Which commuting trousers? - No Lycra Leggings!!

[warp9]

I realised this day was coming weeks ago, so bought some Lidl cycling leggings for the wet, grey, chilly commute.

However, today I realised that black, lycra leggings are way beyond what my vanity will allow.

So can anyone suggest where I go from canvas/jean type army shorts to something full length and more suitable to autumn/winter days and not make me look like some noncey, check my arse out, cycling geekoid?

[louiebaby]

Maybe some cheap, quick drying, walking trousers?

Do you have an outlet centres near you?

[warp9]

louiebaby said:

Maybe some cheap, quick drying, walking trousers?

I've got some walking trousers, but find them a bit heavy and flappy on the bike. I'm after something a bit slimmer, just not in the legging territory!

[ewenm]

A few options:
1. Get over yourself
2. Put a pair of baggy shorts on over the leggings.
3. Just ride in mountainbiking baggy shorts anyway, your legs won't get that cold as long as your core is warm.

[Uriel]

http://www.rapha.cc/softshell-trousers

[walm]

I am particularly fond of these in charcoal.
Last forever and keep your knees warm: modesty protected.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...
You can get some padding to clip-in too.

[Gooby]

http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=133&a...

these are very good

[warp9]

Thanks all for your suggestions so far, a few thoughts:

Uriel said:

http://www.rapha.cc/softshell-trousers

Really very nice and just what I’m thinking, but I’d have to sell a kidney.

walm said:

Last forever and keep your knees warm: modesty protected.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

These look like a slightly longer version of my current shorts. How do they fair in the rain?

Gooby said:

http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=133&a...

these are very good

Possible, are they hot and sweat making?

[Accelebrate]

I quite like CragHoppers in the winter, either the lined or non-lined version depending on the weather...

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/craghoppers-kiwi-winte...

Not restrictive movement wise and the material repels water quite well too.


ETA... They do some zip-off versions if you find them too flappy:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/basecamp-conv-zo-trous...
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/kiwi-duo-convertible-t...

[warp9]

swerni said:

I've got some 3/4 length baggy waterproof shorts from Evans.

Do the job nicely

Ahh, something like:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/semi-dr...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear...

Don't your ankles get cold in the winter?! (I noticed they did full length!)

[anonymous-user]

warp9 said:

Ahh, something like:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/semi-dr...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear...

Don't your ankles get cold in the winter?! (I noticed they did full length!)

If you wear your lycra leggings underneath + sock + overshoes then no.

[walm]

warp9 said:

walm said:

Last forever and keep your knees warm: modesty protected.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

These look like a slightly longer version of my current shorts. How do they fair in the rain?

They get wet.
Chaffing isn't bad because they are relatively tight so don't scrunch in the taintal region.

[shouldbworking]

Sounds like you might want leg warmers rather than trousers then. Maintain whatever you usually wear around the areas people are vain about, but add warmth to legs.

Alternatively, ride faster Rode last winter in lycra shorts and short jersey with it down to -2

[Gooby]

warp9 said:

Gooby said:

http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=133&a...

these are very good

Possible, are they hot and sweat making?

Nope but I wear them in the cold and I am not a sweatty monster to begin with...

[warp9]

OneDs said:

warp9 said:

Ahh, something like:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/semi-dr...
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear...

Don't your ankles get cold in the winter?! (I noticed they did full length!)

If you wear your lycra leggings underneath + sock + overshoes then no.

So it's actually a cunning disguise for my 'ooo la la' leggings! It's my favourite so far though.

[XitUp]

I've got a few pairs of these. Shower proof and they even have a little reflective bit when you roll your leg up.


http://www.howies.co.uk/product.php/3808/12/

They're not in stock at the moment though.

[angusc43]

ewenm said:

A few options:

3. Just ride in mountainbiking baggy shorts anyway, your legs won't get that cold as long as your core is warm.

This works for me.

I don't find my lower legs actually get cold - although they get a lot of roadspray so I think it's better not to have any clothing there as it'll just get soaked.

When it's really cold I layer up up top (inc skull cap thing) and I have semi-waterproof trainers and Sealskin socks.

Shins exposed? Don't even notice, tbh.

[Old man Jimbo]

I have these. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zeus-Cycling-Trousers-Wa... I bought them last year for the winter commute and thought they'd be cheap crappy Ebay specials. But they turned out to be f'ing fantastic.

Now I'm a bit of a fat lad so I also didn't like the thought or look of lycra leggings (I also have a pair of Aldi cheapos in a draw unworn somewhere!)So I asked if these are skin tight and they're not but they're not so loose as to flap about. I happily rode to work In torrential rain and -10deg C snow and ice.

They also lasted no problem for last winter and are good to go for this winter so they last aswell. For the price if you don't like them you can just bin them.

[Buffalo]

warp9 said:

Thanks all for your suggestions so far, a few thoughts:

Uriel said:

http://www.rapha.cc/softshell-trousers

Really very nice and just what I’m thinking, but I’d have to sell a kidney.

Or (assuming they are exactly what you want) - you buy expensive, but you buy once and they do exactly the job you want rather than buying three things at a third of the price and still not finding what you were looking for....

[chopper602]

You could try some of these too

http://www.alpkit.com/shop/cart.php?target=product...

Look identical to normal jeans, but are water & windproof (not expensive either).

I've just bought some, but haven't actually tried them yet . . . .