General Cycling Discussion - I want to buy some shorts

...with that pad and everything. But I don't want to spend a fortune and I don't want to get cheap garbage... and I don't want to buy used... What's a good source? What do I look for?

I tried a pair of mountain shorts from performance that aren't very padded since it seemed like a good way to give it a try, and they're way better on the bike than they are standing in the store or driving to the trail to ride, so I'm ready to commit. But I'm not willing to spend my whole budget on one pair of shorts, so I need some advice.

I'm 6'5 and very long in the torso with a 36-38" waist (depending on how much pizza i've had recently) so I'm probably not going to find comfortable bibs, so we're just talking shorts. Can I get something decent for <=$50? I'm not doing this professionally, but i was sore after the MS ride this summer and i'm starting to be interested in the beginners cross races and blah blah blah... And I'll probably want similar tights before long too...

Any help? Both with decent brands/styles and retailers?

check out love2pedal.com. they have some good stuff at affordable prices. plus, the owner is a member here so you can get to him directly if you have sizing questions. I'm only 6'3 with a 36-38 waist, but I find their bibs to be comfortable.

My performance brand fell apart well before my pearl izumi or canari stuff. None were particularly expensive. Amazon or anywhere off-season and always buy on sale.

love2pedal.com
If you are on a budget, they can't be beat. I have a few sets that I rotate among other brands and they hold up very well.

Try voler.com (https://www.voler.com/). They have great shorts and bibs and the price is right. They're currently having a buy one, get one sale.

I'm also in the market for shorts. Looking at that voler website, only one pair of shorts style is 2 for one at $115 (57.50 a piece). Hmmm, so when does this "off-season" start?

You get what you pay for. Look for past year models of mid-high quality shorts, on sale or closeout. That's the best I would suggest, if you don't want used. Narrow down brands/sizing. I found Giordana do have some good, affordable stuff. Use Google, keep looking, be patient.

My performance brand fell apart well before my pearl izumi or canari stuff. None were particularly expensive. Amazon or anywhere off-season and always buy on sale.

+1 for Pearl Izumi. Not the cheapest but not the most expensive either, good value in my book.
Usually available in most shops/REI, meaning you can actually try it instead of hoping the shorts
you ordered online will fit:)

Nuther vote for voler.

Like RonH said, they have a current two for one deal on one of their better shorts/bibs. Can't beat free shipping and a Tootsie Roll!

You might try aerotechdesigns.com. They also sell on Ebay.

P2

Try voler.com (https://www.voler.com/). They have great shorts and bibs and the price is right. They're currently having a buy one, get one sale.

And use the code SHIP10 for an extra 10% discount. I just bought some of their bibs on sale. Excellent stuff!

You get what you pay for. Look for past year models of mid-high quality shorts, on sale or closeout. That's the best I would suggest, if you don't want used. Narrow down brands/sizing. I found Giordana do have some good, affordable stuff. Use Google, keep looking, be patient.

Okay, but which ones are past year models of good shorts? There are all of these different things people say about theirs, but it's hard to understand for someone who's never bought them. 6 panels? 8? 9? 11? variable thickness pads? pearl izumi? scattante? giordana?

I've googled around to try to figure it out, and some days I think it's only my google skills that keep me employed. Mostly what I've determined is that people selling **** get higher rankings than people explaining things.

Personally, I'd choose a supportive, sprung saddle over cycling shorts for commuting and general transportation. I guess it depends what you use your bike for.

I only started wearing road cycling shorts this year and bought a variety of low-end models from various brand names, none more than $35. IMO the most comfy are Sugoi and Pearl Izumi. Louis Garneau was fine too. I found the Bellwether and Performance to be the least comfortable. Nashbar wasn't great either. I didn't pay attention to the number of panels.

And use the code SHIP10 for an extra 10% discount. I just bought some of their bibs on sale. Excellent stuff!

Sweet, thanks for the code! Gonna place an order for the two fer when I get home.

Bibs... not shorts :)

I only started wearing road cycling shorts this year and bought a variety of low-end models from various brand names, none more than $35. IMO the most comfy are Sugoi and Pearl Izumi. Louis Garneau was fine too. I found the Bellwether and Performance to be the least comfortable. Nashbar wasn't great either. I didn't pay attention to the number of panels.

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for sales on those...


Personally, I'd choose a supportive, sprung saddle over cycling shorts for commuting and general transportation. I guess it depends what you use your bike for.

While most of my trips are commuting/general transportation, most of my miles are longer 10-30 mile rides for enjoyment and I enjoy doing a little bit of singletrack and have thought about trying a couple of beginner cross races, so I thought it would be nice to be in the right uniform :) And I find the sprung saddles to generally be too wide to be comfortable, though there have been a few in the way more than I'm interested in spending category that looked like they might work.


Bibs... not shorts :)

yeah, I think I addressed this initially. bibs are just not long enough for my height, even when they're too wide for my waist. I ended up picking up a pair of performance branded "century" shorts on the cheap, and I'll keep watching for sales to expand my collection.