Southern California - Does anyone have a favorite brand of cycling shorts?

Different shorts, different fits, 6-paneled pads, etc. etc. Just a random question, so I know which brands to buy. Pearls, Surgoi's...

You'll probably get better response out in the general forum.

For me with the standard Cannondale roadie seat or the Fizik Airone...

Good:
- PI microsensor (bib) - thinner/cooler fabric than the other shorts I have
- Performance Ultra (bib)

Ok:
- PI ultrasensor (bib) - the fabric of the chamois get those little "cotton ball things" after a few washes

Bad:
- Sugoi Ultimate - ok on shorter rides, painful on longer rides (>20miles)

For women I like Terry or PI. Haven't really been enamored with other brands.

I like the Performance (Elite's?)

Different shorts, different fits, 6-paneled pads, etc. etc. Just a random question, so I know which brands to buy. Pearls, Surgoi's...

My current favorites are Desoto Sports (http://www.desotosports.com/home/index.asp) 400 mile bibs, though I see they have hiked the price from $110 to $134 for the new year :(

I love the 8 panel Pealr Izumi, but they're expensive. A good substitute seems to be Aussie (does anyone still sell those anymore?). I only own 1 pair of 8 panel shorts, which I use for my long rides. All of my shorter rides are done on the cheaper, less comfortable, 6 panel shorts.

I need to cut the elitist mentality and try a pair of Performance shorts.

I like the specialized BG's but they are expensive. I also like the Voler's. For mt biking the Fox shorts are all I use.

another "for women": i like performance ultras.... i wear those for all my long rides.... i've tried the PI sugar shorts (both old and new chamois) and they are only good for about 20 miles....

I like my Performance Ultras too. Only reason I have two identical pairs is because they were on sale at practically 1/2 off when I got them on two separate occassions. I'm not too picky with brands. I found with shorts, you generally get what you pay for.

I like the specialized BG's but they are expensive. I also like the Voler's. For mt biking the Fox shorts are all I use.
+1 The BG's used to be my favorite, all of my team stuff is Voler. This week was the first time in a few months that I wore the Specialized, and I didn't like them nearly as much as I used to. Voler is very reasonably priced, probably the best short for the $$$. Some day I'll try Assos bibs :)

which volers? when i look at their site... they have a couple different ones!!!!

shorts: Canari Elite Gel - w/made in USA tags

knicker bibs: Cannondale - w/made in Totalitarian China tags

(both at US$50 mark!)

Another gal here.

I prefer all things Castelli. Specialized makes a nice short, too. I even like the Trek Criterium for the price. The PI and Sugoi chamois are too big for me.

i want to try specialized shorts... but they are so expensive! i LOVE LOVE LOVE my specialized MTB shorts! also love my oakley mtb shorts!

which volers? when i look at their site... they have a couple different ones!!!!
I think they're the "Peleton" bib shorts.

which volers? when i look at their site... they have a couple different ones!!!!


I have both the Peloton bibs and shorts, great buy too.

When I started riding I wore the Voler shorts. I later purchased DeMarchi Contour Plus Bibshorts, on sale. I was hooked, the chamois pad was so superior to the Voler. Plus the seem to wear better. Our cycling kit shorts are Louis Garneau. Nice shorts but still not as good as the DeMarchi.

I recently purchased the Specialized BG bib shorts, they are a close second to the DeMarchi bib shorts. The nice thing about the BG shorts is they are optimized for use with their BG saddles. Very comfortable.

Since I can't yet afford a pair of Assos bib shorts, my next purchase will probably be another pair of DeMarchi bib shorts.

Descente Aero bibs.

Why would you wear bibs vs. shorts or vice-versa, personal preference? Does distance have anything to do with it?

For some, the elastic band of shorts around the waist is a problem. To others it may be a problem with the shorts slipping down. To me, I just don't like the feeling of cool wind on the bare back gap between the jersey and the shorts if I'm bent over the wrong way. :)

Believe it or not, but on most of my centuries, I wear the REI $45 brand. I love them - the chamois is there but thin (which works better for me for some reason) and I just love the fit. I bought PI tour shorts for my doubles, but with centuries or less mileage, I stick with the REI brand. I'm not a big PI fan. Their arm warmers and leg warmers (so I've heard) are awesome, but their shorts, jerseys and gloves haven't held up for me.

Why would you wear bibs vs. shorts or vice-versa, personal preference? Does distance have anything to do with it?
The upper support (straps) keeps the chamois in place, aslo no waist band is nice. Once I gave bibs a try, I've never worn shorts since.

Canari Elite Gels

Why would you wear bibs vs. shorts or vice-versa, personal preference? Does distance have anything to do with it?
I already have a weird farmer's tan on my arms and legs...I don't want one on my lower back where the shirt rides up off the shorts. Plus, they don't slip down. The pad stays in place--I make fewer adjustments when riding. They're more comfortable: no waist band. :)

Pearl Izumis. Tried Hind once...total crap. I'd like to try a pair of Nike's, but I can't find a dealer (online).

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/181,24802_Giordana-Tenax-Cycling-Bibs-For-Men.html

These! I now have a 3rd pair. $59.00 if you use Google Checkout! Great bibs!

Voler Avanti (bibs or shorts) best for the money.

Descente and Cannondale.Favorite non club shorts. BUt, then my bike club has it's own club gear. Over half of my rides are with the club, so that's what I normally wear. The clubs' shorts are by Surgoi. Pretty nice.

I've got Performance Century shorts and the Ultras, plus a couple pair of LG's. I like the Ultras best...not too much pad and they have been okay even on a Century ride. I use the others mostly on the trainer.

Sheldon

Castelli Y-Pro 3's bibs are my fav's. I have a 4 or 5 pairs of Sugios that I like, but for long rides I grab the Y-Pro.

I used to like Giordana Tenax best (the ones Raiderdave links to above, at a GREAT price, btw). And still love them. But I just bought a piar of Pearl Izumi aerosensor, and they are pretty sweet. Only a couple rides in them so far, but they got everything right... if you like the longer fit.

Lately I don't have much of a choice, 'cause I just wear whatever the team is ordering.

I'm pretty pleased with the chamois in the Santini bibs from last season, but the legs are a little short, and they tend to ride up when you're wearing knee warmers. Not so impressed with Castelli, the chamois just wasn't as comfortable.

In the past I've been pretty happy with Pearl Izumi shorts, but those are $$$. If I had stupid amounts of miney to spend maybe I'd try out a pair of Assos bibs, just to see if they're worth the premium price. For what those cost it better be like pedaling along with your a** planted on a fluffy cloud.

I like the $5 Canari's at the wherehouse sale, because I'm cheap.

I've got Performance Ultras bibs which I just baught last month and I think they are the best for the money. My second choice is between PI attack and Zerie USA bibs. The Zerie are a bargain, but are thicker then both PI and Perf. Performance look and feel the best and that is just my opinion.

big fan of voler bibs...whichever ones it is my shop got...theyre nothing fancy and they have a nice thin pad(which works for me...). right now(if you dont mind schilling for them...) hammer nutrition is having a huge sale on their stuff(their shorts have voler's upper level pad as well....)...but thats just me...

I've got Performance Century shorts and the Ultras, plus a couple pair of LG's. I like the Ultras best...not too much pad and they have been okay even on a Century ride. I use the others mostly on the trainer.

Sheldon

A week before riding the Cool Breeze Century last summer, I bought a pair of Performance Century shorts, and they worked great: not so much as a rub in 102 miles. I promptly bought a second pair, and they're the ones I reach for, usually.

Now that it's winter, though, I'm re-discovering a pair of Nashbar Gel tights that I bought last year. They're really comfortable and fit well. I also bought a pair of Voler knickers, and they're OK except that the leg elastics are much too tight--leave grooves on my calves.

Merry Christmas to all, BTW.

Bernie

I recently tried out the Boure Elite bib and I like it more than the PI. Cheers

I am not really brand specific. They just have to be bibs. After trying a pair a couple of years ago I will never go back to that elastic band. I think my favorite are my Nike 10/2.

Nike 10/2 bibs for me :)

I like the Pearl Izumi Microsenser 3D Pro bibs.

assos mille with santini and biemme a close 2nd..

i find the sugoi rs flex to be quite good.

I have an older pair of PI Ultrasensor shorts, and a few Performance Century shorts. Unfortunately they both have changed their designs in the past year. The material, cut and sizing are all different. Right now I am at a loss for affordable shorts. I did try wool shorts from Kucharik, but the fit is odd. They are quite comfortable otherwise.

Pearl Izumi Microsensors so far. I'm trying to get used to the Castelli Y-Pro. I want to check out the Capo Forma line.

+1 Performance Ultra shorts.
The sizing is on the small side, so if you're on the borderline between sizes, buy the larger.

i like the pearl izumi ultrasensor shorts. which i only buy when i can find them on sale.
i also like the nike dry fit shorts, which are cheaper but also good.
canari made a great warm weather short which was perfect but has seen so much use and washing that i am now told people can see my butt when i'm wearing them. so...they only go under regular shorts for trips to the store or whatever.

i've had TWO pairs of cannondale shorts. bad. and bad. they both fit way too tightly in the thighs and seem to bunch up near the crotch.

performance shorts and the cheaper PI's and cheaper canari's have all seemed too stretchy and their pads can leave me with saddle sores if i'm out for more than 10 miles.

Use to like PerlIzumi but, they kept wearing out so fast.

Switched to Giordana and did 5 doubles this year in Giordana bibs. There expensive but awesome and I haven't worn them out yet.

I haven't had trouble with PI's wearing out. In the last three years I've done 2 triples, 14 doubles and numerous centuries. Some of mine are 5 years old and still going strong.

carnari brand, why cuz they only cost $5 each:D I have 8 tights, all different thicknesses and what not, so I pick the shorts according to saddle time. I also have 3 of their baggy shorts, which are great too and again only $5:D

i have some voler shorts that i spent too much on but they fit great.

I would really like to get into some assos, but for 200 bucks my 10/2 and PI's will work just fine.