Recumbent - Bent Shorts

For riding my Rans V-rex, I'm looking for an alternative to the two types of shorts that are most readily available: (1) Standard Lycra tights, which seem hot, clingy, bulky, confining (you know what I mean!) and generally unnecessary for the purpose; or (2) ordinary street-wear shorts, which have evolved into something so huge and baggy that they billow and balloon like drag chutes with each pedal stroke. So-called "mountain bike" shorts that I've seen seem to combine the worst of both worlds. Can anyone recommend some good "bent shorts" that avoid these drawbacks?

Lee

Take an old pair of jeans and cut the legs off. Assume the jeans fit (they're just old), they should offer enough room, without being baggy.

For riding my Rans V-rex, I'm looking for an alternative to the two types of shorts that are most readily available: (1) Standard Lycra tights, which seem hot, clingy, bulky, confining (you know what I mean!) and generally unnecessary for the purpose; or (2) ordinary street-wear shorts, which have evolved into something so huge and baggy that they billow and balloon like drag chutes with each pedal stroke. So-called "mountain bike" shorts that I've seen seem to combine the worst of both worlds. Can anyone recommend some good "bent shorts" that avoid these drawbacks?

Lee

You have excellent taste in bicycles. You should look into the Mt. Borah recumbent shorts, they are exactly what you describe. They include shock cord drawstrings on the legs to keep bees out.

There are a few variations, you can find them at: Hostel Shoppe (http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=305250) and Calhoun Cycle (http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=24).

I plan on getting a pair or too at some point, but I have a pair of nylon shorts that are loose, mesh-lined, and have legs that fit tight enough that they don't billow. I think I've owned 'em for 8 years or so, darned if I know where they came from...

You have excellent taste in bicycles. You should look into the Mt. Borah recumbent shorts, they are exactly what you describe. They include shock cord drawstrings on the legs to keep bees out.

There are a few variations, you can find them at: Hostel Shoppe (http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?category=305250) and Calhoun Cycle (http://www.calhouncycle.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=24).



I've been using the Mt. Borah shorts for the past 4 years. I love em.

Mt. Borah Recumbent Shorts.
The Ex Officio Amphi Shorts are OK, too, even tho they aren't specifically biking shorts.

Jeans of any sort are OK for trips around the neighborhood.

For riding my Rans V-rex, I'm looking for an alternative to the two types of shorts that are most readily available: (1) Standard Lycra tights, which seem hot, clingy, bulky, confining (you know what I mean!) and generally unnecessary for the purpose...

I guess I don't know what you mean. Far from being hot, bulky, and confining, lycra shorts are the next thing to not wearing shorts. Clingy, well... yes; so ya got me on one out of four. Aside from lacking pockets, which would necessarily be where I wouldn't want a pocket anyway, I find lycra shorts to be completely comfortable and functional.

I prefer to use lycra shorts. I ride a high racer Bacchetta and need my leg grippers found in good cycling shorts. If you don't need the pad, Hostelle Shop carries shorts with very little pad or none. Also, I have heard of people using rowing specific shorts.

I guess I just don't see paying $60-$90 for a single pair of shorts.

I guess I just don't see paying $60-$90 for a single pair of shorts.

Now the thread title takes it's meaning literally.

While I know there's a reason for these things, the secondhand store has a pair of pants I can alter and wear anywhere. I don't know what has to be aerodynamic about shorts.

Your keys aren't nor are you...

I guess I don't know what you mean. Far from being hot, bulky, and confining, lycra shorts are the next thing to not wearing shorts. Clingy, well... yes; so ya got me on one out of four. Aside from lacking pockets, which would necessarily be where I wouldn't want a pocket anyway, I find lycra shorts to be completely comfortable and functional.


I prefer to use lycra shorts. I ride a high racer Bacchetta and need my leg grippers found in good cycling shorts. If you don't need the pad, Hostelle Shop carries shorts with very little pad or none. Also, I have heard of people using rowing specific shorts.

I agree. I read some palce on these forums just recently that it is possible to remove the padding from lycra cycling shorts with a bit of care and patience. I dug out a cheaper old pair of shorts that I had and spent an evening watching TV and carefuly snipping at the stitches. It worked out great.

Now whether I'm in the mood for cargo shorts, denim cut-offs, or lycra, I've got the shorts to fit the mood (or need). For example, I took a 30 mile ride in the rain last week for which the lycra was absolutely perfect. Yesterday I rode my bike to breakfast and enjoyed having the pockets in my denim cut-offs.

I find that bicycle specific clothing no longer apply to recumbent riding, I don't even use bicycle jerseys because of the pockets on the back of them. Essentually any active / jogging wear you can find at your local sports store should work just fine.

Starter brand shorts from Wally World! I spend money on the bike, not the bling!

Jerry

I guess I just don't see paying $60-$90 for a single pair of shorts.

Well, neither do I. I find that the expensive shorts have very thick padding which isn't useful on a recumbent. I prefer less expensive Lycra shorts, generally in the $25-35 range. These fit pretty well, and the padding is enough to offer some modesty while not being too bulky. The Performance brand "Century" shorts fit this mold, or I get some on sale from Nashbar.

Here's what I look like, herding the Velomobile ride through Portland last weekend:

Go to Wally world and get some exercise shorts in the womans section, they work great and only cost about 5 or 6 dollars. I bought mine in El Paso about 5 years ago and there still going strong. You dont want anything open as you may swoop up a bee.
Just ride, Ken

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/recumbent.htm

go here

$20 for a pair seems reasonable. The idea of scooping up bees is singularly unappealing.

I tried riding with regular shorts and underwear. Never again. It gets into your crotch and the legs grind away while you pedal.
Lycra or mtb type cycling shorts. I bought a pair of the Boulder mtb shorts from Performance. They actually have the lycra short inside the nyling outer short. No big seams in the back and velcro pockets on the side for my stuff. I might get a zipper sewn on the pocket flaps to make sure the keys, cell phone, and wallet are secure.
No matter what you wear, it seems that the important thing is no big seams between you and the seat, and not bunching up in the wrong spot while you pedal.

Go to Wally world and get some exercise shorts in the womans section, they work great and only cost about 5 or 6 dollars.

So, you're advocating cross-dressing?:D

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

I like to use BIKE softball shorts for riding.
you can get them at wal-mart, k-mart or any other sports type supply store.
they have elastic legs, waist and fit great. plus I get them when they are cheap ($10) and get a couple of pairs.:)

$20 for a pair seems reasonable. The idea of scooping up bees is singularly unappealing.

Where do you find all those BEES?

So, you're advocating cross-dressing?:D

Nothing wrong with that, of course.

Chipcom was on the cover of Playboy...

Make sure you remove the "Lovepats" tags or whatever first I guess (ATTENTION, KMART SHOPPERS):)

Doesn't matter to me what I wear on up to 50 milers. For klonger distances, especially day after day, I've actually gone back to thin padded upright shorts because there are never any seams that sometimes can wear a hole in the hide of my backside. Still looking for a pair of shorts with absolutely no seam anywahere that could rub.

Doesn't matter to me what I wear on up to 50 milers. For klonger distances, especially day after day, I've actually gone back to thin padded upright shorts because there are never any seams that sometimes can wear a hole in the hide of my backside. Still looking for a pair of shorts with absolutely no seam anywahere that could rub.

No seams with nekkid riding but that is likely prohibited in the Dakotas.

I guess I just don't see paying $60-$90 for a single pair of shorts.

That is what I was thinking.I guess we are just cheap.I go with the jean shorts and do wear regular bike shorts on a long ride.

Lycra running shorts, unpadded, about $20 each. Coolmax underwear, $15-20 each.

I prefer compression shorts. Buy them from a running store or site. I have the Velocity, and like them. The only problem is that they are very revealing. Very light, very cool, inexpensive, no padding.

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/search/search-celebros.jsp?SearchHandle=QT1jb21wcmVzc2lvbiBzaG9ydHN_Qj1jb21wcmVzc2lvbiBzaG9ydHN_RT0wXjFeMl5Qcmlvcm l0eTJ_ST1Tb3J0VklQUHJpY2V_Sz00fkw9MX5NPTJ_&Action=2&AnswerID=1949

I find that bibs still work the best for me

It was this time of year, last year, that I read that WalMart had a deal on 'Pilgrim' brand shorts. Nice regular cut shorts with the stretch waist band...

The post said you just go to a fabric store, get some cloth covered elastic and the little 'squeeze clamps' that you thread the elastic through.

Got a big old PDA (Yah, PDA) stylus, drilled a hole big enough for the elastic to go through, then threaded the elastic through the 'cuff' of the shorts. Had the 'squeeze clamps' on the outside seam.

Works really good! No bugs in my package, and that means no WASPS get in there either! More aerodynamic. Just pull the knot in the elastic and slide the squeeze clamp to tighten around your leg.

total cost was under $15 per pair as the shorts were on sale at WalMart for $12 to $13 ea.

Beats the heck out of $60. AND when you get to your location, you just relax the elastic, and the shorts look NORMAL again... except for sweat stains of course (LOL)

So keep an eye on your WalMart/Target/KMart shorts sales, and get next years biking wardrobe setup! Uhm... you can forget white or light grey shorts. They show the chain marks way too well! Blue or Green seem to hide it pretty well.

HTH

I've only been riding recumbent (trike) for just under a year. However I am happy to leave my spandex jersey's and shorts behind. I now use shorts and shirts designed for backpacking. The shorts are a very lightweight fabric (reminds me of parachute material) and, along with the shirts, are designed to be UV protection. The shirts have zippered top pockets and no back pockets (yay) while the back pockets on the shorts have no snaps and the seams are there but don't seem to have any welt at all. I've been picking them up at Sports Authority on sale with $60 shirts being $15....I have both long sleeve shirts that have the tabs so that when you roll them up they stay (they call them "fisherman's" shirts) or leave them down for protection from the sun on your arms. I felt like the shorts were going to ride up as my riding buddy uses the Mt. Borah shorts that have the leg ties...Pierre, mon ami, great idea I'll be trying that out myself although I've not had a "Bee" experience as of this writing I'd prefer not to as I've heard this comment before by those that have experienced it...yellow jackets are horrible which I have experienced out in the garden, like fire and leaving a large numb area for a couple of weeks, not what I'd like while triking...

I currently wear Nike running shorts. They bellow a bit and I've caught a few small stingy insects/bees this year. I must look pretty silly smacking my ass as I go down the road, trying to kill the buggers. Some spandex running shorts sound like a good idea.

I just started wearing MUSA knickers http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/clothing?a=1&page=all#product=22-642 Sorry they're still in the $60 range. They're perfect for riding a short wheelbase 'bent. They are loose but not billowy and cinch up at the leg openings. They make shorts and pants that cinch up at the leg openings too but I have no experience with those.

Get or make some bike knickers. These can be made out of old pants by putting a drawstring or clasp below the knee.

I have found that zip-off pants work well. You can get them in lightweight nylon or something a little heavier, but they come in technical fabrics that dries quickly. They have lots of pockets and the legs seem to fit more snugly than the typical biking short, particularly if you get them just a tad smaller than you really need. The good ones are stylish and last about forever, plus you can zip the legs on when it gets cooler. They are great for touring, but a bit more expensive than jeans. I wear typical lycra underneath.

I wear lycra shorts when I ride my DF bike. They have function there. However, I take them off at the 1st opportunity. If I'm not riding, they're not comfortable. I don't see any reason to wear tight fitting shorts on the 'bent except maybe for the bee thing. Maybe if I get stung, I'll see the light.

I find baggy supplex nylon swim trunks to be the most comfortable.

Buying high priced shorts to ride a recumbent is not very smart. Personally I ride in sweat shorts. They are inexpensive. One of the many things that is great about recumbents is the fact that you dont need all the really high prices duds.

Buying high priced shorts to ride a recumbent is not very smart. Personally I ride in sweat shorts. They are inexpensive. One of the many things that is great about recumbents is the fact that you dont need all the really high prices duds.

nope, not smart at all, unless you want comfort, breathability, and to keep the bugs out of your crotch. Of course, bearded FOGs with a 8 mph average doesn't need anything more than a 5 dollar pair, I suppose..

I wear lycra shorts when I ride my DF bike. They have function there. However, I take them off at the 1st opportunity.


Oh, an exhibitionist! :innocent:

My personal experience with cheap sweat shorts caused me take a trip to the doctor for the rash, not cheap. I never had this problem on my DF's when I wore expensive lycra shorts with anti-bacterial chamois. My doctor counseled me against wearing cotton in that area since I am a heavy sweater. I have high deductible medical insurance so any money I saved on shorts was gone after the initial and follow-up visits. I now wear Under Armor boxer briefs and My MUSA knickers, together about $80USD. On really hot days I wear Sugoi's triathlete shorts, about $40. I haven't been back to the doctor for the rash. The doctor's visits and subsequent medication was over $300. I would have saved money if I just bought appropriate shorts in the first place.
I also once found a wasp and an earwig in my opened leg sweat shorts. Luckily no sting. Those are the dangers of SWB 'bents.

I like the Nashbar C-pants (bought before the credit card theft debacle)

As I posted else where, I wear sweat shorts that I buy from a local sports store. Cost is about $12.

I found a recommendation for rowing shorts from sew sporty. They are reasonably priced and the ones I got were double layered offering a little more coverage. I liked them so much I got two more pairs which still cost less than one pair of most bike shorts.

I like cargo shorts, but don't like the flaps over the pockets where I'm sitting. I'll have to look into the backpacking shorts. I tried wearing some jean shorts that were a bit longer, and discovered that I don't like anything over my knees while pedaling. Too much sliding back and forth. I still wear my bib shorts much of the time.

I have a acouple pairs of rowing trou, but only use them for training because they are so short. No one wants to see that much of my leg.

I believe it was THIS Recumbent forum that turned me onto the idea of picking up some cheap shorts, $9 to $13, from WalMart... then get some round elastic and slip it through the 'cuff' of the shorts.

Worked GREAT! hardest part was finding the eleasit material, but they are on their 2nd year of use right now...

Total cost per pair of shorts, with elastic and plastic clincher = Under 15$, and they have the expandable waist too!!! Talk about comfortable...

HTH...

PS - The original thread - GoatBiker had the WalMart idea...
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=329267

Cabela's has some hiking shorts that are fairly inexpensive and not baggy at all. Not too tight, mind you, but definitely not baggy. In general, though, hiking shorts tend to be shorter and less bulky, while still allowing you "room to breathe".