OldsCOOL

I have black ones similar to what is shown. I dont care for the grip strip on the inner legs down near rhe knee. I usually pull them up my thigh so they arent restrictive. Very comfortable.

DnvrFox

A Phoenix thread?

02-22-08, 03:48 PM

07-24-14, 12:18 AM

GravelMN

You don't "have to" wear bike shorts at all and there are a lot of people who do lots of biking without them. I do a lot of casual riding wearing athletic underwear and regular shorts or jeans. They do have advantages but don't think "padding", think moisture control and friction reduction. An overly thick chamois can actually be less comfortable than a thinner but well designed one. One of my favorite pair has a quite thin chamois and I've worn them as liner shorts under a variety of cargo or jean shorts for ride of 100-miles or more.

Cycling shorts are like any other pants and selection is a highly individualized choice, but I recommend staying away from the very cheap ones. Aerotech has some decent priced ones that are good quality. I've got one of the Black Pearl and one Top Shelf and find them comfortable and durable. Aero Tech Designs | Men's Road Bike Shorts | Bicycle Ride Comfort The Black P have a shorter inseam so they don't show under regular shorts making them good liners.

As far as the debate over shorts vs. bibs, some people almost reach zealot status in their preference but the reality is that as long as they are a good fit and design, either will serve you well, making it a personal choice. I own both and wear shorts probably 80% of the time.

rydabent

When it comes to this subject on cycling, it is where recumbents shine. You do not have to buy high priced shorts to protect you from a saddle. As I have posted many time I ride in rugby shorts that I buy a Scheels sport stores. They only cost $15 on sale. But then on a bent you can wear most anything you want to.

Zinger

These J&Gs have no grip strip on the leg. They're just loose down there. Pretty comfy until a bee flies up your pants leg .

257 roberts

I wear Garneau mountain bike shorts.. can't see me ever wearing spandex

Steve Sawyer

Well then don't start - you might never wear anything else!

I too originally shied away from spandex, but for me it's so incredibly comfortable that when I ride with something less form-fitting I'm constantly annoyed by everything flapping around, riding up, seams, rubbing against parts that don't like to be rubbed etc. etc.

Biker395 

+1

Bibs are a PITA. They have the advantage of holding in a bit more of the middle age pooch, and they're a bit warmer on cold days. But most of the time, I don't think they're worth the hassle. A lot of my friends prefer them, tho.

I rode for years in running shorts and T-shirts and was perfectly fine with it. I finally bought a couple pair of shorts for my first 80+ mile per day tour. I now have more shorts than I know what to do with, and don't ride on anything else.

Do the calculation and figure out how many times your leg will rub on the bike seat in a 50 mile ride. Bike shorts act like a second skin and will prevent all the chafing that might otherwise happen. A good chamois not only adds padding, it absorbs moisture, which is also key to comfort. They don't flap around in the wind, nor does the material you're sitting on fold over. They last a long time too.

God help me, I've even gotten used to the way they look.

OldsCOOL

Suddenly, I'm seeing value to the "grip strips".

DnvrFox

Some of us with more than our share of "middle-age-pooch" and with bodies that, as my sister-in-law told me rather unkindly years ago, "have no waists," even without the middle-age-pooch, and with loonngg torsos and short legs, find bibs absolutely wonderful!

Those of you with more "normally" shaped bodies haven't a clue of the blessings of bibs.

Biker395 

^ lol. Trust me ... the middle age pooch is not unknown to me. I've got the pix to prove it.
Wait a minute ... who are you calling "normal"?

DnvrFox

If the bib fits, wear it.

az_cyclist

I started buying bib shorts about 4 years ago, and love em. They can be a PITA in certain situations, but in my opinion they are great.

Steve Sawyer

I too am a fan of bibs - even when I was at my thinnest (about 10 lbs less than I am now) regular shorts tended to roll at the waist. No problems with the bibs. They're stretchy enough to "pump bilges" without too much trouble. It's just when time comes for the, uh, "solid" elimination that they're a PITA (gotta get completely undressed just to take a dump! ).

DnvrFox

A jersey with a full-length zipper is also a blessing!

Biker395 

^ lol

I think the bibs I've got still fit. I think I'll take that advice and give em another try.

Either I need more practice urinating with them, or you bib-lovin dudes are more well endowed than yours truly.

Timtruro

Never thought I would wear spandex, but once I decided to try them, that was it. I use them all the time now. I buy them one pair per year and rotate the old ones out every couple of years. As others have said 'don't buy cheap ones' spending a little more will add comfort on longer rides. I usually buy pearl izumi , or similar quality and try to buy them on sale, on line at the end of the summer.

nuke_diver

I wear MTB shorts as well. I like pockets which is the primary reason. I could wear spandex since I mainly just ride around for a few hours (I'm not going into coffee shops etc while biking so the MTB shorts are not due to not wanting to be seen in spandex) but if I got those I would be forced to get bike jersey to carry my phone and any small snack so it would be a double whammy of cost (shorts AND shirt). So for now I'm good with MTB shorts and tshirts. I had to switch to MTB shorts because I am riding more on my new bike and just shorts were not that comfortable on rides exceeding 30 miles.

surfjimc

You can ride in whatever you want to be comfortable. But be careful, first it's shorts, then you go bibs. Somewhere along the line you pick up gloves and a helmet for safety. Then it's a jersey, followed by cycling shoes. Finally you are fully kitted out and looking at what you can do to upgrade your bike, unless of course you just buy a new bike. And then the new bike will need titanium bling and other weight weiney esoterica.
There is a reason there are so many addiction threads. This one has 247 pages.

Biker395 

^ Word.

fietsbob

there are Recumbent shorts they add a strap and buckle to gather up the leg opening , though the absorbant crotch sit pad would not be there ,

Because its for a recumbent..


a brief bit of sewing can make what you have, better..