Commuting - Who wears short shorts? I wear short shorts!

Well I picked up two pairs of cheap beach volleyball shorts. And the problem with them is that they ride up pretty high, They're 2/3rds of the way up my thighs. I had a guy whistle at me on the way to work today which is flattering but I try to keep that kind of profile low.
Anyway despite that, they're extremely airy and comfortable, keeps my crack dry.
But with that aside, does anyone know how breathable the mountain biking shorts are with the internal padding? I think I'm exposing a bit too much thigh.

My, we have some brazen trolls on this board! :p


I had a guy whistle at me on the way to work today which is flattering .... keeps my crack dry.

They're 2/3rds of the way up my thighs. I had a guy whistle at me on the way to work today...I think I'm exposing a bit too much thigh.
If you're trying to keep a "low profile" then wear longer shorts or mountain bike type shorts and save the beach shorts for the beach. It's better to look "unattractive" and be safe. You never know what kinds of weird people are watching you.

man.. volleyball shorts are hot.. to bad you're a dude...


i still don't understand why you're wearing short shorts when there are plenty of other good shorts out there... ... you're weird.. :eek:

The MTB shorts are pretty breathable, but not quite as good as bike shorts by themselves. On a hot, humid, NYC afternoon, I'd be wearing 6oz bike shorts and pouring cold water on myself.

My, we have some brazen trolls on this board! :p

Yea you should post less. :p

man.. volleyball shorts are hot.. to bad you're a dude...


i still don't understand why you're wearing short shorts when there are plenty of other good shorts out there... ... you're weird.. :eek:

Cause they vent a lot better, thats probably the only reason why. You got any good recommendations for shorts that aren't skin tight but vent well?

I like my MTB shorts for my MTB but not for my roadbike. This has nothing to do with the image thing. I find the MTB shorts bunch up in the wrong places when in the roadbike position. They also tend to pull down in the back at the same time... although this might help with the moist crack problem. :D

I like my MTB shorts for my MTB but not for my roadbike. This has nothing to do with the image thing. I find the MTB shorts bunch up in the wrong places when in the roadbike position. They also tend to pull down in the back at the same time... although this might help with the moist crack problem. :D


I have some cannondale baggies that have two cinch straps that suck out all the bagginess around your crotch for when you're on your bike.
You loosen when off the bike and look normal.

Post a picture!


Well I picked up two pairs of cheap beach volleyball shorts. And the problem with them is that they ride up pretty high, They're 2/3rds of the way up my thighs. I had a guy whistle at me on the way to work today which is flattering but I try to keep that kind of profile low.
Anyway despite that, they're extremely airy and comfortable, keeps my crack dry.
But with that aside, does anyone know how breathable the mountain biking shorts are with the internal padding? I think I'm exposing a bit too much thigh.

I have some cannondale baggies that have two cinch straps that suck out all the bagginess around your crotch for when you're on your bike.
You loosen when off the bike and look normal.

Hmmm... I might have to look out for those. I have baggies with the spandex liners and chamois. The liners fit well but then the front outer layer of the baggies bunch up if I try to get aero.

i just think you're bein kinda wussy... i mean... cyclist wear cycling shorts... how can it get any better?

i just think you're bein kinda wussy... i mean... cyclist wear cycling shorts... how can it get any better?

Pockets are better. So's being able to bike to a restaurant after work to have dinner with my gf and not be in tight spandex. Remember when you were posting like mad here asking people's opinions on bikes and messenger bags? You're not a messenger, just get a bike and a school bag and get on with your life but you don't because like you, we all have our preferences and I'm looking for opinions.

I like my MTB shorts for my MTB but not for my roadbike. This has nothing to do with the image thing. I find the MTB shorts bunch up in the wrong places when in the roadbike position. They also tend to pull down in the back at the same time... although this might help with the moist crack problem. :D

I have the opposite problem, my road bike shorts fit better on the geometry on my road bike and not my mtb. The cannondale short's called the Nebula and has this thing called the "yank-it" system to cinch it tight but performance says they're discontinued.

I wear cycling shorts all the time unless I am just going a couple of miles. If I am going to stop at a restaurant I throw some regular shorts and maybe even underwear in my bag. Depending on the situation I either turn up the legs of my cycling shorts and slip regular shorts over or, preferably, nonchalantly saunter into the men's room and change in a stall. Who's going to say anything? If I were riding a road bike with no way to carry stuff I would put some in the car before heading out. There are many options.

I wear cycling shorts all the time unless I am just going a couple of miles. If I am going to stop at a restaurant I throw some regular shorts and maybe even underwear in my bag. Depending on the situation I either turn up the legs of my cycling shorts and slip regular shorts over or, preferably, nonchalantly saunter into the men's room and change in a stall. Who's going to say anything? If I were riding a road bike with no way to carry stuff I would put some in the car before heading out. There are many options.

Any idea of the durability of road bike shorts? I have a pair that's only got like a month on them and the fabric's starting to pill.

Hmmm... I might have to look out for those. I have baggies with the spandex liners and chamois. The liners fit well but then the front outer layer of the baggies bunch up if I try to get aero.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18131&subcategory_ID=1122

says discontinued, but their next shorts will probably have the same feature, or you could buy them somewhere else like Sierra trading post maybe, I've gotten some great prices on Cannondale stuff there.
Look at the strap right above the pocket to get an idea of what happens.

Any idea of the durability of road bike shorts? I have a pair that's only got like a month on them and the fabric's starting to pill.

How are you washing them? I have Pearl Izumi Ultrasensors that are a couple of years old and they seem to be holding up fine. I wash in delicate cycle and my dryer has a delicate mode too. I also pretreat the chamois to make sure it gets really clean.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18131&subcategory_ID=1122

says discontinued, but their next shorts will probably have the same feature, or you could buy them somewhere else like Sierra trading post maybe, I've gotten some great prices on Cannondale stuff there.
Look at the strap right above the pocket to get an idea of what happens.

Ahhh... that looks like they'd do the trick. Can these things also double as a swiss-seat harness? :D

I have some Pearl Izumi mtn. bike shorts that are very nice for road biking. The tight lining is very breathable and it is attached with two loops on the sides so the outer baggies can go wherever but the inner shorts stay put. I don't have problems with them bunching at all, I have also found that the cheaper mtn. bike shorts breath better as the outer baggies are not as tough as their more expensive counterparts.
http://www.pearlizumi.com/pearlizumi/site/catalog/product.aspx?iProductTypeSubID=12&iProductID=3451&iProductColorsTB=7810

Or you could take a cue from the late 80's and go retro with some hot pink Umbros over traditional black road shorts.

How are you washing them? I have Pearl Izumi Ultrasensors that are a couple of years old and they seem to be holding up fine. I wash in delicate cycle and my dryer has a delicate mode too. I also pretreat the chamois to make sure it gets really clean.

I hand wash and dry them. Usually soak them in water for about 10-15 minutes, then wash in soapy water, rinse twice and hang dry. Which I thought was the best least damaging way to wash them.

i think the best way is to stick with bike shorts and get a small small bag to cram an extra pair of shorts into.

also.. how would going to dinner with volley ball shorts on be better than with bike shorts?

the only other option is sprinter shorts (running)

i think the best way is to stick with bike shorts and get a small small bag to cram an extra pair of shorts into.

also.. how would going to dinner with volley ball shorts on be better than with bike shorts?

the only other option is sprinter shorts (running)

Actually that's the problem is that on the bike these look like sprinter shorts (like REAL short short). But off the bike they almost resemble regular black shorts. I'm leaning towards getting 2 pairs of mtb shorts and leaving it at that. Road bike shorts I have and aren't appropriate to walk into a restaurant with.

Actually that's the problem is that on the bike these look like sprinter shorts (like REAL short short). But off the bike they almost resemble regular black shorts. I'm leaning towards getting 2 pairs of mtb shorts and leaving it at that. Road bike shorts I have and aren't appropriate to walk into a restaurant with.


Thank you :eek:


JK

I wear pink hot pants. Oh yeah that's HAWT!!!

Or you could take a cue from the late 80's and go retro with some hot pink Umbros over traditional black road shorts.

I have some old grey Nike riding shorts with hot-pink panels on the sides. and no, I no longer ride them... not because of the colours but because the chamois is all worn and peeling.

I have been using the Zioc Mtb shorts this year in place of normal biking shorts. I have found them very comfortable in the hot muggy philly weather. (No chance of crack exposure to the elements).

I have some old grey Nike riding shorts with hot-pink panels on the sides.
Yet another opportunity for a Bull Durham quote: "The rose goes in front, big guy."

Hmm... the cool breeze down under on my ride home seems to say, keep them despite how amazingly short it is...

Okay...


First slvoid posts a guy whistled at her/him, Then someone says that slvoid's a dude. Is slvoid a woman or a man and if slovoid is a man then that whistler's gay which isn't something you see allllllll the time.

if slovoid is a man then that whistler's gay which isn't something you see allllllll the time.

Maybe you just haven't been paying attention? :D

So slvoids a man...er...how come a male whistled. Was it a wolf whistle or an "Im impressed" whistle.

Yeah I'm a dude. I don't know WHY exactly a guy whistled, it was a single whistle. And I'm not sure I'm comfortable with people on my commute whistling at my revealing creamy white toned thighs.

It does not matter what shorts I wear in relation to eating at a restaurant..It is not the shorts but the smell...Here in So Cal we can eat outside most of the year... Most restaurants we ride to do not need reservations or valet service.?
Seriously, a pair of long thin soccer shorts in your handlebar bag will see you through any situation where you feel a need for a sense of modesty..When on the bike, bike shorts is the only comfortable way to go.
Another place I appreciate putting on a pair of soccer shorts...When putting my bike on the commuter train..watching the women oggle cyclists or sitting near some weirdo..Soccer shorts usually lessens these incidents.

Yeah I'm a dude. I don't know WHY exactly a guy whistled, it was a single whistle. And I'm not sure I'm comfortable with people on my commute whistling at my revealing creamy white toned thighs.

When you describe your thighs like that I almost feel like whistling! :p

I found that Canari shorts tend to unravel at the edges with just a few wearings. Peal Izumi hold up great as well as Terry Shorts (for women--they are great).

I found that Canari shorts tend to unravel at the edges with just a few wearings.

Hmmmm. I almost picked up a pair of those at the Performance store in Bellevue because they were on clearance sale. Now I'm glad I didn't.

I think the durability issues have to do with the fabric content. Nylon/cordura blends tend to be several times more abrasion resistant than polyester.

Any idea of the durability of road bike shorts? I have a pair that's only got like a month on them and the fabric's starting to pill.

It can apparently vary by brand and probable model, depending on the specific fabric. My Voler bibs showed a little pilling quite soon, but I don't know how that will eventually effect their longevity because I don't wear them every day. I do wear some Aussie bibs that I got from a World Cup class track cyclist who had put thousands of miles on them. I have put thousands more, and they show almost no wear. The side panels (where sponsor stuff was printed) were getting thin so I had them replaced. I would love to get more of these, but they cost about $200 new. As others have mentioned, none of my PI shorts show wear.

I just got a pair of Nema MTB shorts with a chamois pad in there. The pad really cuts back on the air flow, and makes the nether regios much warmer than when I wear my non-padded road bike shorts. Also the padding makes it feel like you've got a diaper on.

I'd go for a pair of MTB shorts that don't have padding in them, but that do have the tight liner. I think they're the best. Even when I wear the road bike shorts I always have on another pair of basketball type shorts on over top.

Wow, I wore my road bike outfit to work today.
A) No one even seemed to notice or care.
B) I knocked a normally 50 minute commute in a headwind to 42 minutes.

Wow, I wore my road bike outfit to work today.
A) No one even seemed to notice or care.
B) I knocked a normally 50 minute commute in a headwind to 42 minutes.

What kind of job??

What kind of job??

Mechanical engineering, I bring a change of clothes but when I walked in, no one seemed to care. still waiting for admiring glances from the ladies. :(

Another place I appreciate putting on a pair of soccer shorts...When putting my bike on the commuter train..watching the women oggle cyclists or sitting near some weirdo..Soccer shorts usually lessens these incidents.

Hah! I live for the women oggling me... maybe that's why I'm dying on my rides! (rimshot)

man.. you could get a kilt.

man.. you could get a kilt.

.........NO!

First slvoid posts a guy whistled at her/him, Then someone says that slvoid's a dude. Is slvoid a woman or a man and if slovoid is a man then that whistler's gay which isn't something you see allllllll the time. Are you being serious? Do queers not exist where you're from? We're everywhere! We're whistling at you! Boogedy boo! :) Just kidding. This just seems funny to me. "You don't see many of 'dem gays round these here parts." Carry on. :D

No really, super short, hot pink pants are probably a bad idea if you are trying to avoid people (of all persuations) noticing you.

.........NO!


aw c'mon.. set 'im free!

aw c'mon.. set 'im free!

For the last time, NOOOO.
I think I'm a firm believer in wearing lycra shorts to work now, they just feel better though I've never ever had the need for padding. My first long ride was 60 miles with no padding and a regular pair of polyester boxers and pants and I had no problem whatsoever and had been commuting that way till about yesterday.