Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Cycling shorts, Do you wear them?

I rubbed some skin of my sack so I got some today. I figure it's gotta make my saddle feel great since I haven't found a decent one for cheap.

What do you wear?

I wear Descente Aero X bib shorts and Hincapie bib shorts. I've found that the more expensive ones really are worth the money.

I've tried Pearl Izumi and Louis Garneau but they weren't as good for me as the ones above.

Cycling shorts need to fit snugly. If they are loose, they'll cause chafing.

There are a number of shorts/knickers with a cycling chamois inside but I've not tried those.

I wear them I like to not chaff I need my buddy down there in tip top shape hahaha

But seriously the though of saddle sores scares me and not to mention cycling shorts/bibs show off your massive quads/guads/calves/legs in general. Plus sweet tan lines to explain to people when you are caught naked......

Only bad part is if you have poor quality tattoos on your lower thigh like me people see them........ oh bad life long choices how you make me laugh

well there comes a point in every cyclists life when they consider lycra or not. if your doing long distance or TT wear lycra. **** everyone else and do it.

i rebel against it by wearing boxer shorts and skinny jeans, and having bike set up just right. its very trendy, but perfect clothing for bike riding; i never suffer chaffing. i do 50 miles commute both ways wearing this and a bike jersey. when i arrive i change to a nice shirt and im ready for the rest of the day.

i just be prepare by having things that fit right. if your bike gives you discomfort its either your clothes or your bike.

No way. I only wear stuff I'd wear off the bike. That means boxers, shorts, and jeans. Take the time to get your bike set up nicely (that doesn't mean buying useless stuff, but adjusting heights and angles), and you'll be fit to ride anywhere in anything.

No way. I only wear stuff I'd wear off the bike. That means boxers, shorts, and jeans. Take the time to get your bike set up nicely (that doesn't mean buying useless stuff, but adjusting heights and angles), and you'll be fit to ride anywhere in anything.

Yeah.... go ride a century in boxers and jeans. :rolleyes:

^ You might not be able to ride a century in boxers and jeans, but lots of folks (including me) could. It's all about what gets you on the bike.

Maybe I need the $150 saddle to wear whatever clothes. For now I will go with the $40 saddle and the $70 cycle shorts.

everyone one this forum is so reactionary! i think the best advice (even agaisnt mine) is to just try whatever for 30 miles and see how it feels. everyone has diffrent body geometry/cut of clothes. i know what is best for me out of experience.

if your planning to race wear lycra, its silly to do otherwise.

Not only is it silly not to, its often mandatory.

I wear whitey tightey under my bike shorts so I can moon the fast guy after I pass him without showing any skin

I love cycling shorts. When I'm riding for exercise by the lake, I wear only the shorts. Longer trips like when I have a lot of places to hit or I'm just bumming around the city, shorts under street clothes. Quick trip to the market and back, I can't be bothered.

shorts or bibs under street clothes.

boxers and gym shorts for longer rides, cargos for shorter rides . . .

yes, i can still have kids : )

my saddle isn't leather, but it does feel veeery comfy.

Bike shorts were probably the best bike related purchase that I ever made. I have some Castelli shorts and Louis Garneau bibs that are miles better than riding in street clothes for long distances. The comfort of the chamois is nice but it is the breathability and sweat wicking that is crucial.

Try the andiamo "cycling undershorts" or any bike shorts under whatever, chamois feels great :thumb:

boxers and gym shorts for longer rides, cargos for shorter rides . . .

yes, i can still have kids : )

my saddle isn't leather, but it does feel veeery comfy.

What saddle do you have?

^ You might not be able to ride a century in boxers and jeans, but lots of folks (including me) could. It's all about what gets you on the bike.

Thats a pretty stupid statement

I once in awhile ride in my baggies.. I always find a red spot where the elastic rubs the skin.. For comfortable long distance riding , you made a correct choice.

Im still 15lbs to big (212lbs @ 5'9") you guys think the lbs are the reason I cant do over 40 miles without hurting my arse and hands? Ive tried just about every adjustment and angle I can possibly think of/try and own a pair of cycling shorts with a chamois that takes up the area from my crotch to my sitting area along with 5 different Brooks saddles AND the Selle "Ponza LUX" that came on my Maddy! Ive also taken the advise of like three different bike shops with no success! :(

Cycling shorts no.
My girlfriend's jeans yes.

I have a casetelli bib which I wear under regular shorts...I have no intentions going out in a full lycra outfit.

i have descente bibs, cheap-o nalini shorts, and champion systems bibs. i wear them when i'm going for training rides, and, of course, for road and track racing.

they're comfortable, but for every day riding, i don't need 'em. riding around the city for work or casual rides with destinations involves enough standing up and starting and stopping that it doesn't lead to the numbness or soreness that i get when i leave the city and keep my arse in the saddle for a few hours with little relief.

i used to be all utilitarian and anti-lycra, seeing it as too specialized and outlandish for the everyday cyclist. i'm done with that viewpoint. it's damn comfy. folks who are all "lycra? hell no!" either don't ride in ways which would benefit from lycra/chamois, or foolishly and stubbornly don't know what they're missing.

Thats a pretty stupid statement

for real.

I normally do long road rides on the weekend:

I find leather chamois work alot better. It's a skin on skin friction that usually rubs smoother and still provides some a good amount of cushioning.

In light of that, I love Nalini Bibs.

But if you're in a hurry and want to rush down to the LBS the Pearl Izumi microsensor bib shorts are great too. They run about 150, and the chamois is NOT leather, but the threads on the cushion are so fine you'll never feel too much friction.

I ride 50 miles in a trip in boxers and jeans every once and awhile. I can't afford cycling clothes, I'd probably buy some if I could just for longer rides, not for commuting or anytihng.

I ride 50 miles in a trip in boxers and jeans every once and awhile. I can't afford cycling clothes, I'd probably buy some if I could just for longer rides, not for commuting or anytihng.

go to a bike swap meet. You probably don't want used shorts (ew) but you can get everything else in a used kit for like $50, and then discounted shorts.

Im still 15lbs to big (212lbs @ 5'9") you guys think the lbs are the reason I cant do over 40 miles without hurting my arse and hands? Ive tried just about every adjustment and angle I can possibly think of/try and own a pair of cycling shorts with a chamois that takes up the area from my crotch to my sitting area along with 5 different Brooks saddles AND the Selle "Ponza LUX" that came on my Maddy! Ive also taken the advise of like three different bike shops with no success! :(

anybody?

^ You might not be able to ride a century in boxers and jeans, but lots of folks (including me) could.

Have you ever done it? Or are you just speculating that you could?

How does sizing work for cycling shorts(also, difference between 'bib', chamois, and 'cycling shorts'??) I've never really looked into them.

I'm your typical 6'0 150 lb weakling, thin waist and legs, big schlong, etc... ;)

The seat that came on my Messenger kinda sucks. I haven't really experienced chaffing, but my sit bones/taint get pretty sore/numb if I'm in the saddle for 20+ minutes. Even around town riding, standing, changing positions, etc...

For short rides: street clothes. Longer rides bikes, shorts under board shorts FTW! Anything from Pearl Izumi above $60 bucks will work great. Novara Trionfo shorts are awesome as well.

anybody?

I think you'll have to pay your dues. Meaning put in a whole bunch of short rides and work up to it. Your body will adapt.

I wear MEC chamois (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442617562&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692435&bmUID=1226810336446) under my jeans/shorts/whatever when I'm working. For shorter rides I don't bother. Chamois Butt'r (http://www.pacelineproducts.com/Item154/Chamois_Butt_r.aspx) is essential.

Bibs or cycling boxers/briefs under my jeans.

anybody?

I outweigh you by about 20 lbs. and I'm your height and I can do 40 miles, no prob. Try riding no handed to stretch and relieve your hands. I'll go 2 miles no handed sometimes.

As far as the lycra thing is concerned, I just did the switch-up. For awhile, I've been wearing MTB shorts, but I never could find something that quite fit the quads and waist well. I have to buy the shorts that fit my quads, but they are ALWAYS super loose around the waist, even with a draw string. So I switched to lycra and can't see myself ever going back.

No chaffing, no flapping around in the wind, and my casual clothes can get thrashed when I flaltland BMX.

I always say "dress for the occasion". I don't wear this stuff when I ride a flatland session (it's cargos, skateshoes and a tee; add flannel and beanie when things cool down), or when the wife and I bust out the beach cruisers to run the dogs. Or even going down to drop some stuff off at the post office. But if I'm going to get up a good speed and ride in windy conditions for 4-5 hours... I'm wearing what's appropriate.

I ride SuperMoto and off-road motorcycles, too, and I do the same thing - dress for the occasion.

I was kind of embarrassed to wear lycra at first, but hell... I'm in shape and it's what roadies wear + there's an advantage for me... so why care?

On a brooks saddle I don't even bother with the bike shorts, regular street clothes have done fine up to 60 miles. When i first started riding a road bike even with the expensive shorts I would have some discomfort after 30 miles but there's no better solution than to suck it up and keep riding.

Most people who complain about discomfort do so because their body is still not used to the position on a bike but its like anything, you will eventually get used to it. So before you go out and spend tons of cash on a new saddle or more expensive shorts just keep riding, you'll get stronger in no time.

Cycling shorts won't make up for a crappy saddle or bad bike fit. They are designed to keep you from rubbing things the wrong way, so to speak. If you're going more than a few miles this can be really nice, and if you're going more than 50 it becomes pretty important. You should be able to score some cheap shorts on chainlove or nashbar for 20 bucks, it's well worth it. Many of my shorts are second hand, I just wash em with a little bleach and don't think twice about it.

And to those who say they ride 60+ miles in jeans with no problems, I'm calling bull****.

Cycling shorts won't make up for a crappy saddle or bad bike fit. They are designed to keep you from rubbing things the wrong way.it.

That's good info. I was thinking some good shorts would make a difference on my crappy saddle. Now I will get a good saddle to go with the shorts.
I have tried 4 saddles already, mostly lightweight with little padding. I guess I need the $150 Selle something or other.

You don't need a $150 saddle, it has more to do with finding one that fits your anatomy. Bike fit is key too, if your saddle is too low or too high, it doesn't matter how nice your saddle is. Also, it's going to take some time to get used to any saddle if you haven't been riding long. I can ride on damn near any saddle for 20 or so miles without much if any discomfort, but my ass is kinda used to it.

Underarmouranyone?

wearing cotton underwear while cycling is like wearing a giant sponge. its sick. i don't want all my sweat soaked up and held against my body and rubbing me raw. I always wear cycle shorts under my pants when i ride. i have like 8 pairs so that i have clean ones every day. bacteria is the reason for bad chaffing and bumps, etc. try cycle shorts from performance for cheap and you will never go back to boxers or briefs.

Sure, a lot of you, including myself can do century rides in normal, comfortable street clothes.
But I'd rather have my lycra soaked in sweat, top to bottom, than my street clothes.