General Cycling Discussion - Bike Shorts

Hey, I was wondering how many pairs of bike shorts most you people have? I just went out and bought a pair of Louis Garneau's...they were quite pricey.. $45! Also, I'm supposed to wear them without underwear right? And lastly, do I wash them every time I use them? Or do I wait till they stink before I put them in the wash so the shorts last longer? Thanks

I have 3 pair and was them after a few uses.

But then again I wear skivvies, and I'm proud!!

Dave

If I go on a short ride and it is't too hot I might skip a wash but any longer ride or when it is hot I wash every time I wear them. I tried wearing underwear a few times and they bunched up and caused a little pain so I go commando now and I like it. Have two pair.

Hey, I was wondering how many pairs of bike shorts most you people have? I just went out and bought a pair of Louis Garneau's...they were quite pricey.. $45! Also, I'm supposed to wear them without underwear right? And lastly, do I wash them every time I use them? Or do I wait till they stink before I put them in the wash so the shorts last longer? Thanks

is that cdn or american? their top of the lnie shorts around here in canada at my LBS are $90, so $45 is good. LG's are fine shorts, but i find my cycling clothes tend to come apart quicker (also i machine wash mine at delicate, i don't bother hand-washing). for short rides, less than an hour, you don't really need cycling shorts either... anyway to answer your q's,always wash after a ride, and no undies. but every now and then u can break the rules :p

sd

I own 4 or so, and wash them after EVERY ride. I also don't wear undies with them.

After you ride, on the way to the shower, toss your shorts and jersey into the bathroom sink with a little woolite and let them soak while you shower. Afterward, rinse them, squeeze out the water, and hang them up to dry.

Simple. Takes almost no time. You have clean clothes for the next ride.

I always wash my shorts after a ride. Sweaty bike shorts are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. You don't put on yesterday's underwear do you? (Well, some of you might. ;) ) So why put on yesterday's skanky bike shorts?

yeah i know the feeling of bike shorts being expensive. i only own one pair right now (the cheaper LG ones) but i still wash them after every ride (either in the machine if im putting other stuff in or in the sink by hand if im not). ive tried wearing boxers under them...now i go naked...well not naked naked. just no underwear naked:D.

I have 2 pairs of Voler shorts (rarely wear them), 5 pairs of Voler bibs (2 black, 2 gray, 1 blue), and 3 pairs of Etxe Ondo bibs (1 black, 1 gray, 1 navy). The Etxe Ondo are my most expensive so far - $94 a pair.
The Voler stuff goes in the washer after every ride. The Etxe Ondo gets washed by hand after every ride. My rides are usually 25-40 miles.

Underwear under cycling shorts? NEVER!!
Underwear defeats the purpose of the chamois/padding.

45 bucks is cheap so your in for a shock down the road. Next time get some bibs as i did and wont go back to shorts again.

I have 2 pair but would like to have at least a couple more. I spent $30 (US) each on sale. A great deal!

I would wash them after every ride if I had more to wear.

I have one pair of Giordana's. (worn w/o unds)

I generally wash them after any ride warm enough
to sweat. Mostly I hand-wash them in the tub as
a precursor to the body wash, but sometimes I'll
put them and a jersey in the machine on ultra-delicate
slow speed.
I've had them for four years now, and I'm afraid they'll have
to be replaced soon; they're wearing thin in a couple of places.

I hate to see them go, they've been great. Around $60 new.

I have a couple pairs. I usually wait until the winter, then pick em up at Nashbar and Performance with hefty markdowns and 20% off coupons.

I wear compression shorts underneath, turned inside out so the seams don't rub. Works for me, I really don't give two shakes of a rats tail what the Underoo Nazi's think.

The compression shorts get used once, then tossed in the "to be washed pile". Every weekend they, along with jerseys and shorts get hand washed, spun out in the washer and line dried.

Marginally apropos Simpsons scene:

The family are leaving church, each having fallen asleep during the sermon. Brushing it off, they open the doors and find that all hell is literally breaking loose.

Lisa: Oh, no, it's the apocalypse!
Marge: Bart, are you wearing clean underwear?
Bart: I-I-I was.

I have 6 pair and I've never worn a pair of bike shorts more than once without washing. I'm sure it's unhealthy and to me it's disgusting. When I first started riding and only had one pair of shorts I would hand wash them after every ride, usually five times per week.

$45?!?!?! Have you ever heard of Assos? $250 for their top-of-the-line bib shorts!

And you never, NEVER, NEVER, wear anything under bike shorts! Your bike shop should explain correct usage of gear when they sell it to you; or, at least you should ask. As for washing, each manufacturer has care instructions, or check out this site: http://www.bicycleapparel.com/index.html tons of info.

You may want to pick up some chamois cream, like from Assos, and rub a little on there before and after riding, it'll make the ride a little more comfortable, and keep everything nice and clean...good luck.