Road Cycling - Bike shorts with good padding??

Currently I am using a Terry Fly saddle, which seems to hit my sit bones just right. I also have a pair of Giadora shorts (the black ones, with white stitching that run around $60 or so). The shorts have a very thin thin pad, that doesnt seem to do a lot. The problem I am running into is this-

I have lost quite a bit of fat (15-20lbs worth), and some of that has come off of my behind. Most of it is off the side of the cheeks, but there has been a descent amount of fat loss in the bike seat "area". Now, after about 50 miles or so, I start getting a VERY sore butt. It feels a little raw on the edge of where the seat goes, but feels sore right under the sit bones. By 60 miles it is almost unbearable. I am thinking that with the loss of some of my own natural padding, I might need just a little bit more out of a pair of shorts (but not so much that it is bulky and bad..) A friend showed me the type of pad he likes, which almost had a channel down the middle, but good padding around where the edge of the seat would be (where I am getting sore). The shorts were team shorts that he got at an expo, and we werent quite sure the brand name of the shorts. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Something that will protect from the edge of the seat (kind of right where the sit bones contact). I figure my current shorts are good for shorter rides (up to 40-50 miles) but I am working towards a century, and need something to give me a little help.

-Mark

I would be interested in knowing what type of pad is in your current shorts. There are many types. Some thin, some thick. Some breath well and move moisture away from your skin, others don't.

I just did my first century in a pair of my cycling shorts that have a rather thin pad. The pad is thin, but it handles the moisture very well. This is very important when your on the bike for 5-7 hours. I also have a pair of PACE ITS250 shorts that are as you describe with the channel and thick padding. I would never think of doing a century in them. The pad system they use seems to hold more moisture close to your skin, or at least does not move it away quickly enough. I would say a "raw" feeling would be from this. Since you have lost weight, you may simply need to get a smaller pair of shorts! I have gone from XL to L by losing 20 or so lbs. If your sliding around, go down a size.

Bob

I have good "feelings" about the Performance Century Gel shorts. I've also recently purchased 2 pair of their new 12 panel shorts and my first rides in them have been very satisfactory.

Don't cost an arm and a leg either.

I would be interested in knowing what type of pad is in your current shorts. There are many types. Some thin, some thick. Some breath well and move moisture away from your skin, others don't.

I just did my first century in a pair of my cycling shorts that have a rather thin pad. The pad is thin, but it handles the moisture very well. This is very important when your on the bike for 5-7 hours. I also have a pair of PACE ITS250 shorts that are as you describe with the channel and thick padding. I would never think of doing a century in them. The pad system they use seems to hold more moisture close to your skin, or at least does not move it away quickly enough. I would say a "raw" feeling would be from this. Since you have lost weight, you may simply need to get a smaller pair of shorts! I have gone from XL to L by losing 20 or so lbs. If your sliding around, go down a size.

Bob

That may be part of the problem.. they seem pretty wet when I am done, and yes, I probably have gone down a size in shorts (from L to M). I dont really feel myself sliding around in them though. I guess raw, might not be the right term.. I guess the closest thing to what I am feeling, is a crushing soreness under my sit bones. It is almost how the pads under the heal of my feet felt, when I first started working retail a few summers ago, and was on my feet 8-10 hours per day. In that case, it was the foot bones pressure on the pad of the foot that was making it sore..

I'll take a look at those performance gel shorts.. have you had yours for a while? If I am going to be dropping more money, I would definitely like a pair of shorts that will last! :)

I really like Pearl Izumi Microsensor 3D (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=12&iProductID=3438&iProductColorsTB=6636) shorts! Not the cheapest, but you can find good deals on eBay or during REI member specials.

;)

Ed

I'm with Mr. Ed on this one.

I'm going to go with Mr. Ed on this too. I have the bibs and won't wear anything else for the long rides that I do. For short rides - 1-2 hours - I'll sometimes wear something else, but never for longer than that.

I have the Louis Garneau Alveo bibs. I think they make just shorts but the padding in them is great. It made all the difference. The only problem is that they are semi-pricey ($139 for the bibs) and now I want another pair. The padding is thin in places but thick just where it needs to be.

I also hear good things about the PI Microsensor 3D that Mr. Ed mentioned.

I've been wearing Voler (http://www.velowear.com) bibs for the last year and thought they were great.
Today I did my first ride in my new Etxe Ondo bibs (http://www.bicyclinghub.com/bicyclinghub/etonmabi.html). Wow!!! The padding is much, much better and the fit and comfort are outstanding.
On a scale of 1-10:
PI and other brands I've tried = 3-6
Voler = 7
Etxe Ondo = 10

I was wondering if you think a different seat might help?
I had a seat on a new bike that was great. I had my older bike's seat changed thinking it was the same seat as my new bike. I rode it for about 30 miles and my butt was miserable right at the sit bones.
Took it to the shop and found it was a different model. The one seat was pretty flat in the rear and the new seat was rounded which left me miserable. Different butts different seats...just another option.

As far as shorts go, my favorites so far are Giordano. I have yet to try Assos but hear they're great. Double pads on the shorts I saw.

I have read that padding is not the answer, but that reduction in friction is the key. Personally I am not sure I buy in to that school of thought, but the mentions here of going to smaller, more tight fitting shorts sure seems to support that position

I would definitely recommend going down 1 size so that the shorts/bibs are nice and snug. Bibs (IMHO) are your best bet for long-term comfort.

I would stay away from the gel shorts/bibs for longer rides as they're not as effective in wicking moisture.

(If you're not already using it...)You might also consider using some chamois creme such as Chamois Butt'r, Assos Chamois Cream, etc., and reapply once or twice during your century.

Another possiblity would be to add a QR or DeSoto neoprene seat cover for the longer rides.

Finally, (if you're not already doing it) make sure you get up off your seat every so often to relieve pressure.

I'd have to add another voice for the PI Microsensor 3Ds. I love 'em for any longer ride.

I've been wearing Voler (http://www.velowear.com) bibs for the last year and thought they were great.
Today I did my first ride in my new Etxe Ondo bibs (http://www.bicyclinghub.com/bicyclinghub/etonmabi.html). Wow!!! The padding is much, much better and the fit and comfort are outstanding.
On a scale of 1-10:
PI and other brands I've tried = 3-6
Voler = 7
Etxe Ondo = 10

I have 5 pair of them they are not bad. but every one has had the seams come loose. Now some of the pad in front is coming loose too. but I paid 10.00 less each then you (G)

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I am going to go out to the local LBS and try on a pair of the PIs mentioned.. see what size fits, and how the chamois seems to feel..

I agree that sometimes it can be friction that makes things sore, but in this case, it definitely isnt a "rubbing" feel.. it is definitely a "pressure pain". I'll also look into other saddles, but this one really seems to support the sit bones in a good way, and it feels like just a small amout of padding may do it.

-Mark

I really like Pearl Izumi Microsensor 3D (http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=12&iProductID=3438&iProductColorsTB=6636) shorts! Not the cheapest, but you can find good deals on eBay or during REI member specials.

;)

Ed

i'm going to the Pearl Izumi outlet store this weekend. It's time for some new shorts. I'm going to have a look at these. They are giving away a free riding jersey with every purchase or something like that for father s day. I checked out the link - looks like a nice pair of shorts!
Thanks mr_ed
Ride Safe,
ti-Carbo

another big vote for Etxe-Ondo. very underrated and not very well known.
I like em better than any of my other shorts.
I'm also impressed with their jerseys.
Ron, which Etxe's did you get?

Marty

Blue,

I have the Performance Gel shorts. I hate them! Feels like you're sliding around in your seat. They were the first shorts I bought. I thought the gel padding would be easy on my butt, but once I tried a regular padded shorts, I never wore the gel one again. Now, I actually like the thinner padding shorts. I, too, just got a pair of PI Microsensor....awesome bib!

I also recommend bibs over shorts.

Currently I am using a Terry Fly saddle, which seems to hit my sit bones just right. I also have a pair of Giadora shorts (the black ones, with white stitching that run around $60 or so). The shorts have a very thin thin pad, that doesnt seem to do a lot. The problem I am running into is this-

I have lost quite a bit of fat (15-20lbs worth), and some of that has come off of my behind. Most of it is off the side of the cheeks, but there has been a descent amount of fat loss in the bike seat "area". Now, after about 50 miles or so, I start getting a VERY sore butt. It feels a little raw on the edge of where the seat goes, but feels sore right under the sit bones. By 60 miles it is almost unbearable. I am thinking that with the loss of some of my own natural padding, I might need just a little bit more out of a pair of shorts (but not so much that it is bulky and bad..) A friend showed me the type of pad he likes, which almost had a channel down the middle, but good padding around where the edge of the seat would be (where I am getting sore). The shorts were team shorts that he got at an expo, and we werent quite sure the brand name of the shorts. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Something that will protect from the edge of the seat (kind of right where the sit bones contact). I figure my current shorts are good for shorter rides (up to 40-50 miles) but I am working towards a century, and need something to give me a little help.

-Mark

I have two pair of bibs, Bellwether and Canari. Both are very well padded, but the Canari's are more comfortable. I rode over 5 hours wearing the Bellwethers and my butt didn't really get too tired. I also have a pair of Nike shorts which are pretty good, even though the padding is about 2/3rds of the bibs. Cannondale bibs also seem to have a good share of padding.

I also have a pair of Zyflex shorts. Save your money.

another big vote for Etxe-Ondo. very underrated and not very well known.
I like em better than any of my other shorts.
I'm also impressed with their jerseys.
Ron, which Etxe's did you get?

Marty

have you had yours unravel. or I should say the seams coem apart? I have 5 pair and they are all doing it. they only get washed once a week usualy and thats in a horizontal washer.

have you had yours unravel. or I should say the seams coem apart? I have 5 pair and they are all doing it. they only get washed once a week usualy and thats in a horizontal washer.
no mine have all held up very well.
Which short did you get? mine are powerlycra and they do get
machine washed (albeit in a delicate bag).
How old are yours? mine are 1 or 2 years old.
all my older ones are Garneau, and castelli.
I prefer the chamois of the Etxe.
Might sound strange but is there a seamstress or
tailor in the area that could fix yours? (5 pair is
a large investment, I'd look into it).

Marty