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knee reinforcements wold be good…

I agree: on the knees for reflecting in the front.

Outside leg seams for full on Tron like effect. Awesome!

Reflecting suspenders, so your upper body will be visible from the front and back.

Reflective belt loops for additional visibility from the front, side and back without being blinding.

A cargo version of the pants could incorporate inside-out reflective pockets similar to the back ones but further down on the leg for added visiblity. @Stephen, this could work well with somthing like a narrow velcrow flap that could be flipped over when riding. Also they could be sold with a leather belt that can be reversed to reveal a reflective strip.

I would also love to see similar technology in a casual jacket. Something like this http://bit.ly/HlS1U, but using less ‘technical’ fabrics.

The deal with reflective material is that it can’t be placed somewhere that it’ll be abraded, which is why it’s probably limited to the inside of the cuffs and the pull-out pockets. However, reflective piping could be placed on the edges of pockets on the upper thigh – I think that you’d want to get as close to the knee as possible especially for cruiser style riding where the knee bobs up and down a lot.

The cuff is the best location since the motion from pedaling makes the reflector catch the eye of the viewer and it’s visible from the front, rear and sides.

It would be effective to have the pant with a snap or loop hook that would allow the end of the leg to be folded over itself to keep it tight to the leg.

The end cuff could then fold down instead of up so I don’t have to show off my socks. In the upright position it would be held in place by the snap for the fold.

it is a good design, i like it

The teflon reflectors would be nice on a pair of gloves. Better visibility when you show witch way you’re turning. it could be put on the gloves in an aroww shape, so its more clear for the car drivers

actually i think its a bit nerdy riding your bike with your pockets inside out. hems and cuffs – you never really know how long they stay in fashion. i would rather have a small side pocket (with zipper?) and inside it a ribbon of the reflective material and the ribbon can be attached to the inside of the pocket so you could just hang it loose or tie it around your thighs or ankles or attach it down the side with Velcro or button holes. after your done just bunch it up back into side pocket and nobody knows it was there. i hate to go out for drinks after work and after half an hour remember that my back pockets are still out…

Belt loops! More so then the pockets. You need to empty them everything you ride.

Biggest impact comes from larger areas so ideal would be a ‘patch’ on the pants at rear extending from waistline to coccyx level. Alternatively put reflective pockets on a regular cycling vest.

Personally I am keen to get a patch or strips that I can sew on to the back of my gloves to improve signalling visibility.

However, looking at the photos suggests that the heel spine of a cycling shoe would provide a reasonable area, a stiff, non abraded surface, slight curvature for multi angle (rear) visibility, and up-and-down leg movement to attract attention. => maximum effect for minimum cost!

Can anyone help design a torch for the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Singapore ???

Knees would be pretty nice, but perhaps make the pants less ‘work appropriate?’

Maybe something like a hammer loop on one of the legs?

Being more visible from the front is always awesome.

I would put teflon reflectors onthe upper thigh, on the outside from the hips to the knee for a good perpendicular view.

Include the teflon up the calf for even better visibility riding to work is great exercise, saves money and is one of the most efficient forms of transportation!

Instead of doing the whole pocket, I would just do the outside seams of the pocket in the back and the front… that will keep it reflective and stylish…

Inside the collar of the shirt maybe? But who wants to drive home looking like a douche with a popped collar?

Hmm… since safety (visibility) as well as aesthetics is an important consideration for this pants, i would suggest that the teflon reflectors would be extended from the cuff up to the hip (waist level). This is to provide extra visibility to drivers when the side of the cyclists are facing the car. It may not be strip but just buttons, such that you can still hide’em up when you are not cycling. Whereas for the reflector at the back pocket, i would prefer that it’s a strip instead of the whole pocket. It looks like your buttocks are shining! ^^

Could try reversible pants…or just continue with the cuffs, and reflective piping for all seams.

i also think the knees should de reflective too, so you can be easily seen from the front. however, it should be a reversible piece, so you don’t go flashing everywhere but on your bike.

sorry for bad english

As a die-hard bike commuter, I feel that side visibility is a must, so how about reflective material down the side of the leg? If it wasn’t a sold stripe, but maybe ‘dashes’ down the leg, that would be awesome. (And I really want a pair of these!)

It seems like everyone else has sorta covered the basis, so the only 2 cents that I have is that it doesn’t seem like they make these pants for women Although some women may find the men’s sizing to be a comfortable fit, a lot of us smaller gals probably won’t. Women bike to work too!!! My husband, however, is super psyched about these….

definitely need some reflectors up the outside seam and knees…and up the region notorious to plumbers. Why? because it’d be just plain awesome.

I would say a glowing belt or tube to attach to bag straps are in order….

That’s totally awesome…
I agree that doing the outlines of the pockets and seams would be cool.
Having a customizable slogan of reflective material along the leg(s) would also be fun. I’d probably put something like “If you can read this back up, darnit!” there.

On the front and back of the knees of course

stripes on outside of knee so when your leg is bent in the knee it forms an arrow when one swings leg out while costing one can signal turns with it instead taking hands of off handle bar while turning

NOWHERE DUDES!

Why do you forget that we are talking about Bike To Work Pants?! If we go on adding patches and pipes to increase the visibility of the reflected part, then we won’t be able to wear it at work… and that’d kill the whole idea!

If you are still hellbent on the idea of adding yet another concealed patch (i.e., the front pocket lining), then you lose each and every pocket of your pant… which again is not feasible.

So, the way these pants are designed is JUST PERFECT. Give me as it is cuz I don’t want to look like a nut while donning them in office!

I think it would look cool and be quite useful on the side as a long stripe where the seams of the pants are. And the front where the knees are would be useful too!

These are really good pants!

I agree with Derek – pin stripes down the side of the legs. I use straps – so no turning up the cuffs. Belt loops not so good since they would be covered up if wearing a jacket. These look really neat – fortunately when cycling to work, i just wear shorts and t-shirt!

the place in the second picture is the best, when the reflector is big or smaller, but IMHO it is better, as legs are moving and usually nothing is hiding(hope when a person has bags, he has reflector on his bags too).

Holy crap. Excellent feedback galore. Thanks to both Yanko design and its readers. We view all of our products as templates for improvement — in fact, I’m designing a pair of modern hobbyist pants that are bare, bare bones for the purpose of folks adding custom improvements.

Again, I really appreciate the feedback. For those who are interested, here’s what I was thinking when making these:

1. Bike pants make for silly work pants and vice versa.

2. I tried out a couple cinching mechanisms on the calfs and ankles, but they’d always stay a bit cinched when in “work mode” creating a wrinkly leg. So I decided to let folks simply roll and/or peg their pant cuffs (as per usual) and lined the inner leg with reflective teflon, so there was the added utility of reflection and grease protection.

3. The mudflap pockets really made the product for me — in that they’re ultra ridiculous, but very practical.

4. Future versions will feature thicker belt loops (so folks can more readily hang stuff from their beltline) but using reflective fabrics on these makes those elements very visible in “work mode.” Still uncertain about that.

5. We have sideflash pockets on our standard cordarounds pattern. This would provide side reflectivity. I’m going to test out this pants pattern with subtle reflective pockets in my next sample batch.

Ok, I’ll stop hogging the comments space for now. Glad to answer questions as they come in.

-Chris

On the knees!

I think they might look good in the sides of the legs or maybe just from the knee to the end of the pant..

I think a stripe/piping up the outer pant leg seams would work, give the pants a dressy tuxedo or “Southie Tuxedo” feel. Perhaps a reflective cummerbund as well? Bow tie?

The full leg stripe would give excellent side visibility and the motion of the pedaling legs would make it clear that shiny thing is a cyclist.

I’m a bike commuter and would love these pants. They would be a nice addition to my blinkies, reflective sidewall tires, pedal reflectors and headlight.

Possibly down the side of the pants, along the seem to hide the seam and give you a bit more visibility when someones coming towards the side of you, also give it a bit more flare as well.

I’m always a fan of reflective piping inside of the seam!

I think inside the zipper for those romantic nights!

back of the neck or a yield sign on the back of a jacket.

It would be neat if you could cover them up in case you were undercover or make them brighter to use as a flashlight in low light situations. Maybe i’m asking too much

Another note. Perhaps it’s not clear enough, but the reflective rear pockets are designed to be stowed away when you’re not riding. More on that here:

http://www.cordarounds.com/bike-to-work

-Chris

The belt or beltloops would be great, I agree with previous commenters. However, it would be great to also use some of 3M’s light reflective textile paint to add screened designed onto the pants as well.

I would add an inner sleeve or flap to the pants.
When you want visibility, you fold out and over the sleeve on-top of the pants fabric, maybe secure with velcro or a snap.

1) There is an inner sleeve is at the top (around the waist) and is 2 or 4 sections for easy fold out.
2) There is a sleeve in the cuff of the pants that can be folded out, it only covers about 2/3 of the circumference of the ankle (the outer portion)

The Rear (sleeves) of the pants is red or orange in color, the other portions are white. I understand that when light hits the reflective beads, it glows white, but part of visibilty issue is in the dusk period, when color still matters.

By way of design, adding in a triangle pattern might break up the monatany of all one color/blur at night. Or add non-reflective material to create the triangle pattern(s). Or maybe some other kinda of pattern (Wheels anyone?). Anyway that you do it, the perception goal is to make sure you are noticed and avoided, rather than creating a moving shiny target with extra bonus points for the inebriated motorists.

I like the stripe running down the side, it adds more 3 and 9 oclock visibility for the cyclist.

Would there be a way to have a couple flaps that fold down (visibility) for cycling, then fold up for business wear? I think fold down, because gravity will tend to keep them open even if a snap or fastener breaks loose during the big hill. Business use is more casual, so the holding up hardware has less stress. These flaps could be on the knees as other suggest, or anywhere visibility is needed. They would need to be tailored in to blend in with the fabric.

My final thoughts, would you make the entire pants reversible, or is the goal to quickly and modestly transition from Bike to Office? How many people can wear thier bike wear in the office (road smell, sweat, rain etc make for some funky threads)

hmm, I think they have the most useful surfaces covered. If pressed, I’d second the belt-loops idea. Visible from all sides, maybe ok to be from a different material than the pants themselves without looking silly…

Actually, I think the best complement might be a Bike to Work Jacket, with something on the back. A jacket would probably have to be stylish enough for work, yet versatile enough for biking: able to be scrunched in a bag when it’s too warm, maybe be layered somehow.

Overall: brilliant design.

Perhaps the belt straps would make a good slot for reflectors.. probably the stitching or whatever connects them to the pants.
Or maybe a flap that is connected to the inside rear of the pants. Just pull it out and over your waist. This way you don’t have to pull out your back pockets which could be holding items (wallet, keys, etc.).

Bike to Work jacket that can be scrunched up is a great idea. Thanks Phil

How about a turtleneck sweater where the turtle neck can be rolled both ways, one way showing the reflective fabric – not sure how comfy that would be against the skin though. For the ladies, I’d totally dig a shrug. Could simply be reversible, doesn’t have to have pullout pockets. or anything, and the arms could fold up a bit like the pants, for warmer summer days with added reflection – again given the fabric isn’t too uncomfortable to wear in a cut that is a bit tighter.

A note to to all those who suggest reversibility:

We’re big fans of this at Cordarounds. In fact, our jackets reverse into smoking jackets, which is fun. We’ve tried with pants, and the inner architecture of pants (namely the crotch area) doesn’t lend itself to reversibility as much as we’d like. We’ve found that pull-out pockets and roll up pants cuffs offer a broad enough reflective surface.

Keep the feedback coming though. This is great.

-C

I would suggest detachable suspenders with scotchlite lining. It would make the upper torso visible from front and back. This keeps with the wearable pants theme, but basically doubles the reflective area. Suspenders look kind of cool without the scotchlite anyway.

I think that the seams would be the next best place but it would have to be subtle.
I also think that it would work if the pants were reversible so that one could wear them inside out on the way to work and have all of it reflective and then just flip them in the bathroom so that they are regular pants again.
Another idea is being able to buy a lining for your pants that you already own so that they can act as reflectors so you can attach it to any pair of pants and or shorts.

hats, of course, trucker hats, long socks (especially the right foot which will have the pant leg rolled up), bottoms of shoes, angel wing attachments, gloves, and ++

++ i think the whole bike should be covered. hott.

knee would definitely be good place

Socks… but then i have to paddle backwards to have the full Michael Jackson moonwalk(moon-bike-ride) experience… HEE ee…shomon…

Outside Leg seams …

I agree that the knees would be good.

I’d suggest the side seams as well. It would also be great to have knee reflectors. Maybe a loop of reflective fabric that could be fastened to velcro or a button loop on the inside leg seam?

Maybe a back liner from waistline followed by the length of the pants then wrap around the ankle will be nice. Could be a cool retro design pattern.

The belt loops could be reflective.

Pinstripe stitching would be great during the day and not change the nature of the work look. You could do along the seams or in clusters as part of the fabric design.

I’d recommend the knees, as they’ll appear to bob up and down to anyone in a car and a moving object is more noticeable than a still one – this is why the reflectors embedded in pedals are considered to be highly effective.

Putting reflectors on the pocket opening so you wouldn’t have to flip your pocket inside out, cause that just looks silly. I would also like a pair of pants that converted to shorts like hiking pants. You could add reflection to the zipper flap there as well!

I second Anna – you could make pants for women! That would be a new place for your reflectors.

I think some sort of snap/clip something to hold up the rolled cuff would be good.

Also (as has been mentioned several times already) a narrow tux-style piping down the side would look good and be really reflective. I think knee patches would take away from the work-suitable aesthetic.

I like the idea of reflective pads on the knees. or just below the knees, maybe with a flap to cover during day use. Great Idea.

Reflective suspenders or a reflective crotch pouch that pulls out through the flies or over the top of the waist band and hangs down.

Trim on the outside of the cuffs/calfs if the pants are rolled all the way down.

Make the seams running down the side and just the belt loops reflective.

Reflective knee pads would definitely make these pants perfect!

I say put reflectors on the fly!

How about reflective piping sown into the seams down the side of the legs.

on the side of the front shins for head on visibility