query for the room

[kaberett]

Since I have started cycling at all again, I have had Multiple pairs of leggings and trousers wear through at the crotch much faster than I expected them to. I don't remember this happening last time I was using a bike regularly (so, 2012) -- have I just forgotten? is it that I'm fatter? is there Something Cunning I Can Do About It? is this what cycling shorts are for???

Advice gratefully received!

Comments

[angelofthenorth]

This is what the reinforcing on cycle shorts is for.

[ewt]

For some of my jeans/trousers I reinforce the relevant area using sashiko, which seems to help. Wearing cycling shorts underneath does not appear to help, and I generally can't be bothered.

[madgastronomer]

Cycle shorts underneath don't work because the wear is from the fabric rubbing against the fabric on the opposite thigh, not from the fabric rubbing against skin. Cycle shorts are supposed to be worn as a garment on their own.

Sashiko is good, though.

[ewt]

I have exactly zero care for how cycle shorts are "supposed to" be worn. I think people who like to wear them should wear them however is comfortable for them, whether that's on their own, underneath trousers, or underneath skirts.

Personally, once I found a saddle that fits me properly (a non-trivial process, to be sure), I found the padding of cycle shorts more hassle than it's worth. I don't really choose my daily clothing according to whether I'll be cycling that day, I cycle in whatever I happen to be wearing. I will tie up ankle length skirts or tuck very wide legs trousers into my socks, but it isn't strictly necessary given the chain guard etc.

[madgastronomer]

You have misunderstood me. It was not “this was the plan so you have to do it this way,” it was “they work in the way they are designed to work, they will not work that way if you wear them in a different way”. Not a “should”, only an “is”.

I don’t care anything about how you wear your clothes, my point was entirely that they physically cannot protect your pants from wear if they are under your pants.

[ewt]

Apologies, you're quite correct that I misunderstood. Thank you for the clarification, which in retrospect shouldn't have been necessary.

[madgastronomer]

It happens! Glad we could clear it up.

[madgastronomer]

You've probably put on weight on your inner thighs, that will absolutely do that. Seconding sashiko or bike shorts.

[starlady]

Yup, it happens. I ask my roommate to patch my jeans and trousers in the crotch, by the time the patches wear through they've generally also worn through in the knees and are sorted for recycling/rags/etc.

[harpers_child]

Clothing production has gotten significantly shittier in the last 5 years. Are you comfortable putting in your own reinforcing layer preemptively? I've done that with pants in the past.

[emperor]

I have always worn my trousers through at the crotch, 'cos cycling. You can now get casual-trousers-for-cyclists which are reinforced in the relevant places, but I've not seen any that particularly appeal and they tend to be expensive.

Cycling shorts are to protect you (bit of cushioning, no seams to chafe), not your clothes; I find them super-good if I'm going to be on the bike for ~and hour or longer, and don't bother for shorter rides. I've not managed to wear through any yet...

[vass]

Any hormone changes that might have affected fat distribution?

[kaberett]

Not really -- I haven't been taking any T at all since May 2021 for reasons of Migraine; I think it's mostly that I am significantly fatter (neutral!) full stop since last time I was cycling.

[vass]

*nods* I knew that about the T, but wasn't sure when you last cycled relative to that. Also there's the cyst.

[roadrunnertwice]

This is how every pair of my pants always dies and I DON’T have a solution for ya. 😑 (context: I bike to get everywhere, and am skinny but with wide legs.)

The longest lived pair of jeans I have is a pair of lady Carhartts that fits pretty loosely. The crotch denim ain’t especially reinforced, so I’ve been wondering if the looser fit has any relation.

[lnr]

As well as relative width of thighs compared to previously: different saddles will cause rubbing in different places too, which could be a factor (unless you're riding the same bike as before in which case nah).

[kaberett]

Same bike, yep!