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Riding a bike while wearing a business suit...

The Louche

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Aside from the obvious perils associated with sweat, can this be done? Will trousers get chewed-up from the saddle? Is any other part of the suit going to be subject to un-due wear or strain? My boss is considering this and I want to hear if it'll work from someone that has actually done it.
 

kylelovesyou

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Lots of people do it. I'm sure the saddle is rough on your pants, but overall I wouldn't want to do this with anything I'm not willing to see ruined.
 

bigbris1

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Don't bike in your suit unless you are ready to let it go without any regrets.
 

Master Squirrel

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I've done it. (In fact old dress pants are where I get my bicycling shorts.) Usually left the coat, shirt and tie off (rolled in pannier) and rode in my undershirt. Tuck pant leg into sock. The saddle will not affect the trouser haunch as most of your weight will be on your sacrum and your legs are far enough out from the tongue to rub. (Walking will subject them to more rubbing.)
 

uhurit

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Don't ride a bike wearing a business suit unless you are a model at a photo shoot and posing for a glossy fashhion mag
 

youngScholar

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+1 for taking off the jacket and shirt.

I don't see it working too well in hilly areas where you have to push hard and sweat.

Maybe you could keep a spare suit at work?
 

Brogued

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Originally Posted by Master Squirrel
I've done it. (In fact old dress pants are where I get my bicycling shorts.) Usually left the coat, shirt and tie off (rolled in pannier) and rode in my undershirt. Tuck pant leg into sock. The saddle will not affect the trouser haunch as most of your weight will be on your sacrum and your legs are far enough out from the tongue to rub. (Walking will subject them to more rubbing.)


Good advice. I've done it plenty. What is certain is that if you don't tuck or secure your pant leg in some way, you will get bike grease on your cuff.
 

dsmolken

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Sure it's doable, I don't bike in a full suit very often but in wool trousers about 4 days a week year round. IME they wear out faster if they're tighter-fitting. If the thighs are roomy there's not really any unusual wear, though. The main risk is ruining your suit in a wreck.

Being able to button the lapels to cover your chest and neck is very nice on cool mornings, but I don't know if it's easy or worth it to add that functionality to your suits. I have a shooting jacket like that, though - it's great for biking.
 

lasbar

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Originally Posted by The Louche
Aside from the obvious perils associated with sweat, can this be done? Will trousers get chewed-up from the saddle? Is any other part of the suit going to be subject to un-due wear or strain? My boss is considering this and I want to hear if it'll work from someone that has actually done it.

Don't do it...

You will damage the suit and you will like a prick.
 

cptjeff

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Originally Posted by Brogued
Good advice. I've done it plenty. What is certain is that if you don't tuck or secure your pant leg in some way, you will get bike grease on your cuff.

Or worse, get the hem caught between the sprocket and chain, which will do a pretty fair number on most any pant.
 

Brogued

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Originally Posted by cptjeff
Or worse, get the hem caught between the sprocket and chain, which will do a pretty fair number on most any pant.



Yep, that too.
 

dsmolken

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Oh, and leather soles + bicycle pedals is not a good combination. I topy any leather-soled boots that I plan to bike in.
 

Cary Grant

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Paging anybody from Amsterdam...

I watched about a third of the Concertgebouw orchestra cycling to their gig in tie and tail, cello cases strapped to their backs.

smile.gif
 

patrickBOOTH

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I would be really concerned about scuffing up my shoes on the pedals and such. You know those times when you hit your heel on the pedal and it spins around fast and smacks into your shoe? Wouldn't want to be wearing nice leather shoes. Wouldn't want to be seen wearing a suit on a bike with tennis shoes either...
 

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