Riding pants... Help!!!

[mtelam]

I have been shopping cyclegear/general internet for a few days now. And I have NO IDEA what I am looking for or what to shop for as far as riding pants go.


I commute daily. Working on riding in the rain. I go to the mountains 1-2 a month. And I don't want to wear them at work. However, I am willing to either wear over pants or change each day. OR... having two pair of pants. One for commuting and one for more distance/twisties riding.

I am completely oblivious to riding pants, and I don't want a full suit. I already have a jacket (honda racing replica, red, black, with a white stripe). I'm also looking to pick up a pair of ICON Field boots. I want any, all, and every opinion and comment on options and gear that works. I'm 6 ft 220lbs. Not a small guy.

[Bill3508]

I'd get a pair of overpants for your commute to work and a pair of good riding leather pants for your off day extended riding. I'm currently shopping for some overpants as I've got a pair of Joe Rocket Speedmaster 5.0 pants that I wear for long rides but currently just wear jeans to work. I work on the docks at UPS so the last thing I want to do is try to squeeze into some leathers after sweating my butt off loading trucks.

[eersfanpilot]

I had a buddy once tell me when I asked him how much I should spend on a helmet; "How much is your head worth"?

The same logic could apply to all your gear. However, if you are like me and many others, you can't afford to go dropping top dollar on gear all the time. There are a few options out there. You could check Craigslist and the classifieds on here. I got a great ICON jacket off a member here for $40!

I am 6'3" tall and could not figure out what I wanted as far as pants also. I decided to put my own set up together and got some tactical pants from BDU.com http://www.bdu.com/F522082001.html and put some ICON Field Armor under them. http://www.rideicon.com/showImage.jsp?class_id=11076&image_type=fullsize&rank=100

The reason I did this was I intended to reinforce the pants with 1600 denier polyester in all the critical zones (haven't gotten around to this yet) so they would give the same friction protection as designed riding pants but still have all the great functionality of the tactical pants (comfort, size (needed a 36 inseam), and POCKETS!!!) Also, I like having the ICON leg armor in case I have to throw on a pair of nice pants or jeans, or even my flight suit, since I do ride to work quite often. I like having the multi functionality of my set up, even if it is not traditional and currently not as protective as say some name brand riding pants.

[Ga-Bandit]

go talk with Niki at Cycle Gear in Lawrenceville. There are allot of good sales happening and some round the corner.

Does your legs get cold or stay warm in winter? In summer? What will be 75% of the riding you do?

A good set will be water resistant and come with liners (winter and rain). I prefer the ones that zip to the waist.

[A&A Motorsports]

^ What he said^

Go talk to the people at Cycle Gear and one of the great people there will def. help you find what fits your riding style.
Their staff is great + if you're not happy with the purchase you can always exchange it for something else.

[Gypsyangel]

If you get an overpant, look for one that unzips ALL the way up the legs. This makes getting them on and off much easier.

Most all weather pants can keep you dry in a drizzle, but only frogg toggs will keep your crotch from getting soaked in a typhoon. Basically, waterproof pants work great most of the time, but get stuck in a long downpour and you'll eventually get soaked.

We like our Olympia pants for touring, but I also have mesh Joe rocket pants for hot summer riding.

[mtelam]

I'll check CycleGear. I like the guys here in Cobb. But I wonder if the one in Lawrenceville is bigger than here in Cobb.

eersfanpilot: I like your set up. At least for my daily commute. Hard day at the rivet gun and there is NO WAY I'm getting in leathers. But I would like something less complicated for my longer rides and weekends.

By the way, there is a zipper in the back of my joe rocket jacket. I'm assuming they zip to a pair of pants. But is it ALL pants? ALL Joe Rocket pants? Or only some of Joe Rocket pants? Or, worst case scenario, a specific pair of pants?

My Jacket is 2009 Red/Black with white lettering and a stripe. Its Honda Certified race replica or something like that. Got it on sale at WOW for like 65% off.

[Eagalicious]

I wear the TourMaster mesh set. The pants zip all the way up the side of the leg. They are cool in hot days and warm in cold. I have ridden in 17 degre waether with this set. The wet weather liners kept me nice and dry. The only drawback to mesh that I found is that it DOES retain water and when you hang it to dry, put something under it to catch the water. The outer pockets are not water resistant, so use the inside pockets for electonics in the rain. Just my 2cents

http://i650.photobucket.com/albums/uu227/Eagalicious/ATGATT.jpg

John

[Ga-Bandit]

I'll check CycleGear. I like the guys here in Cobb. But I wonder if the one in Lawrenceville is bigger than here in Cobb.

I like to talk with Nycool (Niki) in Lawrenceville.

The Marietta store has too many times told me something ummm....incorrect or....um.... not complete and Nycool (Niki) in Lawrenceville has provided me with the "right" answer.

Just about everyone at the Lawrenceville store is competent. It's out of my way 90% of the time but that's where I go - better selection usually too.

[mtelam]

Thanks Ga-bandit. Lawrenceville here I come!