bds1168

Hay Dan! I think I just bought a pair of shorts from you on e-bay. Great deal by the way. Thanks
Bryan

Kneez

Amen.

Also, don't worry about what other people wear.

stevel610 

I wear spandex shorts under regular shorts. I like the extra padding. In summer I wear a lime green spandex shirt, mostly because of visibility. Here is an article about regular clothing.

https://www.rivbike.com/article/cloth...hes_for_riding

Pinyon

I just don't see the big deal either way. Whatever works for you. I also don't think that spandex is THAT revealing. What can they see while you are all hunched over and pedaling?

Now...if the style was to wear nothing but a pink thong and pluck your eyebrows in central Texas...

Coopers_Dad

I was a bit concerned about how reveling my bib shorts were after my wife made a comment but never thought about it when I was surrounded by other riders. I find them really comfortable and a bit cooler than the shorts I was wearing before.

I'm 6' 4" 280 built like a lumberjack so I need all the comfort I can get on my bike.

StephenH

If you're overweight and riding a bicycle, there's not really an option that'll make you look good. So don't worry about it, get out and ride anyway, and wear whatever it takes to keep you comfortable and decent.

bautieri

I'd go for regular shorts with a pair of gym shorts over them if you are that modest. I have a pair of mountain bike shorts that I use for commuting and I really find the short liners to...sorta suck. Proper road bibs with light gym shorts over them are much better in my opinion.

I have the right to wear whatever the heck I want, you do too. If someone doesn't like it they can look the other way.

rumrunn6

huh? wear what you want. padded or "lined" bike shorts are mostly for moisture management but yes the liner does offer some comfort as well. just be sure the liner is next to your skin w/o underwear. btw MTB liners are cut different than road bike liners, so if you're riding drop bars you might prefer a different liner. mtb liners are for a more upright position

stone56n

I donno about putting your money where your mouth is,,, I think it would be much more advantages to put your money where your ass is. Anotherwords get a good saddle that fits right!!!

BROOKS FOREVER

stone56n

Don't tell the guy to put his money whrer his mouth is,,,, tell him to put his money where his ass is!!! BROOKS FOREVER

bautieri

Different strokes for different folks stone. Saddles are very personal in that what works best for you might be horrible for another person. Brooks are very nice saddles, however people either love em or hate em...and are out 120 bucks. If OP (or anyone in general) wants to work on a saddle, they should go to a Specialized dealer and have a seat on the Ass-o-meter. It measures your sit bones and a proper saddle width can be estimated. It's a lot better than blindly throwing money at any ole saddle

Wstandis overreacted but managed to un-wad his panties a few posts later.

bbeck

hell dont worry about what others think. when i started riding i wore loose shorts so i wouldnt look funny riding my bike (as if the fact i was 350+ pounds on a bike didnt look funny enough) i ordered a pair of bibs and havnt looked back. after a year i have added a few jerseys to my arsenal i am still north of 300 pounds a little but i dont think twice about putting on my bibs and jersey. i am still big i am not going to win any sexy biker contest (if there are any) but i am comfortable and enjoying the ride. here is a picture from yesterdays Ride for Reading. you cant miss my im the 300 pound banana.





+1 on the brooks i ride this one

cyclist2000

If I ever feel out of place in my bike shorts I wear a pair of basketball shorts (the big baggy ones that go down to the knees) these are long enough to completely covers the bike shorts. But after my normal ride I go to the grocery store across from where I park and get some food to cook for dinner the people there have never stared or made any comments except "how was the ride today?", they are so used to seeing me dressed this way that they would think it strange if I came in regular clothes.

Blindrage

+1 on this. I wear my bibs on every ride, and just wear or at least carry a set of shorts with me. I also wear a bike jersey on every ride since they are longer in the back and keep everything covered when I am in the drops. I may not cut a sporting image, but I am comfortable. Having a spare shirt and shorts handy for when I hit the store makes me feel better though.

CliftonGK1

If I can ruin just one person's appetite by traipsing through the grocery store in a pair of plum smugglers, then my job for the day is accomplished.

zoste

I was gonna nominate this for "post of the day" until I read:

Greg_R

If your problem is skin chafing then the shorts & cream will definitely help. However, since you recently started biking the pain could be due to a variety of issues:

1) Bike fit
2) saddle design vs your sit bones shape
3) Body bike fitness (takes 2-3 weeks for the butt to "break in", takes longer for the legs and core to strengthen and take weight off the butt)

cyclist2000

just got done with my ride today, it was cold (45 degrees and 20-30 mph wind) and raining by the time I finished. Went to the store with my tights, jersey and arm warmers. I must of looked like I was from Mars.

cyclist2000

I used to find that I would do one 40 mile ride in the beginning of the season and I would have a major PITA, I could barely sit for the next three days. Then after that I was good for any distance. That was breaking in the butt for me. That was 25 years ago and I don't seem to have that problem any more.

deep_sky

I've not been cycling long, and as I am losing weight and am now at 175 lbs, 5'8" female, I don't think people would run in terror from me. However, I could be twice that, and I could not care less what other people think of my kit. I wear it because it is both functional and comfortable for my sport, and if people can't handle it when I clomp into the store in my full regalia, they need to stay at home.

Neil_B

I've done it on tour last year. Ask the staff at the Target in Easton and the Food Lion in Cambridge, MD. I drew stares in both places.

Neil_B

Wearing Lycra is indeed a privilege. It's only for people who engage in athletic activities. That's us, people.

CliftonGK1

What's funny is that because the Seattle Randonneurs tend to use the same stores for control stops (sometimes these are the only store or gas station in town to buy food water in remote little places) they're used to us. We get more stares in stores in high population areas than we do in the little one-horse towns out in the forest.

Neil_B

Very true. The only time I encountered stares that trip were Easton, Cambridge, and Bear, DE (just outside of Wilmington.) In Bear, at a campground, another camper advised his young son to 'be careful and let him know if anything happens' as we headed towards the bathroom. I doubt he would have made that comment if I hadn't been wearing Lycra.

DoubleTap

At 310 lbs. wearing bibs, it makes for great discipline for my teenage daughter. Anytime she's out of line, I threaten to pick her up at school wearing the bibs. I rarely hear another word out of her.