I ordered some men's knicker bibs from Nashbar because they were cheap.

All I have to say is: you guys wear some crazy giant padding! My rear is padded, like a tiny diaper! Are all men's gear like this? It's thick*, too! I would think you'd chafe in it!

I don't wear lycra, no time, no way. I think watching Freddy Mercury on stage at the Summit (it was the Summit then, not Compaq Center or Lakewood Church) during Queen's News of the World tour had damaging psychological effects. Every time I pick up a pair of mtb shorts the huge pad that seems to weigh as much as a cf bike also turns me off. Maybe next time I feel like I need shorts for riding I'll hop down to the uniform store and see if they have those shorts the bike cops wear.

They are more appropriate to the 50+ crowd.


I suppose that depends on your viewpoint.

The short answer is no. There are plenty of mens shorts, bibs, and knickers that have thin pads. There are also some (even expensive ones) that have thick pads like Castelli "Kiss" pads. Additionally, you can also buy men's bib knickers with no padding at all.

If this is the pad I think it is- It is great. The one pair of shorts I have-as opposed to bibs-Has this thick padding in. My "Sponsor" (Local LBS) came up with them for our 100 mile offroad in 2004. 12 hours of sitting in the saddle and Although they became ineffective after 8 hours- They worked. The next event we did was only a 6 hour one and thin chamois was painfull in comparison.

Just don't get off the bike cos "Your bum will look big in these"

I do not buy the shorts with thick pads. I like the thin firm chamois pads as in PI AeroSensor Pro Bibs with the 10 panels and the Voler bibs with the Ion chamois.

Are all men's SHORTS like that? No. That's why THOSE were cheap.....

I've tried bibs, and good quality ones too (not Nashbar), but the straps always chafe my nipples. That got old real quick!

So I am back to shorts . . . mostly Pearl Izumi and Giordona with the occasional Castelli thrown in.

Rick / OCRR

Rick, you aren't supposed to cross the shoulder straps over like I do in my bib tuck overalls.

Look, if you're on the bike they look fine, and feel fine. Never get off the bike.
In California there is a state law: If you wear a team kit you must be touching your bicycle at all times or you can be arrested. Some risk arrest at local coffee shops, but generally this law keeps the streets safe.

What men's athletic gear is up next for Solveg?

Perhaps a protective device?

There are no straps in the world that are long enough to go straight over my chest!

+1

I bought one cheap pair of Performance shorts (same company as Nashbar) and I would agree with "eek." Felt like a diaper (not that I would remember what wearing a diaper was like).

Never again. Now I check pads more carefully.

I think I can speak for all of us here in 50+ land in hoping we don't get a refresher course!

Well, good to know it's not just "male padding", because that would be pretty weird.

Is it a gel pad? They tend to be thick, and feel squishy, like a used diaper.

No, it's just really really big in the bottom, and I thought it was us women who generally had wider hip bones. Then I thought it was to make up for the fact that men had less body fat there than women. Then gave up and thought it was just crazy.

Droll. Very droll.

Like that Spinal Tap song:

"Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about thick pads
My shorts got 'em"

At least, I'm pretty sure that's how it goes...

I was busted for aggravated posing and paid $100 bucks and a night in the pokey! Now I know why they call it the pokey!

that DEPENDS.........

What kind of a law is that, sounds really strange even for kalifornia.....