General Cycling Discussion - Newbie needs recommendation for good shorts

Hi, everyone. I'm a relative biking newbie. I got started a copule of years ago, then hurt my back and have been off the bike for a year and a half.

When I was riding, my junk was always getting numb, even after pretty short rides. I have a good seat, and had help from a shop in getting the bike fit about as well as can be. It was suggested that my shorts might have been part of the culprit. People kept asking "do you have good shorts?"

Admittedly, I bought a pretty cheap pair from Nashbar. So can any of you recommend smething that's a good value and a good pair?

With respect to your LBS, they're full of crap. Numbness is almost always due to poor saddle fit (999/1000). Try a different LBS, try as many saddles with cutouts as you can (10min each - so go there when it's quiet so they can actually help you) and then buy the most comfortable one in your price range.

Here's some saddle fitting advice


Any Specialized dealer should have the Body Geometry Fit System that actually measures your personal sit-bones width:
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/specs/saddlefitgauge.jpg
. . . and they have varying widths of BG saddles to accomodate you and your riding style:
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/specs/saddlewidths.gif
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/specs/BGsaddlewidthchart.gif

That's the only quantifiable means I know to get close - - the rest is (literally) seat-of-the-pants evaluations. But maybe it will help. Personally I can't stand the Body Jihad line; but that is just me; YMMV.

If you're having pain, something wrong. padded shorts may mask the problem, but will not solve it.

1. Go and pay for a professional bike fit {$50 to $100** Something is bad.

2. Get a new saddle, your present saddle is not good for you. Besides the specialized already mentioned, look at the Fizik Arione and the profile tri stryke.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/saddle06.shtml

Even after you get the bike fitting perfectly, more expensive shorts are more comfortable than inexpensive ones. I bought less expensive shorts for years and the cheaper chamois bunch up. I finally saw the light this year and bought more expensive shorts and will never turn back. I am also riding a lot farther on the average and a lot more annual miles so it is even more worth.

I also wore shorts for 20+ years until I tried bibs last summer. The statistic that convinced me to try them was a poll that showed 90%+ of short wearers that tried bibs never went back to shorts. This is an overwhelming majority that I am now a part of. Shorts, never again.

The best value in cycling are Hammer Nutrition shorts and bibs as long as you don't mind wearing their logo. You get a top of the line Voler short for half price. I bought the bibs last summer and bought a matching jersey over the winter.

Bibs. Bibs, bibs, bibs.

I was ambivalent about bibs until I got my own pair. Used them two weeks ago, and they rocked. Took a ride yesterday in one of my regular shorts, and I was reminded of why I liked the bibs better.

Saddle type and setup will make a difference, though, too.

I agree with markhr. Try a different bike shop. If the bike doesn't fit properly, and if it did this wouldn't be happening, shorts, without making other changes, are not going to help.

It may be a simple matter of seat position (forward/back) or tilt. Or it may be that you just need a different seat.

But to answer your question: my favorite pair of shorts are made by Pearl Izumi. Sorry, I've had them so long I don't remember what model they are.

But I do know this for a fact: I will be in the market for new shorts very soon, and whatever I buy it will be bib shorts.

Obviously, it's time you started looking into recumbents. Cheap shorts are ok with the RANS Comfy Chair.
Mr. Johnson - friendly. http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/JanMM/comfychair.jpg

My Descente AeroX are extremely comfortable. Pearl Izumi is a good brand also. Try Ultrasensors and Microsensors.

Bibs. Bibs, bibs, bibs.

I was ambivalent about bibs until I got my own pair. Used them two weeks ago, and they rocked. Took a ride yesterday in one of my regular shorts, and I was reminded of why I liked the bibs better.

Saddle type and setup will make a difference, though, too.

+10

Saddle type and setup will make a difference, though, too.

+1. Tilting my Fizik Aliante forward 1 or 2 degrees made the difference for me. To the OP, different saddles effect different people differently as well. Since you're new, there's a good chance you haven't found the right saddle for your body and riding position. Keep looking. In the meantime, it helps to stand on the pedals every now and then to allow blood to flow.

I've been really happy with Pearl Izumi Attack shorts, particularly when they're on sale.