General Cycling Discussion - Bike shorts

I'm trying to find a good pair of bike shorts. A lot of "padding technology" out there. Is gel better than chamios for instance? I'd like to keep under $100 if possible. Any feedback appreciated!

i find with bike shorts you get what you pay for. my faves for under a hundred are Castelli K.i.s.s. shorts. really quality at a reasonable price.

voler (http://www.velowear.com). I like them. Well made. Decent price. Gel shorts make me feel like I have a load of you know what in my shorts. Good Luck :)

First time I saw the Castelli logo on shorts I thought it said Castrati, not a good name for bike shorts :)

a

Ditch the shorts and go for bibs.

Also, go for a long inseam.
Having them reach down as close to knee as possible is a comfort factor for me.

I actually got a couple of decent pairs at Academy recently for ~$30 each. I haven't worn them for any long rides yet, but they do just fine for 45-90 minute rides.

<nomex on>

BR

Bibs are definitely the way to go. Voler highly recommended as great value.

bibs definetly. pearl izumi's are nice, and can be had for $65-$100 or so.

Why bibs over shorts?

- Don

Why bibs over shorts?

- Don
More comfortable.

For me bibs dont slide down below my beer belly, then reveal cleavage at back.

I'm trying to find a good pair of bike shorts. A lot of "padding technology" out there. Is gel better than chamios for instance? I'd like to keep under $100 if possible. Any feedback appreciated!

The performance Ultra bib, one of the best bibs for the price!

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/10_5222BLK.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19896#

80 bucks.

I personally ahve the elite shorts which work great but step it up and go for the ultras.

Thanks to all you bike nuts for repsonses. I can honetly say now that I am more confused than before. No, just kidding. The bid idea is a good one for the "belly issue".

velowear.com just started a sale on bib shorts... $10 off, so only $49.95 + shipping now. They're customer service and return policy are excellent, too. They'll pay the return postage + reshipping if you need to exchange size.

clickety click... (http://www.velowear.com/product_detail.asp?productid=1110047%20BLK%20XSM&promo=JUNE1EM)

I actually got a couple of decent pairs at Academy recently for ~$30 each. I haven't worn them for any long rides yet, but they do just fine for 45-90 minute rides.
BR

Only long rides, metrics or centuries, reveal the quality and comfort of cycling shorts.

I have both Perfomance ultra Bib and Voler. I preffer voler a bit better.

First time I saw the Castelli logo on shorts I thought it said Castrati, not a good name for bike shorts :)

a
You should try ASSOS!

i have no trouble keeping my small microsensor 3d shorts on. i could proly go without tying em and still be fine

Velowear....I have a pair on right now. Shorts. I do not like bibs.

I have both shorts and bibs in PI's Ultrasensor. I prefer the bibs for overall comfort. Bought Pearl Izumis because they sell them at the LBS and they come sized for big guys. I still would like to try the De Marchi Contour Plus bibs.

Not having a seam between the butt and seat is very important. I've only tried the gel's once and had numbness issues with them just like I do with gel seats.

Most comfortable I ever had were wool with a real leather chamois.

The performance Ultra bib, one of the best bibs for the price!

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/400/10_5222BLK.jpg

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19896#

80 bucks.

I personally ahve the elite shorts which work great but step it up and go for the ultras.

Performance has a sale on these in their recent catalog. 129.99 for two pairs of bibs.

Bibs are the way to go, I would never ride regular shorts again. Bibs stay up, they don't slide down. The only thing I miss about regular shorts is the ability to pull them down and hook them on the back of the seat just as you break away from a group and drop them. Nothing like sending the ultimate "moon" message as you disappear up the road. Really helps me get away. The rest of the group is laughing so much they can't get a chase organized.

The only thing I miss about regular shorts is the ability to pull them down and hook them on the back of the seat just as you break away from a group and drop them. Nothing like send the ultimate "moon" message as you disappear up the road. Really helps me get away. The rest of the group is laughing so much they can't get a chase organized.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/ozstubacca/Smileys/spit.gif

LMAO! Never have tried that... but what a sensational idea!

Only long rides, metrics or centuries, reveal the quality and comfort of cycling shorts.

No doubt--that's why I included the caveat. That said, the cheap Academy shorts work just fine for a quick morning pre-work ride.

BR

i find with bike shorts you get what you pay for.
Maybe if you picky. I bought a pair of $20 Nashbar shorts, have over 3500 miles on them, wash them 6 days a week, used for all day rides and they have held up fine and I don't have a single comfort issue with them. Before iIgot these I bought a pair of $70 PI shorts and they fell apart at the seams after two rides, so I returned them and got the Nashbars, comfortwise they seemed about the same.

Al

I like the Nashbar/Performance liquicell shorts. Nice long inseam and very comfortable. Stay away from the gel inserts, they are too thick and cause discomfort if you stay out long.