Mountain Biking - Spandex shorts in or out?

What are your oppinons on spandex shorts for men are they better than baggies? why are they not or why are they better?

from a new person to the mountain bike scene needing the right clothes.

I think its all personal preference. I ONLY wear spandex if/when i race, other wise its either the cargos some gym shorts. I dont really like spandex because of comfort, and if you ask me it looks stupid if im just gonna go freeridin for an hour.

Must say I as good as always wear spandex, but then again almost all of the time when I get on the bike I'm out practising XC. I like the spandex a lot, especially when you're out biking for a couple of hours.

I tell ya, I've been wondering the same thing. I am fairly new to the whole thing too, and have decided that some shorts made for the purpose would be nice. I have been leaning more towards baggies myself (as long as they have a liner) but merely for the aesthetics. Baggies with no liner seem pointless to me and since I am finding it hard to tell if a pair has a liner or not (either they just don't list it or most of the ones I have looked at don't) I am leaning more towards just buying spandex and wearing regular shorts over them.

Wow this is a record. A 5 year old thread is definately the oldest bring back I have seen.

I seen one reincarnated from 1999 earlier this year.

I wear the spandex shorts pretty much every time I go out. I hate getting baggy shorts stuck on the front of the seat. When you get stuck on the seat, either you don't go up or the pants come down.

I'd rather look like a dork on the trail and get a good XC ride in than getting stuck on the seat when shifting my weight around. Then again I wear spandex for my road bike too, so I'm already used to it.

Who cares. Wear what you like. Leave the fashion crap to the die hard roadies. I got both only to make sure I don't run out of clean stuff if I'm riding a lot. Baggies 99% of the time even on the road bike. Non bikers don't act as stupid when you walk into 7-11 with them on.

I have a long pair of spandex, but I wear it under my pads and a pair mor shorts, Im not about to go skin tight just yet :)

Wow this is a record. A 5 year old thread is definately the oldest bring back I have seen.
At least you know he used the search button. To be honsest I also don't pay attention to dates when I'm doing a search.
:)

I wore spandex when racing mtb, road, and tri's so it was only natural for me to pull a pair on when I got back into MTB riding. If I only did downhill freeriding, I'd probably go with baggies but when I'm out on the trail (or even just on the pavement, for that matter), I'm moving around so much on the saddle I couldn't imagine wearing baggies. I go from having the nose of the saddle on my tailbone for climbs to having my chest on the saddle for tough descents. Too much opportunity for baggy shorts to catch on something for me.

Eeeww, spandex. <shudders> You will never, ever catch me in spandex. I dont care if Im racing or XC or FR or DH or AM or WTF, you will never ever ever eve catch me in spandex. I love these Azonic Catalyst shorts, I have three pairs!!

http://www.okto.com/mall1/images/a4/L960648.jpg

If they made adult sized versions of thoseI would buy them. Too bad they don't fit my thighs.

Eeeww, spandex. <shudders> You will never, ever catch me in spandex. I dont care if Im racing or XC or FR or DH or AM or WTF, you will never ever ever eve catch me in spandex. I love these Azonic Catalyst shorts, I have three pairs!!

http://www.okto.com/mall1/images/a4/L960648.jpg

How comfortable would those azonics be on a 90 degree day, 4 hour xc jaunt in las vegas??

Spandex may not be cool, but the comfort in unmatched in applications where you are riding all day, methinks. However, when I am talking about riding all day, I mean actually pedalling and going up hills, not smoking cigarettes on the lift between runs.

How comfortable would those azonics be on a 90 degree day, 4 hour xc jaunt in las vegas??

Spandex may not be cool, but the comfort in unmatched in applications where you are riding all day, methinks. However, when I am talking about riding all day, I mean actually pedalling and going up hills, not smoking cigarettes on the lift between runs.
I'd imagine much more comfortable than having a pair of spandex glued to my nuts and ass. Get a little air to the boys with those.

I wear similar oakleys. 4hour in 40 degree heat isn't a big deal...the ones I own, have vents and baggy enough to allow air in. I have done 6 hour rides in them.

Is it necessary to be so insulting? I wear gear like that and ride up, down and all round. I can make the assumtion your bike control skills stink and you wouldn't know what a REAL dh section looks like due to your last statement, but I won't.

How comfortable would those azonics be on a 90 degree day, 4 hour xc jaunt in las vegas??

Spandex may not be cool, but the comfort in unmatched in applications where you are riding all day, methinks. However, when I am talking about riding all day, I mean actually pedalling and going up hills, not smoking cigarettes on the lift between runs.

I have a pair of Oakley shorts that are baggy and a bit heavier than most XC shorts but they're well vented (there are several zipper sections for venting) and built to take a beating. While they're not as cool as a pair of nut huggin' spandex shorts, they're not bad either. For recreational XC riding I'd have to vote Baggy; it's just nice to have a pocket into which you can toss a tool, empty goo packet, etc on the fly.

Also, I regularly do 10 to 12 mile fire-road climbs while MTB'ing and, during summer time, I've recorded trail temps upwards of 110 degrees and, not once, have I worn a set of nut huggers.

P.S. Maelstrom, I'm going guess we're talking about the same shorts.

I wear similar oakleys. 4hour in 40 degree heat isn't a big deal...the ones I own, have vents and baggy enough to allow air in. I have done 6 hour rides in them.

Is it necessary to be so insulting? I wear gear like that and ride up, down and all round. I can make the assumtion your bike control skills stink and you wouldn't know what a REAL dh section looks like due to your last statement, but I won't.

Of course it is not necessary. And you could make that assumption if you want. There are no mountains here on the east coast. None at all. No real downhilling in Vermont,New Hampshire, New York or Pennsylvania.

Look, you guys should all just admit that you would wear spandex if you looked good in them. However, since you've have had a few too many quarters pounders recently, you are having a tough time squeezing into them. Don't feel bad.

Of course it is not necessary. And you could make that assumption if you want. There are no mountains here on the east coast. None at all. No real downhilling in Vermont,New Hampshire, New York or Pennsylvania.

Look, you guys should all just admit that you would wear spandex if you looked good in them. However, since you've have had a few too many quarters pounders recently, you are having a tough time squeezing into them. Don't feel bad.

Oh, I look just fine in lycra and wear it all the time when I'm on my road steed, I just don't see any need for them when you're actually going to be spending some time in the rough where you might A) need a bit of extra protection against scrapes and scratches (remember, if you go down hard wearing lycra, you're pretty much naked if they tear) and B) it's nice to have the extra space to put stuff (you can buy stuff on the road so pockets are as necessary.

wratgas

wratgas


Excellent point. I agree wholeheartedly.

Spandex is the way to go for cycling. The other stuff is just hockey pants by a different name- good enough for hockey or skate boarding or breakdancing or pogo-sticking I suppose but if you want to be a cyclist you have to wear spandex.

Excellent point. I agree wholeheartedly.

You seem to, so don't play innocent now. The other guy has a point, you played insult and then back away. Congratulations on playing insult troll to a tee...

You seem to, so don't play innocent now. The other guy has a point, you played insult and then back away. Congratulations on playing insult troll to a tee...


OK, I am sorry I will stick to my guns.

It is extremely important that everyone must like and wear spandex shorts.

Especially while doing 'real' downhilling on 'real' downhill runs.

Anyone who has a differing opinion is ignorant or foolish or both.

Happy??

Hey, thanks for not backing away from the ignorant snobby xc mode. Much more pleasant than backing down and pretending you really don't care.

So who is being offensive??

Ignorant snob and Insult troll??

I am not saying I don't fit the bill but come on............

You simply insinuated anyone wearing baggy shorts is somehow less a cyclist and/or only does lift assisted dh while smoking a cigarette. That either leaves you out of touch with the reality/versatility of mountain biking or it puts you in the "snobby xc/roadie" category.

Most dhiller and freeriders I know are excellent trail riders, some wear baggies, some wear spandex, but they are all excellent mountain bikers in their own way. Heck some even race xc :eek: Wearing baggies and doing big drops (as an example) doesn't limit your riding. You also came across in your second statement to just be ignorant to fact not everyone rides to race. I am a little out of shape for a cyclist, I am far closer to a linebacker than a cyclist, doesn't mean I smoke or eat big macs, but I still love it. I trail ride, dh, and even have a little djer. I have respect for all aspects of cycling whether you ride nekkid or lycra....my immediate impression was you don't.

Oh and I know there are mountains over there (I am from the east coast), xc riders who think racing in lycra is the endall to mountain biking and everything else is NOT, is not an east coast thing, I didn't even look at where you were from, just insinuating a general attitude you implied by above statements.

Be very careful when shifting your weight on the saddle while riding nekkid!

Be very careful when shifting your weight on the saddle while riding nekkid!

Haha reminds me of KRanked 1 when one of the guys is "test" riding nekkid. The whole time all I could think of was how painful it would be to crash on the jump.The seat really would have somewhere to go :)

always wear em (except maybe when im dirtjumping) but under my unlined baggy shorts. it keeps my junk in place.the padding protects your prostate when you spend extended time in the saddle. wouldnt want to mess that up

You simply insinuated anyone wearing baggy shorts is somehow less a cyclist and/or only does lift assisted dh while smoking a cigarette. That either leaves you out of touch with the reality/versatility of mountain biking or it puts you in the "snobby xc/roadie" category.

Most dhiller and freeriders I know are excellent trail riders, some wear baggies, some wear spandex, but they are all excellent mountain bikers in their own way. Heck some even race xc :eek: Wearing baggies and doing big drops (as an example) doesn't limit your riding. You also came across in your second statement to just be ignorant to fact not everyone rides to race. I am a little out of shape for a cyclist, I am far closer to a linebacker than a cyclist, doesn't mean I smoke or eat big macs, but I still love it. I trail ride, dh, and even have a little djer. I have respect for all aspects of cycling whether you ride nekkid or lycra....my immediate impression was you don't.

fair..fair indeed. Believe me, I know that there are different strokes. And I was even going for a bit of levity with my stronger remarks(riding lifts and smoking cigs). My bad for not using the smilie faces when trying to tweak. I have to start doing that.

I like the ignorant snobby xc type thing though. It has a nice ring to it ;)

Ya online sarcasm is sometimes difficult to get across. Mine was sarcasm simply to get the point across. Either way, I just ride and am probably a little grumpy today because it is nice out but I crashed pretty bad yesterday and am taking it easy.

BTW nice rigs, you have a sweet fleet :)

Oh and what if you wear spandex under baggies...is that more taboo or less ;) :D

Oh and what if you wear spandex under baggies...is that more taboo or less ;) :D

no, that just sounds comfortable

What you forget Mael is that some baggies actually have the spandex and the liner built in

spandex belong on skinny girls and eddie murphy........I really dont think it matters what you ride in as long as its comfortable to you. I have some friends that ride in spandex some ride in baggies hell i ride in pants every now and then.

spandex belong on <snip> eddie murphy........
Umm No

for me, i wear them on my road bikes. on my mtb rides, it depends. if on a long ride where it's purely for the miles/a race/rides where i'm going to be in the saddle for most of the time, it's tights.

pretty much everything else is tights with some baggys over them, about 75% of my rides.

:D I want something more than spandex covering my big butt when I hit the dirt!Spandex under+baggies over=comfort and protection.

Of course it is not necessary. And you could make that assumption if you want. There are no mountains here on the east coast. None at all. No real downhilling in Vermont,New Hampshire, New York or Pennsylvania.

Look, you guys should all just admit that you would wear spandex if you looked good in them. However, since you've have had a few too many quarters pounders recently, you are having a tough time squeezing into them. Don't feel bad.

Taps on head. Hello, you do know that MT Snow is in Vermont in which there is a norba national race held there.

There are a few DH courses in NH, there are DH courses in western PA, and NY has Plattekill and a few others. NJ has MTN Creek where the US Open of Downhill Mtbing is held. Someone doesn't know their geography from a Rhino's behind.

I wear spandex when I'm on my road bike, and when I run. I hate to run in shorts that chafe my inner thighs. Remember, I'm a big guy too.

I have a pair of Nike baggies with a liner that I wear about 90% of the time. They are the most comfortable. I also have a pair of Nema shorts that are very comfortable, yet a bit on the small size for me, so I only wear them once I drop some weight.

I have the MX style shorts by FOX, and I wear those when I hit the aggressive trails in the cooler months. I live in FL and wearing those in the summer is a recipie for heat exhaustion.

Taps on head. Hello, you do know that MT Snow is in Vermont in which there is a norba national race held there.

There are a few DH courses in NH, there are DH courses in western PA, and NY has Plattekill and a few others. NJ has MTN Creek where the US Open of Downhill Mtbing is held. Someone doesn't know their geography from a Rhino's behind.


Hey Konarider,

Was being facetious and in response to being called on by maelstrom not knowing what a real downhill run would look like.
Read the thread. (man I really have to start using those smiley things) :rolleyes:

I am very familiar with the topography and geography of a rhino's behind.

Oh.......and VT, NH, NJ and the like ;)

I am very familiar with the topography and geography of a rhino's behind.

;)

I'm not, and I'm curious and a little scared on how one does become familiar with the topo and geo of that specific animal???? Hmmmm......I need to get out more! ;)

Even though I ride exclusively in spandex, I'm considering a pair of baggies for XC riding. Any recommendations and do you have trouble with getting hung up on a high saddle?

I never adjust my saddle height so it's always at optimal pedaling position. That's also optimal "catch on your shorts when trying to get off the back" position.

Nema makes a great pair of shorts.

Their Crown Jewel is an awesome pair of baggies! Super comfortable.

These are on sale: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13333-545_NEMRS4-1-Clothing-16-Shorts-Baggy/MTB/Nema-Rayal-Baggy-Shorts.htm

I've not tried them, but all of NEMA's clothing is great!

I wear spandex when I'm on my road bike, and when I run. I hate to run in shorts that chafe my inner thighs. Remember, I'm a big guy too.

I have a pair of Nike baggies with a liner that I wear about 90% of the time. They are the most comfortable. I also have a pair of Nema shorts that are very comfortable, yet a bit on the small size for me, so I only wear them once I drop some weight.

I have the MX style shorts by FOX, and I wear those when I hit the aggressive trails in the cooler months. I live in FL and wearing those in the summer is a recipie for heat exhaustion.


Are those shorts comfy? I thought about pickin' some up the other day when I got my new gloves, but 1)they're kinda pricey and 2)I was afraid they'd be super hot. Might save me some bruises, tho.

Spandex, either under or integrated into baggies. My boys need a home. [/Kramer]

I just picked up a pair of Fox High Frequencies on closeout and they are the best I've ever tried...lightweight, comfy, adjustable waist, and zipper vents.

I will probably try the Nemas this season as well.

Dress the roll, boyz.

Road: always spandex. Lance kit, sometimes

DH/Freeride: moto pants or baggy shorts.

XC: your call, but I say tighter for racing, looser for general riding. Losing a race due to billowing pants is no fun...

At least this is the feeble rationalization I used for a whole closet full of bike clothes...

What do you wear when you ride that big ass bike you have in your pic? :D..