Road Cycling - house brand cycling shorts

does anyone have any experience with any of the online house brand shorts, like the ones they sell at www.performancebike.com or www.pricepoint.com? The LBS just ordered my first road bike and it hasn't arrived yet so I wanted to get some shorts but wasn't sure how good the quality is.

I've worn Performance shorts for years (6 and 8 panel). I guess I haven't worn others to compare, but the Performance shorts have been pretty good. More panels are better fit usually.

All my shorts and tights are preformance brand I find them very good for the price

Although I have a few others, day in and day out I choose Performance Century Gel Bibs. I've never owned any of the top end (read BIG $$) shorts for comparison. Don't have any complaints about the Performance brand.

I've worn Performance shorts for years (6 and 8 panel). I guess I haven't worn others to compare, but the Performance shorts have been pretty good. More panels are better fit usually.

anyone have any experience with the cotton/lycra shorts compared to the nylon/lycra?

I've been riding Performance Elite's for about 5 months with no complaints. Of course I haven't tried anything else, so I don't know what else is out there.

I wear nashbar bib shorts with gel inserts....feels great

I've used Pearl Izumi and Performance. My Performance Elite bibs are fine, especially considering the price difference between them and PI. I've tried the Performance Century Gel bibs and do not like them for two reasons: the straps slide off my shoulders and the gel insert becomes uncomfortable on long rides.

I have two pair of the supergo's and they are every bit as good as the second to the top of the PI's

I have a couple pair of the Performance Century shorts..Key is not to wash them in any super agitation machine. I put mine within a wash bag........My impression the Nashbar regular shorts life span is a little short before the lyrcra shows signs of getting thin. ......But overall, the fit and endurance is pretty good........Say on rides over 80 miles, I like the chamois of PI or Garneau to keep the rear end a little more motivated and less grumbling...The pad on basic shorts are thin and basic....But for shorter rides, that is ok... As to comfort. The Performance century is just fine..

I bought a pair of the padded shorts from ActiveSportsWear, they were about $36 delivered. Not a bad price for a pair of middling shorts. They fit fairly well, are darned comfortable, but I don't think they will last more than a season or two.

I am thinking about going to Sugoi's, personally. I have found that in most things, you have to pay for quality. I have also found out to be careful, too!

I went today to pick up a pair of Performance Ultra bib shorts but they didn't have my size. They are $39.97 right now at the stores!!! I actually went in looking for a pair of performance bib knickers but the pad looked thin and not as well made when I compared it to the Ultra shorts.

sorry to borrow your thread but what is a decent all around good pair of shorts for under $60, i am using Pearl Izumi Attack shorts and they and my Stuff dont agree i am never comfortable.

Performance, Nashbar, etc. You get what you pay for.

I got away from those brands and even PI. I now wear Voler shorts and bibs. Much more comfortable than the above mentioned brands and cheaper too.
www.velowear.com

Performance, Nashbar, etc. You get what you pay for.

I got away from those brands and even PI. I now wear Voler shorts and bibs. Much more comfortable than the above mentioned brands and cheaper too.
www.velowear.com

I'll second the Volers. I have a pair of bib shorts. They are excellent, and priced well.

I will dido Prosody's post. I haven't ridden any of the high $ bibs, but I own 5 pairs of the Performance Elite bibs and think they are great. I own five so I don't wear them out in the washing machine. Really can't see any reason to go to anything else as they are very durable and comfortable.

I own five pairs of shorts, one Performance, one Nashbar, one Pace, and two Giodanos. The Giodanos fit better then anything else I own or have owned. The Performance pair is good while the Nashbar pair is crap. The Pace pair is better for spin class rather then road cycling.

Another vote for Performance shorts here. They're reasonably priced, durable and give me the support and comfort I'm looking for. I wear the standard "Century" model (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=10563) which has an "anatomically molded one-piece antibacterial chamois." While I haven't tried too many other brands, I do prefer Performance's padding over what Pearl Izumi offers (at double the price or more).

Performance, Nashbar, etc. You get what you pay for.

I got away from those brands and even PI. I now wear Voler shorts and bibs. Much more comfortable than the above mentioned brands and cheaper too.
www.velowear.com

I notice that velo shows two types of shorts, with the peloton model having what they call a "rear peloton". I assume this is an extra pad?

Is this needed or do regular bike shorts come with padding in the rear anyhow? Just a newbie, sorry.

Sheldon

sorry to borrow your thread but what is a decent all around good pair of shorts for under $60, i am using Pearl Izumi Attack shorts and they and my Stuff dont agree i am never comfortable.

I like PACE brand. There is a reputable dealer on ebay (http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/SaleSearch?sokeywordredirect=1&ht=1&sosortproperty=1&satitle=PACE&from=R8&sacategory=7294&catref=C1) with a nice selection.

I have a pair of Pace ITS-100 shorts and love them. I also have Bellweather, Canari, and a "no-name" brand. I like the Pace shorts best of all.

Good luck.

i'll vote for performance brands. i've worn them a long time, and just picked up the aforementioned $39.95 (on sale) bib shorts.

i think it also depends on your body chemistry. i've RARELY had a saddlesore or other 'situation' and i ride almost 15 hours a week in the summer under all conditions. even the cheaper ones, i find comfortable. the only problem i have is when there is a damn seam in the wrong place. that just drives me to drink.

i have some bellweathers and canari's as well. by and large, i'm good with the cheaper brands though.

I have used a wide range of shorts, from $30 bellweather shorts, $60 nikes, $70 canaris, and $80 pearl izumis. my conlcusion is that you get what you pay for with shorts.

cheap bike shorts like the bellweathers are better then no bike shorts at all, but I have found that the pad pills up, and the spandex near the crotch where it rubs against the seat gets worn thin really fast. also, fit is not as good, I think becuase they are only the 6-panel.

The nikes were better then the bellweathers, but the pad was too wide and not long enough, and my wang kept rubbing badly on the seam. they would be good shorts if they fit better.

the canaris are probably my best fitting shorts, they are size m, and the fit me so incredibly well. according to my mom, she went into the lbs, and asked the guy what shorts would be the best value, and the guy said the canaris. the fabric is not as stretchy, so it provides more compression, but thats ok, becuase of the really good fit. the only downside is that the chamios gets wet quickly in hot weather. its no less comfortable, but its kind of an icky feeling when you stop.

he pearl izumis were my most expensive, and they have the nicest chamois pad. My only problem is that they don't fit quite as well. I was between the large and the meduim, and I picked the large, becuase I didn't want too much squeezage, if you now what I mean.

probably I think that the comfort issue in most shorts is if they fit well. so what are you paying for in more expensive shorts? I think that you pay mostly for the fit and the chamois pad. I'm not sure why, usually the more expensive shorts fit better, and have nicer chamois.

I would say that you should go ahead and buy the performance brand, and when you get more into cycling and are willing to budget more money for nicer clothes, buy the nice ones. for now, cheap shorts are better then nothing.

I have used a wide range of shorts, from $30 bellweather shorts, $60 nikes, $70 canaris, and $80 pearl izumis. my conlcusion is that you get what you pay for with shorts.

cheap bike shorts like the bellweathers are better then no bike shorts at all, but I have found that the pad pills up, and the spandex near the crotch where it rubs against the seat gets worn thin really fast. also, fit is not as good, I think becuase they are only the 6-panel.

The nikes were better then the bellweathers, but the pad was too wide and not long enough, and my wang kept rubbing badly on the seam. they would be good shorts if they fit better.

the canaris are probably my best fitting shorts, they are size m, and the fit me so incredibly well. according to my mom, she went into the lbs, and asked the guy what shorts would be the best value, and the guy said the canaris. the fabric is not as stretchy, so it provides more compression, but thats ok, becuase of the really good fit. the only downside is that the chamios gets wet quickly in hot weather. its no less comfortable, but its kind of an icky feeling when you stop.

he pearl izumis were my most expensive, and they have the nicest chamois pad. My only problem is that they don't fit quite as well. I was between the large and the meduim, and I picked the large, becuase I didn't want too much squeezage, if you now what I mean.

probably I think that the comfort issue in most shorts is if they fit well. so what are you paying for in more expensive shorts? I think that you pay mostly for the fit and the chamois pad. I'm not sure why, usually the more expensive shorts fit better, and have nicer chamois.

I would say that you should go ahead and buy the performance brand, and when you get more into cycling and are willing to budget more money for nicer clothes, buy the nice ones. for now, cheap shorts are better then nothing.
I returned my 2 pairs of supergo shorts this morning because the stiching was coming out so dont get them.I got the PI's your talking about.The supergo's were xl and fit fine but the pi's xl was to big so i went with the lg,strange.

I went today to pick up a pair of Performance Ultra bib shorts but they didn't have my size. They are $39.97 right now at the stores!!! I actually went in looking for a pair of performance bib knickers but the pad looked thin and not as well made when I compared it to the Ultra shorts.

Sherpa, you should find out if that is the sale price if you order the bibs. If so, do a "red phone order", and have them shipped to the store. There is no shipping charge that way. They charge you the sale price, and you pay the store right then. I got some Performance Elite bibs on sale, (hey, it was at the Campbell store!) for $34.97 just around Christmas. I'll have to check out the chamois in the Ultra bibs sometime.

I forgot to mention that there's a Pearl Izumi outlet store in Gilroy. You might find PI stuff there at reduced prices.

Is there any "real world" difference b/wn the Performance Century short and the Performance Century Gel short? They are both the same price on Performance's website. They are both 8 panel also.

Is there any "real world" difference b/wn the Performance Century short and the Performance Century Gel short? They are both the same price on Performance's website. They are both 8 panel also.

I have the same question regarding the Century and the Elite. What extra do you get with the Elite model?

Thanks,

Sheldon

I have the same question regarding the Century and the Elite. What extra do you get with the Elite model?

Thanks,

Sheldon

My Century shorts have a thick chamois that is the same thickness all over. The Elite shorts and bibs have the Multi-L Elite Chamois. It is not quite as thick, and is only thick where the sit bones and "tender" parts in the front are. The rest of the chamois is thinner.

fayetteville, AK : i personally don't like the gel shorts. when they get wet with sweat its like wearing a diaper. they get really heavy. i like having contact with the saddle and not squishing around.

fayetteville, AK : i personally don't like the gel shorts. when they get wet with sweat its like wearing a diaper. they get really heavy. i like having contact with the saddle and not squishing around.

Great, thanks for the insight. It seems most people who posted on this thread had the century shorts.

They told me at supergo,stay away from the gel shorts.

anyone have any experience with the cotton/lycra shorts compared to the nylon/lycra?

I would not recommend wearing cotton while doing any strenuous activity where you're going to be sweating. Cotton just soaks up the moisture and keeps it next to your skin and it takes a long long time to dry, making you very uncomfortable and cold. Synthetic materials like the polyester fabrics (nylon, Spandex, CoolMax, etc.) used in bike shorts and jerseys have the ability to wick moisture and draw it away from your skin. They also dry very quickly. The only time I would recommend wearing cotton is when you're hiking in very hot weather or in a desert environment.

Re. shorts: I've had a number of different brands and the problem I have with them is that the white elastic band around the thighs tend to disintegrate over time, leaving little bits of white plastic material all over the place. (Sugoi, Pearl Izumi, etc. all use the the same material for the elastic part.) Otherwise, they all do the job. Some have better padding (I like Pearl Izumi and Castelli).

I have one pair of cotton/lycra shorts by PI..Guess they feel pretty much the same. Rarely wear them..Maybe tend to favor the cotton blend in winter. I just do not think it wicks as well... Don't like the feel of the fabric as well.
I tend to favor nylon/lycra.