General Cycling Discussion - What is your favorite brand of bike shorts?

I don't know if this has been covered in a previous thread. A search for shorts returns tons of stuff.

I have just gone through my first few pairs of shorts. They were prey cheap ($20 each). They only lasted about a year and I had hoped they would last longer. Now that I have to get new ones I'd like to buy some that may wear better.

What brand of bike shorts do you think is a good brand for functionality and wear?

I have just retired 3 pair of Pearl Izumi Microsensor shorts that had lasted the better part of 3 years. These seemed to hold-up great, little or no wear on the lower inner thigh area etc. Just decided it was time for new shorts. (LBS clearance them this time of year). :D

I've tried Nashbar, Performance, REI, Canari, and Pearl Izumi (Attack and Ultrasensor). On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being excellent) here are my ratings. :D

PI = 8
Canari = 5
Nashbar = 3
REI and Performance = 2

Some day (after I win the lottery) I might try Assos and Castelli.

I like the fit and comfort of the Voler bibs, but the don't wear very long. Other than that, I like Louis Garneau bibls, and I have a pair of Oakley bibs with the Castelli chamois that I like very much.

I've got 2 that I really like but they are
pricey; Castelli dome bibs, and
Etxe-ondo which has the best chamois I have used.
I also like the Garneau's, they're my favourite
shorts, I don't have Garneau bibs.

Marty

I honestly at my age and experience dont care much for the brand names. MEC stuff is great! Comfy, cheap, lifetime warranty on normal use.

my volers are my new favorite pair!

Voler makes my favorite shorts. I must agree with velocipedio, they're not the longest lasters, but very very comfortable.

Originally posted by velo
Voler makes my favorite shorts. I must agree with velocipedio, they're not the longest lasters, but very very comfortable.

Don't Volers seems to run small? I have a 33-34" waist, I wear Large shorts (men's) and they still seem tight. I hate to think I need X-Large.

My favs are Performance Century Gel Bibs... have 5 pairs. Worn them on several century rides and one longer ride. Work the best for me and the price is definitely right.

PBW

My new favorite are the Etxe Ondo Power bibs. Lotec is right about the chamois in these. Very comfortable and fit well on me anyway. I haven't had them long so I can't comment on wear though.

Tom

Performance makes so many different shorts at so many price points that I think you have to specify which ones you're talking about before you judge them.

I've switched exclusively to their Elite bibs (not the thinner "summer" ones). I had two pair that I wore for thousands of miles last year and liked them so much I just ordered two more. The original two show very little evidence of wear.

RichC

I like my Cannondales the best!

I have fairly limited experience... there are a ton I have never tried. Of those I have, I'm with PBW... Performance Century Gel Bibs. I think one of the things that is unique about them, and make them work for me, is that they have no seams of any kind in the chamois.

any short that allows me to show off my girlish figure is a good one!

Originally posted by Bobsled
Don't Volers seems to run small?

Not that I've noticed. I take the same Voler size that I take in other shorts. Don't worry, an X-Large is nothing to worry about. That just means you have more muscle than you thought! :)

Originally posted by roadbuzz
I have fairly limited experience... there are a ton I have never tried. Of those I have, I'm with PBW... Performance Century Gel Bibs. I think one of the things that is unique about them, and make them work for me, is that they have no seams of any kind in the chamois.


Exactly... seams are killers for me. I have 2 old pairs of shorts that are fine for anything under an hour. But if I wear them out for a longer ride, I always end up feeling those seams and almost always have a sore after the ride, and yes, I use the Assos Chamios Cream everytime I ride.

I've also taken to loving the bib. I even switched to bib tights. No downward slippage, no strings breaking, no knots I can't get undone.

PBW

If the volers are on sale next year I'll get some. I really like the Garneau shorts, though, very comfortable, so far the best.

You can't go wrong with MEC. The fit is much better then my Louis Garneau's and they are a thinker material too. Reflective surfaces on the side as a bonus as well.. And PRICE... man, you can get 2 shorts at MEC for the price of one at a LBS!!

Joe

The Giordana ONCE Team bib-shorts are probably the most comfortable.

Richard

I like Giordana too. They're a bit harder to find tho than say P.I. :(