need comfortable bike shorts suggestions
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need comfortable bike shorts suggestions
So long story short I have been struggling with finding the right saddle for a few years now. Tried a Brooks b17 the last year and a half and it was okay but anything over 50 miles I was numb and sore. I had 3k miles on the B17. No bike shorts, just athletic tights and cargo shorts over. I also tried a Selle Anatomica and it was worse than the Brooks as far as chafing because they don't taper their saddle edges. Returned it. Now I'm riding a WTB Pure V and its awesome. No numbness but still a bit sore after 50+ Miles. I need some good bike shorts. I've tried Novera cycling briefs but they chafed me bad on my inner legs so I need more of a longer boxer shorts style. I figured I'd throw this out there and see if a certain brand/model stands out before I go buying a bunch and wasting $$. Thanks!
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#4
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Try AeroTech Designs. I like them because you deal direct with the manufacturer, which seems to save $30 to $40 per pair against comparable shorts at an LBS.
I found I'm very sensitive to the type of pad. Bear in mind there are two definitions of "pad" at work here. The one commonly thought of is "cushion". More important to me is "absorptive". I find I need very little of the former, and a good deal of the latter. AeroTech's $40 Pro Bike Short meets my needs perfectly.
If you prefer a pad with more cushion and less absorption, their $45 Black Pearl or $50 Top Shelf short are worth a look. They have some with even more cushion if strapping a mattress to your butt is your thing. (NTTAWWT)
Their relatively low pricing and huge variety made it affordable and convenient to try out several different models (I tried seven). It was quite enlightening to try different thicknesses, different types and, something I'd never thought about, different widths.
Turns out something that really bothered me about most other bike shorts, but that I couldn't quite place, was the width and stiffness of the pad between the legs. Narrow and flexible does it for me.
I found I'm very sensitive to the type of pad. Bear in mind there are two definitions of "pad" at work here. The one commonly thought of is "cushion". More important to me is "absorptive". I find I need very little of the former, and a good deal of the latter. AeroTech's $40 Pro Bike Short meets my needs perfectly.
If you prefer a pad with more cushion and less absorption, their $45 Black Pearl or $50 Top Shelf short are worth a look. They have some with even more cushion if strapping a mattress to your butt is your thing. (NTTAWWT)
Their relatively low pricing and huge variety made it affordable and convenient to try out several different models (I tried seven). It was quite enlightening to try different thicknesses, different types and, something I'd never thought about, different widths.
Turns out something that really bothered me about most other bike shorts, but that I couldn't quite place, was the width and stiffness of the pad between the legs. Narrow and flexible does it for me.
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Buy some real cycling shorts, and make them bibs. You will never look back. If you haven't used cycling shorts before, I would recommend Voler. Their gear is high quality and relatively inexpensive. Assos are for rich people and racers whose sponsors buy their gear. You could buy 3 pairs of Volers for the cost of Assos cheapest model and always have a clean pair of shorts to wear -- which is more important than anything.
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Sorry for the stupid question but isn't it normal to be a bit sore after 50 miles ride?
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In addition to commuting, I ride centuries and double centuries, so 50 miles is really not very far. My favorite shorts for commuting are Pearl Izume, but when it comes to bib-shorts (which I prefer for non-commuting rides) Giordana and Santini work best for me.
Shorts are kind of like saddles in that you have to experiment to see what works best for your anatomy and your cycling applications. I've never tried Assos since the prices have scared me away!
Rick / OCRR
Shorts are kind of like saddles in that you have to experiment to see what works best for your anatomy and your cycling applications. I've never tried Assos since the prices have scared me away!
Rick / OCRR
#9
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Are you a man or a woman? Where exactly do you get numb?
You should probably ensure there isn't much pressure on the perineum. I believe this is the usual cause of numbness. Not a good thing, not only because it's uncomfortable, but it can also cause long-term nerve damage. Very bad.
Sometimes saddle position is the problem or solution. See if it's possible to adjust things so there's less pressure on the nose of the saddle. Move the saddle up, down, forward, back, and tilt it up and down.
Sometimes a saddle with a cut-out helps.
As for shorts, I'm increasingly frustrated with recent offerings. Bike shorts used to have a leather chamois sewn into the crotch. It was there for absorption. Then at about the same time the crotches changed to synthetic, people started believing that they were for padding. As such, padding has become much too thick. This makes getting on the bike very pleasant, but it's terrible for long-term comfort. The more you ride, the harder you want the saddle and shorts to be. I had one pair of shorts whose padding was far too thick. As a result of the thickness, the padding formed a crease which trapped my scrotum and caused tremendous chafing on it. And of course, I didn't notice how bad it was until I took a long ride.
I don't know which shorts have the thinnest padding, but that's what I'd look for. And when if find them, please report back, because I'd love to know.
Are there any shorts in production that have leather chamois in them?
I'm thinking of making my own. That's how disappointed I am.
You should probably ensure there isn't much pressure on the perineum. I believe this is the usual cause of numbness. Not a good thing, not only because it's uncomfortable, but it can also cause long-term nerve damage. Very bad.
Sometimes saddle position is the problem or solution. See if it's possible to adjust things so there's less pressure on the nose of the saddle. Move the saddle up, down, forward, back, and tilt it up and down.
Sometimes a saddle with a cut-out helps.
As for shorts, I'm increasingly frustrated with recent offerings. Bike shorts used to have a leather chamois sewn into the crotch. It was there for absorption. Then at about the same time the crotches changed to synthetic, people started believing that they were for padding. As such, padding has become much too thick. This makes getting on the bike very pleasant, but it's terrible for long-term comfort. The more you ride, the harder you want the saddle and shorts to be. I had one pair of shorts whose padding was far too thick. As a result of the thickness, the padding formed a crease which trapped my scrotum and caused tremendous chafing on it. And of course, I didn't notice how bad it was until I took a long ride.
I don't know which shorts have the thinnest padding, but that's what I'd look for. And when if find them, please report back, because I'd love to know.
Are there any shorts in production that have leather chamois in them?
I'm thinking of making my own. That's how disappointed I am.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#10
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I am male. The numbness hasn't been an issue really since getting the Pure V saddle which has a groove to relieve pressure. Mostly just my sit bones become sore at this point and I could use the absorption of a chamois. The Novera briefs I tried had a very wide pad which was very uncomfortable. I will see what my local REI has in stock and look for a thin and narrow pad. I have pretty muscular legs so I also need a pair that wont pinch my thighs. The Aero Tech offerings look promising I will check those out more as well. Hoping to find a comfortable pair before mid June as I have a 300+ mile bike packing trip planned.
#11
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OK, soreness is very different from numbness. This is one thing you can learn to tolerate. And it gets better over time. There are tiny muscles around the sit bones, and they toughen up after you ride a fair bit.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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#12
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+1 on AeroTech Designs, I've become a fan. They have different models that are actually different and since they're reasonably priced I was able to try several styles without mortgaging the house. Hey, wanna sell the Brooks? Never tried one and no way I'm buying a new one!!
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#13
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You have a 50 mile commute? this one way, or RT?
Id say something nice about the 3 pair I got in the 90's but the fabric is not used any more..
helenca knit.. it is non lycra--spandex .. so no rubber thread to break down after washing, often.
Id say something nice about the 3 pair I got in the 90's but the fabric is not used any more..
helenca knit.. it is non lycra--spandex .. so no rubber thread to break down after washing, often.
Last edited by fietsbob; 04-26-13 at 10:17 AM.
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+1 on AeroTech Designs, I've become a fan. They have different models that are actually different and since they're reasonably priced I was able to try several styles without mortgaging the house. Hey, wanna sell the Brooks? Never tried one and no way I'm buying a new one!!
#15
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I got these: https://www.zoic.com/black-market-short from Amazon (cheaper + Prime 2-day delivery).
They have a removable padded liner. Plenty of pockets, and are nice and light.
I got them in black, the look super sharp. Haven't actually used them yet, but they fit nicely, and should be great.
They have a removable padded liner. Plenty of pockets, and are nice and light.
I got them in black, the look super sharp. Haven't actually used them yet, but they fit nicely, and should be great.
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Tom, for thin padding try some triathlon shorts. They have thin padding because they are worn throughout the triathlon - swimming (need to dry fast), cycling (very minimal padding), and running (how would you like to run a marathon in normal bike shorts?). I've worn them under regular shorts for long rides and it works great. No one can tell. It's sort of like padded cycling liners/underwear, but with very little padding and a slippery surface my regular shorts do not get hung up on.
Last edited by Ciufalon; 04-28-13 at 12:40 AM.
#17
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My favorite shorts for commuting are Pearl Izumi, but when it comes to bib-shorts (which I prefer for non-commuting rides) Giordana and Santini work best for me.
Shorts are kind of like saddles in that you have to experiment to see what works best for your anatomy and your cycling applications. I've never tried Assos since the prices have scared me away!
Rick / OCRR
Shorts are kind of like saddles in that you have to experiment to see what works best for your anatomy and your cycling applications. I've never tried Assos since the prices have scared me away!
Rick / OCRR
#18
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Ciufalon, thank you very much for that tip. I dimly remember someone else giving me that advice. I'll bear it in mind next time I'm buying shorts.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
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