Road Cycling - Does anyone here NOT wear bike shorts when riding?

Just curious, Ill wear them for long rides (comfort purposes) but for shorter rides 15-20 miles I just wear a good pair of sports type shorts.

Am I the only one that does this?

Same here.

For tooling around like for ten mile rides or so on my mtn bike I NEVER wear biking shorts. Whatever I have on usually does fine. Regular shorts, blue jeans, whatever. I get some strange looks at times, but in ten miles or so - hey, what can go wrong?

If I am going to go for a RIDE (20-35 miles) on my road bike, well, of course, I get all spiffed up in my Lycra, biking shoes, Jersey, etc. You never know just WHO you might meet!! :D

I never take myself very seriously!

I wear goofy looking plaid tennis shorts and cotton tees. I get looks from the average folk who are dudded up in cycling shorts and jerseys. I have presently ridden about 37 miles this way, but may look into some shorts when I start riding further. I imagine the padding would make a difference.


Dax

Nope.

If I don't wear cycling shorts I don't get on a bike.

Cycling shorts make so much difference that I just cannot wear ordinary shorts on a bike again.

I've worn cycling shorts once. You can be I'm going to be wearing them more often, though, since I paid for the darn things! I haven't noticed much of a difference so far except they don't go up your butt. That was the pair with the chamoise. I'm going to try the gushy gell ones on my next 30 miler. I shift around a lot, though, when I wear regular cotton/spandex bike shorts.

10 miles is about my cut-off point. For most of my riding around town I wear polycotton shorts in warm weather and for the rest of the year its windproof hiking trousers or athletics leggings. In really cold or wet weather I'll add a set of pertex overtrousers.

Mostly when I wear cycling shorts, Ill have leggings over the top anyway.

I always wear 'em. Wouldn't want to deal with the time out of the saddle cause something got hurt.

Actually, I don't "always" wear 'em. Just when I'm cycling.

Carl

I'm on your same program. Regular shorts up to 15 miles.

I noticed that when I am in biking shorts, repositioning myself and moving around in the saddle makes little differance in my comfort. I just sort of stay mostly comfortable the whole time. When I wear a casual short, I can wiggle and stand up and move around and get real comfy, every 10/15 miles. However, I tend to be more comfy overall in biking shorts because I don't have to wiggle around as much. Its almost a 50/50 thing for me.
I do think that when I wear biking shorts, people in cars give me more respect. :confused:

Maybe they like my butt..

You can ride a bike for less than 15 miles?

Seriously... on my road bike, always shorts -- bibs, in fact. When I ride my utility bike or even if I ride my 'cross bike to the university [2.5 km] I'll wear ordinary shorts. I'll sometimes cheat and wear cycling half shorts underneath, though...

I just brought a pair yesterday, but had them returned. They fitted fine, but it went all the way up to my chest! I look like Steve Urkle (sp?). :roflmao:

Can't seem to find my size. My legs are too skinny. I need something with a small leg opening.

Is this a trick question? Why would I not want to wear bike shorts on any ride? If I ride I go to my bike clothes, grab shorts and jersey, and that's it. Oh, yeah: I put them on before I go out to ride. That's enough to think about. Why start messing around with other clothes? Bike clothes are the most comfortable clothes for biking. That's why we spend good money on them.

Rich

Road bike - over 10 miles, better where the spandex bike shorts... Shorter rides or trail rides I wear normal athletic style shorts. My ATB has a Serafas (sp?) anatomical gel seat that does great off road...and anything under 10 miles is comfoartable regardless of shorts worn...(as long as I wear something! :p )

Originally posted by Stinger9oh
Is this a trick question? Why would I not want to wear bike shorts on any ride? If I ride I go to my bike clothes, grab shorts and jersey, and that's it. Oh, yeah: I put them on before I go out to ride. That's enough to think about. Why start messing around with other clothes? Bike clothes are the most comfortable clothes for biking. That's why we spend good money on them.

Rich


Why? Because they look ridiculous.

Hence, I only wear them on long rides. I dont think the question was too confusing.

I do not bother with rides under 25 miles- so I always wear bike shorts. I find them extremely comfortable.. Without them, suspect my rear would look like a monkey's at the zoo. Regular shorts my rear hurts and I get trapped on the horn. Those not wearing them must not go on long rides.

I always wear bike shorts for serious riding, but I just wear regular shorts for my 5 mile commute. I feel silly not wearing appropriate garb when riding my road bike, but would feel equally silly prancing into work in lycra.

but would feel equally silly prancing into work in lycra.


I know that feeling. I ride to work 38kms/24miles and get a lift home, so I wear all my cycling gear in including tights (winter here) to work. The staff are used to it by now. Occasionally there are some staff who don't recognise me with my helmet and sunnies.

Today I got a lift in and will be riding home so I have to change at work, come 4pm I will be walking out the front door dressed like a courier.:D

CHEERS.

Mark

Sometimes, on my winter commute, I will wear wool pants or my work clothes with gaiters.

Otherwise, for distance riding, I always wear bicycle shorts.

Other shorts/pants can really abraid the skin - especially on top of the thighs.

I wore cotton shorts on a 150 mile two-day tour. YEEEEOOOOOOWW! Man, when the cotton got wet and clung to my legs, it just shredded my skin.

Heah, Work is 26 miles.My rear would really be raw, w/o cycling shorts.. As in a grocery store, when I enter the work site and head for the shower- I put on nylon shorts over my cycling shorts.
When I shower up, I also wash out my cycling shorts and jersey so I can feel good on the ride home the following morning. Let them flap on a rail outside. Good thing cyclists don't wear underwear- that would really be weird. Luckily most people go home at 4:30 pm.
a 26 mile ride and a shower really gets you awake for the night shift.

Hell yeah!

Padded skins with khaki or gym shorts. All the better to assimilate with the normals when grabbing the post-ride coffee. That's not to say that getting dressed to the nines in lycra doesn't have some appeal; it has it's place on group rides and races, or when you just don't care.

Originally posted by rat
Hell yeah!

Padded skins with khaki or gym shorts. All the better to assimilate with the normals when grabbing the post-ride coffee. That's not to say that getting dressed to the nines in lycra doesn't have some appeal; it has it's place on group rides and races, or when you just don't care.

Exactly my thoughts.
If I just go out and ride 15-16 miles for fun I rarely put on my bike shorts....I only wear them if I ride more than that...I dont get problems/discomfort either. On long rides I would and wear cycling shorts in that case...but otherwise I just cant see putting the lycra on for pleasure rides. Plus I love to get looks from the fashion police roadies who seem to think you have to dress in your ONCE or US postal team gear in order to even sit on your bike.....I will never understand that mentality.

http://home.mindspring.com/~rhorne/naked-rider.gif
I tried this once when I was younger and riding on a country road.

Now I always wear cycling shorts. I rarely go for short rides. If I do I guess I'll try regular shorts.

I'm not sure I understand all the comments about appearance in bike clothes. As long as modesty concerns are covered:) what real difference does it make what one is wearing when they go to the store?

My wife is concerned about "helmet head" when we stop to grab a snack while riding. She actually goes to the lady's room to remove her helmet and comb her hair. It always amuses me when she does this. She does it out of personal pride rather than vanity, but it still amuses me.

When I'm working in the yard and am all hot and sweaty and need something at the hardware or garden store, I hop in the truck and go to the store. My wife finds out and says you didn't change and shower first?

Maybe I lack the appropriate level of personal pride.

Carl

This thread got me motivated, and I went out and bought my first pair of cycling shorts today, and threw in a Jersey to boot! Whoa what a difference it made! I am definately now a convert.

It was spontaneous shopping, so I paid $ 40 for the shorts, Giordana makes them. They seem decent enough, but I tried on several sizes from Med. to XL and they all seemed to fit. I couldn't really tell much of a difference. So what are some of the nicer shorts out there?

The only reason I care about this thread is my co-workers think cycling clothes weird and co-cyclists think it weird not to wear cycling shorts.
I wear the shorts because the saddle causes fewer water blisters on my rear and the rear difinitely hurts less. Only part of me that hurts on long rides is the feet and hands. That is enough pain, need no more. Plus I don't find my clothes getthing ripped on the horn of the saddle. Plus, I get tired of people thinkin one way or the other about what we wear.
They are comfortable, functional and colorful enough to help us to be seen by motorists. Don't wear dull colors, your life depends up it.

I have done a four tours ranging from 2800k to 4600k (and a few shorter) using ordinary sports shorts and cotton t-shirts without too many problems. I have also done two double centuries wearing that, and it did get a bit uncomfortable after 200k.

This year I have used a cheap pair of bike shorts, but recently got a nice pair of bibs and my first jersey, and I don't see myself going back to sports shorts on either training rides or tours. When riding to town (5k) or to the university (1k) I still use ordinary clothes, of course.

/Csson

On a similar note, what, if anything, do you wear under your shorts?

i wear cycling shorts for most rides unless they're really short -- usually about 3-4 miles is the cut-off -- otherwise it's not worth the extra time to change and maybe bring clothes with me.


On a similar note, what, if anything, do you wear under your shorts?

i'm one of the few (i think) who wear underwear UNDER my bike shorts. i wear poly-pro briefs under my bike shorts, mostly the ones you can buy at REI for $10-15. i do so mostly for comfort b/c i find without the underwear things shift around too much and since i ride almost every day i can use bike shorts for 2-3 days and just change the undewear --- i already own about 5-6 pair of cycling shorts and buying more at $35-60 so i have a fresh pair for every day is expensive (i too lazy to do wash more than once a week - usually once every other week). and i find no negatives to wearing poly-pro underneath - they have the same or better sweat-wicking properties and are quite comfortable - just don't wear cotton briefs under the bike shorts b/c they get nasty wet with sweat really fast!

Originally posted by Niall
On a similar note, what, if anything, do you wear under your shorts?

Nothing, just chanel No 5 (no, that was Marilyn Monroe)

Originally posted by Niall
On a similar note, what, if anything, do you wear under your shorts?

I am one of those strange persons who always wear plain old Jockey-type briefs under their biking shorts.

I know, I know - all the "purists" will write to state just how awful and wrong I am. Please don't, I have heard it all.

I will only say that I have done this for four+ years now, have over 13,000 miles this way including centuries and supported tours, and have NEVER had any problem of ANY kind.

In the meantime, those of you who subscribe to the "no undies" school have long conversations about bag balm, how to treat your latest chaffing and sores, baby powder, and whatever. BUT, I have had to have NO conversations with anyone abour anything of the sort.

I truly believe that bacteria get caught in the chamois that is almost impossible to get out even with washing and is the cause of many of your woes. I believe those "awful" briefs catch those bacteria and they are easliy washed and cleaned. Also, I can wear the same bike shorts for several days in a row without washing, simply changing the undies daily (or more often if I like).

Okay all you complaining, chaffed, sore, bag balm smeared, corn starch covered and baby powdered folks, have at me!!:D

Originally posted by DnvrFox
I truly believe that bacteria get caught in the chamois that is almost impossible to get out even with washing and is the cause of many of your woes. I believe those "awful" briefs catch those bacteria and they are easliy washed and cleaned.
Everyone knows that bacteria doesn't grow at your high altitude and in all that clean air. :D


Also, I can wear the same bike shorts for several days in a row without washing, simply changing the undies daily (or more often if I like).
:eek: Does the EPA know that about this?

Have seen several threads and articles regarding bike shorts and underwear. When starting out I wore regular clothes. So did my wife. we both found it irritating to ride for any distance. So we decided to try bike shorts. Much more comfortable but still irritating on longer rides. Then I discovered the notion of wearing no underwear. We both found that to be more comfortable for us.

Now we both have multiple pairs of shorts. We sometimes cheat a bit and wear them more than once between washings.

We're not to concerned with appearances, just comfort.

Carl

Originally posted by DnvrFox

I truly believe that bacteria get caught in the chamois that is almost impossible to get out even with washing and is the cause of many of your woes. I believe those "awful" briefs catch those bacteria and they are easliy washed and cleaned. Also, I can wear the same bike shorts for several days in a row without washing, simply changing the undies daily (or more often if I like).


For killing off the microbes that might be caught in your chamois, why not try soaking your shorts in 95% alcohol (cheap and easy to find at your local drugstore). Here at my work, I have to do several things in sterile conditions, and we use 70% ethanol to wipe everything down to kill any bacteria or fungi that might contaminate our stuff.

As for the shorts issue, I still do not own a pair of bike shorts. My weekend rides are 30+ miles; last weekend I did a 150 mile overnighter with just mesh shorts and a fitted T-shirt. This was on a gravel trail, mind you. And not once did I feel uncomfortable. Maybe a little hot and sticky down there, but nothing a nice cold shower couldn't cure. I take a small amount of pride in being the "ghetto biking king". Well actually my old roomate is the king... maybe I'm a knight :). However, I have a feeling I am going to give in soon and abdicate my throne to someone else... I've been considering buying a pair for a while... I'm just too proud to actually do it :)

It's like getting your first microwave oven. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Carl

Like a lot of others, I find anything over 10 miles to be much more comfotable in cycling shorts. I've found that 8-panel versus 6-panel, and thicker lycra (I think it's 8oz versus 6oz) shorts and thicker chamois to be mich more comfortable on longer rides. Better support or something I guess.

How do others feel about the bibs versus regular shorts? What is the advantage and are they worth the extra money?

Likewise with the high-end clothing like Assos. Assos bibs can cost the better part of $200 US. Are they worth it?

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For killing off the microbes that might be caught in your chamois, why not try soaking your shorts in 95% alcohol (cheap and easy to find at your local drugstore). Here at my work, I have to do several things in sterile conditions, and we use 70% ethanol to wipe everything down to kill any bacteria or fungi that might contaminate our stuff.

You seemed to have missed my point which was I don't have to worry about all of the above because I wear undies!!

oh... i got your point :)... i was just makin a suggestion for those out there who prefer to wear them the normal way :)

Originally posted by deliriou5
I take a small amount of pride in being the "ghetto biking king". Well actually my old roomate is the king... maybe I'm a knight :). However, I have a feeling I am going to give in soon and abdicate my throne to someone else... I've been considering buying a pair for a while... I'm just too proud to actually do it :)

I was the exact same way...then this thread motivated me to go out and get a pair. I was suckered into a jersey as well. Let me tell you, the difference is monumental. I can't believe it! The shorts make riding so comfy you'll love it, and no more riding with all my gear in shorts pockets. I can put it all in the jersey back pockets :)

Some folks have asked about bibs. I feel that good cycling shorts give you the feeling that you are riding naked but with support where it really counts. As free as you can feel in clothing. Bibs do it best because you have no constriction at the waist and they don't sag down and bag in the fanny. I like bibs so much I wear suspenders with my regular cycling shorts--I still have the bit of constriction in the waist but the shorts stay where I want themn to. KMart has strong, body-friendly suspenders for about 6 bucks.

Rich

if the ride is over 20km long, i wear my lycras but for like biking to work (12km) i dont bother

My thinking about cylcing shorts- the tension of cycling shorts keeps the saddle from inserting itself into crevices where we want to feel unhindered by foreign objects. Anything else just does not work... Agree with comment cycling shorts make you feel free, yet with support. Cover up with nylon shorts if you have to deal with people and feel a need to be conservative.
Lots of sports you wear revealing clothing. No one is paying attention to you while you are on the bike. Wonder if the ocassional whistle I enjoy from females passing me by -would occur if I were miserable and cycling in 501 Jeans.?? doubt it.?
I suspect the professional cyclists think they look really cool and are proud of their uniform...I would be... I think the coolest looking pro cycling kit is ONCE? It is their chance to show what the sport has done to make them look the role of the super athlete. If we can make ourselves look fit, why not advertise it.. Is that not what women do, when they spend all Spring in the Gym and all Summer in a bikini. Men who look really fit have their way of advertising too. Do not most of us want to look buff to attract the opposite sex?
I don't do this to end up, wearing farm overalls and flannel shirts.

hmm... went 43 miles today... and today was actually the first time ever i felt any kind of discomfort that was annoying enough that i had to rest and dismount for a couple mins. sheesh... you guys are forcing me to spoil myself :) bike shorts... here i come!

LOL my friends will never forgive me for crossing over. Oh well.. they never have to find out, right? :)

I know you will not regret it. Your friends will get used to it. If you are going to do any serious riding and are not into self-mutulation; you will see there are reasons for this bit of clothing. To stop co-workers from hassling me; I just told them, it is what I had to do to stop my water blisters from bursting in the chairs at work.. Rarely do I get water blisters anymore. However, once in awhile there still is a slight numbness down there- in spite of the chamois' protection. But that is better than water blisters, that can lead to infection..
Should you ever get saddle sores down there, while on a long tour- never go without your ' Gold Bond' ointment..
ps- be sure the chamois is of good quality. I like the chamois that is hydro-filled..