wphamilton

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?

Biker395 

In any reasonable, ordinary group, I am SURE I would have the oldest. In THIS group? Probably not! lol

I'm going to say the oldest pairs are about 15 years old or so.

Oh, and it works out fine. I keep one pair because they are very light and thin. Perfect for commuting on hot days. The other old pair are actually warmer than the rest ... kinda brushed on the inside surfaces. I'm able to keep them so long because I have a LOT of pairs of shorts ... any one pair does not get worn all that often.

Wanderer

I had a pair till about 2 years ago, that was extremely old. On a previous ride, they felt a little loose, but didn't look it.

One day, the lycra just gave up the ghost. They turned into Bermuda shorts one afternoon, and became garbage shorts that evening........

It was really kind of unbelievable - they just blew out all at once.

Matariki

How's about 35 years? I still occasionally use a pair of wool shorts I bought in 1981 and frequently use a pair of wool cycling tights I bought a just a few years later. My lycra shorts are worn out in just a few years.

wphamilton

That could be the winner! But don't be cheating a year on that ...

K100Fran 

I wish I could fit into the wool tights I wore in 1981...but that's another thread.

79pmooney

Many, many moons ago my riding partner had a favorite pair of shorts, old wool with leather chamois. (Of course, all shorts had leather chamoises then.) Never asked her the vintage. There was a line of holes all around the chamois in back. Made drafting her quite entertaining.

Ben

Monoborracho

I've some PI shorts from about 1992. I still wear them when I have the tri-bike in the trainer, and I did my first triathlon in them about five years ago.

bicyclelove

I have some Cannondale Lycra shorts from 1994 that I still occasionally use, usually under tights however as they are getting thin.

LongT

I have a pair of Performance shorts that are in the 30+ or so year old range. Bought them when they first came out to replace wool shorts. I just use them when I'm on the trainer now. I have wool tights that I bought around the same time and I do use them outside.

Bill

Hangtownmatt

I have two pair of Pearl Izumi's from the late 80's. I don't wear them often anymore, and when I do it's under another pair of pants because they've worn so thin. I wore them yesterday and would buy several new pair if I could find something similar. What I like about these is they have the old fashioned leather chamois instead of these newfangled pads they have today. Much better for me!

Matt

Six jours

I've still got a racing skinsuit from 1985 or so. The natural chamois is completely fossilized.

I have to say, though, that based upon my experience drafting fat hairy guys, a lot of you are wearing shorts that are too old. Things that cannot be unseen...

Gerryattrick

I have a pair of non-padded shorts that I often wear when mountain biking. They are 22 years old and were my son's when he was 12 years old. Lucky that the fashion was for longer, baggy shorts then.

TiHabanero

I still use a pair of Viggorelli's that I got from Wheels of Hawaii in December of 1979. It was my first West-Pac tour and first visit to Pearl Harbor. The chamios is course, the fabric very thin, but I use them once a year in the spring on my first ride of the season. Sentimental thing for me. I remember checking in on them in on the return leg of the tour and they were gone. I still have my first cycling jersey, too. Now that is old!

Shamrock

The past couple of years I've been riding a Tour of some town.There is a bike club that attends and I wind up riding with them.there is a woman who rides who must have the oldest bike tights.They are see through.Its like she is wearing panty hose.
I thought of saying something but if her fellow club riders are silent so am I.Maybe she does it on purpose?

wphamilton

35 and a month, I think you're the leader. Not that the other 20+ year shorts at to be scoffed at.

I still have and use all of my cycling shorts and jerseys, but I'm a late bloomer relatively speaking.

JohnDThompson 

Same here. I have some Protogs Merino wool shorts and tights from around 1980. I had the chamois in the shorts replaced by Kucharik a couple years ago, but otherwise they're holding up fine.

Gerryattrick

Nor are they to be sniffed at!

RISKDR1

I have a bib set from 1986. they are full of holes and I wear them under a bob that i have that does not have a shammy.

qcpmsame 

Not sure why I have hung on to them, but I have a pair of Cannondale shorts form the early 90's, still have a leather chamois in them as opposed to the new pads. They are in fairly good shape and they fit, but I have 7 other newer pairs, and 1 pair of bib shorts to rotate through. I am not sure when they were actually made, its all a blur past yesterday.

Bill

fietsbob

My Kucharik Helenca** shorts are No longer Made.. now they fell back in the pack with Lycra Like every One else.


have a old Pair of Vigorelli * Bibs that got kind of Risque when the spandex rubber washed away leaving a rather translucent nylon see thru.

* the California company used the name of an Milanese Italian Velodrome as a Brand. they were actually sewn in the SF Bay area ..

Milanosport - gli impianti: Maspes Vigorelli

** its a rubber free stretchy knit fabric. I prefer it.

JohnDThompson 

Yes, they did Trek's clothing BITD. I have a couple almost threadbare Vigorelli shorts and a Trek jersey from back then. They also did a fun "jersey of the month" with a different design every month. I had one with pink flamingos on it, but can't seem to find it anymore. I suspect my daughter has absconded with it.

FarHorizon

Let's ask the more important question - Who has the SHORTEST bike shorts? LOL The "oldest" doesn't sound very sanitary...

fietsbob

Online posted, I've seen a picture hot looking Model posing on a bike as If ridng up towards the summit of Mt Ventoux, (a climb often on the TdF route) ..

she was in a Thong.. (but likely went no further after the camera Was Put away, chafing is very non gender specific )


The Adage in Beach resorts "The Bigger the German, The smaller the Speedos" .. your Imagination can do the rest..

BengeBoy 

I have some lycra shorts from 1980 or 1981. I still wear them occasionally, but only in the winter when I'm wearing tights or something over the top.