[Closed] Alternatives to lycra tights for work commute?

marks and Spencer do some "cycling" trousers that sound like what you're after
http://bit.ly/1FiJLSC

I wear ronhill tracksters over lycra shorts

1 they take ages to put on and take off

In true STW style I suggest a skills course 😉

Just chuck some light baggies over the top if you want to be more modest.

[img] http://asset1.marksandspencer.com/is/image/mands/SD_03_T17_5041M_TD_SP14_EC_4?$PDP_PROD_IMAGE$ [/img]

nice.

I fully get what the OP is saying. I don't see why we have a choice of lycra, baggies, or ultra smart M&S commuter gear. What's wrong with just a pair of simple quick drying trousers with a design that doesn't get caught in the drivetrain.

Why does the cycling world insist we must wear lycra? Even for my evening and weekend rides, it feels like a chore sometimes, all the things we're told we must wear. Teenage girls get ready faster than me. What's wrong with throwing on a pair or trousers and a t-shirt? Preferably ones that cost less than £80...

Teenage girls get ready faster than me. What's wrong with throwing on a pair or trousers and a t-shirt? Preferably ones that cost less than £80...

Lycra is a pain in the rear for work.

I mite order these and see how they look & fit.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/endura-singletrack-ii-trousers/rp-prod85240

[b]ultra smar[/b]t M&S commuter gear

Not sure if you saw the picture above?

How long does it take some people to pull on lycra tights?

FWIW, Endura Singletrack trousers are adjustable at the ankle to avoid drivetrain issues - as are various lightweight, water-resistant "outdoor" trousers like Montane Terras. They even have a reinforced arse so will take a bit of wear.

Edit: the OP was posting as I was typing. Yes, the Singletracks look OK. Might be a bit warm for summer wear though. Mine are mostly restricted to winter duties or for rides when I'll be hanging around a bit.

Keela make something suitable, roadrunner maybe?

I've come close to buying a pair a few times

Craghoppers kiwi stretch trousers. Grey, black or blue, smart enough and semi technical. Other walking trousers like montane etc are good too but the kiwi are pretty cheap.
http://www.milletsports.co.uk/more-sports/outdoor/clothing/mens/trousers/craghoppers-kiwi-pro-stretch-active-mens-trousers-long/?utm_source=googleshopping&s=384931&gclid=CjwKEAjwru6oBRDDp4jRj4bL_xASJADJ2obylGwAN1I_McB1RiMqWTXbHLVKmTQX38YARBHlf1U3zhoCGxjw_wcB

Or these

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/endura-hummvee-trousers/rp-prod9363

I've tried the grasshopper kiwi in the past. I'm 6ft 4 and need a 34 inch leg. Kiwi ride too high for me and are not long enough.

The Terras come in a couple of leg lengths. North Face are quite long

a lot of slim-fit jeans these days have a bit of lycra in them, which i hated the idea of, until i bought a pair anyway and found them to be extremely comfortable to cycle in!

i do my 5 mile commute in something like these and they're great - http://www.levi.co.uk/GB/en_GB/mens-jeans/p/045111294

- bit pricey but i'm sure there will be some decent cheaper options!

I got some Keela roadrunners after seeing recommendations on here.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/warm-but-not-bulky-cycling-clothes-no-lycra
A nice, reasonably priced bit of kit.

[img] [/img]

Maybe...?

Recent convert, one pair of sprayway waterproof kecks and a pair of Levi commuter kecks from the outlet store £8 for the win. Love em

I have a pair of the endura trousers, they are too flappy on the drive side

the only trouser that avoids oil-on-leg is the one that's rolled up away from the chain - yes it makes you look like a hipster but it's the only thing that works

when it's really bloody cold, bibs are the thing, if you really don't want the shame then put shorts over

Thinking about it I think the bike and pedals affect what you want to wear. I.e. steel cross bike with flats = trousers and shell toes, single speed and SPD = disco slippers and a bit of Lycra. Mash it up and get down with the kids.

Swrve have some nice trousers or 3/4 length shorts. Various softshell fabrics, which is fairly water resistant. Fairly slim fit. http://swrve.co.uk/

I wear 3/4 length shorts any time I swing my leg over a bike. Lycra... I'm nowhere near fast enough and I'd probably look like I was smuggling squirrels from behind. Any pair of jeans/trousers I've worn... no matter how tight they seem at the ankle get oil.
[Edit]Current pair are Endura. A 3/4 length version of the singletrack-ii trousers above. [/edit]

[quote=edhornby ]I have a pair of the endura trousers, they are too flappy on the drive sideThat's odd. The Endura Singletracks I wear have little velcro tabs at the ankle so you can cinch them in.

These are good. I had a few spare pairs left over but not sure what sizes are left.
I can check tomorrow if they look suitable.

http://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/craft-active-bike-rain-pants-black-14627/varid-75059?currency=3&delivery_country=190&gclid=CjwKEAjwru6oBRDDp4jRj4bL_xASJADJ2obyjKlsB0dpoaJrRw34-j3YD7hNAcmGIxNbt8hWeArwoRoCS0fw_wcB

Jeans
[img] [/img]

Endura multi-tights are good for this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/endura-multi-tight/rp-prod9295

That said I now commute in my works M&S trousers with a pair of Endura waterproof trousers over the top and Respro reflective legbands to keep everything out of the chain.

I have nothing to add bar simply asking what is so time consuming about putting on Lycra? I commute in Lycra (right tool for the job IMO) and am out the door 15 min s after my alarm and that includes time to make an espresso.
I aslo walk though a busy, major train station in said attire and have long since given up worrying about what a fool I look.

Shower pass and howies

What's wrong with shorts?

If it's <15c keep your knees covered [longshorts].

501s here. I can live with the permanent oil stain on the inside of the right leg

Altura do some, like a cheaper Endura.

If your getting oil on the legs you need to wipe down a bit more...

Surely there's an easy answer to the chainring problem:
[img] [/img]

Why not just a pair of MTB baggies? On the colder months just put your full length lycra on underneath.

cheapo regatta walking trousers: they've lost their water repellency but are quick dry. They flap into the drive side but no need for a clip as real men stay in the big ring the whole way 🙂

lycra tights with nothing one them just antagonise drivers even more

with summer on its way its time for MTB baggies with pale ginger hairy legs for the lady drivers to gawk at

Normal trousers and clips, far easier. Unless it's a particularly long commute I don't understand why you'd need anything else.

I don't understand why you'd need anything else.

Sweat ...

I sweat even on a short commute, especially when I come across someone as quick as the guy on the Felt this morning, come on which one of you was it?

these

http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/for-the-rider/legwear/cycling-trousers/showers-pass-skyline-pant.html

So shorts and 3/4's are out, are they?

What's wrong with shorts in all weather ??

Suppose it depends where you live? Short in Newcastle in mid winter is just daft.

I have some altura trousers, don't get them they are like something MC hammer would wear.

I'd go try some on, the cut on some is daft and a bit of a pain in the wind. If it is going to be wet or it is really windy then I wear tights because it is just easier.

3/4 will see you through spring an autumn but you can look a bit yoof off the bike.

Ronhills are cheap and some sort of halfway house. Not stylish though. I've not found the cut on most non cycling trousers to work. They ride up and flap too much. Some outdoor brands might work.

I've found light synthetic stuff to be better if you get caught in a shower. more chance if it drying by the end of the day. Also black to hide any oil marks and spray from the road unless you are going to buy several sets.

I wear baggies 90% of the time in London.

I've got some Union 34 cycling trousers they were selling off cheap, but not been very good. Not stretchy enough.

a lot of slim-fit jeans these days have a bit of lycra in them, which i hated the idea of, until i bought a pair anyway and found them to be extremely comfortable to cycle in!

I've found the same. The H&M ones are pretty cheap too. on "dress down fridays" i usually just cycle slowly wearing jeans, with a pannier instead of rucksack. Don't bother getting changed. Quicker than cycling fast and showering/changing etc.

Smart trousers would just wear out too quick IMO due to thinner fabric.

Hairy legs unless its below 5 Deg - then tights or waterproof trousers.

I have nothing to add bar simply asking what is so time consuming about putting on Lycra?

It's not so much the time, but the perceived effort. You've got to pull it on, peel it off, and if it's still damp come home time you're gonna feel it. But you do this, after putting on all your appropriate baselayers, your padded shorts, dig you helmet out, your buff, your gloves, your cycling socks, your cycling shoes...then you put your shorts on anyway because lycra has no pockets/ Lycra is really not that practical for going about your daily business. The few seconds you save from wind resistance is neither here nor there on your way to work. It's a chore. Every so often I'll go out and ride in jeans and hoody, and what a breath of fresh air it is. No less practical for short rides either.

I just don't see the why we have this blind insistence that we should never wear trousers. Like this:

What's wrong with shorts?

[b]If it's <15c keep your knees covered [longshorts].[/b]

What you're describing, are trousers! They're the most practical tool for the job.

I just don't understand why they don't exist.

I see what you're driving at, but I just don't like having anything below the kneecap because it always gets covered in oil and assorted smegs, or caught in the chain.

Here it's shorts, or 3/4's, 24/7/365.

Maybe I'm, just odd?

EDIT - with mudguards, if I ride on a wet road/trail, the last 30cm of my legs get wet. With shorts, I just wipe my legs down, stick my work shoes on, and carry on. If my trousers were wet I'd be pissed/cold all day.

I don't change, I just leave a pair of smart shoes at work [when I work away from home, unlike now].

🙂

EDIT EDIT: Why not wear synthetic walking trousers? Stretch or otherwise:

eg:
http://www.millets.co.uk/mens/113739-peter-storm-mens-stretch-walking-trousers.html

I just don't understand why they don't exist.

They do, just tuck them into your socks...