Traverse City Record-Eagle

Life

July 28, 2010

Former dress pants get new life

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Darts make the difference.

Precise, neat and ingenious, the darts transform a pair of discarded men's pants into ReNicks bicycling nickers. The brainchild of Dennis Bean-Larson, ReNicks is part of his Hell Yes clothing line, which the realtor-turned-retailer sells both through his Fixed Gear Gallery website and shop at the Grand Traverse Commons.

His vision became reality thanks to Mary Bergmann of Suit Yourself Sewing. Over the past two years, her Kingsley shop has crafted 250 pairs of ReNicks for Bean-Larson, just another of the unusual small production runs that are Bergmann's specialty.

Bean-Larson met bicycling knickers five years ago during his first Fixed Gear Symposium, a gathering of fixed gear enthusiasts from around the country. Captivated by the urban yet dressy look, the 20-year cyclist gave up Lycra. He traded bright and tight-fitting shirts and padded shorts for the classic styling of men's pants.

"We got exposed to some other cycling fashions styles from other parts of country," recalled Bean-Larson, who runs the Fixed Gear Gallery with wife Katy. "They're cooler and they don't get caught in your chain."

After buying a few pairs, Bean-Larson started thinking of offering them himself. He harvested some new or nearly new pants from Goodwill and went hunting for someone to make them. Bergmann was able to execute his vision, which included the articulated knee and, hence, the darts.

Sold mostly mail order, ReKnicks include another Bean-Larson touch: each pair includes a swatch of fabric in a pocket to repair tears from bicycling mishaps.

The former dress pants, usually wool or other quality fabrics, suit an urban riding lifestyle.

"There are a lot of people that ride fixed gear in town, riding to work, the bookstore, going out to dinner, and you really can't do that with bike jersey and Lycra shorts," said Bean-Larson. "You wouldn't want to go to Amical with your girlfriend who was dressed normal, or on a first date, wearing Lycra"

— By Carol South

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