Road Cycling - Shorts

I need some recomendations for some shorts guys. I'm going on a 150 mile Tour De Cure ride, and I know that my worn out HFS tech shorts ain't goin' to work for 150 miles. The ride isn't 150 at once, it is two days of 75 mile rides.

I really like the Bibs I got from Bulltek sports.
I bought the ones on sale (something like $34?)
and they're really nice. The bibs are really comfortable, can't believe I rode for so long using shorts with a waistband.
I don't mind advertising for Xavier either.

I've been wearing Colorado Cyclist's house brand for a few years and they are OK for cheap shorts. They came out with an upgraded short last year I think. More pricey, but probably better. I've also used Voler.com brand and they are nice, but fit smaller. I've never owned a pair of bib shorts, but just recently heard more good things about them as far as the lack of waist binding and I think I may try a pair this spring.

Good luck on your long ride. - Remember - no undies under your shorts if you didn't already know that.

Anybody tried Nike cycling shorts?

The Trek Shorts, and some of Nike's shorts, have sueded fabric on the chamois..This doesn't sound comfortable. Has anybody used these shorts?

Haven't tried them. I like Louis Garneau's Ultra Pro bibs -- good fit, with a beefy chamois. I'm typically between a medium and large in shorts -- 32" waist with bunny legs -- and I like the fact that the Garneau shorts [the quality ones, anyway] have enough stretch it them so either the large or medium fits me well. I recently bought some Cannondale bibs that I like very much, though I've only worn them on 2-hour rides so far and I can't say how well they'll stand up for four or five hours.

I'm of two minds about my Sugoi bib shorts. The fabric is very tough, but doesn't have much give, so you really have to get the RIGHT size. They're large, so they fit my thighs, but the butt is a bit loose and they tend to creep. They also have a baseball-stitch on the chamois that has to be the stupidest thing in the world -- it puts a seam RIGHT where it can chafe the most. I have to work bag balm into the seams before I ride, and that works, but I will never buy Sugoi shorts again.

With the shorts I have now, I have a bit of an issue with its supporting my "area" performance. They(my shorts) actually offer no support and after a few mintues in the saddle I have terrible chafing not in the middle, but on the sides of my "boys". It gets so bad I have to really grind my teeth to go on rides over 20 miles, and 20 miles is nothing, I usually do 20 milers during lunch. Of course, I got my shorts on sale at nashbar for 15 bucks. Will a more expensive pair(say 40-60 dollars) of shorts give better support down there?

Longscycle has Giordana 8 panel shorts for 34 bucks..http://longscycle.com/images/ShortsGiordana_small.jpg


Are those good shorts?

Giordana makes decent shorts. I had some with a natural chamois that I wore until they were indecent. There are better shorts out there, but probably not for $34.

Originally posted by fubar5
Are those good shorts?
Yes... and at about 1/2 the price...

It is very tempting to fork out 70 bucks tog et a pair of USPS cycling shorts..Then I'd have the jersey and the shorts.

Originally posted by fubar5
It is very tempting to fork out 70 bucks tog et a pair of USPS cycling shorts..Then I'd have the jersey and the shorts.
And you'll look like a total Fred.

Do yourself a favour -- stick to black shorts. Trade team jerseys are okay in moderation, and can be cool especially if they're obscure teams like Bangiroloterij-Batavus or Colpack-Astro, or defunct teams like Gan or Polti [or, for that matter, Festina], but full trade team strip just screams poseur. [The exception, of course, is if you can wear the full strip and still ouride everyone -- a rare occurance, sadly.] Black shorts go with everything. Bery classic; very cool.

There's nothing more comfortable on a long ride than bibs. Everything stays in place without binding. If you need to do a quick one at the side of the road, they're easy down and back up. I really like Castelli and Santini. Nice fit and a very comfortable chamois. Hind makes some comfortable, durable, and reasonable (about $40) shorts. I really like them, but they're not bibs. So I just wear them with a good pair of heavy duty suspenders from KMart. I really don't like my Pearl Izumis. They have this chamois that is grooved like corduroy. Those grooves bite at you-know-where. Then after they give you a nice saddle sore they pinch at it. So much for Pearls.

On the support issue, make sure that the fit isn't too loose. When there's room to move around in there, chafing is not far behind.

Get some good shorts and enjoy your ride.

Rich

Don't know if you are interested, but I've always found Endura gear comfortable

Find the web site here:Your butt's safe in these (http://www.endurasport.com/)

I've got some Giordana bib-shorts, (www.probikekit.com always has some of their stuff on very good deals - and the jersey's are very good). If you're a smallish size you can get some real bargains.

The construction of the shorts is very good, with comfortably stitched artificial chamois, and a small towelling pad. The leg grippers are comfortable - not too tight but the legs don't ride up. They've washed and worn very well. They're generally comfortable, perhaps my only niggles are the shoulder staps are a little loose (but that could be my build ;)) and the crotch area whilst supportive isn't overly generous. I find them better than the Castelli pair I've got, and for the money I paid have no real complaints.

Recommended but bear in mind my longest run so far in them has only been 28 miles (I'm sure they'd be fine for longer rides but haven't got the experience to back it up).

Richard

Chewa, I checked out those shorts and unfortunetly they don't gave a dealer any closer than North Carolina. Do you know if they are available online? They look like nice shorts. With bibs, do you guys ever get irritated by the straps? I know when I'm riding with a backpack or something on the road it drives me nuts. I can't stand having the straps on my shoulders.

Fubar5 - Bear in mind that I'm a relative newbie but I have never experienced irritation at having bib straps (you don't really feel them), the only thing I can think that might be a factor is the extra (thin) layer on your back is noticeably warmer than waisted shorts.

probikekit only have a few small sizes in Giordana shorts at the moment, but if you're dainty of waist they've got them for 15 - 21 dollars depending on colour (sorry I didn''t check postage).

Endura clothing seems to be highly regarded by the UK cycling press and is available online from most UK dealers (again i don't know about postage), see the list I posted re: Dirtgrinders homepage.

Richard

I think my most comfortable shorts are by Louis Garneau, as stated by another. Someone mentioned not looking too much like a pro in pro's attire, because we are not pro's; but wannabe's. Well I understand that.
yet I have toured twice in France. Saw lots of cyclists wearing pro gear, teams can't have that many members. Seemed most popular was whatever JaJa is wearing at the moment.
Anyway, I wore complete Cofidis gear to blend into the local populace,even though my French is minimal.
The response was are you on the Cofidis team,( guess I did look pretty good after 800 miles). I felt local populace approved.
I wore Cofidis because Bobby Julich was on team at the time. They particularily like my French flag socks. Someone wanted to buy my second pair.

probikekit has some coolmax bibs for 23 bucks!

Are Louis shorts expensive?

Since bib straps are made of light smooth material they are unnoticeable against the body. However, each company has a different cut. They will all sit on your back, chest, and shoulders in a different way. Some have a higher back panel than others. It never really gets hot around here, so that doesn't matter to me. But in South Carolina, that might be real uncomfortable in the summer. There are more things to consider in bibs, but when it all comes together for you, the comfort will make it worthwhile.

As far as completing the USPS kit, why the heck not? Will it make you ride harder? Will it inspire you? Will it make you feel good to support the team? Will you have more fun? If you answered yes to some of these, then do it. And if they are genuine team shorts, they will be bibs.

Rich

Like Richard I recently purchased some cycling gear from Probike kit.

The shorts err bibshorts were coolmax and they are ohhhhh so comfy , from now on it has to be coolmax for me .
Proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the first time wearing them I hardly noticed they were on, doing a 30miler guess thats good enough for me. :)

Garneau bibs -- the model I wear -- sell for about $70-$90 in Canada. That's about $50 US, but they're probably a bit more than that [cheaper in Canada].

As for comfort, I've ridden on quite a few 35C, 90% days and the minimal insulation from bibs never bothered me. Most are made with mesh backs and straps, so I doubt they'd be much consequence.

The proBikeKit shorts look like a good deal, but I don't know anyone who's tried them [and if you're out $23, you're just out $23. Remember that shipping is a bit pricey, so it's probably best to order a number of things at once [or go into it with some buddies].

As for full strip... well, I think it's a bit goofy looking. On the other hand, I was out on a group ride about a week ago, when a guy in full Gan team strip, riding a Francaise de Jeux team issue Gitane joined us. [Gan, by the way, was a great team of the 1990s that morphed into Credit Agricole in 1999]. Snide jerk that I am, I greeted the guy with "Salut, Gibus" [sa-loo zhee-boos] as he went by in the paceline. "Gibus" was Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle, the leader of Gan in its heyday and one of the truly great classics riders of the 80s and 90s. It was a snide/subtle way of calling him a poseur, of course; I was being an ***.

Turns out that "Gibus" is a former Euro pro who retired 15 years ago and, I'm told, worked as a soigneur for Gan in the 90s. He's 53 and utterly demolished me repeatedly on every attack I made on a climb. At one point, he, one of my biddies and I were in a short break [we regrouped every 10 km or so], and not only would this guy take a longer turn, he was TOTALLY smooth the whole way.

My lesson? Never judge a book by its cover or a rider by his shorts. Gibus [his name is Bertrand, actually, and will be riding for one of the local teams this year] earned that strip and has the chops to defend it against obnoxious jerks like me. On the other hand, if he'd sucked my wheel for 80 km. I would've been much less impressed.

Your lesson? By all means, wear full team strip. Just be sure that you have the chops to match it.

By the way, Gan had one of the best jerseys of all time.

Originally posted by willic
The shorts err bibshorts were coolmax and they are ohhhhh so comfy , from now on it has to be coolmax for me .

Hey willic:

I had a pair of lightweight coolmax shorts a few years ago. I loved them, but after a few months of wear the sun began to bleach them to a strange iridescent sick beetle-back green color. I don't know if this is a problem with all coolmax shorts or was just an idiosyncracy of those shorts. Let us know in a few months if your shorts are still nice and black?

O/K Regular Guy!

I will keep that in mind.
Although i don`t reckon around this neck of the woods we ever get enough sun to bleach any thing , let alone a pair of cycling shorts :rolleyes:
Willi`c

I feel wearing pro gear shows real interest and commitment to the sport. Do we not wear the jersey of our favorite football player. I really like the blue and yellow of the Gan gear. To some degree I have collected French cycling garb, because we sponsor French student exchange & their hosts , know of my interest, they bring the gear as a gift.
When touring, I have worn Cofidis, Les Francaise deux Jeux, and Gan gear. My Gan gear a jersey and winter tights.
When wearing this gear among foreign cyclists in their country, it creates an instant bond. I felt that was worthwhile in creating instant international friendships.
Maybe they felt same way about us. Got many offers to have European cyclists buy off of me, my Califronia Republc jersey and California Republic socks. Would not part with them, no matter what.

Just for you Fubar5 I tried out a new pair of shorts this morning :)

Caratti - artificial chamois pad shiny lycra, very comfortable, but not as comfy as bib shorts (I've still got a largish middle though ;)). Can't remember where I picked them up, but they were reduced somewhere or other (there might be a pattern emerging regarding my buying patterns...).

Richard

Very gracious and humble post, Velocipedio. And a good story as well.

I succumbed to the desire to have a matching outfit (perhaps because I am anal-retentive, and ... oh, that is in another topic). ;)

But, the two "uniforms" I have are the one used and sold by my LBS, and which I purchased partly to support them, and one I have lusted after for some time because of the look/colors. That one is for our energy distribution company - electric and gas - and I have never seen one anywhere on the street. However, I comment on how great the color scheme is every time I see one of their many vehicles on the road, so I got the outfit as an early birthday present.

I can pretty much guarantee that when I live and cycle in France, no one will know who either of these groups are (not that I really care). But one of them will be in the photos of me at the top of Mont Ventoux when I finally make it!

And they both include bib shorts. What more can you ask?

Cheers...Gary

A bike shop in Columbia has some Cannondale shorts, I'm gonna go see how I like them tomorrow. If possible I want to get shorts from a bike shop rather than online.

Fubar,

check out REI if there is a store near you,
if not REI.COM has some good deals,
and they have an outlet center online with really
good prices. Cannondale shorts for less than $25 last time
I checked.
I am not affiliate in any way with REI other than they occaisionally
take my money :lol:

Marty

I have a pair of Cannondale 10-panel [Vertex?] bibs. I like them a lot, but they're very pricey. I only got them becaue a local shop had a promotion where you trade in an old pair of shorts [in my case, a very worn pair of Sugoi half-shorts] for 25% off. The fabric is a little shiny and slightly slick, and the chamois is quite good.

The Performance (http://www.performancebike.com) Elite short is a good short at a reasonable price (they're on sale for $30 right now). They have a good, thick, artificial chamois. They also make a Bib version (remember, straps under the jersey). I like bibs, but need to keep the straps positioned such that they don't give me, um, titty-burn.

If you go for mail order, fit is alway a consideration. Question the sales guy about it regarding the pair you're planning to order. In general, European brands tend to run smaller. Check this Colorado Cyclist Sizing Chart (http://www.coloradocyclist.com/help/sizingcharts.cfm) page to get some idea.

Thanks for doing the TdC, it's great to do something you enjoy for a good cause. If you drop me a PM with information, I'd be glad to contribute a couple of sponsorship bucks.

I have to give another thumbs up to the Louis Garneau Ultra-chamios(it has some name like that). It's one of those three-piece deals and quite padded, but in "all the right places".

I just got a pair of Voler bib knickers( i love knickers!) and , hallelujah(sp?), they have the same chamois!!!

I call shorts w/ this type of chamois my "century shorts". I find them too padded for short rides and waaaay to thick for the mtb, but for those 100mi + days i pull these babies on.
And yes these $$$ shorts are generally worth the price.

Happy butt=happy rider.
:beer:

I have 3 pairs of PERFORMANCE CENTURY GEL SHORTS. These are FANTASTIC. On the first pair I bought, I wore the gel out so that it disentegrated into tiny pieces. Have to hand wash so the gel doesn't fold over itself but other than that quite possilbly the only shorts I'll buy. I rode the MS150 last Sep in them

Dr. Bill

I wash all my shorts in a pillow case. think that helps them to last through many more cycles.

I got a pair of Cannondale shorts today at my favorite bike shop, Cycle Center. The guy was real helpful and showed me several pairs of shorts and talked about foam chamois and synthetic leather,quality of Lycra, and anamotical(sp?) design. I got the Cannondales because they were 65 bucks, had the best chamois, best design, and most durable Lycra for the price. I asked him about Nike shorts , he said that the dry line design was nice because they kept you cool, but the Lycra wasn' t very durable. So they wouldn't last through as many wash cycles. I figured I would spend a little more and get the C'dales. They are 8 panel shorts, the bike shop guy said the 10-panel design is better, but I didn't have 80 bucks.

So Fubar, How's the butt doing with the new C'dales?

I just picked up some Pearl Isumi Attack shorts and it's a BIG improvement over my threadbare Nashbars.

Originally posted by fubar5
With the shorts I have now, I have a bit of an issue with its supporting my "area" performance. They(my shorts) actually offer no support and after a few mintues in the saddle I have terrible chafing not in the middle, but on the sides of my "boys". It gets so bad I have to really grind my teeth to go on rides over 20 miles, and 20 miles is nothing, I usually do 20 milers during lunch. Of course, I got my shorts on sale at nashbar for 15 bucks. Will a more expensive pair(say 40-60 dollars) of shorts give better support down there?

1. Have you tried a different (narrower) saddle?
I had a similar problem -- changed saddles and presto!

2. More expensive shorts DO help!
"Bargain" shorts get uncomfortable after about 15 miles. And if it's hot weather, 5 miles.

For long, warm weather rides I usually wear Pearl Izumi Attack or Ultrasensor shorts.

Good luck on the ride. :beer:

I have a pair of Sugoi bibs that fit me until about mid-April. The fabric isn't very stretchy and, as I lose weight during the season, they get kind of loose on me. I know its time to retire them until next year when they get so loose that the boys start slipping down the leg. The un-mistakable sensation of pinning my boys between my thigh and th nose of my saddle is the only clue I need.

Originally posted by AlphaGeek
So Fubar, How's the butt doing with the new C'dales?

I just picked up some Pearl Isumi Attack shorts and it's a BIG improvement over my threadbare Nashbars.


Awesome, I love them!


Velo, I'm saving up for a new saddle. The saddles I have now are a little wide and have long noses, I want to try something narrower and shorter.

What is all this talk about "the boys"?

I guess i accidentally stumbled into the "Men's Cycling" forum.

Whoops! ;)



I'm glad i'm a girl! :D

Originally posted by fubar5

Velo, I'm saving up for a new saddle. The saddles I have now are a little wide and have long noses, I want to try something narrower and shorter.

Try a Brooks Professional saddle, leather rules! :eek:

Originally posted by fubar5
Velo, I'm saving up for a new saddle. The saddles I have now are a little wide and have long noses, I want to try something narrower and shorter.
I'm quite partial to the Selle Italia Flite Trans Ams. Most conmfortable saddle I've ever had. But saddles are a verty personal thing. YMMV.

I have a Max Trans AM on my road bike right now. It's a pretty good saddle, but a little wide in the back.

Fubar

I got my Trans am from supergo for something like $50 (not on
sale) they are way cheaper than anyone else.
The regular Flite Trans Am is narrower than the Max.
Agree with above, Brooks are great after you get
them broken in.

Marty

I'd like to try the plain ole plain ole Selle Itailia Flite. It doesn't have the cut in the middle...Does the cut make a big difference?

I've ridden a whole lot of saddles in my life -- Brooks, Specialized ProLong and ProLong Evo, SDG, San Marco... the list goes on -- I find that the perineal cutaway on the SI Trans Am is one of the greatest comfort innovations in cycling in the last 50 years. You may be too young to know just what a drag perineal pressure can be, Fubar. Just take my word for it.

Originally posted by velocipedio
I've ridden a whole lot of saddles in my life -- Brooks, Specialized ProLong and ProLong Evo, SDG, San Marco... the list goes on -- I find that the perineal cutaway on the SI Trans Am is one of the greatest comfort innovations in cycling in the last 50 years. You may be too young to know just what a drag perineal pressure can be, Fubar. Just take my word for it.


Okey dokey. I'll try to get a Flite Trans AM. I'll trade my Flite Trans AM Max for a Flite Trans AM. My Max is in great condition.

I'll second the motion on the cutaway being one of the best biking inventions in years.

Its supposed to relieve pressure on the prostate area
and avoid numb nuts, or something like that.
I have one, but I think its mostly hype.
Sheldon Brown thinks so, I rode Brooks types
for a long time and seem to be ok.
Infact I'm in a bidding war on an older
san marco concor, NO HOLE (or cut out)
just checked, I got the saddle, now my old trek
can be restored to out of the store specs.

whatever is comfortable for you is the real key.

Marty

Ah, don´t say it´s just marketing. The cutawy is really a good thing, I use a trans am and didn´t have any problems yet.

The bibs I own are from adidas and I´m satisfied. So, I really can recommend them. I wouln´t wear other shorts any more.