Bike saddle wearing holes in my trousers

Waestrel

I cycle a lot for commuting, but my saddle is tearing through the seat of my pants. I dont know what causes this, my saddle is thin and has no stitches, so it could be my riding style. I ride a single speed if thats relevant. Anyone with similar clothing crisis?

Lusk Doyle

Waestrel wrote: »

I cycle a lot for commuting, but my saddle is tearing through the seat of my pants. I dont know what causes this, my saddle is thin and has no stitches, so it could be my riding style. I ride a single speed if thats relevant. Anyone with similar clothing crisis?

Do you have a saddle bag? I used to have one and found, after I had returned new bib tights for being faulty, that it was catching me on every rotation. It was the velcro bit that goes around the seat post. Removed. Problem went with it.

cdaly_

Are you using cycling shorts? I found many of my ordinary trousers wore through at the seat before I started wearing padded cycling shorts instead. These seem less prone to wear as they don't have crotch seams or the like.

talkabout

Lusk Doyle wrote: »

Do you have a saddle bag? I used to have one and found, after I had returned new bib tights for being faulty, that it was catching me on every rotation. It was the velcro bit that goes around the seat post. Removed. Problem went with it.

You have just solved a mystery for me, couldn't figure out why my tights are wearing in one spot, just checked my saddle bag and the velcro is exposed just where it would catch my bib tights....thanks

Waestrel

Just wearing ordinary clothes, jeans and the like. I dont want to start changing clothes at the end of my trip.

colm_gti

Waestrel wrote: »

Just wearing ordinary clothes, jeans and the like. I dont want to start changing clothes at the end of my trip.

Well then get used to having holes in your jeans

Waestrel

colm_gti wrote: »

Well then get used to having holes in your jeans

What did Michael Collins do when he was cycling around Dublin shooting British agents in the face? He did not wear Lycra, yet he would not suffer crotch holes. There must be some solution.

denbatt

Waestrel wrote: »

What did Michael Collins do when he was cycling around Dublin shooting British agents in the face? He did not wear Lycra, yet he would not suffer crotch holes. There must be some solution.

Could be worth investing in a new saddle. Maybe something wider? Maybe your saddle is a fraction high?

Canis Lupus

Wearing out your hipster knee length jeans shorts on your fixie are you? Well there's not much you can do. Just invest in cycling shorts. They're infinitely more comfortable but not sure if they'll look good with canvas shoes and a plaid shirt etc etc. :P

Waestrel

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Wearing out your hipster knee length jeans shorts on your fixie are you? Well there's not much you can do. Just invest in cycling shorts. They're infinitely more comfortable but not sure if they'll look good with canvas shoes and a plaid shirt etc etc. :P

I cycle a single speed, not a fixie.

Canis Lupus

Waestrel wrote: »

I cycle a single speed, not a fixie.

I'm sure you can get vintage gears for that retro look :P

Nah seriously, loose trousers will erode slower, you can also lower the saddle to stop the crotch area material from stretching as much (but you'll be slower) but honestly if you commute in jeans/trousers then you'll just have to accept that you'll wear the arse out of them.

Or buy cycling shorts/gear.

Darkglasses

Jeez, single speeds aren't just for hipsters Canis, they're perfect for commuting too.

OP, there's not much to say other than wear pants or shorts made of tougher material than jeans. Consider baggy cycling shorts perhaps? Thats what I wear, with waterproof trousers on top for cold or wet days, works well for me. (and presumably also Collins)

Canis Lupus

Darkglasses wrote: »

Jeez, single speeds aren't just for hipsters Canis, they're perfect for commuting too.

OP, there's not much to say other than wear pants or shorts made of tougher material than jeans. Consider baggy cycling shorts perhaps? Thats what I wear, with waterproof trousers on top for cold or wet days, works well for me. (and presumably also Collins)

lulz, he's just a step away. He didn't deny the rest of it :P

tomasrojo

I don't wear cycling shorts, but for most journeys I wear hiking trousers, which don't wear through as quickly as other trousers. In fact, I haven't worn through a pair yet. You mightn't like the look of them though. I agree about preferring not to change clothes at the end of journeys, and just wearing normal clothes (well, as close to normal as possible).

Another option I saw recommended once was to wear shorts over your trousers and take the shorts off at the end of your journey, but the Fred-cum-crap superhero look rules this out for even me.

cdaly_

There are also cycling-specific jeans to be had. Presumably these are somewhat reinforced.

I'm guessing Collins wore wool trousers back in the day. I wonder how they held up?

Lumen

cdaly_ wrote: »

I'm guessing Collins wore wool trousers back in the day. I wonder how they held up?

I've never tried cycling in a long coat, with or without concealed firearm. What's the technique? Do you sit on the coat, or let it hang?

ROK ON

Dude,

Its like any big object in your pants - let it hang loose.

denbatt

Ya ask a simple question :rolleyes: I can see this one getting quite entertaining.

ROK ON

The OP needs specific cycling jeans,
http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-jeans

Or when a less denim is required one could wear

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

AltAccount

Waestrel wrote: »

What did Michael Collins do when he was cycling around Dublin shooting British agents in the face? He did not wear Lycra, yet he would not suffer crotch holes. There must be some solution.

How do you know he didn't suffer the same problems?

I'm no Michael Collins (queue sharp inhalation of breath), but I've often found that my jeans wear at the crotch, and on the "inner ankle" where they clip against the cranks.

Friction is friction. I don't think you'll solve the issue without lubing up your crotch... :eek::D

Lumen wrote: »

I've never tried cycling in a long coat, with or without concealed firearm. What's the technique? Do you sit on the coat, or let it hang?

Personally, I'd let it hang free and easy. No idea about the firearm though!

Waestrel

I want to make it clear, i have not been, nor am I, a Hipster. My jeans are not skinny, my phone does not have instagram.

daragh_

Waestrel wrote: »

I want to make it clear, i have not been, nor am I, a Hipster. My jeans are not skinny, my phone does not have instagram.

Hipstamatic. Instagram is for plebs.

The Big Lebowsky

I've always wanted to say this...It's very much a case of the wrong trousers..:D You might try some cycling specific ones instead..

aujopimur

Wear a thong when cycling, no more worn trousers.