rumrunn6

anyone think the design of MTB shorts or liners would inhibit comfortable road riding? REI has a nice big assortment of MTB stuff including some knickers and other interesting long shorts. I know the die hard kit wearers wouldn't care to try the MTB stuff but I wonder if many commuters and other experienced road riders would have any thoughts.

therhodeo

Are tight shorts really that huge of a leap for people??

1nterceptor

Ive been commuting to work in my Adiddas and Fox mountain bike shorts for 3 years now.
Riding a Fuji roadbike on my 20 mile roundtrip commute 4 times a week. Switch to road
shorts/cycling tights under my rain pants in the winter time.

rumrunn6

OK good to know. BTW: I wear bike shorts and a trisuit and am gonna get a pair of tri shorts too. I just like the fashion of the new stuff REI has and thought it might be fun to try them out.

jdon

Bibs on the road and cross, bibs with baggy shorts over top on the mtb.

TwoHeadsBrewing

So far, my favorite bike ride shorts/underwear combo is compression shorts underneath either lightweight gym shorts or my Fox MTB shorts. I removed the Fox liner immediately because it was a nut crushing wet diaper with about the same amount of padding. I'm strange though, among roadies; I prefer thin shorts with no chamois and a WTB Speed V seat which has a bit more padding and flex. The compression underwear is actually VERY nice and wicks away moisture and eliminates chafing. I originally bought them or backpacking, but they work perfectly for cycling too.

https://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?cp=u...LAID=377760005






= All Day Riding Comfort (for me anyways)

border reiver

Yikes!!

ghettocruiser

Mix it up between Fox MTB shorts and traditional bibs.

For shorter rides (2 hrs or less?) I find the difference subtle.

They may flap in the wind more. If that matters.

telebianchi

First, wear what you think is comfortable.

Me, I use mtn bike shorts for commuting on a CX bike and for mountain biking. Although one pair is pretty much a commuter only because the crotch gets caught on the nose of the seat too easily. Road riding gets bibs.

One thing I've noticed is that the chamois is often shaped differently between bibs and mtn bike shorts/liners. Too much pad in the mountain bike shorts for me for road riding. Also, I would find mtn bike shorts to be to heavy and flappy in the wind on a road ride. I've been on century rides with people wearing mtn bike shorts, and if it works for them that's fine by me (although two I've talked to did so because they don't like the "look" of lycra shorts, not because they found mtn shorts to be more comfortable).

But people have been wearing tight shorts or leggings for cycling for over a century. If this style has worked for everyone from Maurice Garin through Alberto Contador, there must be a reason.

Wikpedia actually has a decent list of some reasons:

• Reduce wind resistance, increasing aerodynamic efficiency.
• Protect the skin against the repetitive friction of the legs against the bicycle seat or frame.
• Provide support to the male anatomy analogously to a jock strap.
• Draw sweat away from the skin to prevent chafing and rashes, and to cool the rider down through the process of evaporation
• Compress the legs, which can help combat muscular fatigue.
• Reduce the weight of a riders clothing (compared to wearing denim, gym shorts or baggy shorts)

Hot Potato

I rode the baggie stuff for a year before switching to bibs. It was OK. I was too self concious to use the roadie stuff until I went on a charity ride. There I saw things that made me realize I had nothing to be self concious about, and made the switch to bibs. But as far as your question goes, if the stuff fits and you like it, buy it.