clones2

What is the benefit of the more more expensive cycling shorts? I know they get rid of some of the seams... is the padding that much better?

I currently have a pair of Pearl Izumi Select shorts - roughly $40 - $50. Material and overall quality is great... the chamois leaves a little to be desired though. I don't need to be riding on a pillow...but want something good quality that isn't just a cheap sponge sewn in.

I have a Bontrager Affinity RL saddle - seems to be ok. Just looking to improve the comfort of my rides.

StanSeven

I've got a lot of different brands shorts/bibs. For the money, I really like Pearl Izumi although I recommend Elite or PRO models. The Select you have aren't very good at all. The prices are less than half of Assos f1 Mille and I really can't tell much difference in comfort.

WhyFi

The chamois will differ and there's no guarantee that your ass will like the most expensive one. Try 'em 'til you find what you like. Personally, I like them on the thinner side with really good flexibility.

qcpmsame 

I don't think it is a case of more padding, it is the quality of the chamois and the entire short's/bibs construction overall, for me. Too thick gets uncomfortable for me, very fast. Tends to bunch up and have creases that are very uncomfortable. I have both inexpensive and expensive shorts and bibs and they run the gamut of chamois design. Well built and designed dose it for me.

pallen

I tend to like the chamois from cheaper shorts and every thing else from the more expensive. Seems like most of the more expensive shorts have bigger, thicker chamois. I'm sure there are exceptions to that rule, but so far that has been my experience. I love the pad in my cheap-o $20 shorts, but the rest of the shorts are crap and haven't held up well.

Yo Spiff

I don't have any really pricey shorts so I can't make a fair comparison, but the Techsumeh and Isolation shorts from Nashbar (the same shorts except for the way the legs are hemmed at the bottom) are my favorites and very comfortable for me. Often on sale for $20-25. Their liner shorts have the same pad as well.

Shimagnolo

Idiotic thick padding in a chamois is a big pet peeve here. Padding belongs in the saddle, not the shorts!

Some time back I tried the PI triathlon shorts, which have a nice thin chamois, but the fools made it so narrow in the middle that it doesn't protect the inner thighs, resulting in pinching/chafing. Thumbs down.

I most recently bought a pair of the Aerotech Pro shorts, which has a relatively thin chamois, and protects the thighs nicely: https://aerotechdesigns.com/menshort.htm#mens8P

pallen

fixed

johnny99

Better quality shorts will usually have a more contoured insert, not more padding. Also, better quality shorts will be more contoured overall, while cheaper shorts often have fewer panels and a more boxy fit.

StanSeven

Most serious cyclists and triathletes will disagree with you.

Saddles should have little padding and be relatively rigid.

Tri shorts don't have narrow padding in the middle to run - chaffing from running after getting off the bike, especially with wet shorts, is awful. They also aren't designed for regular riding all the time.

Shimagnolo

Padding in the chamois only serves to push the chamois up against the soft parts and cause chafing.

Exactly.

The PI tri shorts don't have any padding; Just a chamois made of a felt-like piece of fabric. If it was extended to the protect the thighs, it would be ideal.

EdIsMe

My most comfortable shorts are Pactimo "Ascent" bibs (their cheapest model). ($75 msrp) Next runner up are my Rudy Project bibs which have slightly more padding that's less dense and more airy... almost similar to a tri chamois (msrp $125). My least comfortable are Capo Verona bibs that have a very puffy multi-level moulded padding chamois (msrp $180).

My saddle is a Selle SMP Evolution (minimal padding, but not no padding).

Go figure...

tl:dr My shorts that were the cheapest are also the ones with the least padding and most comfortable.

bianchi10

I don't know if I would say better for you as each person likes a different thickness or more/less padding. I would say the more expensive shorts have a better quality pad. Once you reach a certain level of short quality its just a matter finding a set that you personal prefer.

For me I really enjoy the Louis garneau shorts
(Mondo pro or equipe)

curiouskid55

If you are happy with those cheap crap PI's dont ever try anything else because you can never go back. I am stuck on Giordana's, run me about 185 for bibs. Better fabric, better cut , much better comfort, they are built for 150 mile days. If you only ride 20 miles a day probaly wont matter that much.

bikerjp

Can't speak to all brands, but cheap shorts that I've tried tend to have thick and squishy padding which isn't good as it ends up putting pressure in the wrong places. Higher end shorts tend to have thinner and/or dense padding that puts less pressure (pressure comes from "sinking in" to the pad for shorts or the seat for saddles and the parts that don't sink in push up on body parts that tend to not like that). For me, the PI PRO bibs are the best. Good compression, thin-ish and denser padding, and so far good longevity.

escarpment

I dont really like any padding, I have large balls and the less fabric I have down there is better, I prefer to ride in short shorts and briefs, but when I race I do have some Peral Izumies that I can rock although they get uncomfortable after long periods of time.

WhyFi

You shouldn't sit on your balls in lieu of a chamois - scrotum is easily bested by chamois when it comes to wicking and vibration damping.

Campag4life

Me too. I ride in a speedo.

slowride454

I'm having issues with my ass lately and am wondering if it is my shorts. I have done a couple of longer races/rides recently and experienced problems. Yesterday I did a 90 miler and started to have mild sit bone problems by about mile 30. By the half way point my hamstrings and butt were hurting pretty bad and the pain started to shoot up my back. By mile 70 the pain was causing excessive fatigue. I ended up costing my riding partner a personal best because I was holding him back. I have a 2011 Specialized Roubaix Elite Apex Compact with a Specialized Romin Evo Comp Gel seat. The wheel set is Alex A-Class ALX630's with Specialized Roubaix 25/23 tires. The bibs I was wearing yesterday were Descente Prologue Chevron https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...51_-1___202491. I also have some cheap Pearl Izumi shorts and DNA Giro bibs https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...47_-1___202491. Neither of which have performed as well as the Descente bibs for longer rides over 30 miles.

So what's a fat guy like me to do? Do I put a giant spring loaded grandpa saddle on there for long rides? Is there a better choice of bibs for long rides? I saw a lot of people yesterday that looked like my 2 year old with a dirty diaper. Definitely not a fashion statement, but I'm guessing their butts did not hurt. I know I need to lose another 50 pounds and get in better shape, but it is hard to do so when in pain. I also know the best way to avoid this issue to be faster so I finish in 3 hours instead of 6.

TrojanHorse

The other thing I've noticed about better shorts/bibs is that the lycra is more supportive & compressive than in cheaper shorts.

I have a variety of PI shorts and the chamois seems to be thinner in the Pro shorts than the elite shorts but the muscle support is fantastic. My sugoi bibs seem to have a nice blend of great chamois and support but the damn legs are shorter than I like (I"m 6'2" which could be part of the problem) and I'll be trying out my new Giordana Laser bibs tomorrow. I have some descent bibs that I really didn't care for when I bought them - the chamois is positively padded compared to what I'm used to but sometimes I really appreciate them. Go figure.

colombo357

Fixed.

ravenmore

I bought a pair of Icebreaker bibs a while back. Most expensive short I've purchased - about $200 although I got a good sale on mine. The shorts are wool but regardless of that they have hands down the best chamois I've ridden on. The rest of the short is as comfortable too, and I wear them almost daily now - even in 105 degree heat.

Garfield Cat

Where I live the humidity is not the usual suspect. But recently it is. The weather guy on T.V. says its monsoonal moisture.

That I think is the single most differential between my Pearl Izumi Pro and the Assos F1 Uno S-5. The shorts that retain the moisture is the one that you don't want. Both of these do (but the Assos less) and the more time on the bike, the more they get wet just from sweating. I can imagine what its like in Florida, or even the Mid-West sometimes.

Denser material holds in the moisture. The Assos padding is better. But the real thing is the bike seat and the shorts taken as an entire system. This is one area that the bike industry isn't paying much attention to...how to better handle heat transfer for the rider.

The rest of the stuff about seams and thick padding can be easily addressed. The seat plays an important part if it can assist in air flow and the one I am looking at is the Stelle Italia. https://www.bicycling.com/gearfinderp...ail?gfid=59048

ravenmore

Humidity is really bad at times here (on par with Florida some days) and the problem with wicking moisture is that it doesn't evaporate so your clothes end up soaked no matter what (on some rides my fingers wrinkle like I've been in the tub too long). The wool shorts have actually out performed my Lycra in these cases and they can absorb a LOT more moisture without feeling wet.

Commodus

Yea? I'm going to give those a go.

To the OP, I have very cheap and very (very) expensive bibs. For me, the more I pay the better the short. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's been what I've found so far.