Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Dumb question about bike shorts

I just wore bike shorts for the first time. That was...different. (Putting on lubed-up shorts was odd.)

These are new "Pearl Izumi Elite In-R-Cool" shorts I got on sale at REI. Well, on the way home from the ride (only 16mi, 1245ft of climbing) I notice that the logo on my thigh is coming off. And the one on my butt apparently is having problems as well (as my friend reported). I'm wondering if that's normal? They are reflective bits, so I'd prefer them to stay on. But being a big guy I know these things are stretched out a bit and my friend suggested the logo couldn't stretch as much as the fabric could. Did I just get a bad pair or is this common?

Your first time wearing them? Take them back. REI has a great return policy, and no, I don't think that is normal. TMMV

Assuming you mean the little "PI" logo? Yeah, it will come off, but over time & not so soon. Did you wash them yet? Maybe that hurt the logo. Also, they're pretty small, so the reflective attribute won't really help you be seen too much. (I wouldn't worry about that aspect.)

Assuming you mean the little "PI" logo? Yeah, it will come off, but over time & not so soon. Did you wash them yet? Maybe that hurt the logo. Also, they're pretty small, so the reflective attribute won't really help you be seen too much. (I wouldn't worry about that aspect.)

I didn't wash them before I wore them. This is the first time. If they're gonna come off anyway I won't sweat it...see what happens when I wash them.

I've only seen that on mine after a few trips through the washer.

Yeah, they're almost like some sort of iron-on sticker. But, even some of the dye-sublimated ones eventually wear out. Your friend is right: the lycra is stretchy-er than the logo. But, yeah, not so soon. Try taking them back.

Take them back, unless you're like my wife, who hates logos of any kind on her clothing, in which case you might find this to be a blessing.

I might try - I bought them during the sale so if REI wants to make me pay the difference (they were a really good price) then I won't bother.

If they were clearance items, they might balk at an even trade, but if there were regular merchandise that just happened to be on sale when you bought them, they should swap them out for you for no charge, IMO. I'd be surprised if they didn't.

I've had those exact shorts for a year and they're still intact. They're probably #4 in my rotation in order of favorite to least favorite (I don't think they provide as much thigh support as some of my other shorts) but I do like them.

I wouldn't sweat the logos - I bought a pair of Sugoi bibs last week - worn them twice and teh black on black logo I can't even read is starting to peel. It's no biggie.

I noticed the sticker of my Trek shorts coming off today. Can't complain to much, I bought them in 1992.:) Yeah, they spent most of the time sitting in a drawer.

I am wearing my two 1998-1999 trek shorts. Want new shorts but more important things keep popping up like buying a new bike. Ha ha ha

Ugh, I just threw two pair of shorts out that were from the early 00s (I think). Once they lose that grippy stuff in the legs I have no interest in wearing them. Lycra thong? No thanks.

Not sure about those, but I've had phenomenal luck with shorts from Aerotech Designs (http://www.aerotechdesigns.com). My first pair I've had for almost 6 years and have been on my butt for several centuries, gravel centuries, and all kinds of long rides. And they were the cheapest ones they sell! They're starting to get a little thin, and approaching being too big for me so it will work itself out.

My two other pair are their "Top Shelf" bike shorts, and both pair are three or four years old, and both look like new.

I can't recommend them enough, someone else in this forum turned me on to them but yeah, I never have had a quality or comfort problem with them.

I have several pair of REI's brand of short which are probably 5 years old (I've been off the bike for about 4 years before starting up again in May. They've been in a box in my closet). They're my favorites. I'm fussy about the leg grippers. I like them to keep my shorts from riding up, but not so tight I feel like I'm wearing rubber bands around my thighs.

I still have some shorts from the 70's. The ones with real leather chamois inside. They last a lot, lot longer if you wash them in cold water only on the gentlest cycle your machine will do, with liquid soap. Then, hang them up to dry on a hanger, (don't use the dryer).

Oh, not washing before wearing the first time? Yuck!