fastdog

I already commute to work year round for the last 2.5 years. Now I want to use my bike to go to the store, doctor & dentist appointments, etc. The problem is I don't care for walking into public places in my lycra shorts and tights. I feel like a fish out of water. There is several mt biking shorts and shirts that fill this need but what about pants? I need pants that feel comfortable, and I can leasurely ride 5 to 10 miles without them getting caught in the chain or derailler. Any suggestions?

bikebuddha 

For short rides like that I often just wear my REI convertible hiking pants. They work great.

tfahrner

musa long: https://www.rivbike.com/webalog/clothing/22432.html

IROman

Ride with no pants. Duh.

gobes

What about just wearing regular shorts? That's what I do. I save the lycra for really long rides.

gwd

Get a chainguard, use a rubber band or those metal pants clips or change when you get there. I see some people around town who fold their pants up or tuck them into their socks.

cooker

I wear jeans or cotton pants. I have yellow velcro strips for my pant leg, but I also find that binder clips work perfectly well.

Roody

I wear cycling shorts (spandex or lycra with chamois) under regular pants or shorts.

It's the best of both worlds. I have a couple pair of black twill pants that i save for riding. I don't care for jeans because they're too tight and stiff. In the winter I add an intermediate layer with longjohns.

folder fanatic

I wear either loose fitting shorts, skirts, or form fitting or semi form fitting knit pants. Never had a problem yet since I use a pants clip to protect the pants and the A line skirts are a little below my knee. All three of my bikes are either a step through frame or low step over frame.

ignominious

For anything under 30 miles, you should be fine wearing a pair of jeans. Get a loose cut that doesn't tighten up when you sit down in a lowish chair and you should be chaff free. You'll almost look lik a pedestrian.

Ellie

And socks work quite well to keep your pants out of the chain. If you forget your binder clip that is...

Roody

Or, as my stepson Jerry always says at the start of a ride:

"Cuff 'em up and go!"

noisebeam

As others have pointed out you can wear cycling shorts under regular (but comfortable flush seam) shorts.
Or you can carry a pair of lightweight shorts and put em over just after you get off the bike. I do that quite often.

But for short visits to stores, etc. I often just wear the bike shorts.

Al

dragonbait1

I ride to work every day, our strict anti-theft policy means they get pissed/suspsious if you bring a lot of stuff. so I ride in my work pants. Been doing it since I started riding a bike, no problems so long as the thigh area is loose.

My question/problem is this, how do you prevent the, uh, "seat" from wearing out. Dress code requires kakhis with minimal pockets (no cargos). Thigh muscles require "Loose fit" Any brands, renforcements, tricks, tips? Am I the only one with this problem? And yes, bike shorts are too expensive to wear everyday.

RGB "need some slightly irreggular pants?"

becnal

Wear normal spandex shorts, then slip on your pants when you get to work.

Roody

For me, Dockers or similar cotton, wrinkle resistant pants (khakis) are the best. They have a baggy fit, are durable, and wrinkle less in the backapack.

bike shorts are NOT too expensive to wear every day. I buy one pair a year, for about $40, and wear them every day for a year. Most are very well made and practical, and a good value. Nothing beats them for comfort on the bike, even with other pants or shorts over them for cty wear.

cooker

Lots of rules!

thelung

I like shants. 3/4 length cut-off pants. They dont get in the way like pants but they dont ride up high like some shorts. You can wear cycling shorts under them for the padding.

SWYZ721

I rock jeans on 20+ mile rides, just roll em up.

literocola

I roll in my jeans every ride, the downfall is, every pair of pants I have the right leg is all black from my chain, but I'm proud to ride, so I could care less about what my pant leg looks like.
You should see my dirt jumpin jeans!

cyclezealot

My ride to work was a long commute. Lycra was necessary for 26 miles. I found wind pants a nice cover up when feel the need at certain type stores. Also, soccer shorts.
Odd, though. Few times of late thought I was being rediculded for being a cyclist. I did cover up with soccer shorts. Could see lycra shorts protruding from the legs' opening. Apparently, fellow cyclists commented about that . Had on Michigan soccer shorts. When they saw the MIchigan label, they said sort of hautly, ah , an American.

Roody

Big fashion faux pas! You should have worn Michigan State soccer shorts.

(I love the way the French say Meesh-ee-GAWN. After all, they're the ones who stole the name from the Ojibwe)

I-Like-To-Bike

My you both are confused. There is only one kind of football; (soccer, whatz dat?) And there is a little matter of the score in Lansing. No discussion permited about the 60 minute plus two second clock used in Ann Arbor.

Offense, Defense, Fan Loyalty all on display in Lansing Nov 19. Roar Lions, Roar!

yendor28

How do these work with your pants please? As in how do you use them?