or you'll get uncomfortable seams that could cause chaffing.

I know from experience, some fabrics are simply tougher than others. I've had certain types of sweat pants that hold up great, while others begin to quickly pill up and show signs of wear. It's not necessarily the type of material as it is the tightness of the weave and other factors. I have a pair of Nike golf shorts that show absolutely no signs of wear even after years of using them on the bicycle. I also own some pants from Banana Republic that have shown zero issues from using them on the bike.

The reality though is I ride wearing lycra bike shorts on the majority of my rides and they last for years.

Rather than try to reinforce your pants, I'd recommend investigating different brands paying close attention to the density of the weave and the surface of the fabric. Or wear lycra shorts when you ride and change into your pants when you get to your destination.

Nyah

I should say that I'm not really talking about size, shape or durability (per se) of the patch material. The BDU trousers already give me a good example of patch size/shape that doesn't chafe.

The material question has to do with a patch material not having any elasticity, while the original trouser material does. Someone who has patched their trousers in this context might be able to answer the question. If I use a non-elastic material for the patch, will it cause the original material to rip around the patch? That has happened when I sewed suede elbow patches to a wool jacket.

pdlamb

Your concern is one of the reasons I went to (lycra) cycling shorts. Deal with them when you stop for lunch, bathroom break, etc., and change out at the end of the ride. But you don't want more of that sales pitch. So ...

It's going to be difficult to get a good match for the crotch, not only in terms of flexibility and stretch, but especially in terms of color. Leather elbow patches on tweed elbow are fine on a professor's jacket, but they'd look pretty dorky on a crotch. Put them inside the trousers, and when you wear holes through then the reinforcement or patch material will shine through.

Iron-on patches sewed down at the edge work well for denim (jeans). For anything else, you might want to buy the trousers 4" longer than you need, then cut off the excess and hem or cuff what's left. The cut off part will match the rest of the trousers, and you can use that to double the crotch.

Iride01 

Don't wear trousers while cycling.

Wrap them around your handlebars if you don't have a bag big enough for them.

trailangel

My mom usually does all my sewing for me.

_ForceD_

Maybe a fabric seat cover might do the trick.

Dan

Trakhak

Lightweight nylon or poly running pants are very long wearing; most are breathable as well. I spent only the first few months of bike commuting using cotton or cotton blend dress or casual pants; during the other 20 years I wore running pants in warm weather and fleece pants (also very durable) in cold weather.

Chuck Naill

Is the OP bragging or complaining. This reminds me of a wise saying from Confucius, "man with five penises have pants that fit like glove".

BTinNYC

Go clipless with the Doc Martens.

tomato coupe

One word: codpiece.

staehpj1 

I tend to wear lycra when I am wearing bike specific shorts. If going riding for the sake of riding that is what I will have on. Otherwise, for a short ride to run and errand or something. I might just wear what I have on. That is typically Carhartt shorts or pants which tend to be pretty long wearing without any added panels. They are okay to ride to the local store or whatever. I haven't noticed that I ruin them by riding, but that is probably at least partly because I don't do a lot of miles wearing them. Probably about 99% of my riding is with lycra shorts or bibs.

On tour I might ride short distances after I am out of the bike shorts. In that case I am likely to be in running shorts.

rsbob 

What’s a trouser? And do you need more than one?

streetsurfer

Try some gusseted crotch pants. They would tend to wear less from bike use.

reconnaissance

Someone who bicycle commuted in business attire told me that making a seat cover out of pantyhose will reduce the wear on your pants. I don’t know if it actually does.

rsbob 

Stupid question. Why not wear purpose made cycling clothing? You won’t have the issue you brought up and won’t have to design around something not well suited to cycling in the first place.

veganbikes

Ehhh not exactly true. I haven't destroyed any chamois or bibs or anything but I have destroyed some parts that are cycling specific in the crotch area. I haven't done any reinforcements or worried about it but it does happen.

wolfchild

Because there is no need to wear cycling specific clothing. There is plenty of non-cycling clothing out there which is perfectly suitable for cycling.

rsbob 

You are not the OP. I was addressing him.

Nyah

Maybe it's the saddle. I'm seeing people reporting that the Brooks Cambium saddles are abrasive to trousers. It's on all of my bicycles - the Brooks C15 saddle. Now I have to find an alternative that is the same thing but with a smoother surface. A leather covering would probably work, but, I'm not seeing any, so far. The mail order bicycle retailer sells waterproof covers for leather saddles - not what I'm looking for at all. I guess they want people to buy expensive leather saddles, rather than leather covers for existing favorite saddles.


I don't know what a trouser is. What's a pant?
Mysteries of the universe...

PeteHski

Just get some decent quality mtb shorts and it won't be a problem. I've been wearing a pair of 7-mesh Farside shorts pretty much on and off the bike (except for road cycling where I wear bib shorts) all year and they are showing no signs of wear. Super-light and comfortable too.

https://7mesh.com/farside-short-long

PeteHski

The OP's shorts are clearly not.

wolfchild

OP just needs to do some experimenting. There are plenty of non-cycling pants out there which are made from fabrics that are durable, comfortable and suitable for cycling.

PeteHski

I presume this avoidance of the obvious solution is driven entirely by cost?