Wincing at the thought of bike shorts
 

Hello all,
My husband and I are recreational bikers; rail trails only. He and I have done as little as 5 miles, but up to 50 miles in one day. We're planning our next ride here in the near future and I'm on the fence about investing in some bike shorts. Since we're not hardcore bikers it's like we'd be posers in bike shorts. Is there an amount of miles that constitutes the necessity of them? Anyone else a recreational rider that does? Any suggestions on brands?
Thanks!!

Bike shorts, and technical tops, make bike riding so much more pleasant.

I started with one pair of shorts, and one dri weave shirt.

I now have about 10 pairs of shorts from various mfrs, bike jerseys, lots of technical shirts, socks - the works - it's soooooo much better.

Start wit Performance branded stuff, on sale for less than $30 each, and expand from there. Excellent guarantee, right, or you r money back!

Love your butt....

I wouldn't worry about what other people think. Sweaty cotton is a horrible way to ride. :)

Wearing bike shorts while you bike doesn't mean that you're pretentiously emulating Alberto Contador.

Wearing a bathing suit to the beach instead of old cut-off jeans doesn't mean that you're pretending to be Pamela Lee Anderson in Baywatch.

Wearing running shoes when you go for a walk in the park doesn't mean that you're trying to get people to think you're

Can you cycle in your jeans? Of course. If you're cycling around the block with your kids or just down the road to pick up some milk, it might be a pain to bother changing into athletic wear. If you're cycling for exercise, though, why wouldn't you want to wear clothes that make it more comfortable?

I couldn't agree more with TrojanHorse -- don't worry about what people think.

There are lots of padded shorts/skorts that don't look like traditional "bike shorts" and no one would know you're sporting chamois, like:

Terry Metro Cycling Shorts - Removable Liner Shorts (For Women) - Save 36%

Skirt Sports Cruiser Bike Knicker Skirt - Built-In Chamois (For Women) - Save 34%

Sugoi Greta Cycling Capris (For Women) - Save 40%

Pearl Izumi Canyon Shorts (For Women) - Save 33%

Terry Metro Cycling Skirt - Removable Liner Shorts (For Women) - Save 36%

Wear whatever is comfortable. Shorts, or whatever. Bike specific or not.

I ride in jeans... a few miles to century and a half rides, all seasons (adding rain pants over them in the winter).

If you're riding a bike and gaining fitness while having fun, you're automatically 20 rungs higher than anyone who criticizes your sports specific clothing while eating a Big Mac.

Bike shorts exist to eliminate chafing. The more you sweat and the longer you ride, the more likely saddle sores and the like are down there. And they're NOT fun.

And if it works for you, great. I can't ride anything other than a minimum distance at minimum effort in jeans/khakis/dress pants; I sweat too much and feel generally constricted and uncomfortable. Regular running shorts or baggy shorts are better, but I will start to get some pretty raw spots from seam friction after a few km.

Buy them. Your butt at 50 miles will make you wince a lot harder without them

Nobody is saying you should wear matching pro jerseys and bibs. Plenty of bike gear out there that doesn't make you look like a walking billboard. And if you are doing more than 5 miles, your posterior will thank you.

I'm just starting out riding and wasn't up to the spandex just yet but I know gear makes sense. I bought a pair of MTB shorts with the pads built in, they look like board shorts, wear like swimming trunks and make your down there happy all day. I bought a pair of the spandex shorts with pads and wear them like underwear with a pair of running shorts over them. Both ways it makes the ride more comfortable and in turn longer. The other 2 things I'm very glad to have, they make riding better. Clippless shoes/pedals and a good pair of gel palm riding gloves. I'm still in just dry fit shirts but thinking jerseys with the pockets on back would be my next tester. The gear makes the ride more pleasurable, that means more, better and longer rides.....it's all good.

The lycra look isn't for me. I wear padded cycling briefs with regular shorts over them.

I have a couple pair of liner shorts with a chamois that I wear on longer rides, but to be honest I feel just as good after a long ride wearing C9 (Target) compression shorts under running shorts or my Levi's Commuter shorts and jeans. I'm not a fan of typical bike shorts either because I do a lot of exploring on my bike and tend to stop in restaurants, bars, shops, etc. and don't really want to be hanging out in those.

When I go touring, I use a pair of unpadded nylon shorts with lots of pockets which go over my lycra shorts. The combo worked great and it's an inexpensive solution to the problem.

Start with liners, briefs as mentioned above. They may dri-fit shorts work great, and they far less expensive than quality cycling shorts or bibs. If they get hot, move to cycling shorts.

I've got a couple of pair of Aerotech shorts with relatively thin chamois that, even though intended as stand-alone bike shorts, make excellent liners under trekking shorts or even jean shorts. They are very comfortable even for long rides and reasonably priced. When I'm riding in an organized event or a group ride with lots of other spandex-clad people, I wear the cycling shorts and a jersey, but when I'm just out for a cruise around the lakes or a ride through the surrounding small towns, I'll wear light weight riding shorts under other shorts and don a tech t-shirt or mountain bike jersey (similar material to road bike jerseys but usually with only one small zippered pocket on the back or side and more of a t-shirt fit. The longer tail is nice when riding. MTB shorts are another good option for those who aren't ready for the spandex look.

No matter what you choose, get what works for you and don't worry about what others think.

I'm 73 and began riding two years after a 43 year hiatus. I tried slacks and then cargo shorts but finally bought a paid of tights. I can't speak for womens' issues but from a standpoint of comfort in men's nether regions the bike shorts made all the difference, especially when I got to riding two hours at a time. In all my riding (over 7000 miles now) I can't recall a single smirk or stare from anyone I encountered. Anyway, at my age I have no interest in what anyone else may think of my appearance. Good luck!

Rich

For what it's worth I've seen quite a few couples with bike shorts and jerseys, others with casual clothes, and it has never really occurred to me to think "poser", or poorly of either choice. I believe that most people don't care - those that do, will find something to badmouth regardless.

Bike shorts are more comfortable. There's no minimum distance for that. Actually, I think that people who aren't hard-core bikers and don't ride a lot benefit more, since after enough miles you tend to toughen up some and it's not that necessary.

can anyone talk about compression on bike shorts? why people like it and why people might prefer looser fit? i'm just wondering about the benefits and why someone would choose it (high compression).

If you're not getting chaffed or saddle sore and are comfortable on long rides, wear whatever you want.

I know I'd last about 10 minute in the TX heat wearing cargo pants and boxers.

what is with grow adult worrying about how strangers think they look when they go to do something for themselves? you aren't dressing for a job interview.

cycle shorts are there for a reason, its because they make cycling more comfy. if you prefer to be more comfy on the bike, get a pair or 2. you are cycling, people will not think its goofy if you have cycling shorts.

I am an amatuer golfer, maybe i should forego the cleats and gloves? i wouldn't want other people to think i knew how to golf...

Compression just makes your muscles feel better.... Really works!

You saw her but?

Same here, some would argue that it negates some of the benefits of the cycle shorts but it works for me. Just be sure to wear them as underwear and not other garment under them.