Who's got the oldest bike shorts?
#27
The Left Coast, USA
I'm thinking somewhere around 1980 - purchased from REI, Berkeley (store #2 ), a thin spandex-type w/natural leather chamois. I lost interest in riding that same year, they lived in a drawer, I got married, moved through 5 houses/2 states, first worn again in 2010. Great shorts. They are getting a little thin and see-though now, I wear them as under-liners.
My adult son worked at REI as a pre-grad school job, we've done long rides together - my wearing those shorts. The mind boggles.
My adult son worked at REI as a pre-grad school job, we've done long rides together - my wearing those shorts. The mind boggles.
#28
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just retired after almost 30 years
I have an old pair of Nike cycle sorts that I bought in 1986 - so they are just short of their 30th birthday. May not be the oldest here. I ride early in the mornings with a group of friends and it is often dark when I get up. I change in the dark so I won't wake up my wife. Yesterday I reached into my shorts drawer, pulled out a pair and pulled them on. About 5km into the ride, when the sun was starting to come up, the rider behind me suggested it might be time for a new pair. I had split the seam just above my saddle. No fear that flatulence would balloon my shorts. They are now retired - with honour if not politesse.
Alan
www.taylerknightbiketours.com
Alan
www.taylerknightbiketours.com
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I was reading the current threads about new tights, new shorts, and someone asking what was under the shorts, so the question hit me and having no reliable filter from thought to post I pose it here:
Who has the record for spectacularly old biking shorts? How is it working out for you?
Who has the record for spectacularly old biking shorts? How is it working out for you?
__________________
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
Formerly fastest rider in the grupetto, currently slowest guy in the peloton
#31
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Wow - it's unexpected but judging from this informal unscientific survey there is a cluster of oldest shorts about 34-35 years old, which seems to be the limit on them.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
#32
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have a mint pair from about 1985, my first pair with chamois, think by Tommaso?
Was too self conscientious to wear them as a teen, which is why they are still mint
It is a size 1, when I wrestled at 108, but now at 150, would be a butt crack nightmare...
Was too self conscientious to wear them as a teen, which is why they are still mint
It is a size 1, when I wrestled at 108, but now at 150, would be a butt crack nightmare...
#33
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Wow - it's unexpected but judging from this informal unscientific survey there is a cluster of oldest shorts about 34-35 years old, which seems to be the limit on them.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
#34
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Plausible, but to me it doesn't add up. 35 years, plus however old someone would be to buy their own shorts, say 18 or 20, that would be 55 years old. Lots of people 55 or older use the internet, however idiotic it is, so it seems to me that the cut-off to support your theory would have to be something longer than 35 years. So there is still room for some mystery there.
#35
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Wow - it's unexpected but judging from this informal unscientific survey there is a cluster of oldest shorts about 34-35 years old, which seems to be the limit on them.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
I would have expected more of a bell curve, biased to older given the ages of members of this sub-forum, but still a curve. It leads me to wonder if there's something about the materials of shorts from that era, that causes them to disintegrate after around 35 years.
#36
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My oldest are from a bike ride in 1995. I rarely wear them, so they're still in pretty good shape. They're a little tighter than they used to be, though...
#37
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I've got some wool cycling shorts that are at least 30 years old, perhaps 35. In fact, they have real chamois leather in them. However, I haven't worn them in years and not sure if they still fit me, plus the chamois is pretty stiff.
#38
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During this past year's Cino Heroica ride (you must ride a classic "heroic" bike and are encouraged to wear wool kit), I overheard one old guy at the rest stop say that he was wearing his wool Kucharik shorts from the 70's. Now, if you are not familiar with Kucharik, they made some of the most unstylish bike clothing ever sewn. Their leather hairnet, for example, looked like a thick wad of sausages strung together. Their jerseys were "boxy." This guy's shorts were no better. They were completely formless and quite baggy, and they probably weren't much better when they were new. Well, at least they lasted 40 years...
Anyway, I wouldn't be too proud of old shorts, especially those made of lycra. The lycra gets thin with repeated wear and washings, so even if the chamois is still in good shape, and all the seams are intact, after a short time, you can see right thru the stretch material. I once followed a shapely female cyclist along the Burke-Gilman trail in Seattle. The sun was at our backs, and I must say, she might just as well not have been wearing shorts because the material had become transparent in direct sunlight!
All my old shorts that are still too comfortable to throw out are used only in the winter, underneath long tights!
Luis
Anyway, I wouldn't be too proud of old shorts, especially those made of lycra. The lycra gets thin with repeated wear and washings, so even if the chamois is still in good shape, and all the seams are intact, after a short time, you can see right thru the stretch material. I once followed a shapely female cyclist along the Burke-Gilman trail in Seattle. The sun was at our backs, and I must say, she might just as well not have been wearing shorts because the material had become transparent in direct sunlight!
All my old shorts that are still too comfortable to throw out are used only in the winter, underneath long tights!
Luis
#39
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Plausible, but to me it doesn't add up. 35 years, plus however old someone would be to buy their own shorts, say 18 or 20, that would be 55 years old. Lots of people 55 or older use the internet, however idiotic it is, so it seems to me that the cut-off to support your theory would have to be something longer than 35 years. So there is still room for some mystery there.
#40
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My oldest shorts are about 15 years old, but do not get much use anymore. If I lose 15 pounds though they will be back in use. I have 3 - 4 pairs of shorts I love and when I have a pair that is comfortable I make them last as long as I can. I have a few pairs I dislike that are approaching 10 - 12 years old. I also have a pair of very heavy winter Bellweather GoreTex tights that are from 1989 so I guess 26 years old, but they are not worn much which is why they are still around.
#41
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#43
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20 to 25 ish years old. I don't wear them outside unless they are under tights, etc. as they are see through in places I'd rather they not be...they also make great trainer shorts...
#44
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Mine oldest are a pair of old Specialized from the early 90s, but I only wear them under my hiking or cargo shorts. Yeah, it looks kinda funny with the lycra cycling shorts having a longer inseam than the hiking shorts, but I have my wallet, keys, knife and cell phone in the pockets when I'm out on my casual rides or commuting. I don't race, so the jersey thing isn't for me - I'd rather just wear a t-shirt or golf shirt. Comfort is my goal. Besides, going into a bar for a bite of lunch while wearing 'kit' looks kind of silly...
#45
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I had a couple pairs of touring shorts, from the '80s with the chamois pretty much worn out in them last year before giving them up.
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