I wear lycra cycling shorts, Pearl Izumis. I have a shower at work so it's convenient to change into my work clothes after I get there.

+1! I just cant do the tight fit/padded thing, it is just to hot and feels so weird and off the bike?,,, makes me wish I had a big hat to hide in!

Pearl Izumi shorts or tights when I'm jamming and don't give a ***t what I look like, UA or Novara shorts under jeans/baggies, etc when I'm not in bike geek mode but on longer guided tour rides. I rarely wear underwear anyway so sometimes its just me and the boys.

When I'm riding I typically spend most of my time on the bike...that's kind of obvious right? But I see where you're coming from. You ride, you stop, you might drop in somewhere for a beer or snack, chat with friends, I get it. I don't wear the lycra cuz it looks good, but because of the padding. I recently bought some Peal Izum baggies that look pretty good and have a nice lycra liner with decent padding. Something like that may be a better "fit" for those who don't want the lycra look.

cycling shorts. road or MTB. or liner cycling shorts.

nevvvvvvver cotton underwear. ick.

Merino! You can wear multiple days!

I find that athletic trunk style underwear is quite comfortable for riding and comes in synthetic tech fabrics that wick moisture and dry very quickly. They also fit very smoothly so no chaffing. I rode 50 miles today (15 in the AM and 30 in the PM at recovery speeds) in 80+degree weather wearing them under black denim jeans with no problems nor excessive sweat.

Padded bike shorts! I love the Aero Tech Designs Top Shelf ones. Expensive but fits and feels great and breathes well.

I wear polyester breathable workout shorts over the bike shorts to conceal the tight look. It still breathes so much better than having any cotton. I like NordicTrack mesh shorts for the top layer because they breathe well and also have retroreflective piping on the sides to enhance nighttime visibility:

http://www.sears.com/nordictrack-dou...&blockType=G21

Cotton kills! Some type of padded short or liner is essential in my opinion. Why put yourself through the agony of a bike seat squishing the jewels? Hey a regular pair of shorts over the padded liner and the cool kids will never know you're geeked out w/bike shorts underneath.

Uh, mt bike shorts work for me. Lycra for the roadie types.

Im all for the lycra look, and dont really wear underwear as such. sometimes i wear a lycra body suit under shorts, but don't need underwear

Am I the only one having trouble with the seam of my underwear? I get red marks where the seams are and it's very uncomfortable. I have to make sur I don't put the same model of boxer short two days in a row or It's painful.

I mostly wear bike shorts and change when I get to work, but when I ride in normal clothes I wear these. Not bad and they are fairly cheap too.

This is why people wear cycling shorts...

I go with tri shorts. Much smaller pad (designed to be able to run and swim in them as well as ride a bike), so if I have to walk around for a while before I can change they don't cause a problem, still some slight pad, wick moisture pretty well, keep things cradled and separated so no chafing, and they dry faster in my locker than bibs/shorts with pads. I only have 3-4 pairs (1 pearl izumi the rest louis garneau all bought from nashbar on sale), but I wish I had more because they're the perfect commuter option for me. I use them as liners as I'm too self conscious to wear lycra to work.

I never tried cycling short but don't they have seams as well ?

I wear ex officio boxer briefs on the bike and off. They're nylon/lycra, they wick, and they don't have seams where you don't want them.

If I'm going on an all day tour, I might wear cycling shorts...but for 2-3 hours, they aren't necessary.

The cycling shorts I wear have all the seams on the outside of the legs. The insides, where any rubbing is going to take place, are smooth and seamless. Very nice!

No. The point about cycling shorts is threefold. First, the spandex moves with the skin, not against it, to minimise chafing. Second, the chamois (the padded section) has no seams at any of the pressure points. Third, it wicks moisture away from your skin; unlike cotton.

Still no mention of cycling thongs :(

You made a believer out of me. I'll buy a pair to try it this week end.

++1 on the Champion briefs. They are the best value in underwear I have ever found. I use no cycling shorts or pads, just the briefs and some shorts or casual pants.

Marc

Sierra Trading Post Terramar Boxer Briefs

Save a few bucks, but get the nice quality.

+1 Commuting 25 years and have never worn anything except padded cycling shorts. In deference to modesty and good taste I've always worn some sort of loose fitting cargo or mtb shorts over top of the spandex/lycra. I've got 8 or 9 pairs of padded shorts that I change out every day. My system is to change everything to work clothes upon my arrival and the same w/t homeward leg. Depending on one's situation leaving a week's worth or everyday cartage is determained by storage availability and a suitable changing area.

My mantra is: Never commute in one's work clothes or work in one's commuting clothes. Including socks. :p

Just a leeeeetle too much info...:eek: