scot

First off, I'm not trying to go into some size issue thing and need something special. I'm normal, enough said. What I have is an issue where tight clothing causes me severe problems over time (maybe by an hour of riding), by trying to flatten the front of my body/crotch. Not enough blood getting through, that sort of thing. Imagine what would happen if you jumped into 33F/1C water and everything went a bit cartoonishly crazy... It is decidedly not fun.

I thought it was just seat position/style (since that's what the common wisdom said) so I tried everything. Higher position, lowered the seat, moved it forward, backward, changed the angle up/down, seats with cutouts, no nose seats etc. I settled on what was most comfortable for me, a specialized toupee.

Now I do think this was part of it, but still, the issue kept randomly happening. Hell, I could do a century without issue, then a 15 mile ride brings me numbness and other issues.


It took a while before I noticed it was specific bike shorts, the ones that worked best were older stretched out ones, where the crotch area didn't press down on my bits at all, rather gave me plenty of room. Admittedly, I have an answer now. I can just keep on using my older shorts (performance elite), but they are nearing the point where they need to be trashed at 5 years old, and I'm a bit leary about getting new shorts for fear of wasting money and my body.

Does anyone know of any brands which give a bit more room in the front and don't just lay flat against the crotch pressing on everything?

therhodeo

If they had room then everything would hang down in places they shouldn't be.

JerrySTL

I recently was reading reviews of Giordana cycling bibs for sale on chainlove.com and a reviewer was complaining of too much room there. I have a pair Giordana shorts and they do seems to have some extra space compared to my other brands of shorts and bibs. YMMV.

tonski 

Hincapie bibs do it for me, Selle SMP also relieved problems I was having similar to you

FLvector

It seems odd that this issue so random, going from a comfortable century, then a 15 mile ride where you're going numb. As you mentioned, a good quality chamois can make a big difference in comfort. I'll make sure I grab my best bibs/chamois for the long distance rides. Anything under 50 miles is usually fine for me. I've been happy with the Voler bibs and their high end bibs have the better chamois. Everyone has their favorites and I'm sure others will chime in with their most comfortable longer distance bibs.

I also wonder if you might need to go to the next size up since your little bits are getting too squeezed. There's usually enough breathing room for the boys with the proper fit, but if the straps are too tight, it might be making everything too tight down below. Going the next size up might solve this crowding problem if that works for you. Each manufactures sizing tends to vary, so choosing the correct size can be a challenge. It's best to try things on instead of guessing.

RPK79

Lance Armstrong used to have this problem until he had one of his boys removed.

Why not just try before you buy. The LBS will let you try on shorts before you purchase them. Just leave your underwear on when you do so!

linsdog

Newer Assos bibs...have a pocket of sorts. Expensive but the best bibs I have tried so far.

Elvo

Try the 6:30 position or the midnight position. Going from 6 to midnight feels awesome btw

coasting 

are you sure you don't just need one size up?

i've noticed my discomfort and need for obscene manual adjustments decrease over time as the material eases after a few washes.

rpenmanparker 

Seriously, who is going to say their shorts have room in front? Mine are stretched to their limit.

DXchulo

I have to agree that more room probably isn't the answer (maybe a size up is). Something else must be going on. Keep experimenting with different brands and different sizes.

I've noticed that the chamois on a lot of shorts doesn't go up high enough in the front. These shorts solved that problem for me.

pdedes

Maybe it's a positioning thing? Either of your bits or the way you sit? Managed to squash everything on a couple of rides last week( new bibs) had to figure out how to arrange my stuffs optimally

merlinextraligh

definitely avoid the Polish made shorts:

lsberrios1 

I could see how the shammy stitching may cause problems. I think there are a few bibs that are seamless and could probably do you good. My worst offender in that case is a pair of gore bibs, the best is my castelli san remo speed suit. You may have to go higher end. For me it's not the tightness but rather tight spots in the stitching. I'll post pics later.

RPK79

I hope they're not similar to Merlin's picture above.

lsberrios1 

Not at all. It will be an explicitly medical ilustration of my junk carefully packaged in two different kind of bibs while signaling out presure points of uncomfort.

RPK79

Excellent. I await patiently

scplus5

Polish?

Well that looks like a sausage fest.

FLvector

I thought there was a good probability this picture would appear. And it makes a good point that crowding isn't an issue. And a good reason of why not to buy red bibs.

rpenmanparker 

No two are arranged the same. Some team uniform!

Clipped_in

Just say NO, to Kielbasa brand shorts & bibs whether they're made in Poland or not.

dstrong 

I've had too small and too large. I could wear either for an hour but any longer and the small ones cut blood flow and the large ones chafed "the boy" due to too much movement.

scot

Just a few points, I've tried the SMP. No change.

For the bibs, voler bibs, performance shorts (regular and elite), and assos bibs have all been tried. The worst out of the bunch was assos :-/ Maybe I will check into their line with a pocket.

Positioning doesn't matter.

Nachoman

sounds like you've tried a few different brands and a few different positions. If you havetn't already done so, I would recommend, as have others, that you try a larger size.

aubiecat

This thread hath ruined mine eyes.........