WestonP

I commute around 20 miles a day coming and going from my campus... or did, until the cold set in. I always changed my shirt since that's quick and easy but I like to keep the same pair of shorts/pants.

These Rapha trousers are exactly what I want but I'm not paying 140 bucks for them, especially since I'll need a few pairs. Has anyone noticed anything similar? Much cheaper? Durability is also an important feature, I like having a lot of shirts but typically only own 2 or 3 pairs of pants at a time and wash regularly.

gerv 

$140?

I've been alternating between an old pair of jeans and old Target running pants. In winter, I add wind-blocking rain pants.

People say jeans are terrible on a bike, but if you slide them low enough, I have no problem. And very durable too.

erg79

Most cycle-specific pants that I've seen are pretty pricey. Actually kind of surprised that those Rapha trousers are "only" $140.

WestonP

I don't mind paying a lot for something if it lasts several years. My solution for warm weather commuting has been board shorts, they are great for biking. I bought some cheap Quicksilver board shorts and they lasted about 3 months of riding and washing. Bought some $60 pairs from ParAna and 3 years and 300+ washes later they are perfect. I run, bike, workout or swim in them like every day. Quality is always worth the money, it's just hard to find.

I don't know much about Rapha quality so I'm not willing to gamble 140 on them. I think their cycyling clothes are more about fashion than cycling so you are probably just paying $$$ for the brand name.

I tried on some Levi 511 Commuters the other day, they are made for cyclists and have the full wicking/anti-microb/water-resistant/stretch package plus a ulock loop on the back but it just felt weird. I can't imagine biking in something as thick as jeans.

Rick@OCRR

Thanks for the link WestonP,

Those look like exactly what I need, and while $140.00 might sound like a lot, it's pretty much peanuts compared to (for example) Assos bib-shorts.

Rapha is quality for sure, and while I would prefer to find something similar for less, I'm not thinking that's going to be likely. Hope I'm wrong of course!

I currently wear mountain bike shorts to commute, and in the winter wear leg warmers or wool tights in addition, i.e. underneath. I don't wear standarad road cycling kit because I ride the Metro part way and am concerned about shocking the other passengers with the sight of tight lycra shorts . . . hence the "mountain bike" alternative.

All that said, these Rapha trousers (I guess only the British call pants trousers?) look like they would be excellent for riding and still look conservative enough not to shock the non-cycling Metro train passengers.

Rick / OCRR

a1penguin

REI Headwinds Pants. These are comfy enough that you could wear them during the day. They aren't tights. You might be able to find other brands of semi-loose cycling pants that are suitable for day wear. $140? Yeah right. I wear Kirkland jeans: $12.99.

Mr. Fly

I have the Rapha trousers and they are actually very nice for my short commute (~6 mi each way max). They feel much nicer and wear much better than my Levi's jeans that they replaced (for riding bikes at least). For example, they do not show appreciable wear after months of regular use, whereas the jeans developed holes at rub points after only a couple of short months. The Rapha fabric is slightly stretchy and drapes very well. It also breathes surprisingly well without being too airy for winter (OK, so it's CA "winter") so my legs don't get uncomfortably sweaty after impromptu "Cat 6 races".

I got them for about half off retail during one of the occasional Rapha sales, so you may want to wait a bit for those. If you do order, be sure to order your true size (i.e., not vanity size) and you may need to trim to length as they only come in long. I'll advise to stay away from the black version as that picks up lint like mad.

Another brand you may want to consider is Betabrand. I've not tried them yet but they look interesting, the price is better and they're made locally here in San Francisco.

busted knuckles

I go to the second hand store and buy trousers. Sometimes I luck out and find some nice stretchy ones, cut the legs and hem. Roll them up once or twice to a knicker length. Pretty much look like the Rapha trousers. 10-20$.

Mercian Rider

Jeans=good. Get a size larger and use suspenders. I swear people are less likely to run you down than if you're wearing lycra--the guys in the huge pickup trucks think you might be one of them with a suspended drivers license. Look like the people in the cars--they won't hate you as much if you dress like they do. If you feel it's necessary, wear bike shorts under them.

NWS Alpine

Those pants look awesome. I really need to get something like those. I have been thinking about getting a pair of the Swrve cordura cycling jeans. I was looking for waterproof shorts for downpour in the summer but just gave up and wear boardshorts and some compression shorts. All the waterproof gortex shorts were too hardcore mountain biking look. Just wanted some plain gortex shorts.

I just wear my levis majority of the time unless rain is in the forecast. Then the shorts come out.

profjmb

Outlier: https://shop.outlier.cc/shop/retail/4season-og-pant.html

They are awesome and worth the steep price. And if you're in Brooklyn, today and tomorrow they're having a big sale.

fietsbob

Got a local sewing Alterations biz, to taper the legs of a Charity shop pair of trousers,
they added ankle zips to make them easy to put on/off.

Black so sweat wont leave the 'brooks butt' stain like Khakis do ..

Often I just wear sweat pants. there are smooth finish fleeced compound knit fabrics.
Russel brand in the local big box, comfortable for older tubbies like me. look OK.(imo)

Portland's Clever Cycles gets an exclusive on wool pants cut for cycling,
sewn by a Non-Sweat LA company,
but they are up there in Rapha upscale price heights..
https://clevercycles.com/blog/products/apparel/#_

Leebo

Try REI for some active wear type nylon/ blend pants. Climbing gear or hiking type stuff. Not $ 140.00. I wear Mt bike shorts and in the winter, tights underneath. Running gear will work too.

niccig

dude, where are all the women's commuter clothes? The Rapha pants do look really nice, any ladies that have tried them on?

EdgewaterDude

Those Rapha pants are nice.

I've got a pair of Chrome Telegraph Knickers: https://www.chromebagsstore.com/appar...h-knicker.html

I've also tried on a pair of Bontragers, which were really nice: https://bontrager.com/model/08788 ...These are really cool because you can unroll and roll the pants...when rolled they have reflective material..that's a cool safety feature.

Outlier's stuff is awesome, too. Swrve makes some good stuff, as does our local company, nonetheless: https://www.nonethelessgarments.com/

Really, there are so many types of pants to choose from. I really, really don't like jeans. The main seam in the crotch really rubs my gooch the wrong way; it sucks. Also, denim is cotton. Cotton sucks when it gets all sweaty and damp. My Chrome knickers are a polyester blend that is very soft and breathable. Same thing with the Bontragers.

muu

REI Ultralight pants: https://www.rei.com/product/794209/re...mens-30-inseam
Got 'em for ~55 bucks after 30% off REI item coupon they sent over email. Water bounces off of them, and it's pretty much windproof. Don't sweat much inside of them either. Down to ~30 you could go w/ just these, lower and you'll want to wear some liners under 'em.

WestonP

Great links... those nonetheless pants look even better than the Rapha but holy hell, that one pair is almost 300 bucks. I'm liking the Bontragers and their price is a bit more reasonable.

pasopia

Dickies original work pants are great for riding, that's what I commute in year round. They are stiff when you first get them, but after a few washes they soften up. They dry really quickly if they get wet, they don't stain easily, and they last forever. Also very cheap.

https://www.dickies.com/mens-clothing...k-Pant-874.jsp

bored117 

If you need boardroom look... (basically dressy)... Outlier is hard to beat. (I am wearing one today... ) Pricey but not too much more than pair of nice dress pants.
I have one for So Cal winter, and another one in transit for 3 other seasons... (well actually... 1 ... summer).
Great to have when you have high profile meeting in conjunction with merino dress shirt.

Typically... it would be knickers for me from ATD/Cutter/Prana... I am really liking ATD for warmer weather and Cutter for cooler... while Prana for more casual cut.

megalowmatt

I have looked for decent looking inexpensive commuter pants for quite a while now. I don't think there's much out there. Personally I just can't ride in jeans but prefer more of a "knicker" length I guess you would call it. For the late winter and spring riding I am going to give the longer Dickies shorts a shot.

jdswitters

be a trend setter.

megalowmatt

lol well I prefer bibs when riding my road bike so those babies might just be the ticket!

IndianaShawn

Why mess around, get the best.

https://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/...ayan-suit.html

IndianaShawn

You could go over the top and really get some looks.

vegipowrd

I've been using my Levi 511 Commuters this year. They have a lot of stretch to them, which makes it comfortable. The fit is a little tight, but not crazy. They are also about half the cost of many other cycle specific options.
I also use silk long-johns during the winter. The silk makes the thickness of the jeans go away and wicks any sweat.