Peter_C

I've seen a glancing blow now and again here and there about "bike shorts". Even a recent post suggesting 'don't foget to put on your 'bike shorts' under those sweats, as you're be more comfortable'...

OK. First, what makes "Bike Shorts different from any other type of "Shorts" out there, AND, to be such a difference as to make you want to wear them underneath other clothering???

Please, fill me in

cyclezealot

Sweat pants . They might not get in the way of pedaling as would say wind pants, but they sure do sound hot and clammy. Prooof.. Look as some fast paced cyclist- wearing a sweat shirt.. See the perspiration stain.. You won't see that on traditional jerseys. Retaining heat and sweat does not make for a comfortable ride.

1bluetrek

Cycling shorts are not only padded in all the right places, but they are also designed from material that draws sweat to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate. Regular cotton shorts etc just stay wet. (think athletes foot of the nether regions) If you dont like the tighter fitting road cycling shorts and jerseys (bibshorts rock) Go with mountian biking stuff, baggier (is that a word?) shorts and looser fitting jerseys.
Lots of folks wear cycling shorts under other clothes, but usually only if they are shy about their looks, or if its really cold and they cant afford cold weather gear.

txvintage

Cycling specific clothing will wick perspiration away from the skin, shorts have the chamois to wick moisture away as well as the padding aspect for the butt, and umm, other areas.

The benefit to having Lycra, especially for shorts, is the form fitting aspect and friction. Having loose shorts puts material flapping around down low and can rub you raw at the inside of your thighs. Another problem with "regular" shorts and sweat pants is that they all have a seam. Think about where that seam runs, your saddle, and where that seam will rub

A couple of ways around sporting just Lycra is wearing bike shorts under regular shorts or as suggested above, get mountain biking shorts. These are Cargo type shots that have the Lycra liner with padding sewn into the inside of the shorts.

As for jerseys vs t-shirts, think of every athletic jersey you have ever seen. None of them are cotton. Cotton will absorb the perspiration and keep you "wet". It will not allow the moisture to evaporate. The wicking material that Jerseys are made of pulls the moisture away form your body and allows it to evaporate.

John Bailey

I use the mountain bike shorts and like them very much. I've only got two pair. One pair only has two pockets and I'll only use those on short rides. The other pair must have a dozen, or so, pockets all over and I find that very useful. I'll often go for rides in the 2-5 mi. range with whatever I have on and don't find this an issue at all. Just stay away from cotton and you'll be good. Any cheap polyester will be better than cotton, but the smell will kill.

Again, the most important thing is not to over think, just go ride. The clothing makes more of a difference on longer rides.

John

coffeecake

On longer rides without bike shorts, yes, your "parts" will "sweat".

As everyone else has said, it's one word: seams.

Zoxe

If you don't like the tight fitting bike-specific clothes, look for some running clothes. I wear shirts like this for my weeknight rides and save the jersy for longer event rides.

https://www.championusa.com/Champion/...on/CT7026.aspx

Often available under $20 if you watch the site. I have a bunch of them in different "don't hit me" bright colors. For colder rides I wear a long sleeve version over a short or no sleeve shirt. The double layers helps cut the wind but I don't get overheated/sweaty.

Their basketball shorts also go nicely over my bike shorts if we intend to stop for errands along the route. No use killing everyone's appetite at the grocery store.

Peter_C

Thaks for the replies!!! I did not realize they were padded at all!!!

Plus, the changes in materials makes sense if you stop and think about it (which I did not)! In OR, it either was raining, just got done raining, or was about to srart raining! So if you weren't already wet, give it five or ten minutes, and you would be!

I have clicked on the link for the "Zinn Big and Tall Shop" and sadly their pricing is in line with the rest of the fat boy stores... Oh well...

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me.

txvintage

You don't have to pay a fortune. Keep an eye on places like Performance Bike, Nashbar, and REI websites and you can pick up larger sizes on sale.

Peter_C

Thank you for suggesting the website! I have saved it as a link as a goal (First clothes shopping weight loss) as sadly their stuff only goes to 2XL-3XL, and depending on cut - currently I am eiither a 3XL - 5XL But, again, my thanks!!

Peter_C

Perhaps we have a differance in perspective? Walmart Pricing is what I am comfortable with! Like $15-$20 bucks a pair for shorts or a shirt.

But it seems, least over here, where I live, they like to charge fat people more $$$.

I just bought a plain pair of Levi jeans, and paid $87.99 + tax for them (58 waist, 30 inseam)

Zoxe

Just for reference... I'm a ~48-50 chest and I wear their 2X and have plenty of room.

Neil_B

Look up Love2Pedal and Aerotech Designs. Both companies make affordable, basic bike shorts. 4x bib shorts from Love2pedal should fit you, and they are around 35 bucks.

Keep in mind that you are getting smaller. Not "I'm going to be getting smaller" but "I'm getting smaller." You can think about jerseys and the like when you feel the need for them. Have you ridden your bike yet, Peter?

Why did you buy new clothes now? In two months they may not fit you. Unless you are planning to remain at 370 pounds and a 58 inch waist. My concern is that, subconsciously, you are.

One good way to persuade yourself you are doing something and avoid doing something is to plan endlessly and stockpile gear. When I began to exercise at 400 pounds I had a pair of 4x sweat clothes and a 15 dollar pair of sneakers from Payless. Had I begun by fretting over the 'right' clothing and the 'right' shoes I'd still be 400 pounds. I didn't get shorts or decent athletic shoes until I'd been working out two months. What I had was fine for my limited abilities and activities.

Sorry if this comes across as harsh, but I've seen too many posters here sink tons of money into bikes and gear thinking cycling was the magic weight loss pill, and only leave them hanging on the garage wall. I don't want to see you become one of them, Peter.

Neil_B

Look up Love2Pedal and Aerotech Designs. Both companies make affordable, basic bike shorts. 4x bib shorts from Love2pedal should fit you, and they are around 35 bucks.

Keep in mind that you are getting smaller. Not "I'm going to be getting smaller" but "I'm getting smaller." You can think about jerseys and the like when you feel the need for them. Have you ridden your bike yet, Peter?

Why did you buy new clothes now? In two months they may not fit you. Unless you are planning to remain at 370 pounds and a 58 inch waist. My concern is that, subconsciously, you are.

One good way to persuade yourself you are doing something and avoid doing something is to plan endlessly and stockpile gear. When I began to exercise at 400 pounds I had a pair of 4x sweat clothes and a 15 dollar pair of sneakers from Payless. Had I begun by fretting over the 'right' clothing and the 'right' shoes I'd still be 400 pounds. I didn't get shorts or decent athletic shoes until I'd been working out two months. What I had was fine for my limited abilities and activities.

Sorry if this comes across as harsh, but I've seen too many posters here sink tons of money into bikes and gear thinking cycling was the magic weight loss pill, and only leave them hanging on the garage wall. I don't want to see you become one of them, Peter.

txvintage

Yep, I think we all have seen the racks with one price up to XL and another price for 2XL and up. It sucks.

Peter_C

ER...UMM...

/scratchs head....

/boggle

/giggle

Hi!! Happy Sunday to you... I was but only asking question officer! Really Sir, I wasn't speeding!

<snip>
Why did you buy new clothes now?
<snip>
I never said that, or did that??? So I am kind of Confused here? And yes, since I AM losing weight, I have no desire what-so-ever to waste nice-green cash buying clothes that will shortly not fit me!!!

So, trust me there! That ain't gonna happen!

I will ASAP check out the shop you suggested as "right now for reference" I am depending on the cut a 56-60 waist, and a 54-60 chest - can't believe such a variance - damned cheap clothes I guess?

As for *harshness* - I have zero issues with that... but I didnt do it??? I did not put the cart before the horse... All I did was simply ask a question...LOL

txvintage

While I totally understand where Historian is coming from I have a huge appreciation for where Peter is. With the impending knee replacement and years of struggles behind him he is looking forward to the "after" of the knee replacement.

I've had some insane numbers thrown at me as predictions on when I will get to ride again. I'm taking most with a grain of salt and still looking forward to my return to the saddle. I just made a trade with a BF member in another sub forum that brought in new wheels, and several other parts. My wife asked me what the point was if I can't ride. My response was, "I will eventually, might as well have something to look forward to when it happens." I'm planning for success, not failure.

I'm also addicted to bike and bike part aquisition syndrome, but that's another subject entirely, lol.

chipcom 

The chamois isn't 'padding'...it's designed to displace moisture and prevent chaffing.

While I love my bibs for long rides (50mi+), you really don't need cycling specific clothing for shorter rides unless you are hammering/racing. A decent pair of flat-seamed poly or wool boxers/briefs and shorts/pants with flat seams or a gusseted crotch will serve you just fine...if you have a decent, properly positioned saddle.

slider162

Not sure if it was mentioned yet, but check out Aero Tech Designs. They have a "Top Shelf Bike Shorts for Big Man" that go up to 5XL and are still reasonably priced.

guelerct

As a guy who has experienced the chafing I whole-heartedly recommend bike shorts. Keeping your stuff dry is a big plus and the bibs help keep the chamois in the right place while tights alone can move around a bit.
I also recommend using body glide. It looks like a deodorant stick but it goes around your stuff to prevent any friction.

AiredaleII

Another vote for AeroTech. https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/ check them out.

Neil_B

I'm sorry if I come across as harsh or "hating fat people" - a description of me from a couple of years ago - but having lived with denial and wishful thinking for years, I'm quick to spot it in other fat folks. And yes, I still struggle with it myself.

Also, your planning to resume riding on recovery from an injury isn't quite on the order of a mega-obese fellow 'planning' to lose weight. There is a difference. (Hint - not riding isn't going to kill you.) I had a lifetime of such 'plans' before I started doing instead of planning.

As for GAS, yesterday I picked up a long-sleeved shirt for my next bike tour.

Neil_B

Sorry Peter, I took your writing you spent 87 dollars and change on new jeans as meaning you spent money on clothes in your size. Silly me.

Meanwhile, you need to beware the tendency to plan and purchase instead of do. If you PM me, I'll give you a link to a poster who came here, made all sorts of loud plans about weight loss, bought a 1200 dollar bike, and didn't do a damn thing. You seem a nice man, Peter, and you've said kind things about me; I want to see you succeed, as do most folks here, but I'm taking this a little more personally than other folks. Please forgive my occasional excesses.

BTW, 'planning' isn't just a fat person's problem. The Touring Forum, for instance, is filled with posters who chatter endlessly over gear ratios while their panniers gather dust.

Lycra is extremely stretchy, so the wide waist size ranges in shorts are not a sign of poor quality. I think the Love2Pedal bib shorts in 4x should fit you.

Peter_C

WOW! What a great Site! It's bookmarked now - My thanks to you (and the others) - I now have acouple of great sites to go to for cycling gear when I do need it that was worriesome tome..

Spiffy

This may be consdered "piling on" but:

Chafing is the enemy. After riding with bike shorts, you'll never go back. (I don't think it has been mentioned, no skivies w/ cycling shorts!) Many folks prefer bibs vs shorts due minimizing the "plumber's effect".

Also, most folks use some sort of 'chamois creame' on longer rides to prevent chaffing. "Body Glide" is good stuff, as is "Bag Balm" "Udderly Smooth" and a few others. Bag Balm and Udderly Smooth are less expensive and available in most drugstores.

Big +1 on Aerotech. Also you mentioned Wal****. They have some inexpensive technical compression Ts and compression shorts (not cycling specific shorts) that may also help with the 'friction' issues. Not sure of the size range. I wear the Ts and they work fine for me.

All the best to ya.....