jman0war

Used to feel that way.
First few times is a bit odd but you get ambivalent quite quickly.
Unless you turn up and you're the sole person wearing them.

work4bike

That's total BS.

The idea that cycling shorts magically suck away moisture is crazy, as if it gets into your ass crack and sucks it away -- that thinking is even more absurd

Obviously cotton retains moisture longer, but I've learned long ago not to wear it for that reason.

The only people that have swamp ass are those that don't wash their ass while showering. Everyone has a sweaty ass when riding, unless you ride like an old man


P.S. It's not about price trumping comfort, it's about realizing that cycling shorts are more a psychological need. I'm perfectly comfortable in my nylon shorts. No saddle sores whatsoever, even after a 100-mile ride.

modelmartin

My first time wearing bike shorts I was slightly embarassed by the look of it until the very first moment I plopped my ass on the bike. I have never looked back. I love wearing my cycling kit. It makes me feel good about myself and the poo-pooers can stuff it! So there.

mprelaw

Yeah, and apparently, 'bent riders don't sweat on long rides in hot weather either.

NOLABIKER

Just got back into cycling to lose weight. Yes, I am embarrassed to wear cycling shorts. Settled on these: Amazon.com: Men's ATD Cargo Short Baggy Padded Mountain Bike Cycling Shorts Charcoal 3XL: Clothing
Tried them out on a quick 4 mile ride over the weekend. Was a world of difference compared to the Wrangler cargo shorts I was wearing.

Black wallnut 

I generally ride more than an hour at a time. I do not care at all what others think of my appearance. I value the comfort cycling attire provides as well as the convenience of the jersey pockets. At the end of a ride or in the middle, whenever I also go to bars, grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, whatever in what I am wearing. Why ride home, change clothes only to ride back to town to shop, eat or drink? Driving back in makes even less sense when it is the last on the list. On the rare occasion that I ride for hours just to go to my favorite pizza parlor or a bbq with friends I'll have LOML bring a pair of shorts I can put on. It is not because of embarrassment. It is a matter of convenience, if I'm being joined by a non cyclist family member I'll have them bring shorts, if not then I wear what I have on. In my hometown no one seems to care. In fact my local pub bartenders comment when I am not wearing a kit.

Machka 

i keep relating it back to swimming. If you're going to go to a pool, you're not likely to jump in and do laps in jeans and a T-shirt or office wear. Chances are you're going to change into a swim suit of some sort ... because it just makes sense ... so much more practical and comfortable.

Same with cycling ... it just makes sense to wear clothing appropriate for the situation.

TheManShow

I honestly could loose about 20 pounds, maybe 30 pounds. I do not get embarrased. If I was not so old, and on so many prescription I would like to audition for Naked & Afraid. They would not take me with all the medications I am one.

Spandex is not fashion, it is function cycling attire, I wear Spandex because feels comfortable, and have been wearing it over 25 years.

StanSeven

Well said! Probably the most common sense post of the week.

bovine

It's a decent analogy. If I'm going to a public pool to swim, I'll likely not dress like the US Olympic Team, but will wear boardshorts or something of the like. Similarly, if I'm just biking around a few miles with the kids, running errands, or commuting, I'm not going to sport full kit like I'm about to compete in the Tour de France. I understand, though, why people who are going on 3 or 4 hour Saturday rides will kit up, just like someone swimming laps at the gym will likely be wearing something a bit more appropriate for the task than boardshorts.

Cycling can be a wonderful recreation, where people take it quite serious and wear the kit for comfort and performance. It can also merely be a means of conveyance, and wearing kit on a commuter to pick up groceries borders on asinine, just as would wearing driving gloves to do the same in your car.

That said, someone wearing cargo shorts and a cotton tee on a $5,000 carbon fiber bike would similarly look ridiculous in a pack of riders wearing Lycra or, really, all by his lonesome.

scott967

Lucky I live Hawaii. People aren't really style mavens or that interested in what you are wearing. Of course, it helps that I look damn good in bike kit. But I'm talking about basic black shorts. I'm not sure anyone can pull off the white short look. I even think the ag2r brown shorts are pushing the envelope a bit.

scott s.
.

sriley4290

I am a middle aged overweight guy(6'0", 235lbs), I wear the bicycling shorts when I right, but I wear gym shorts over them. I am much more comfortable while riding even the short distances, 10-15 miles and the longer 25-35 mile rides for me while wearing the padded shorts. I just don't feel comfortable only wearing the cycling shorts. wear what makes you comfortable and ride...

wipekitty

I hate cycling clothes, and still find leaving the house in them a bit...maybe not embarrassing, but weird. I don't wear cycling-specific clothes for utility rides, commuting, going to social events, and so forth. That said...

I finally joined the Cult of Spandex because actual cycling clothes made my recreational rides much more pleasant and comfortable. I've done 100 mile rides without padded shorts, and will never do that again. While I could give a crap about being aerodynamic - I like to go fast, but most of my long rides are solo - the giant pockets on the jerseys make it possible to carry all the stuff I may need if I need to make a repair while out in the country. This means I no longer need to carry a bag, which makes climbing more pleasant.

The only rule I have about jerseys is that they must make me look tough and cool. Logos bad; skulls good.

JonathanGennick 

Hah! Thank you for saying that. Was just last week telling my wife the same thing and showing her some skater t-shirts.

Dan Burkhart 

What's to be embarrassed about?

danmc

Shorts such as these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage work well. They're tighter fitting than normal shorts so don't flare out when riding. They also have pockets for when you're off the bike if you want to go shopping or get something to eat. I wear them occassionally over the spandex/lycra shorts. I mainly wear the tights only, because I prefer comfort over fashion, but sometimes, depending where I'm riding or what I plan on doing after the ride, I'll wear the mountain bike style shorts over them.

nitewing117

I used to feel awkward wearing a bib and jersey, but now I don't care. I find them really comfortable and if I could, I'd wear a set all day. As for social settings, sometimes, my rides just happen to end at or pass by one, so I'll be there in my cycling gear. Doesn't bother me. I'll wear shorts over them if I'm running errands, but this is typically when I'm driving around before or after a ride.

mprelaw

Look at that fat MAMIL trying to look like a pro.

Of course, before he was actually a pro, he won an Olympic silver medal. And then "just" some TdF stage wins along with a few other notable wins.

You think Steve Bauer cares whether guys like us laugh at his gut?

VNA

Some of us should wear something over their bicycle shorts!
While driving my wife and I saw an overweight rider on a gorgeous expensive bike wearing a white lycra shorts and somewhat sheer because over stretched out--as you may suspect it was not a pretty sight even when sitting!

Jseis 

Wear 'em all the time. I could give a rip what others think. Pearl Uzumi. Very nice for our cool winter & spring coastal weather. Extremely comfortable with a pair of Novarro padded under shorts. My padded shorts are nice as well but those are for warmer weather.

davegreg

I haven't worn yet. But if you feel embarrassed,you can wear whatever you like. Just up to you.

Coop500

I'm not embarrassed. I don't own any cycling jerseys, but not because of my fashion sense (or lack of lol). I am just always too broke to buy one .

Mr_Garth

I do wear spandex grudginly if/when the occasion asks for it. In my case that means one of my very rare faster/longer runs instead of just popping down to run some errands

-Garth

long john

Mt bike shorts might be your answer. I have a team jelly belly kit with the big beans!

bakes1

I do not wear any specific cycling gear other than a helmet but I am new to the sport and realize that in time I will most likely graduate to at least some decent shoes/pedals and a few pairs of bike shorts.
I am fairly confident though that I will NEVER outfit a large portion of my body in color coordinated spandex.
To each his own though. If it in any way enhances your personal cycling experience I say go for it.
Most of the other riders I encounter on the road daily are in full gear and they almost always throw a nod or wave my way even though I am riding shirtless in nothing other than a pair of swim trunks. I respect that.
All that being said though, I just cannot figure out the bib thing??
From what I have read and been told the bib is for no other reason than basically avoiding plumbers crack or your waist bunching up?
I don't get that issue in swim trunks so I am really surprised that it could possibly be an issue in standard bike shorts as they are made to be form fitting which in itself would avoid that issue. I have never worn bike shorts but when playing other sports I have worn compression style shorts a lot and those things don't move a millimeter.
Is a bib noticeably more comfortable than a pair of decent bike shorts?
Or is it mainly just a fan/fashion statement?