Blue_Bulldog

With Eastern NC officially moving into "Pants Weather", I have entered the conundrum of keeping my right pant leg free of chain grease marks. It's a pain.

I had a roommate who would roll his right pant leg way up like how rap dudes used to do. I'm not into that, and I am positive I'd forget to roll it back down and end up looking like a complete tool.

I usually ride in jeans, but when I ride to synagogue, I'm in khakis or slacks that would be nice if they didn't have chain grease on them. Kinda not a good look walking into a house of worship with chain grease on your leg. Not to mention, changing clothes AT Temple?? Kind of frowned upon. It's in the Talmud somewhere... near the back, I think.

What is an EASY way to keep chain grease off of my pant legs? An easy, cheap, hopefully DIY/Life Hack method to keep my favorite jeans from looking like a hot mess.

anthonybkny

i see people either tuck their pant leg into a tall sock, or use one of these to keep the pant away from the chain
https://www.rei.com/product/543017/jo...band-15-inches

plustax

Velcro strap.

Alternatively don't be such a fuddy duddy and just roll up your pant leg.

Wanderer

You used to be able to buy "sleeve protectors" at office supply stores. They had elastic at both ends, made of clear plastic. I wonder if they are still available?

Roody

You could try a chain lube that's less messy. Or get a chain guard.

But the easiest solution is what my impatient son always said when he got tired of waiting for the ride to begin: "Come on you guys... Just cuff 'em up and go!"

I-Like-To-Bike

Three suggestions:
1. Use a rubber band;
2. Don't use grease or sloppy oil on your chain; silicone spray every now and then works well;
3. Ride a bike to services with a bike equipped with a chainguard.

Artkansas 

The best prevention is a velcro leg band, available from any good bike store. Mine are plain with a reflectorized stripe along the center.



They are so comfortable, you may forget you have them on. Get one for each leg.

For getting grease out? Use WD-40 and some paper towels to absorb the grease, then wash them.

Rootman

I have tried the velcro strap and tucking my pants into a sock but still manage to get grease on my sock or pant leg. I always wanted to get a gaiter from a hunting store. Just wearing ONE at a time they should last forever.

Blue_Bulldog

Watch me forget to roll it down, and ride past the local high school and the whole quad full of burnouts yells to me because they think I'm holding.

Artkansas 

Or more likely, have them not even notice you.

Blue_Bulldog

I just wanna avoid the rolling pants up thing.

I mean, my jeans, I guess will survive... it's more so the one mile jaunt for when I go to synagogue I'm worried about.

HonestOne

I usually tuck my pants into my sock or wear something to wrap around the pant leg. As others have mentioned, get a chain guard if it's a real problem. I usually just place my foot at the very edge of the pedal and never have problems.
- Aaron

Artkansas 

Then leg bands are your friend.

gerv 

Anyone have any advice for summer riding in shorts? My right leg looks like the Second World War.

Roody

Again, the best solution I know is to use a "dry" or wax type lube. It's clear like water, you just dribble it onto the chain, then hop on and ride for a few minutes while it disperses and dries into a thin waxy coat. I squirt a few drops onto the sprockets also.

Advantages: a) cleans the chain, b) since it's non-viscous, gets into the internal parts, c) won't attract and hold grit like a greasy lube does, and d) much less messy.

gerv 

I use Finish line dry lube. It's not as oily. Usually the tattoos come off pretty well with hand cleaner and Simple Green.

bragi

I ride in "normal" clothes at all times, use the Velcro straps, use a moderate amount of thin lube on my chain (ProLink), and have not had any oil on my pants in years. It may help to wear dark-colored pants instead of light Khakis, just in case.

I-Like-To-Bike

Buy a Walmart cruiser for $89 that has fenders and a chainguard. Perfect for one mile jaunts. Don't waste time with obsessive maintenance or tinkering on this bike, buy another if and when it no longer serves the purpose. Give the old one, while still ridable by less fussy cyclists, to Goodwill as a mitzvah.

Roody

This would work. Good idea--a Sabbath Bike. Or, it would be even easier (and "simpler") to walk to services.

Artkansas 

I thought walking to temple was the right way to do it anyway. I suppose he's reformed.

I-Like-To-Bike

Don't want to get in to a "what is right way" discussion, otherwise P&R bound.

Blue_Bulldog

Yup, I am Reform. I don't work on the Sabbath, in that my employer just has to wait for Sat night for me to file my stories. But I'll still handle money and turn lights on and stuff. I just restrict my activities to just leisure stuff.

The bike I have now is pretty nice, kinda don't want to Goodwill it... actually you'll have to pry her out of my cold dead hands. I'd hate to get a new bike just for one night a week.

I'll give the straps and dry lube a try (which is the thickest double entendre I've used all week)

Artkansas 

At least you amuse yourself, I'm thankful for that.

Roody

I don't want to get into biblical prohibitions. I'm not even religious, but for any faith, it seems like a 20 minute walk before and after services would be a nice supplement. I know I do some of my best contemplating while walking.

Roody

I kind of like the idea of having a bike that's dedicated (devoted?) only to spiritual purposes. It also seems to fit in with the Judaic tradition of special garments used only for worship.

A $89 bike ridden only 2 miles a week would last a hundred years with almost no maintenance... Like the used car owned by the little old lady in Pasadena.