Crazy Cyclist

I usually ride in regular shorts but I am thinking of buying a pair of Lycra cycling shorts, because with the shorts I wear now I have to stop every 5-10 minutes to adjust them so they are comfortable, it's cutting into my cycling enjoyment, I was also wondering what size to get, I have a size 34 waist, do I get a size 34 pair of cycling shorts as well? How much would a good decent pair cost?

TriDevil

I had a cheap pair, about 25$, that barely provided any padding but there were at least cycling shorts. Finally, just 2 weeks ago I bought some pearl izumi microsensor shorts. They were 80$ but you could tell where that extra 55$ went too. The padding is much larger and more comforting, wicks away moisture. The materail also just seems higher quality. All I can say is definetly dont skimp on shorts. Youll just end up replacing them. Its been said here before, you get what you pay for basically.

lotek 

cycling shorts are most definately worth it.
you won't be stopping every few minutes to "adjust".
The chamois padding makes a world of difference.

Cost varies, anywhere from about $25 up to over $200 for
top of the line Bib shorts.
Like everything else you get what you pay for. I personally
like Etxe-Ondo shorts (and Bibs).
with Bib shorts you don't have a waist band which can be
annoying.
Sizes are Small, Med Large etc.
They may vary significantly over what you normally wear
(I wear a small in most everything, but Large in the Etxe
bibs).
I'd say try them on at LBS before buying, online isn't a good
choice for first time.
oh yeah, before the Underwear Nazi gets in on this
Nothing Underneath them, ok?

Marty

khuon

I'll second this. Once you've established a brand and style of shorts you're comfortable with then go ahead and look for bargains online. If it's a new brand you've never tried before, you'll want to buy local so you can check out the fit. Some online shops won't let you return cycling shorts... then again neither will some brick&mortar shops.

After discovering that the Pearl Izumi UltraSensors fit me perfectly, I have no apprehensions about snapping up good online deals. You may also want to try year-end or last-year's closeouts. The UltraSensors I bought new performed and looked pretty much like the bargain-clearance UltraSensors but cost about twice as much.

Random

What he said. The sizes are your body measurements NOT what you want the shorts them to be. Bike shorts that are too large for you can cause some comfort problems due to the extra material. I like the performance gel short. I used to ride mountain bike shorts, (ones that look like regular shorts, but with lycra shorts on the inside), once I made the switch, I never looked back.

Inoplanetyanin

You don't need shorts... don't wast money. Rather think what components of your bike need to be replaced or serviced, or maybe some additional equipment you could use... If still can't find anything, save the money for later, that's being wise, but you could aslo give them away to kids, handycaped, ill people , etc.
As we remember, "Money burn the hole in our pockets...."

k2bikerider

I agree that you should buy Cycling shorts, and when I first bought them (15 yrs ago) I bought as cheap as possible, then ended up upgrading. I prefer the bib style, and usually use Pearl Isumi or Performance.

khuon

One of the main interfaces between you and your bike occurs at the shorts. I would rather spend the money on being more comfortable than having that snazy looking rear derailleur with the carbon-fibre cage. There's nothing wrong with spending money on components but if I need to prioritise, I would put personal comfort first.

djbowen1

Pearl Izumi attack shorts $55 dollars at my local lbs, the suggested is $59.99. They are awesome shorts and very comfortable.

khuon

I have a pair of Attack shorts and for me they work great for shorter rides. However, at around the 75 to 80 mile mark, I can certainly tell the difference in comfort level between the Attacks and the UltraSensors. I've found Attacks on clearance for around $30 at my LBS.

djbowen1

Generally the 2 most important things when riding is your BUTT and your Feet, Get a good seat and shorts and a good shoe/pedal combo. I havent used my attack shorts on anything past 50, who makes the ultrasensors? Pearl Izumi? Are they bib?

Captain Crunch

I use the Sugoi Ricaro Technifine Stretch Short and they are great. Best short I have ever used. I think the cost is about $100.00.

Shorts may be the most important purchase you will make toward comfortable cycling. Don't be cheap on your shorts.

roadfix

Mr. Ino......
Bike shorts are just as essential a component of cycling......as important as helmets. I can't imagine myself cycling in wet, sweaty, sticky street shorts and UNDERWEAR! .....especially for someone like myself who sweats buckets. I might wear ordinary street shorts if it's just a short juant on my townie for my favourite cup of java.

bac

Save your cash for the saddle sore ointment.

deliriou5

you tend to make alot of brash statements without having actual experience in alot of the things you talk about....

believe me, i used to say the same exact thing about cycling shorts before i bought a pair.... i thought they were unnecessary
and ugly and a waste of money. i prided myself on being the "ghetto cyclist". however i started getting discomfort after 40 mile rides.. and i caved and i haven't looked back since

you've never worn a pair of bike shorts... so i don't think you're qualified to say anything for or against them.

you want to do a cross country bike tour - a pair of bike shorts will aid you greatly...

deliriou5

I also used to wear cotton T-shirts exclusively.... so my shirt would be soaking wet by the time i got home.... wearing cycling jerseys... or at the very least... wicking polyester t-shirts - makes a huge difference in comfort.

TheRCF

I know one thing I'd like to see in this thread - and others where people are making recommendations that include specific brands, etc - a comparison to other shorts you have worn.

It just doesn't tell me much when someone says how some shorts are the best they ever had when I don't know what they are comparing it to. In other cases someone might be bragging on the only kind they ever had, but we can't tell.

Of course, what suits one may not suit another, but having a lot of such comparisons can be quite useful for narrowing things down.

Bob

trappermark

You can also get liner shorts...ultra thin with an underwear style waist band, meant to be worn under regular pants or shorts, yet they usually include the padding and the wicking ability.

I use those when I'm riding to a store or someplace I'm embarassed to walk around in just bike shorts with my 46 yr old butt. I always wear real baggy shorts over them, though, to minimize chafing.

On the overall question, I share the experience of others who scoffed at bike shorts...until I started riding in them. Never looked back.

mark
t

lotek 

Ok here's the comparison then.

1)2 pair REI shorts, they are fine for short rides
but after a while (say 30 miles) the chamois feels like it
is bunching up.

2) 1 pair Etxe-Ondo shorts, the Chamois feels like
real chamois, it isn't some fancy shape and does not feel
like its gets bunched up. The Lycra in these shorts feels
heavier than any of the other shorts/bibs I have and seems
to support leg musclse better.

3) 1 pair Bulltek Bibs, bought em to see if I liked Bibs
(I do), again they are not the best I have but good for short
to mid length rides.

4)2 pair Castelli bib shorts, not top of the line but they
are well made and comfortable for any lenght ride. They both
have anatomic shaped chamois but I really can't tell if its any
more comfortable than their non anatomic chamois.

5) 1 pair Etxe-Ondo Bibs (Power Express), again same
chamois as the shorts, same heavy lycra. The Etxe are a
size large (I had to return mediums too small), they are cut
very small (lenght was the big culprit) compared to any of the
other brands. they are by far the most comfortable of any of
the bibs/shorts that I have used.

6) 1 pair old wool shorts with real chamois. If it weren't
for the holes in the wool I'd still wear them. Wool is surprizingly
comfortable (I think they are Cool Stop brand?), they are
about 20 years old.

I haven't tried any of the seriously high dollar shorts/bibs
such as Assos F13's I can't imagine that they would be very
much more comfortable than the Etxe, at least not twice the
price more comfortable.

Hope this helps.
Marty

BikerDawg

I have two pair of shorts...I like one better because the padding feels better. I used to have a pair that the elastic around the legs turned gummy in....can't remember the brand, but it was YEARS ago.

I carry a pair of nylon running shorts (baggy and light weight) to throw on over bike shorts should I need to enter a store. (I don't want anyone to have to look a my 33 year old butt, either! )

YMMV,
Michelle

khuon

Yes... UltraSensors are a line of Pearl Izumi shorts. You can get them bib-style too. The upgrade from the Attacks is more panels and better quality material. I think they might have some better stitching and padding too. They do however run about 50% more than the Attacks. Retail for the UltraSensors I think is like $80 but I've been able to find deals on them and have gotten some for around $50 to $60. There's a new line that's one step up from the UltraSensors now but I haven't tried them yet. They're even more expensive.

TheRCF

Thanks, Marty. Now if I can get some reports from others, I can gradually find where the most concensus is, even if it is just a little.

BTW, I'm still knda frustrated with bike shorts myself. I really wonder whether what I have is fitting properly. After all, I'm new to these things and thus have little to compare with.

How tight should these things be? The people I've asked generally say they should be pretty snug, but that brings up the question of how people define "pretty snug".

So many people here can give their descriptions. They might not be scientific, but if we get enough of them, it might give a better idea.

Bob

khuon

But what if some people want to look at your butt.

caloso

Hey, BikerDawg, don't sell yourself short (pardon the pun). At 33, you're just coming into form.

Re bike shorts: I've got a whole drawer full of REI and Nashbar shorts that I never wear. I thought I couldn't afford expensive shorts so I'd by these cheapies. Penny wise but pound foolish! Now I've got a couple pairs of PI Ultrasensors that I alternate.

If you skimp on shorts, you'll regret it.

BikerDawg

Thanks, Caloso, but you haven't seen my butt!

Back to the shorts...I like them to feel snug, supportive, and non-constrictive. I'm SURE that clears things up! *L*