12strings

So, I'm a cheapo, I want to spend $20-30 on bike shorts. Nashbar and PB both have house brands. Which is better?

Has anyone bought both and compared them?

rpenmanparker 

Same company, but Performance shorts have always been better value than Nashbar shorts. Performance products lines are continuing and available long term. Not always true with Nashbar clothing.

datlas 

Wait for sales and get Performance "ultra" or "elite" for roughly $30-35.

SpeshulEd 

My $20 nashbar bibs I won't wear in public. There's no rubbery bands on the inside of the legs so they ride up. The chamois also doesn't cover the boys when you stand up off the bike. In fact, the chamois completely sucks.

Get the Performance ones when they're on sale. They're a great starter bib - cheap and decent quality.

CadenceCrazy

Agree. Grab Performance on sale.

rpenmanparker 

Just missed Ultras for $49.99. Free shipping because I bought two. Regular price $89.99.

Xherion

I used to highly recommend Performance Ultra bibs, but the last couple I ordered are of a different build quality. Now the material is slightly thicker and the leg length is shorter by about 1.5" compared to earlier generations. In turn, this causes the legs to ride up the crotch area, making it uncomfortable.

Now my preferred shorts are the $50 Santini's at Nashbar.

rpenmanparker 

I don't know about OP, but I talking about shorts, not bibs.

rpenmanparker 

I have never found the chamois to cover the boys. At least not the uppermost one.

jon c. 

I tried the Nashbar and wasn't real happy with them.

My brother recently recommended these Aerotech's to me and I've been very happy with them:

Men's Pro Bike Shorts for cycling comfort and bicycle riding

great short for the price, IMO

TimothyH

Were they the Ultra or the Ultra SL?

I got two pair Ultra SL last month. They are as long or longer than any other shorts or bibs I have worn.

Xherion

They were the regular Ultra.

TimothyH

Thanks.

Either way, not within the OP's budget.

rpenmanparker 

Perhaps we will entice him.

Maelochs

I have a bunch of Nashbar shorts and several of them have needed restitching. if you don't like to sew, steer clear.

stdlrf11

Performance is good.
For the price, Canari is okay, but also easier to find at regular sporting goods stores.

MagicHour

Wait for a deal on Performance ultra Sl - nice mid level bibs for the money.

johntrev

Sierra Trading Post has a number of options under $30. I just bought a pair of the Louis Garneau Request MS shorts for $25, but they haven't arrived yet. Men's Cycling Shorts & Bibs: Average savings of 43% at Sierra Trading Post

rms13

I'm also cheap and I won't go too cheap on bibs. Ones I've got for $20-30 were not that comfortable, rode up even with leg gripper and most importantly got holes after maybe 3-6 months moderate use. I got Performance Ultra and they've been great. Comfortable. They are starting to wear through a little after more than a year but should last a while longer. I have found durability seems to go up with price as well as comfort. Buy bargain bin bibs and you'll go through 2-4x faster and spend the same money as more expensive ones over time

bgrider

I purchased two pair of Performance shorts for $50 and have been very happy. I don't recall which model they were, but the price and the fact that the chamois is blue should help you figure out which pair. The Performance shorts have outlasted the prior brand that I liked by a long shot. The material is a bit thicker/stronger, they have excellent leg grippers, and a draw string in the waste band. I think they are an excellent value. The chamois is not a cushy as some others, but its not problematic for me. The chamois is comfortable, doesn't bunch up, covers what it should, etc. I have not tried the nashbar brand.

Shuffleman

I have ridden the Ultra's from Performance for years and they hold up well and are pretty good shorts. I too waited on the sale prior to buying them. I have some Nashbar mtb shorts and they are not the best. They do not hold up well.
Last year, I did something unusual for me. I splurged on a pair of Assos shorts and a pair of PI Elites. I am not one to spend much on my cycling clothes but I must say that it was worth it. I would buy the Assos again even though they are quite expensive. For the money though it is hard to beat the Performance Ultras. I still work mine into my rotation. I even wear them under other shorts now for mtb.

PepeM

I like my shorts to be short.

TimothyH

Ultra SL were on sale just after Jan 1 for about $80, down from $120. Then performance had 20% additional discount, one-day online orders only. Snagged two pair for $64 each.



Can't tell whether you are jesting or not but I own a pair of Zoot tri shorts <gasp!> which I use on shorter rides in very hot weather. Minimal chamois and 8" inseam. Amazingly comfortable. Not cheap though.


-Tim-

12strings

Thanks for the info. I was asking about shorts, not bibs. I'm not opposed to trying bibs, but they are more expensive.

I ordered one pair that i really like from Amazon (Chinese brand) last spring when I got into cycling, but when I went to order another pair, they were made completely differently, different stitching, different pad that was not anywhere close to the right place, so their not very useful.

I just got a real road bike this past summer, and have gotten to do a lot of local bike club group rides, even a few this winter...but I'm still figuring out my butt area. I have one saddle that i feel is the exact right shape, just hard, so I need good padded shorts.....my other saddle is a bit softer, it has the word "touring" in it's name, but it's shape isn't quite right. Granted, I've done 2-3 hour rides on both saddles, and they both "work", but I wouldn't want to go longer on either.

mvnsnd

C'mon these are referred to as "NOT BIBS". Calling them shorts is so 2014