Leadrunner

I recently read an article by someone that said, "Don't buy the cheap shorts." I have never paid the $100+ for fancy named shorts. I have son Bontrager that were about $60 a pair, and I have some Nashbar that were on $20+. I see no real difference. As a matter of fact, I prefer the fit on the Nashbar. Is there any credence to spending $129 for a part of bike shorts?

FullGas

I'm more than satisfied with the AeroTech Design $40 pro model shorts. very high quality.

far better than the $80 I spent on PI and Boure' stuff...

indyfabz

Yes, if they are eco-friendly shorts.

doctor j

For me, the more expensive ones tend to wear a little longer; however, I like the thin chamois on the less expensive ones. For 45+ miles, the thicker/molded (whatever?) chamois on the more expensive shorts will tear my derriere up.

Leadrunner

I guess I am just in the minor leagues. My daily is 10-15, with about 15 with the group on Saturday morning. Once a month I will do a rally ride of some sort and do their 25 or 30. I don't know where people find the time or energy to do 25 or 30 on a daily basis. In any case, chafing doesn't seem to be any issue. With me, after about 25 miles or so, the sit bones start to talk to me.

scribble79

I am in your same wheel house currently looking for a pair to use for a fitting session.

GerryinHouston

I wear $20 Tenn (an Amazon seller) bibs. The chamois is identical to the one in my Louis Garneau, which I think is a medium cost brand. I have a pair of Bontrager Solstice (also around $60) shorts which sport a heavier, stiffer chamois. I haven't discerned any difference in comfort or performance.

The Tenn are of thinner material, so they are not as 'compressive' as the Bontrager, but again it doesn't seem to make much difference. They do dry a lot faster after a wash...

coupster

+1
I've got 5 pair that I wear once then wash and dry in the machine. I ride in excess of 3k miles a year and these are going on 4 years without any sign of wear or damage. The chamois is chafe protection only - no padding; but they also sell more traditional styles at reasonable prices and they're made in the USA.

I don't understand the allure of the much more expensive name brand shorts. Pay me to wear your name on my thigh and maybe I'll convert.

CannedPakes

I have some $20 Nashbar shorts too. They seem to bunch up more on the legs than other people's more expensive shorts.

intransit1217

I don't think they're pads. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. They're a pad sewn into a cover, sewn into the shorts. On this note, I've found I don't like the short nap cover bontrager uses on their solstice line. I much prefer pearl, Louis, canari, so far. But I'll try the next level up bontragers just to be sure.

badger1

In the words (more or less) of the late, great Peter Cook, I can lay my hand on my heart -- or indeed anyone else's heart -- and say with a clear conscience that I have never, ever considered paying $129 for a part of bike shorts. I think what you meant to ask was whether one would consider paying $129 for a pair of bike shorts?

In my case -- yes, I have and would again.

FoxMulder

I use the $30 REI cycling liners. But I always ride in a regular t-shirt and cargo shorts, so regular cycling shorts wouldn't be ideal for me. That said, the REI liners seem decent enough, but I really haven't seen many other companies making cycling liners. I might try some more expensive ones if I could find them.

Drew Eckhardt 

Yes. Voler Comp HP pads have 120 kg/m^3 foam under your sitbones and Boure PRO shorts use flat synthetic leather chamois which don't compress and put pressure on your tender bits like the cheap diapers sold at low price points. Both are made in the USA. Boure does custom sizes for 20% more.

That Voler pad is the only "padded" chamois I'm willing to ride for more than a few hours. It's nice for at least 22 hours with maybe 3 stopped scavenging for food/waiting in traffic/visiting rest rooms.

I still wear shorts (not bibs) so they're only $119/$100 respectively, although I'd willingly spend more.

I doubt I'd find stock bibs that fit - as a skinny climber type clothes matching my circumference are usually made for people at least 5" shorter.

Cyril 

If you are happy with what you are wearing, don't change.
Shorts and bibs are like saddles everyone's butt has a preference.
That said, If you ride at top effort or distance (or both!), you will find the more expensive offerings
will fit better and feel more comfortable over the long haul.
I own bibs which are good for century rides but become absolutely useless after 300km.

On the other hand, I often don't bother with padded shorts at all on rides of less then 90km, my saddle ( brooks) alone
keeps my butt and sitbones comfy at that distance.

gear64

Pearl Izumi make similar for just a little more. I originally bought one set, liner and outer short. I liked them enough I bought one more set and a couple of extra liners. Never tried the REI version. Also, not sure if just different lots or actually different styles but all have orange pads, except one liner has much thinner black pad. It came with the second 'set'. I prefer the black and will look for that explicitly if I need more.

PaulRivers

The most comfortable shorts I've used for cycling were just workout shorts. Probably cost $20. They're extremely flexible, extremely breathable, it's like wearing nothing - except it has the benefits of not looking like a creepy idiot.

Only drawback is that they're less fashionable looking than good shorts and you can't carry anything in the pockets while on the bike.

Biggest things for me in bike shorts is flexibility so it's not constricting, fit, and I like to have pockets so I can carry my phone and wallet when off the bike. There's no "need" to have expensive shorts.

I find decent synthetic underwear to be invaluable. $20-$30/pair, but ExOfficio makes some really comfortable stuff that means no chafing, breathable and no sweat buildup, etc.

Machka 

My favourite shorts were the $40 MEC ones ... when they had them. I wish they still had them.

Leadrunner

Interesting. I have never worn bibs. Being a short, fat guy, the shorts bunch up below my belly, especially the Bontragers. The Nashbars not so bad. Funny how that works. What seems to be the real advantage of bibs vs. shorts?

SloButWide 

Not having shorts bunch up below your belly.

Shorts/tights have to be a little high waisted to CYA when you're bent over on the bike. Unless you have a flat stomach, and sometimes even if you do, the upper part will either slide down or roll over. Bibs prevent that.

ltxi

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