Loose vs Tight Shorts
12-15-06, 03:07 AM
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Loose vs Tight Shorts
Am I the only one considering wearing Loose shorts rather than tight (nylon/spandex) shorts on a road bike....?
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...? I know their are for Mountain bikes, but when I peddled XC (back in the '90's) those shorts were damn near knee length. I think I still have a pair around here somewheres.
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...? I know their are for Mountain bikes, but when I peddled XC (back in the '90's) those shorts were damn near knee length. I think I still have a pair around here somewheres.
12-15-06, 03:10 AM
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Am I the only one considering wearing Loose shorts rather than tight (nylon/spandex) shorts on a road bike....?
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...?
12-15-06, 03:43 AM
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there are mt shorts that don't hang to the knees, but on a road bike, you want to go fast...this means tight shorts.
12-15-06, 04:02 AM
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When I first got a road bike, all I had were mtn shorts, so I used those. I figured out pretty quickly why road riders prefer all lycra. The nose of the road bike saddle pulls at the loose crotch of the mtn shorts constantly. It destroyed my shorts pretty quickly. And baggie shorts flap in the breeze as you ride, of course...
Last edited by Lucky07; 12-15-06 at 01:54 PM.
12-15-06, 06:02 AM
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"Sometimes, when you are a man, you wear stretchy pants. Is for fun." --Nacho.
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12-15-06, 07:33 AM
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It only takes one angry Yellow Jacket up a loose shorts leg on a long fast descent to change your mind. Happened to a customer who now wears tight shorts!
12-15-06, 07:43 AM
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I wear baggy shorts. I don't race so the time I would save with tight shorts doesn't matter. I like having a pocket for ID and money. I don't have a problem with my saddle damaging my shorts. I never noticed them flapping in the breeze.
12-15-06, 07:47 AM
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I also used to wear loose shorts....I had a problem with chaffing and it stopped when I switched to lycra....wear whatever you're comfortable in, as long as you ride.
12-15-06, 08:09 AM
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I tried baggy shorts and found that the bunched up and caused chafing. I still wear them for summer commutes and errand running occasionally. Really, the only reason not to wear tight shorts is that you are nervous that people will think you look stupid.
12-15-06, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Mavericks House
Am I the only one considering wearing Loose shorts rather than tight (nylon/spandex) shorts on a road bike....?
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...? I know their are for Mountain bikes, but when I peddled XC (back in the '90's) those shorts were damn near knee length. I think I still have a pair around here somewheres.
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...? I know their are for Mountain bikes, but when I peddled XC (back in the '90's) those shorts were damn near knee length. I think I still have a pair around here somewheres.
I don't have any problems with chaffing - but of course I use good ole Brooks leather saddles.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
12-15-06, 08:57 AM
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12-15-06, 09:25 AM
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Getting to wear the tight shorts is why I ride. Also why I spend every available minute on my bike. I couldn't make it in the NFL where they get to wear shiny tight knickers (!) so shorts on a bike is as close as I could get.
12-15-06, 10:26 AM
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First shorts I bought were unbaggy mtb shorts. They had decent padding, but I eventually bought proper road shorts. Far more comfortable imo. The mtb short are now for trainer use. If you feel like a tool wearing them, you wont mind so much when you realise how much more comfortable they are.
12-15-06, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Mavericks House
Am I the only one considering wearing Loose shorts rather than tight (nylon/spandex) shorts on a road bike....?
Originally Posted by Mavericks House
Are their Loose shorts c/w chamois, etc specifically for Road bikes...? I know their are for Mountain bikes, but when I peddled XC (back in the '90's) those shorts were damn near knee length. I think I still have a pair around here somewheres.
12-15-06, 10:39 AM
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Have to agree with Botto. Unless you are just a recreational rider who doesn't care about performance or being taken seriously, you will man up and wear lycra.
12-15-06, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by botto
yes.
If you feel like a tool wearing them, you wont mind so much when you realise how much more comfortable they are.
12-15-06, 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by timmyquest
That's actually not true, although I'm not one of them there are quiet a few people who prefer to wear mountain bike shorts on their road bike.
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12-15-06, 10:46 AM
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One established alternative to the lycra short for road riders is the over-the-knee shorts or cut-offs.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
12-15-06, 10:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ratebeer
One established alternative to the lycra short for road riders is the over-the-knee shorts or cut-offs.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
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12-15-06, 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
Last edited by ratebeer; 12-15-06 at 11:23 AM.
12-15-06, 11:29 AM
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I like my LG Escape shorts. They have a lycra inner liner with chamois and the outer shell isn't what i'd consider too loose where the catch wind. They've been great so far and having 2 small pockets does help. Sure they're MTB shorts but i use them on my road bike only and they've been great (only because i don't have a mountain bike yet). 
12-15-06, 11:32 AM
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I wear basketball shorts and boxer briefs in the summer for city riding and commuting.
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12-15-06, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ratebeer
One established alternative to the lycra short for road riders is the over-the-knee shorts or cut-offs.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
This is the tried and true choice of bike messengers who ride 80-100 miles a day although often over lycra. You can throw them over a padded or unpadded base layer.
I have a cheap pair of gay, euro over the knee shorts my wife got for me at H&M. A lot of pockets, but hey these things work. They don't catch air, they don't bunch up, they're warm but breathable and very durable.
Known to some as knickers or capri pants.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
12-15-06, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by munkyv22
Have to agree with Botto. Unless you are just a recreational rider who doesn't care about performance or being taken seriously, you will man up and wear lycra.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
12-15-06, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ratebeer
Why be an arrogant knob? MavHouse appeared unaware of the comfort, performance factors involved -- otherwise he wouldn't have asked. This post wasn't for you, it was for him.
Next time just let me know which of your posts on a worldwide, public forum I'm allowed to read and we can avoid all this trouble.
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Last edited by DrPete; 12-15-06 at 11:53 AM.