With trail pants becoming the norm for many mountain bikers and casual cyclists alike, the industry has responded with more and more options. You can now choose from tight-fitting performance-focused trail pants to relaxed and casual options.
The Madison Freewheel Trousers are very much at the relaxed end of the best MTB pants spectrum, and at £49.99 are a relatively budget option. Madison proclaims the Freewheels to be a true all-rounder, comfortable on the trail as well as commuting on the road, but can they really handle the rough and ready of today’s trail riding?
Design and materials
Madison has tried to cover all the bases with the Freewheel Trousers, with the cut being much more relaxed than the Madison Flux Trail Pants that I recently reviewed for Bike Perfect. The fabric is a lightweight four-way stretch affair (92% Polyester, 8% Elastane) which is wind-resistant and has a fine grid pattern. The fabric has also been given the DWR treatment to fend off splashes on the trail.
As mentioned, the cut is quite relaxed with a gentle taper to the ankles and the knees have been articulated to allow for uninhibited pedaling and provide enough room for decent-sized knee pads. Closure at the waist is very basic, with a zip and popper fly and integrated webbing belt. The waistband has printed silicone detail at the rear to help keep them in place and two rearward-facing zipped pockets on the thighs to provide storage for essentials.
The Freewheels are available in Slate Blue (tested) and Black, in sizes S to XXL, and are also available in a women’s version in the same colors from sizes 8 to 18.
Performance
I’ve been testing the Freewheels over the past few months in the UK, with weather conditions ranging from cold and damp to warm and dry. I’ve been wearing the size small, which fitted my 32in waist and 32in inseam legs well. The fit is on the more relaxed side of things, particularly from the knees downwards. The cut is nicely tapered to avoid too much fabric flapping in the wind, but they’re not tight around the ankles or clingy against your calves. The articulated knees don’t have any stretchy material inserts to help with movement or ventilation, but they do have plenty of room to accommodate knee pads. As an example, I’ve been testing them with the downhill-friendly Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guards without any issues.
The fabric feels slightly budget, but that’s to be expected at this price point and has still been comfortable to ride in. The Freewheels have done an admirable job of fending off trail foliage, which is a hidden benefit of riding in Trail Pants on overgrown UK trails, and the fabric has survived to tell the tale without any snags or tears. The DWR treatment has helped with the occasional puddle splash but won’t keep you dry in a downpour. Pockets on each thigh are big enough to accommodate a phone and keys and have been orientated rearwards, such that items sit towards the rear of your thighs, keeping them out of harm’s way and preventing them from bouncing around when pedaling. The waist closure method highlights the budget nature of the Freewheels. There’s nothing wrong with the zip and popper fly, but the integrated webbing belt is very cheap looking and has a fiddly-to-use and adjust plastic buckle.
Verdict
On the trail, the Freewheels performed well and I didn’t experience any bunching of material or slipping at the waist. Pedaling felt uninhibited and comfortable with or without Kneepads. The lack of any perforations or ventilation panels did mean the Freewheels tended to run a bit warm when the weather heated up, or when I was putting in extended hard efforts. Even though the fabric feels basic, the Freewheels have stood up well to three months of use. There is the usual slight discoloration to the seat area, but there are no other signs of wear and tear.
At less than half the price of many Trails Pants on the market, the Freewheels have proven to be very versatile, offering great value for money.
- Price: $TBC / £49.99 / €TBC
- Materials: Main Fabric Fibre Composition: 100% Polyester (recycled)
- Sizes: S to 2XL
- Colors: Slate Blue (Tested), Black
