Fifty Plus (50+) - Those new bike shorts...

...really made a difference on my ride today. I'd been suffering on rides recently, so decided to replace my cheap basic bike shorts with a name brand version. The new shorts have a huge pad, and for the first time ever, I didn't think about my bottom while cycling. I'm done with cheap shorts--will pay money for the good stuff from here on out.

What brand?

I've found that aerotech's $50 shorts are as good as you can get compared to name brands and that the Velowear Ion pad shorts are the very best, regardless of cost ($75 on sale, $90 when not on sale)

The flimsy pad on basic cheap shorts. MIght as well ride in your whittie tighties. Pad is so thin, as to be worthless.

I'm hooked on the Voler's 8-panel cycling shorts myself, these shorts work well for me......

What brand?

These are Pearl Izumis. I think it's called the "Race" model, but I bought them at the LBS, and their tag label is kinda vague. Eighty-nine bucks. The short also compresses the leg better than the cheapies.

Yup, I switched from cheap Bellweather's to PI a few years ago. Good stuff.

I prefer the thinner pads.
To each his own.

If you are willing to pay $89, definitely look at the velowear:

http://www.velowear.com/products/1110180BLKXSM.aspx

They can be bought for about $75 on sale. I've found they offer more for the money than PI's, although the PI's are very well made. Keep them (and all lycra) out of the sun when drying.

I have been wearing Pearl Izumi shorts for 3 years now. They are great.

If you are willing to pay $89, definitely look at the velowear:

http://www.velowear.com/products/1110180BLKXSM.aspx

They can be bought for about $75 on sale. I've found they offer more for the money than PI's, although the PI's are very well made. Keep them (and all lycra) out of the sun when drying.

Thanks, rodrigaj. They look interesting, and I'll keep them in mind--when they're on sale.

I have never worn any of those standard spandex shorts. I get baggies with linings. They feel OK to me but I am curious if any of you who have ridden in both see a significant difference in comfort.

Never wear shorts and surprised no-one has mentioned them.

Bib Shorts

Pic attached.

I have never worn any of those standard spandex shorts. I get baggies with linings. They feel OK to me but I am curious if any of you who have ridden in both see a significant difference in comfort.

I've seen a big difference in them. I could never go back to wearing the baggies. The lycra shorts provide more support, wick moisture, prevent chafing and NEVER catch on the saddle when dismounting.

I have never worn any of those standard spandex shorts. I get baggies with linings. They feel OK to me but I am curious if any of you who have ridden in both see a significant difference in comfort.

I've ridden both (baggies on my mountain bike), but the baggies did get caught on the saddle, plus snagged branches more often, so now I'm back to road cycling shorts (Pearl Izume or Giordonna) on or off road.

To each their own though. Like saddles, what works for me may not work for you.

Rick / OCRR

I have been wearing Pearl Izumi shorts for 3 years now. They are great.

+1!

I have never worn any of those standard spandex shorts. I get baggies with linings. They feel OK to me but I am curious if any of you who have ridden in both see a significant difference in comfort.

I have one pair of baggies that I bought when I did more mtb riding. They are ok, but I perfer road shorts even on an mtb.

I'm a little partial to Giordana Tenax ($90 -100), but have a great pair of Louis Garneaux's and a pair of Hincappie's that seem good. My rule of thumb is: One dollar per mile. If you want to ride 100 miles in comfort, pay $100 for shorts.

...really made a difference on my ride today. I'd been suffering on rides recently, so decided to replace my cheap basic bike shorts with a name brand version. The new shorts have a huge pad, and for the first time ever, I didn't think about my bottom while cycling. I'm done with cheap shorts--will pay money for the good stuff from here on out.


,,,,,,,,Amen,,,,,,,,,

I have been wearing Pearl Izumi shorts for 3 years now. They are great.

ME 2,,,,,,,,well,,,,,6 years,,,

I find you get what you pay for. PI is okay, but I prefer my DeMarchi bibs to any of the others I own.

And bibs are definitely preferable....

Everything goes right when your bike shorts fit tight.

(OK, not too tight.)

...really made a difference on my ride today. I'd been suffering on rides recently, so decided to replace my cheap basic bike shorts with a name brand version. The new shorts have a huge pad, and for the first time ever, I didn't think about my bottom while cycling. I'm done with cheap shorts--will pay money for the good stuff from here on out.

Always buy the best tools you can afford. The same goes for bikes and their accessories. You'll do a better job, more comfortably, and you'll spend less in the long run. I wear Louis Garneau shorts and my 50+ jersey.

I agree about baggies. I bought a pair with a gift certificate to try them out. They're okay, but I far prefer road shorts, even on mountain bike rides. Now I save my baggies for rare cases where I care what someone thinks when they see me (like when I ride with kids from my 6th grade class - they're not ready to see me in lycra shorts!)

I've spent a lot of money over the years on shorts that didn't quite feel right. I finally settled on Performance Century shorts, and now I always have at least 4 pairs. The only problem is that they seem to have shrunk their sizes over the years. I used to be XL, and now XXL feels right. (I know what you're going to say, but I weigh the same and have the same waist size.)

I just bought a pair of Descente bibs and love them. I had some cheap Canari's and they didn't do it for me. When it's time to buy shorts spend a little money...be smart, but don't scrimp.

After the above photo compliments of stapfam, all I can say is, "Insanity is hereditary... we got it from the English".

Never wear shorts and surprised no-one has mentioned them.

Bib Shorts

Pic attached.

I had been thinking about getting a pair of bibs, but after that picture, I'm not so sure:D