Giro Transfer Denim Jeans

Giro's Transfer Denim Jeans are a good solution if you're looking for a pair of trousers that will last the rigours of regular bike rides but will also be great for all that 'real life' stuff you do when you're not cycling.

Sometimes, you want to just jump on your bike to get to work or pop to the shops, yet you don't want to risk stretching or dirtying your normal jeans, or run the risk of seams rubbing in the wrong places. At the same time, though, you don't want to get in your bibs and jersey just to go wandering around Sainsbury's looking for bananas and milk. Giro's Transfer Jeans bridge this gap, delivering a pair of 'normal' denim trousers with a reinforced and gusseted crutch, slightly stretchy fabric, and reflective cuffs for enhanced visibility.

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In terms of looks, the Transfers could pass as a pair bought from one of those mysterious non-bike clothing shops… With the classic denim colouring and look, they easily integrate into your day-to-day wardrobe and could be worn off the bike without anyone casting you a suspicious second look. They're a relatively slim but not ridiculously tight cut, meaning they're fairly universal in terms of casual-styling.

On the bike, the jeans provide a comfortable ride. Given the relative slimness of the leg, they don't get caught up in the chain or rub on any parts of the frame (and there's always the option to roll up the leg, thus revealing the reflective element inside the cuff). There's just enough space around the knee and waist to allow you full and unimpeded leg movement. The material used is 98% cotton and 2% Lycra, this latter element giving the trousers just enough stretch and flexibility for riding comfortably.

For me, the most important element of the jeans in terms of ride-friendliness is the crotch. Anyone who's ridden in 'normal' jeans will be well aware that the seams can fall in all the wrong places, rubbing and chafing in all the places where you definitely do not want any friction. While the seams of these jeans are where you'd find them on any other pair, the crotch is gusseted and reinforced on the inside with an extra layer of padding which slightly eases pressure and takes the edge off any rubbing around the seams.

This reinforced patch is also designed to reduce the chance of fading and the fabric getting distressed over time, meaning they can easily become your go-to commute jeans without fear of getting ruined. With that issue in mind, it would have been nice if Giro had also reinforced the knee slightly, as from my experience this is one of the key areas where wear from rubbing knees can impact if frequently used on a bike.

Another nice bike-specific touch is the addition of reflective fabrics on the inside of the cuffs on the outer side of the leg. If you roll the jeans up for your ride so as to eliminate the risk of any dirt messing them up or your chain catching on them, there's an element of added visibility for riding in traffic.

In terms of fit, the size 32s I tested fitted as any other paid of 32in trousers I have. They are a little on the long side, though not massively so, and they look good off the bike with a small turn-up anyway.

Price-wise, the jeans initially struck me as quite expensive at £79.99, but they compare well with bike-jeans by other brands, which seem to range from around £70 a pair up to £150. If you're looking for alternatives at a similar price point, the Resolute Bay NX1 jeans were reviewed highly favourably, and if you want 'trousers' rather than jeans, these Velocity Men's Climbers trousers are worth a look. Female-specific jeans are also available, such as this pair by Vulpine and these from Rapha.

> Buyer's Guide: Top clobber for casual cycle commuting

All-in, the Giro Transfer Jeans offer a nice solution for those times when you want to pop out on the bike for social commitments or work and not in Lycra. They look like normal jeans, and so can be comfortably worn out and about, but have been built to withstand the rigours of riding. The reinforced crotch and Lycra elements improve ride comfort, though I wouldn't fancy riding in them for too long on an aggressively fitted road bike for fear of developing any saddle sores. For shorter rides, or riding a more relaxed fit bike, they're just the job.

Verdict

Look great off the bike and perform well on it; a solid choice for short commutes, leisure rides or no rides