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Lightweight summer cargo type pants for cycling?

Old 04-12-21, 12:14 AM
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Illgot
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Lightweight summer cargo type pants for cycling?

I ride a gravel bike and my pedals are crank bro with the metal teeth. I can't really wear bicycle shorts and don't want my knees to lower legs exposed because those teeth slice through my skin and snag clothing too easily.

Any suggestions for a light pair of cargo bicycle pants that will protect my legs and work well with cycling?
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Old 04-12-21, 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Illgot
I ride a gravel bike and my pedals are crank bro with the metal teeth. I can't really wear bicycle shorts and don't want my knees to lower legs exposed because those teeth slice through my skin and snag clothing too easily.

Any suggestions for a light pair of cargo bicycle pants that will protect my legs and work well with cycling?
Cut off military fatigues. There are 2 different weights, a summer and winter weight.
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Old 04-12-21, 03:21 AM
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You don’t want your lower legs exposed because you’re worried about snagging the pants legs?

I don’t get it. Please clarify.
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Old 04-12-21, 03:44 AM
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Zoic or aerotech designs
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Old 04-12-21, 03:45 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
You don’t want your lower legs exposed because you’re worried about snagging the pants legs?

I don’t get it. Please clarify.
Yes, I was curious about that, too.

If you lived over here I'd recommend Karrimor; reasonable quality cargo pants at rock-bottom prices. I doubt they're available across the pond, though. I also have a pair of Columbia cargo pants that I use for doing DIY and bike maintenance. They're very light and extremely tough and will roll-up into one of they're own pockets for compact packing.
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Old 04-12-21, 04:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Illgot
I ride a gravel bike and my pedals are crank bro with the metal teeth. I can't really wear bicycle shorts and don't want my knees to lower legs exposed because those teeth slice through my skin and snag clothing too easily.

Any suggestions for a light pair of cargo bicycle pants that will protect my legs and work well with cycling?
My suggestion is that you learn how to pedal.
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Old 04-12-21, 04:50 AM
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back in the old days there were metal pants clips to prevent such events.
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Old 04-12-21, 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by dr1445
back in the old days there were metal pants clips to prevent such events.
They're still around. Velcro straps, too. Problem solved.
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Old 04-12-21, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Illgot
I ride a gravel bike and my pedals are crank bro with the metal teeth. I can't really wear bicycle shorts and don't want my knees to lower legs exposed because those teeth slice through my skin and snag clothing too easily.

Any suggestions for a light pair of cargo bicycle pants that will protect my legs and work well with cycling?
- use SPD pedals. there is 0 reason for a foot to slip off the pedal on a gravel bike.
- if you keep the platform pedals, learn where your foot should go on the pedal to ensure it stays in place.
- shin protection?...its overkill for how you ride, but apparently your feet cant stay on the pedals so maybe it isnt overkill.

Look at Kuhl pants. Most arent cargo, but they have a couple cargo if you really need those flap pockets. The others have multiple storage pockets even if they arent technically cargo pants. The Renegade is a quick dry fabric thats really strong and feels light. The Revolvr fabric feels closer to traditional cotton but is quick drying.
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Old 04-12-21, 08:51 AM
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I bought a pair of these when they were MUSA pants. I still have them 10 years later.

https://www.rivbike.com/products/musa-pants
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Old 04-12-21, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
You don’t want your lower legs exposed because you’re worried about snagging the pants legs?

I don’t get it. Please clarify.
The pedals have sharp teeth that can rip through lighter material like jeans and skin so was looking for a material a bit more rip resistant.
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Old 04-12-21, 11:31 AM
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Old 04-12-21, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by mstateglfr
- use SPD pedals. there is 0 reason for a foot to slip off the pedal on a gravel bike.
- if you keep the platform pedals, learn where your foot should go on the pedal to ensure it stays in place.
- shin protection?...its overkill for how you ride, but apparently your feet cant stay on the pedals so maybe it isnt overkill.

Look at Kuhl pants. Most arent cargo, but they have a couple cargo if you really need those flap pockets. The others have multiple storage pockets even if they arent technically cargo pants. The Renegade is a quick dry fabric thats really strong and feels light. The Revolvr fabric feels closer to traditional cotton but is quick drying.
Foot isn't slipping, I end up snagging my legs as I walk through my building or pull the bike up stairs.
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Old 04-12-21, 11:54 AM
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Change your pedals.
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Old 04-12-21, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Illgot
The pedals have sharp teeth that can rip through lighter material like jeans and skin so was looking for a material a bit more rip resistant.
You’re missing my point about wording. And jeans are not light.

BTW...Why can’t you wear shorts anymore?

In any even, good luck with your search.
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Old 04-12-21, 02:44 PM
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Have you actually ripped pants on these while walking/carrying the bike?

I have several bikes with pinned pedals, and this has never happened to me wearing anything from tights to lightweight nylon pants to jeans.

I could see ripping a pair of tights or thin pants if I fell off the pedals and scraped my leg against the pins, but this only ever happens when I am doing serious mountain biking, never with something like gravel riding.

maybe try less aggressive pins?
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Old 04-12-21, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Kapusta
Have you actually ripped pants on these while walking/carrying the bike?

I have several bikes with pinned pedals, and this has never happened to me wearing anything from tights to lightweight nylon pants to jeans.

I could see ripping a pair of tights or thin pants if I fell off the pedals and scraped my leg against the pins, but this only ever happens when I am doing serious mountain biking, never with something like gravel riding.

maybe try less aggressive pins?
I have sliced my leg open once when trying to walk through the doorway and the pedal got caught turned and hit my leg. I have snagged my jeans but was able to work the threads they pulled through again without ripping, but one day I know I'll flat out rip the jeans.

There are times when the elevators go down in my building and I have to hoof it up 7 flights of stairs and I have snagged myself while walking the stairs as well.

Was hoping to find something that is a light weight with breathable material (maybe with side panels or a zipper for air) that doesn't snag and rip easily to protect my legs mainly from carrying my bike around. I don't think I have snagged my legs while pedaling.

Last edited by Illgot; 04-12-21 at 11:27 PM.
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Old 04-13-21, 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Illgot;22012212[b
]I have sliced my leg [/b]open once when trying to walk through the doorway and the pedal got caught turned and hit my leg. I have snagged my jeans but was able to work the threads they pulled through again without ripping, but one day I know I'll flat out rip the jeans.

There are times when the elevators go down in my building and I have to hoof it up 7 flights of stairs and I have snagged myself while walking the stairs as well.

Was hoping to find something that is a light weight with breathable material (maybe with side panels or a zipper for air) that doesn't snag and rip easily to protect my legs mainly from carrying my bike around. I don't think I have snagged my legs while pedaling.
You don’t need new pants. You just need to walk and carry your bike from the left side – the side that does not have a chain ring.
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Old 04-13-21, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Illgot
I have sliced my leg open once when trying to walk through the doorway and the pedal got caught turned and hit my leg. I have snagged my jeans but was able to work the threads they pulled through again without ripping, but one day I know I'll flat out rip the jeans.

There are times when the elevators go down in my building and I have to hoof it up 7 flights of stairs and I have snagged myself while walking the stairs as well.

Was hoping to find something that is a light weight with breathable material (maybe with side panels or a zipper for air) that doesn't snag and rip easily to protect my legs mainly from carrying my bike around. I don't think I have snagged my legs while pedaling.
Learn how to walk?

WTF???
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Old 04-13-21, 08:13 AM
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I gouged my legs with the pins on my pedals once. Once.

I've been more careful ever since. Problem solved.
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Old 04-13-21, 08:23 AM
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carry an old sock with you and slip it over the pedals when walking/carrying the bike. maybe even some bubble wrap taped up to make a sock.
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Old 04-13-21, 09:32 AM
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In cool to cold weather, I wear Carhartt cargo pants. Not especially light, but comfortable and sturdy.

Originally Posted by dr1445
back in the old days there were metal pants clips to prevent such events.
I'd like to find a pair of those metal clips that are large enough for when I'm wearing shorts.
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Old 04-13-21, 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by prj71
Learn how to walk?

WTF???
jackass much?
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Old 04-13-21, 12:19 PM
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No. But C'mon. This can't be a serious question.
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Old 04-13-21, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by prj71
No. But C'mon. This can't be a serious question.
so here is the deal.

1) I have two bad knees but still like to ride. It is the only time I get to move around fast and bicycling is a light impact exercise on my old knees.

2) I live in an apartment building which not only uses key fobs on every door but for some reason decided the key fob should be 4 feet from the door so you have to fob, rush to the door while holding your bike, pull the door open, then keep the door open while you ferry your bicycle through because the doors have pistons.

3) the apartment I live in has two small elevators. One is down frequently and the jackasses that live in my building (12 floors) like to hold the elevator on their floor for reasons. It could be anything from a person deciding to keep the elevator on their floor while they unload groceries to workers keeping the elevator on their floor while they are replacing carpeting. The apartment also likes to reserve the elevator for people moving in which at times has left us with no working elevators even though it is against the disabilities act in my state.

4) I have a car but prefer to bike when shopping with in a 5 mile radius. I also work with in 5 miles so I bike to work and shop on the way home. I often use two panniers on my bike (hence why I use a gravel bike) either stuffed with work related gear or groceries. This is when I usually run into issues with the doors because the bike becomes cumbersome especially when carrying 50 pounds of bike and gear up 7 flights of stairs.

5) what, is this all you have to offer to this topic?

I'm just looking for suggestions on decent summer bicycle pants that are tear resistant from the metal teeth on bicycle pedals.

Last edited by Illgot; 04-13-21 at 02:02 PM.
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