Road Cycling - Bike Shorts/Clothing

Hi all, I am new to the forums and getting back into cycling after several years of absence. I missed cycling and decided to return back to it (plus I need to lose about 10 lbs) At any rate I have been reading a few posts regarding bike shorts. I have read that some cyclists do not wear anything underneath their bike shorts. Why is that? That would make me feel a little ummm naked :o . I would like to hear from some cyclists any suggestion for a good pair of bike shorts thats on the market these days. Thanks

One of the main purposes of bike shorts is to prevent chaffing in the important areas. :eek: If you wear underwear, you defeat the purpose of the pads. They cover the seams and give a surface that holds against your skin without rubbing.
So, if you wear underwear, you might as well ride in your Levis. :D

Really, you might feel naked the first ride. But your crotch will thank you.

You will need to try several on to see what works for you. Generally, more panels means a better fit as you are not depending on the material stretching to conform to your body. I have a pair of 8 panel Cannondale shorts that are great. There are lots of good brands.

Also, they should be washed after every ride. the pads are a breeding ground for bacteria. I just hand was in the sink and hang them to dry. They last a looooong time this way.

This is always a lively topic :) Just waiting for the arrival of Underwear Nazi...

If you don't wear anything under, you'll be cooler and won't have those unsightly 'pantylines'. Some people claim that underwear seams cause chaffing, but others have no problems.

However, if you go this route, you must be anal about hygene, because the padding on the shorts is bacterial heaven, and because shorts are typically washed cooler and not put in the dryer because of potential damage to the fabrics.

My personnal approach is the longer underwear (about the same length as the bike shorts). Looks fine, fits fine, no problem with chaffing and I like my shorts staying clean and happy.

I've been very happy with Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor. Colorado Cyclist has the '03 model on sale for $60, just got a pair today.

And cycling shorts are much more comfortable w/o underwear. As for modesty, most have a lot of padding, and most cycling shirts are long.

Don't wear shorts...wear bibs...you'll see why when you wear them.

Nike makes a great bib short. Very comfortable crotch pad.

Don't wear shorts...wear bibs...you'll see why when you wear them.

Nike makes a great bib short. Very comfortable crotch pad.

Bibs are great!!!
I tried wearing Coolmax briefs under my cycling shorts at first, but they got bunched up a little in the wrong area, and rubbed me the wrong way. That's why cycling shorts are stretched tight, so they don't get wrinkles that could rub.

When I got back into cycling a couple of years ago, I too thought that not wearing any underwear beneath my cycling shorts just sounded WEIRD. After a couple of rides wearing underwear I got over my concerns, particularly when they got all bunched up under the cycling shorts. By all means, wear your underwear if you want to - you'll soon see that going commando makes all the sense - and comfort - in the world. Underwear Nazi, where are you????

Don't wear shorts...wear bibs...you'll see why when you wear them.

Nike makes a great bib short. Very comfortable crotch pad.

Also Performance Elite Bib Shorts. See roadbikereviews.com for reviews. I have two pair -- great price, and very comfortable .... especially if those 10 pounds you want to lose are around your middle.

Hi all, I am new to the forums and getting back into cycling after several years of absence....I have read that some cyclists do not wear anything underneath their bike shorts. Why is that? That would make me feel a little ummm naked :o . I would like to hear from some cyclists any suggestion for a good pair of bike shorts thats on the market these days. Thanks

Hi, Cyclist7. Welcome back to the wonderful world of cycling! We are glad to have you in our ranks.

All experienced, intelligent and right-thinking cyclists know that wearing undies under bike shorts is counter-productive and dangerous. It is only a few sad, misguided individuals who wear underwear with their bike shorts. Real cyclists laugh at them.

Bicycle shorts are tight-fitting to provide support and to prevent bunching and binding. They are padded for comfort, and (some say) for moisture management. The seams in good bike shorts are strategically placed so that they do not chafe. Putting a layer of bunchy, hydrophilic, seamy cotton under your bike shorts defeats their purpose.

I know a young woman who went to the hospital after riding three consecutive 60-mile days with underwear under her bike shorts. The Emergency Room doctor told her that one more day of that and she would have needed stitches. Down there!

Avalanche is a good soldier. He knows the straight dope. Underwear not only looks bad, but it will hurt you. Underwear is not your friend. It is evil.



However, if you go this route, you must be anal about hygene, because the padding on the shorts is bacterial heaven, and because shorts are typically washed cooler and not put in the dryer because of potential damage to the fabrics.


Bugman also makes a good point. Anal hygiene is key. But this is not just true for cycling. You should keep your butt clean at all times. Those close to you will thank you for it. Unfortunately, the bugman has chosen a dangerous solution for this problem. Underwear is not the answer. After a ride, strip out of your wet bike shorts at your earliest convenience. Shoot! You want to do that anyway. Swab your crotch out with soap and water. Wash your shorts before your next ride. It's as simple as that! Putting underwear under your bike shorts just transfers the skid mark problem to another layer of clothing.

Cyclist7, remember that modesty is a false concern. Real men have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are a real man, aren't you?

Well, are you?

If you really have something to be embarrassed of, you can always get a pair of baggies like the mountain bikers wear, or pull a pair of shorts over your bike shorts, or stuff a rolled up sock down the front of your shorts. Just don't put skivvies under your bike shorts. Underwear never solved anything.

I won't recommend specific brands of bike shorts, but I will say that the more you spend, the better shorts you get. A little more money gets you features like a heavier fabric, a better chamois, flat lock stitching and biased seams. Go ahead and spend a few dollars. Your ass is worth it.

And remember the code of the Underwear Nazi:

No underwear under bike shorts for any reason, ever. No excuses.

Got it?

Good.

Underwear Nazi
Don't let me catch you riding in BVDs

Below about 5 miles, I ride in normal underwear and trousers (but not denim jeans).
Above that I wear bike shorts or use cycling underwear.
Its usually too cool for just shorts, so I use the padded shorts underneath hiking pants or leggings on longer rides.

The bib/short thing depends on your body shape. Bibs are slower when you hear the call of nature.

About hygene, you can never be clean enough. I wash before a ride and well as shower after, and always wear clean undies/shorts. Infected follicles can keep you off the bike for weeks.

Hi,
these are the shorts I use.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=14591
Once you start doing long rides as an adult; you'll undertand why. You may also need a skin cream for chafing. Avoid ones with alchohol. They make fancy ones specifically for cycling; and they're great. I was on tour and needed some, and got a tube out of a discount drug store that cost about $2. It works.

Cyclist7, remember that modesty is a false concern. Real men have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are a real man, aren't you?

Well, are you?
____________________________________________________________________

That would be a yes!! Thanks for the input. I think I would made a bunch of wrong decisions by now if it weren't for you guys. But yeah the 10 lbs is around my stomach that Iam trying to burn. That would be great!

That would be a yes!!

Good soldier.

I can't imagine wearing underwear (except a sports halter of course). It would be really uncomfortable.

Of course, there's always the possibility of an accident! Remember how you're always supposed to wear clean undies in case you get hit by a car? Well, in this case you're wearing NO undies!

I've never understood the underwear thing for almost any kind of sport - except the super tight lycra underwear for sports like tennis, squash, etc. Playing rugby and cricket for year, all you wore was a jockstrap - if you wore anything else, you risked some nasty punishment from your team-mates! I can remember competing in a Judo tournament once and came up against a guy who was obviously wearing underwear. I won that bout on a tap-out and I swear part of the reason was because I made his eyes water so badly by twisting his Gi pants and underwear halfway up his arse!