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TECH NEWS
2021 Fermain Urban Trousers 3Time to bin the bike shorts for your commute? British startup says its "ideal" urban cycling chinos plug gap in the market
The fledgling British urban cycle clothing startup Fermain has revealed its new Urban Trousers, styled like classic chinos but with the addition of cycling-specific design features. Fermain says the chinos are designed to plug the gap in the market for attractive yet practical clothing for city cyclists, and are the first in its upcoming line-up of casual cycling clothing.
Fermain says they found “there are still only limited options for cycling clothing: sportswear that's comfortable while you ride, but looks ridiculous when you reach your destination, or normal clothes, which are usually impractical and don't perform well on the bike.”
Some cycling brands including Vulpine and Rapha might have something to say about that, as both of them already have urban trouser options... but let’s check out what Fermain’s chinos have to offer.
The Urban Trousers are available in both men’s and women’ styles. The men’s version features an adjustable ankle straps on the right side to keep the trousers close to the ankle, while the women’s are cut to a 7/8th length with a tapered fit that it said to ensure you’re clean of the chain.
“Normal trousers can leave your lower back exposed, we've designed the curved back waistband for increased coverage on the bike, while remaining discreet off the bike,” says Fermain.
The 97% cotton, 3% elastane fabric composition promises to flex with your movements, while keeping you cool and dry.
The front pockets have YKK zips for securely storing valuables while on the move. These are also fabric matched for a seamless look.
Fermain says the Urban Trousers are manufactured sustainably in Portugal.
The Urban Trousers have been launched on Kickstarter, with more cycle clothing said to be in the pipeline for launch later this year. By pledging £55, you can get the Urban Trousers for 50% off estimated retail price.
Expected shipping to backers of the project on Kickstarter is said to be in October to November. At the time of writing, Fermain has raised £3,456 of its £16,000 crowdfunding goal with 29 days left to go.
All the usual Kickstarter rules and regulations apply which can be found here.
If you fancy pootling around in some snazzy urban cycling trousers of your own by the autumn and want to back the project, you can head to the Kickstarter page over here.
Anna has been hooked on bikes ever since her youthful beginnings at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit. As an avid road and track racer, she reached the heady heights of a ProCyclingStats profile before leaving for university. Having now completed an MA in Multimedia Journalism, she’s hoping to add some (more successful) results. Although her greatest wish is for the broader acceptance of wearing funky cycling socks over the top of leg warmers.
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22 comments
What an outrageous set of lies! As your article indicates, there are already plenty of options for the cycling commuter from the likes of Rapha, Vulpine, Spoke, and others. I have four different pairs of cycling trousers, complete with adapted waistband, stretch, zip pockets, reflective tape (when you roll them up). My favourites are made by Swrve: they're practical and comfortable and absolutely fine to wear at work.
I even once had a pair of Levi's "commuter" jeans, but they were hopeless, clearly designed by someone who had never seen a cyclist's thighs. Spoke, by the way, let you choose a cut based on what kind of tree trunk your thighs resemble. I'm so sick of these charlatan kickstarters who rely on people who don't bother to research the market.
My commuter jeans fit, albeit tightly, but they were absolutely shredded in a crash on the way to work. I walked in with most of one of my bloody thighs exposed. Synthetic only from now on. They get scuffs and small holes.
I had woven pure wool jodhpurs when I was a motorcycle cop way back in the 80's.. came off once, sliding down the road a fair way - nary a mark on the wool, much less my leg.
Wow! It's as if modern fabrics had never been invented- might as well go back to Norfolk Jackets. I wonder why people are fighting to pay more for stuff that's less good for the job?
can anyone identify the very sensible-looking black bike?
Very sensible, yes, but also it's pricey, because it's an e-bike. It looks to be this: https://www.fullycharged.com/desiknio-sp-urban-ebike
ah, yes. i saw a powered front light but no dynamo. that huge drivetrain ratio makes more sense with it being assisted.
It isn't but it looks very like my BMC Alpenchallenge O2 ONE (there's also an AC 01 ONE which is lighter and faster).
Belt drive, hub gears, flat bars, mudguards as standard, fittings for a rack (not on the AC 01). The only thing missing is a dynamo hub.
Also worth looking at the Cube Editor or Hyde Pro/Race for similar specs.
The gap I'm worried about them plugging is the one between my chain and my chain rings, followed by the black mark that'll be left on the trousers.
Nope, I don't hold with bicycle clips.
"The men’s version features an adjustable ankle straps on the right side to keep the trousers close to the ankle"
Quote is from the article.
I have some thin shock cord that I have tied into a loop which I use to hold trousers back, at my destination I can simply roll it down and it sits loosly above my shoes and is barely visible (black as per socks and shoes) if I forget to fully remove it. Aslo very handy if I jump on the bike to nip to a shop at lunch time etc as there is no need to get any cycling kit etc on
Never considered just tucking the trouser leg into the sock? Works a treat, instant, and if I'm wearing trousers I'm already wearing socks!
years ago someone from road.cc (I think) quipped that after years of struggling with the same thing hipsters then came along and just rolled up their trouser. 😉
I remember back in my school days it was a thing among certain groups to walk around with one trouser leg rolled up. I never considered they were cyclists keeping their clothes away from the chain.
My dad tucks his right trouser leg into his sock.
Deuter do a very nice wide velcro trouser band for exactly this - keep meaning to buy one and try it.
For now, it's still trousers tucked in socks.
I may give these a try if they're shipping to the US. I have various trousers that I commute to work in and wear all day at work, but on even the best of them the seat wears thin or starts pilling after 1-3 years.
Edit: never mind. All the mens' sizes have 79 cm / 31" inseam for some reason. They won't look like normal chinos if they're showing an inch of sock while I'm standing.
There is also a disclaimer about Customs/International shipping charges too.
First thing I spotted - the inseam looks ridiculously short. I normally take a 34, or a 36 in cycling clothing if it's available. Helps to plug the ankle gap when they ride up in a cycling position.
I normally wear Rapha cotton rain trousers that I acquired years ago and still going strong. Look pretty normal too.
I commented about this on their Facebook page. They've jsut messaged me to say they're now offering 34" inside leg too. Unfortunately my suits are 35" and most of my jeans are 36" so probably still no use. Though I did buy a couple of pairs of SWRVE jeans recently with a 34" leg.
The Spoke bulletproof trousers are a great cycling-specific casual item, and they come in a wide variety of sizes
https://spoke-london.com/products/bullet_new_navy
how do the bulletproofs wear in the seat? I have bought several premium brand blue 'Cycling' trousers but all get the pale arse look that screams bike wear. Doesn't look good when working, or generally when not standing next to a bike.
Pale chinos tend to be better but still looking for dark blue that won't go light in the seat.
> plug the gap in the market
...
> women’s are cut to a 7/8th length with a tapered fit
Isn't that the definition of 'pedal pushers'?
I tend to wear Brasher's men's stretch walking trousers. But 4 pairs of the same thing is a bit much, so I might get some of these if the price is reasonable.