ysrchris

Hi I just started cycling, mostly mtb on bike paths and am not really equiped for it. I just wear my regular jeans and boxer briefs and am experiencing some frontal pain from chaffing on the briefs. What should I be wearing. Thanks

JAG410

MTB shorts, no underwear. Problem solved.

Szczuldo

5 mile ITT to my friends house each morning to carpool I wear jeans, underwear and a regular t-shirt. I get there in under 15 minutes with no pain. On the weekends or any ride over 30 miles I will wear my Giordana bibs.

tekknoschtev

For my commuting I generally wear bike shorts underneath whatever it is I'm normally wearing and change at school or work. It seems to work out best that way for me, even though my commute is only 6 miles one way. Many will scoff and say that you can do it with nothing but "street clothes," but I say ride what makes you feel comfortable. For me that means the Under Armor compression shorts. For the 1-2 mile trips to the grocery store or what not I generally can get away without 'em though.

itsthewoo

Here in Florida, 5 miles means a gallon of sweat.

I'd rather not sweat in the clothes I plan to wear for the day, so I wear bike shorts + compression shirt.

charles vail

If you want to go inexpensive get some compression shorts from Walmart and some lightweight nylon running or hiking shorts. Pay attention to where or if, there are bulky seams. I purchased a pair of MUSA shorts from www.Rivbike.com I like this combo since they aren't skin tight and lack the unneeded 'diaper' that many 'bike shorts' have. If you just have to buy into the whole skin tight look, try some bib shorts that fit properly with minimal padding. Avoid the gel padding for sure, since it can amplify numbness problems rather than solve them. Minimal fabric around your crotch area is the goal. A solid leather saddle breathes better than any plastic one and it will conform to your pelvic bone anatomy. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it!

Roody

The problem is most likely your saddle, not your shorts. If you have a good saddle that's properly positioned you should be comfortable in any clothing. (but you might be more comfortable in cycling shorts or bibs.)

lil brown bat

If the problem is chafing, I'd say that's highly unlikely.

savethekudzu

ADD baby powder or an adult equivalent. And if you're new to this, well, take a day or two off from time to time. It will take a while to get used to it, but you will get used to it.

Boston Commuter

Jeans have very thick welted seams in the crotch area. They are about the most uncomfortable kind of pants to wear on a bike saddle. If you want to cycle in ordinary clothes, try for something that doesn't have lumpy seams, rough fabric, etc. in the crotch and inner thigh areas.

BarracksSi

Or, at the very least, get some bike shorts -- or any synthetic underwear with either no seams in the seating area. The padding of bike shorts is probably less than half of the reason they're more comfortable; the simple existence of the pad gets rid of the stitching that would chafe the most.

GearsForFears

Hard racing saddle and slightly more forward riding position eliminated the discomfort for me (after a short period of being just plain sore).

ysrchris

Thanks for your help..I will try some of these.