wipekitty

Only four: two I really like, and two I don't like quite as much (they get used for shorter rides). I need to get more of the ones I like. For now, the shorts go in the shower in between laundry days.

Rowan

Bike shorts are as personal as saddles. It does take a while to find the ones that are the right price and fit. Hence my collection of PIs... I like them so much that I bought up extra when I could afford knowing that they may go out of production of change design. Like Trsnrtr, I am really hoping that the PI shape hasn't changed too much.

Oh, and I forgot a cheap pair of Netti bike shorts to add to my list. I bought them when I accidently left home for a road trip without a pair from my myriad collection.

Robert P

In large part wondering how often people wash their bike shorts. I'm sure I don't ride a fraction of the amount many here do, but seems for hygiene purposes they should be washed pretty much after every use. I have three pair of padded Aerotech bike shorts, waiting on another to arrive. $49 each. They work great, really improved comfort issues I was having but just those four pair represent $200 tied up in fancy underwear. I wondered if people typically have even more than that.

Wittyname

5 pairs from dhb (love these things), 2 Performance Ultra (great for commuting, not great for more than 20 miles), LBS kit from PI, and club kit on the way to me now from Jakroo
5 pairs of tights (3 from Nashbar, 2 dhb)

So, enough to commute every day, ride on the weekends, and not have to fight with my wife over washing machine space. Winners all around

gecho

I had two pair of bibs but am currently down to one, which is on its last legs so I've got a new pair on order.

I also have 2 pairs of shorts I don't wear anymore because I only wear bibs now, 2 pairs of liner shorts that I don't wear because I wear bibs under winter gear, and a 3rd pair of shorts that no longer fit after my initial cycling weight loss. Bibs are great for me because I have a goofy body shape where waist bands never sit where they are supposed to which makes elastic band shorts uncomfortable and prone to slipping down.

shelbyfv

Yes, wash after every ride. If you ride for a number of years you tend to accumulate enough stuff that it seems over the top to someone just starting. Your four pair should be plenty to start. You may find you'll buy more if you see a great deal or you just want to try something different. If you ride every day for any significant distance, you might want to alternate different brands so the chamois doesn't rub the same places.

bikejrff

Yeah, I got a bunch too and I wear them all. Including winter tights, shorts & bib shorts, at least 35.

kickstart

5 or 6, don't really know as I rarely ever wear them other than as underwear under wool trousers in really cold weather if I'm doing a long ride.
I find them to be hot, sweaty and uncomfortable under most circumstances, and prefer running shorts as they're cooler, dryer and more comfortable in hot weather, In cool weather I prefer running pants.

Hardrock23

No shorts yet...Iv been looking for some without padding recently though. Iv tried a few with padding and I can't stand the feeling. I have some (unpadded) tights that Iv used through the winter.

Chuck Naill

You might want to shop the Aero-Tech web site. There are shorts with minimal padding that some find better than the thick type.

Hardrock23

Thanks, Ill check those out too.

Slash5

Probably about a dozen. This thread reminds me of a review I saw while looking at bibs.
Guy said he is pleased with the new shorts, been wearing them for his commute for a month but can't say how will hold up as he hasn't had to wash them yet.
Yuk

I-Like-To-Bike

Which suggests the natural follow-up questions for the inquiring minds of BF:
How often do you change your shorts?
or
How many days do you normally wear a pair of shorts before washing it?

buffalo4life

I have 3 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of tights and 1 set of bibs to try them out. The bibs don't work on longer rides for me though so they are rarely used. I would like a couple more pairs of shorts though to avoid midweek bike laundry. I believe shorts should be washed after any ride exceeding one hour.

shelbyfv

Ha Ha- Yes it's probably time again! Every couple of years this comes up and those few who insist they don't need to wash their shorts after each ride are enlightened (or shamed.) There may be some who have come to BF since the last session on basic personal hygiene, we'll see!

Annevdboogaert

I have two, lycra shorts

nycphotography

Saddle sores are a mofo. Definitely wear once and wash. Applies to both trainer sessions as well as outdoors.

Commuting I'll wear the same kit both ways (12 miles ea way) but I hang them to dry during the day.

martslc

Is this the chamios your talking about?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...w_c_x_7_w?th=1

If so please explain? Is it a smooth feeling, etc? I'm trying to find a chamios the will work. Always end up with raw rubbed areas right where my thights meet the top of crotch area. (Sorry for graphic explanation)...hee hee

..;

...

canklecat

That's the one. Good shorts for the money. The padding was thin and comfortable -- not too firm like the 3D padding on some shorts -- but unnecessary on my bikes which both have padded saddles. When I got sweaty during long summer rides the chamois just soaked up sweat and squished around too much with the padded saddles.

My Pearl Izumi shorts has similar feeling chamois -- the fabric and foam feel the same -- but in that annoying 3D pattern that feels uncomfortable to me. I prefer the plain chamois that for lack of a better term is shaped like an old fashioned sanitary napkin.

The bike I ride most has a Bell padded saddle similar to the Serfas Tailbones saddles, with good firm foam covered in a tough fabric like lycra. I don't need padded shorts for that and just wear Champion wicking fabric boxer/briefs. Very comfy, highly recommended if you don't need chamois padded shorts.

Like chamois pads my bike's fabric covered padded saddle itself can get damp with sweat or rain, but it dries very quickly. Even during fairly heavy rains the saddle fabric and foam didn't get as soggy as the chamois pads in my tight bike shorts.

Alathea

I actually googled for just this question. I ride 3-4 days a week about 2 miles one way to work and then back. I have 4 pr padded shorts right now and 1 pr mtn bike shorts and 1 pr biking 'pants'. I was looking for care and feeding information for padded shorts since I used to not wear them and my bits paid for it. Im also a clyde, so, doubly so. This thread has been pretty informative, thank you.

Alathea

LOVE aerotech. Pricey if you are getting into clyde sized, but still, great stuff. Ive had their peddling pants and the shorts version of those for like 5 yrs and they still look new.

drlogik 

Bike shorts maybe 8 to 10. Bike short liners that I use with baggy pants probably 5. Most of those came with the Endura baggy pants.

Loose Chain

No padded shorts/tights--never, ever. I do have shorts and tights that appear to be cycling wear but have no pads. I have several pairs of bicycle underwear that have thin pads built in and I like the then Walmart microfiber undies under them. The three minimal layers provide good contact/control with the saddle and bicycle and do not have the diaper look or feel (and provide good coverage/support). For shorter rides in the summer, I might dispense with the cycling under pants and just use the microfiber underwear. A cool day, so tights, the thin padded liner and the Walmart undies, thin and comfortable and the microfiber is smooth and wicks moisture:

alanalanbobalan

3 bibs, 1 pair of shorts that I wore when I first started cycling and now only wear for trainer rides.

Kovkov

None. I‘m perfectly fine with jeans etc.