JReade

I feel ridiculous in athletic shorts and t shirts on my roadie, I commute in bike shorts, clipless road shoes, and a jersey.

no motor?

How about one of these? https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/saddles/images/sa103.jpg

Transmogrifier

Roadies call me Fred for riding with fenders, lights, panniers, and a mirror. Now my fellow commuters call me obnoxious because I commute in a kit? Is it possible to be counter-culture within a counter-culture?

So alone...

Hoshnasi

Ten mile commute, full kit and clipless on my road bike. All the other people ride in a full kit, even those on hybrid bikes... Not seeing the problem.

buzzman

I completely understand the concept of wearing a loose fitting short while on the train. I mean, the "social contract" dictates certain appropriate apparel for different situations but there are some commutes where it makes sense to ride the trip in cycling shorts.

Years ago I was commuting a 36 mile commute (72 RT) I was using my commute as training for racing and I did the commute at pretty much full tilt- cycling shorts made sense to me. For commutes of more than 15 miles one way I dress "appropriately" for my ride- which, for me, is usually cycling shorts, gloves and jersey.

My one way commute is just over 10 miles or less these days and I choose to wear street clothes and ride a hybrid bike to do it. A friend of mine does a 7 mile commute and wears jersey and shorts and rides a road bike. I'd be the last one to judge his choice of attire or bike-- his choice not mine. Doesn't "bother" me if someone chooses to wear full kit to commute.

MNBikeguy

I disagree with the suggestion of shaving the affected area.
What you describe is a classic friction rash, solved with decent bike shorts. Shaving will not stop the friction, it will just make you itch.
Apply some antibiotic ointment. If for some reason you object to the appearance, get the bike underwear.

Lisl

Ha, I feel you

And really how can you FORCE someone to deal with it... you don't like it? Don't look - the end

009jim

IMHO there's no reason to be shy about wearing your bike tights on the train, bus or anywhere else. Geez! Women can wear just about anything they like and any man who complains is in trouble. I suggest you wear whatever you like. There's a girl where I work and she comes to work in long black stockings and a longish pullover, no pants no dress! I would expect to be sacked if I did the same.

gear

Nothing is more obnoxious than going swimming in a SWIMSUIT ! I always wear my jeans and a nice sweater.

009jim

On my way to a friend's house yesterday I stopped in at a bike shop that I'd seen. They had a big basket of change-out saddles. I found a Bontrager Affinity that looked fairly narrow and decided to buy it since they only wanted 30 bucks. When I got home I decided comparative measurements of the width were called for. I decided that 120mm to the rear of the tip of the saddle's nose was an appropriate place so I could get a repeatable measurement. I measured the new seat plus the ones on my bikes.
Giant seat on my CRX3 that I ride regularly............................... 65mm
Selle Italia seat I bought last weekend for my Trek bike............... 57mm
New Bonty seat which is going on my CRX3............................... 54mm

Anyone got measurements of theirs?

009jim

I'd feel a bit self conscious catching the bus wearing my budgie-smugglers.

ottawa_adam

I agree. Another risk of shaving is in-grown hairs, which can be extremely uncomfortable.

Different styles of shorts or the use of underwear may be an appropriate long-term solution.

Good luck!

009jim

My new Bonty seat seems to have alleviated the chaffing. It doesn't have a cut out for my taint though, so I'm getting a bit of pressure there. Has anyone got a seat that measures only 54 mm wide but also has a cut-out to take the pressure off the taint?

krobinson103

I wear my bike shorts and tight fitting Jersey on my MTB and commuter. I just get changed when I get to work. I don't see any issues. The clothes cover all that needs to be covered. It did take a little time to get used to the 'x men' suit factor but I don't consider biking clothes to immodest...

Chitown_Mike

I am a fuzzy and sweaty dude, so I have a pair of compression boxers (Adidas I think), a pair of padded road shorts and I wear some normal lightweight shorts or basketball shorts over them and change real quick at work.

I was vehemently against bike shorts for a long time, but after a few long rides and a few forest fires caused by the friction of my thighs, I decided the welfare of my comfort and those poor animals was worth the investment into some padded shorts. I am actually looking to get some more because mine are so well loved and I would never ride without them.

I would suggest them and a pair of loose shorts to wear over them.

009jim

I gather the idea of measuring seats just isn't going to be popular!!! I would have thought at least one or two replies? It's easier if you have a vernier caliper.

rogerstg

Great idea to trap the occasional bee or wasp in there.

PatrickGSR94

Speaking from experience? I always wear spandex briefs and cargo shorts on longer rides, never had any problems like that. And believe me we have plenty of bugs and other flying critters here in the South during the summer.

rogerstg

Two acquaintances. But they were wearing shorts that billowed in the wind, making great bee catchers.

SlimRider

Worked for me!

After shaving, I washed the area with dilute soapy water. Then applied a little Aloe Vera and petroleum jelly. The rash completely vanished within two days.

Switched to silk underwear afterwards, with no problem...

somedood

54mm wide in which area? 54mm is reaaalllyy narrow if you're talking about the buttbone seating area, but if you're talking about the nose of the saddle that is different. I've gotten along pretty well width Specialize Body Geometry saddles (i have a toupe on one bike, and romin on another), and a dealer in our area lets us test ride a saddle for a few days before buying.

The specialized saddles come in varying widths (130mm, 143mm, and 155mm). If you're meaning a different section of the saddle I can measure it on my current rides to see what it is like.

Yo Spiff

I prefer lycra shorts when I ride, but do occasionally have reason to want to look more normal when I am out. I've tried baggy MTB shorts, and wearing my lycra road shorts under my street shorts. I didn't care for either one due to bunching up of the overlayer and the padding beneath. Last night I went out just wearing my regular street short with boxers underneath. Worked great, and I ride on a leather Brooks. Just a little less cush than my usual roadie shorts, but not uncomfortable in any way. In daytime conditions, my boxers might get too sweaty for comfort, however. I may try some liner shorts in the future.

Notso_fastLane

I think you should just ride naked!!

Or get a recumbent. <begin flame wars>

I wear bike shorts simply because I've found them to be more comfortable on a bike, regardless of whether I'm riding the 'bent or the DF. I have 'bike shirts'...not jerseys with logos or anything like that, does that count? I wear what's comfortable for me, and don't worry about how cool I look.

009jim

see where the "X" is on my picture above
that where I was getting chaffed so thats where I measured
can't see any point in measuring the width right at the widest

AdamDZ

You're certainly entitled to have your own opinion.

OP, try Butt'r.