ratebeer

I've come to a major realization. Despite what I've heard/read here and elsewhere about underwear not letting the "chamois do its job" and what not, even un-chamoised underwear provides a major comfort factor. I have a range of shorts and bibs from the lowest to the highest end, and not one alone can provide the superior comfort delivered by a decent fitting pair of chamoised shorts or bibs plus a good pair of undies.

It feels as if the major comfort mechanism is simply reducing chafing and abrasion by allowing two materials to slip past one another without causing either material to bunch or translating the slippage to the material-skin interface.

Although I did spend the whole of Summer going commando because of the midday heat here, it's cooling off and I'm finding the addition of underwear not only to deliver better warmth and crash protection, but also supreme comfort, especially while riding the nose of the saddle.

Yoshi

Sounds to me like your bike shorts/bibs aren't tight enough.

wfrogge

This post almost beats out the "Clipless is fo Proz" thread...



almost

ryanspeer

Mmmmmmmmm, the warm cozy feeling of tighty-whities with your shorts while riding. Nothing like a healthy bit of chafing to make you appreciate a ride more...

geist

Crash Protection? Holy ****!

hjeand

Tighty-whities, boxers, or boxer-briefs? You can't give us a little piece of wisdom and keep us hungry for the rest!
Hjeand

ratebeer

Several companies have created dual layer solutions to reducing road rash. In fact, no has a single layer solution. Why?

scotch

thanks for sharing.

Sir Real

Do you wear the undies on the inside or outside of your bibs/shorts?

ratebeer

Nope. The trick is keeping both layers very form fitting.

If you ride in an aggressive position, as you might with your hour record training, you'll notice your hips have less contact with the saddle. The weight bearing points end up being your perineum and around the upper inner thighs. Because of the reduction in contact, there's often a greater rotational motion in the saddle, causing abrasion. A two layered solution allows the slippage in this area to be between layers of clothing, instead of against your skin.

This is exactly the same proven mechanism that prevents road rash in crashes.

ratebeer

These are poly and poly/spandex blends in form fitting "boxer briefs". These are my favorites from ruoutside.com - just $14.95.

bac

No underwear - on or OFF the bike.

... Brad

<just try it for a week - you'll never go back>

blonduathlongrl

which part? that he goes commando when it's hot?

deanp

Just make sure they're clean, you know, in case in your are in an accident.

ratebeer

Thanks you four the tipe, ryan!

HokuLoa

Um, ever heard of chamois butter? If your bottoms are tight enough a good dose of butter provides all the desired internal "slippage" one needs. The only place I really want fabric to slide over is my saddle. As for crashing, I try not to make a habit of it and my day to day comfort surpases any need for added road rash protection.

substructure

Would've helped Saturday. I look like someone hit me with napalm.
Heck, as hard as I hit, not even sheet metal would have held up on my buttox.

Yoshi

Funny you should mention that - I had terrible saddle sore after a 30 minute test run - in part caused by the aggressive position. However my skinsuit is also a little too big (sponsor didn't have my size :/) and the shifting of the chamois was the largest contributor to the chafing. I might "double bag" but probably with tighter bike shorts. And lots of chamois cream.

botto 

Fred, your revelation comes as no great surprise.

xg43x

Panty lines? Haha

Psydotek

I've always worn briefs with my cycling shorts with zero problems with rides ranging from a .5 mile test ride around the block to 60+ mile rides that take all afternoon. I've yet to attempt a century so that may be the point where it makes sense to go commando... Or not.

rugerben

Oh G-d this is a funny thread. Can we make this a sticky?

GeoLes

Hey! I coined a new biking phrase.

Ya know how clueless bikers are called "Freds"? How about calling undie-clad bikers "Homer" (as in Homer Simpson's macho "Tightie-Whitie" image.

Just a silly response.

Seriously.

You may be able to get buy with the extra under-layer in cooler weather, provided you don't ride too long, and don't really sweat. But once that cotton becomes soaking wet and begins to move around and bunch up down there, you are headed for Saddle Sore City. A better choice is to get the new, chamous padded cycling underwear available at many bike shops.

NoGaBiker

Did I really read this on Bike Forum? Ewwwwww!

Old Dirt Hill

Where is the Underwear Nazi when we need him most?