Which bicycle shorts would you recommend and why?
12-23-07, 09:02 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 40
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Which bicycle shorts would you recommend and why?
I am just getting back into bicycling and will be purchasing a hybrid bike for exploring and excercise rides, mostly on pavement but with some non-mountain bike paths and bike trails thrown in. I am 50 and in good shape from weight lifting workouts.
Which bicycle shorts would folks recommend?
Which bicycle shorts would folks recommend?
12-23-07, 10:29 PM
#3
Lincoln, CA
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lincoln, CA
Posts: 2,229
Bikes: 94 Giant ATX 760, 2001 Biachi Eros, 2005 Giant OCR2 Composite +
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
I like Giordana Tenax. The fit on the legs is very compressing and the pad is great for long distance. I just bought another pair.
__________________
Truth is stranger than reality.
'96 Giant ATX 760 MTB
'01 Bianchi Eros
'05 Giant OCR Llimited Carbon Fiber + upgrades
Truth is stranger than reality.
'96 Giant ATX 760 MTB
'01 Bianchi Eros
'05 Giant OCR Llimited Carbon Fiber + upgrades
12-23-07, 10:52 PM
#4
Daily Commuter-Tampa, FL
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tampa
Posts: 398
Bikes: Orbea Ora, Cannondale R800, old Cannondale, murry mountain bike, EZ Rider recombent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pearl Izumi product line is about best for me. All comes down to which chamois fits you best. That and depending on where you are in the country, you may want to look into knickers or tights for the cooler days.
__________________
It's always windy - just get out and ride
League of American Bicyclist LCI 3144
♥♥ Please support riders if you can ♥♥
.
It's always windy - just get out and ride
League of American Bicyclist LCI 3144
♥♥ Please support riders if you can ♥♥
.
12-23-07, 10:53 PM
#5
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Do you want lycra shorts or baggies? Baggies are fine for shorter rides and can be worn off the bike with less freaking out the non-riders. Hoss brand baggie shorts are good. For longer rides, lycra works better.
The longer you ride, the better short you'll need. I think Performance shorts are a good value. Their Century shorts are good for medium length rides. Elite for longer rides.
Stay away from gel shorts.
The longer you ride, the better short you'll need. I think Performance shorts are a good value. Their Century shorts are good for medium length rides. Elite for longer rides.
Stay away from gel shorts.
12-23-07, 10:56 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 40
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Follow-up.
BluesDawg, a lot of folks are recommending Santini twist gel bib shorts. Have you tried them given that you do not recommend gel shorts?
12-23-07, 11:57 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Hemet,California
Posts: 621
Bikes: Giant OCR2, Motobecane Fantom Trail, Specialized Hard Rock, Giant Nutra
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been pleased with the PI shorts. My favorite is the Slice model. Good quality, but not real expensive. I've gotten them on ebay for what the Quest shorts cost at the lbs. I don't wear bibs but like the models with drawstrings to help keep them from slipping down.
12-24-07, 12:34 AM
#9
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Not white or red. I won't post the reasons- but most of us know why.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
12-24-07, 01:26 AM
#10
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
12-24-07, 01:40 AM
#11
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
No, I have not tried any gel shorts. They may feel great, but gel shorts seem to be designed primarily for cushioning and not for sweat absorption.
12-24-07, 01:42 AM
#12
I need more cowbell.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 8,182
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stapfam's favorites:
__________________
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
12-24-07, 02:09 AM
#14
His Brain is Gone!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paoli, Wisconsin
Posts: 9,979
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
When they wear red, you can see where they stash their flashlights and extra batteries.
12-24-07, 02:21 AM
#15
His Brain is Gone!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Paoli, Wisconsin
Posts: 9,979
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I wear the brand that Brett Favre advertises ... Wrangler.
Really!
My favorite recumbent riding shorts are pre-washed, soft cotton Wrangler cargo shorts. They are very comfy and fit right in with what about 90% of the riders of rail trails are wearing. No need for extra padding in your shorts on a bent.
On my upright I like the Champion C9 baggy shorts from Target. No padding though. If you want padding with them then you've got to use padded underliners.
I've taken 40+ mile rides on rail trails and not seen a single person wearing lycra cycling shorts. Not that there's anything wrong with them. You can take 40+ mile rides on roads and everyone will be wearing lycra.
Really!
My favorite recumbent riding shorts are pre-washed, soft cotton Wrangler cargo shorts. They are very comfy and fit right in with what about 90% of the riders of rail trails are wearing. No need for extra padding in your shorts on a bent.
On my upright I like the Champion C9 baggy shorts from Target. No padding though. If you want padding with them then you've got to use padded underliners.
I've taken 40+ mile rides on rail trails and not seen a single person wearing lycra cycling shorts. Not that there's anything wrong with them. You can take 40+ mile rides on roads and everyone will be wearing lycra.
12-24-07, 07:49 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 16,878
Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1858 Post(s)
Liked 664 Times
in
506 Posts
Bluesdawg,
I have a couple of the Ultra shorts, and I really like how they fit and support. I haven't seen a seam problem yet, but which shorts are similarly good and have better seams?
Road Fan
12-24-07, 08:11 AM
#17
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Hate to say it but gel is the one item you do not want for comfort. Whether it be in saddle- gloves or shorts. Initially it is cushioning- but then compresses and give you a hard Lump that is in the wrong place. OK for an hour but no longer. And the material is for wicking away sweat and not as padding. There is a roadie type short that does offer a layer of thick padding that I do find comfortable.No name as it is on my Trade shorts from my LBS.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
12-24-07, 08:35 AM
#18
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
I am very pleased with the Performance Elite bibs I recently bought. But they are not quite as all day comfortable as the Ultras.
12-24-07, 09:08 AM
#20
Senior Member
With one exception, all my shorts and bibs are Pearl Izumi, either Slice Ultrasensor or Thermafleece. I have no problem with spending my money for high quality shorts. I also have one pair of Performance bib tights. I'm not sure what level of quality they are but the chamois is nowhere near the quality of the PI, in my opinion. On the other hand, I think that the top level Performance line is very close to the quality of the PI line.
All I can say is that PI works for me.
Stay away from gel.
All I can say is that PI works for me.
Stay away from gel.
__________________
12-24-07, 09:42 AM
#21
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,798
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,325 Times
in
837 Posts
For general purpose and transportation rides, I strongly favor expedition shorts, which are essentially streetwear over chamois-lined bike shorts. I have two different Novara models from REI which fit my needs extremely well. Now all I need is some good knee warmers!
I notice the preferences for Pearl Izumi -- after many years of service, my Screaming Yellow windbreaker is still the best. Speaking of which, it is time to put on my windbreaker and my expedition shorts and head out on Christmas-colored Capo #1 for a 25-mile round trip to the top of Torrey Pines Preserve.
I notice the preferences for Pearl Izumi -- after many years of service, my Screaming Yellow windbreaker is still the best. Speaking of which, it is time to put on my windbreaker and my expedition shorts and head out on Christmas-colored Capo #1 for a 25-mile round trip to the top of Torrey Pines Preserve.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
12-24-07, 09:50 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,900
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Another idea is go to a big LBS that stocks lots of different brands and try them on to see what works for you within your budet. Merry Christmas. Once you try bibs vs. shorts you will never go back to shorts.
12-24-07, 09:55 AM
#23
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,127
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1340 Post(s)
Liked 2,482 Times
in
1,457 Posts
And there is always Assos. I have not tried them, but someone has to post up the obligatory Assos model.
12-24-07, 10:23 AM
#24
Team Geritol
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Leander, TX
Posts: 250
Bikes: Cannondale R700 USA Ed., & Motobecane Century Team & Motobecane Titanium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, someone has to make the next post after the Assos model.
Two comments regarding cycling shorts:
1 - I don't wear cycling shorts. I only wear cycling bibs. Try it, you'll like it. And then you will never leave home without them!
2 - My current favorite cycling bibs are the Performance Ultra Bib Shorts. They run small and snug, maybe that is why I like them.
Ride On!
-Spoke
Two comments regarding cycling shorts:
1 - I don't wear cycling shorts. I only wear cycling bibs. Try it, you'll like it. And then you will never leave home without them!
2 - My current favorite cycling bibs are the Performance Ultra Bib Shorts. They run small and snug, maybe that is why I like them.
Ride On!
-Spoke
12-24-07, 11:19 AM
#25
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Oilman, is there something different about the Santini Twist Gel pad that makes it an exception to the general advice not to get gel shorts? If there is a reason not to lump them in with all the other gel shorts, I'd like to hear about it. I'm asking only about the pad, not the shorts.