Urban cycling knickers

[vvill]

I’m posting because I’d also like to know. I usually wear MTB shorts over stuff but have increasingly been using jeans or slacks, etc. I have a few non-cycling specific ones that lend themselves well enough as bike pants but I’d like something more purpose built.

I have outlier + swrve on my list to try, mostly, as well as Levi’s biking jeans. I’ve seen ads for Betabrand too but don’t know much about them.

The only bike specific ones I’ve had are Rapha’s and I ended up exchanging them for a base layer because I was well between sizes (couldn’t fit into the smaller size, but one size larger was like wearing fishing pants. I do have a pair of Nau cargo pants too, which are sort of bike friendly rather than bike specific (3% spandex) but they are already starting to wear a bit in the “sit bones area”.

I think Bilsko has some swrve, and probably other brand knickers.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Dickie 46940 wrote:

I know there was a post about this many moons ago, but thought I would ask again. I am in need of some non-elite gear and have been coveting some cycling specific knickers…. something like the swrves, Chromes, Endura Hummvees, or the Zoics. Any recommendations would be great…. I would also like to buy locally if at all possible. Not sure who carries this stuff, but I did see Greenbelt’s fashion show video so Proteus is certainly on my radar. What are you all using out there and where do you shop for more casual gear?

That’s not non-elite, that’s Hipster ELITE.

[KelOnWheels]

I noticed when I went to REI last week & got fenders that their new Novara stuff is (a complete knockoff of Club Ride/Zoic) pretty decent looking. (They have a quite nice looking city-style cycling jacket too.) http://www.rei.com/city-cycling

[Dickie]

@ShawnoftheDread 46944 wrote:

That’s not non-elite, that’s Hipster ELITE.

Yeah, that thought had crossed my mind, but be that as it may I’d still rather have pants that wear well and fit comfy than be worried about stereotypes….. I just need something I can ride 20+ miles in, not get a rash, and still sit at a cafe or bar.

[jrenaut]

I’m paying a lot of attention to this thread, as you’re describing what I want exactly.

[Dickie]

@jrenaut 46955 wrote:

I’m paying a lot of attention to this thread, as you’re describing what I want exactly.

Where’s Dirt when we need him? I am pretty certain he has the specific knowledge we are looking for….. I also hear he knows how to disassemble a bomb, play bridge, and can juggle hedgehogs…..he might be the Stig!

[KayakCyndi]

@Dickie 46962 wrote:

Where’s Dirt when we need him?

Probably riding a century at the moment along with the other people who seem to be mysteriously missing from the forum today …

[jrenaut]

If Dirt were here, he’d tell you, “It’s hard for me to give clothing advice because I’m not human-sized, but Brand X makes some great knickers that I once used to ride a fixie mountain bike triple century and then they caught on fire but Brand X sent me a new pair for free and in fact I’m wearing them right now. Too bad they don’t come in pink” Then he’d edit the post and put something random in the comment box.

[Jason B]

I took the plunge a while ago and bought a couple urban bike knickers. I ended up with chrome knickers. I would have to say they are well made, very functional with a light padded liner, but honestly, they are fugly. They are two stitches away from my grandfather’s polyester golf pants made into cutoffs. Honestly, go that route and save yourself a $100. Granted, I am old enough to be wearing my grandfather’s golf pants, and have no business wearing ultra-teenage-hip chrome stuff, but i really thought I would look younger, not older, sheesh!
I still wear the chromes, but more often I have resorted to zoic padded cycling liners with solidly made hiking type knickers (Patagonia, Prana and mnt Hardwear). All the knicker are made of the quick dry material with multiple pockets. Plus I can wear the knickers all day, unlike the Chromes which were only good for Bingo night. With the weather getting warmer (someday) it is better to have multi-function knickers, plus capris are not just for Mary Tyler Moore, we’re all wearing them!

[jrenaut]

@Jason B 47012 wrote:

…plus capris are not just for Mary Tyler Moore, we’re all wearing them!

While I don’t think this is in the official rules, it should be. Under no circumstances should “knickers” be referred to as “capris”. If we never mention it, we can all pretend that the two are entirely different and in no way related. Calling “knickers” “cargo capris” is especially frowned upon, regardless of the accuracy of the description.

[Dickie]

@jrenaut 47017 wrote:

Under no circumstances should “knickers” be referred to as “capris”. If we never mention it, we can all pretend that the two are entirely different and in no way related.

Agreed, being British I am very fond of the word “Knicker”, I remember my mum saying “Don’t get your knickers in a twist” whenever I was fretting over something. Capri sounds too sunny, relaxed, and fun… something we Brits struggle to grasp!

[Jason B]

sorry fellas, but those cool Sunuks you wear after a long ride are actually espadrilles. It is better to accept and move on.

[jrenaut]

@Jason B 47025 wrote:

sorry fellas, but those cool Sunuks you wear after a long ride are actually espadrilles. It is better to accept and move on.

I’m not even going to Google “espadrilles”.

[ShawnoftheDread]

http://thesimpsonsforever.tumblr.com/post/9527076433/how-do-you-explain-the-culottes-boy

[Dickie]

@Jason B 47025 wrote:

sorry fellas, but those cool Sunuks you wear after a long ride are actually espadrilles. It is better to accept and move on.

I wonder if anyone makes a cycling sarong?

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