SlinkyWizard

Are there any professional riders, who ride long rides, without padded short? Is it possible?

Can you bum "toughen up" so you can ride without them?

Bmach

woodcraft

Yes, possible. I rode across the US with shorts that had thin chamois leather, but no padding.

Teamprovicycle

Qality Padded always. Under what ever .

TrojanHorse

People ride bikes all the time without padded lycra shorts - it's up to you do decide if it's worth it.

Give it a try!

TrojanHorse

People ride bikes all the time without padded lycra shorts - it's up to you do decide if it's worth it.

Give it a try!

02Giant 

Deja vu

KraneXL

You could adapt to living in a cave and foraging for berries, but would you want to? Get the padded shorts.

coffeesnob

all over again

Bicyclist008

For me, a pair of padded under-trouser shorts works well. That way, you can wear normal shorts or trousers but still have the necessary padding.

jon c. 

Rode many centuries like that in the 70s. Except we weren't specifically thinking of "riding a century." We just went on rides that happened to be 100 miles or so. But I think young skin is tougher. I'm not sure I could do that now. And I wouldn't try. Modern shorts are more comfortable, readily available, and relatively inexpensive. Why not wear them?

Metieval

It isn't about the pad, it's about the rubbing. and movement.

The faster something rubs the hotter it is going to get. Science! longer rides like 100+ cadence for 5 hours straight?
Or are you talking 60-70 cadence and riding for many hours with a break off the bike every hour? and with coasting (stop pedaling ) for a bunch of that riding?


If you don't chafe on your riding style then no need for shorts, if you start chafing you'll want shorts with a chamois.

Skipjacks

I don't even own a pair of 'bike shorts'

I've never felt a need for them. My butt feels fine after long rides.

rydabent

Cyclist that ride recumbents or trikes do not have to buy high priced shorts to protect them from their ride.

livedarklions

I've ridden 8 solo centuries in the past month wearing cargo shorts with boxer briefs. I've never worn padded pants of any kind and I don't experience any butt discomfort other than the occasional transient heat rash. It's not a function of age, I'm 57.

And I ain't gettin' on one of them recumbent contraptions ever!

crazyravr

Possible? Yes.
Comfortable? Not a chance in hell.

Anything over 1h and I put on padded shorts cause my arse likes to be comfy.

5teve

Professional riders? I doubt it. If nothing else, they are obliged to wear their sponsor or team kit. Regular Joes? Some do I'd imagine. I prefer cycling shorts for anything much over 10 miles or so myself.

livedarklions

Define comfortable. My butt doesn't hurt or bother me at all doing 2 centuries in a weekend in cargo shorts. I'd call that comfort. Does it get better than that?

Obviously, I'm not a professional rider, though.

KraneXL

Some of these responses remind me of that guy at the gym that doens't believe real men wear gloves. What he doesn't seem to realize is that his hands look like they've been through a meat grinder and permanently stained in crud. No thanks.

REDMASTA

i'd ride directly on the seatpost before riding a recumbent

livedarklions

As usual, you judge other people's needs based on no knowledge whatsoever.
I'm not questioning the manliness of anyone who wears padding, I just haven't had any need for them, but if Krane needs them, everyone else must, right?.

indyfabz

Neither do diamond frame riders, so what's your point?

Slightspeed

You can ride a bike without proper padded shorts, but why would you want to? Same goes for helmet, shoes and gloves. Would you play hockey in baseball cleats? Different strokes, I guess ...

Rootman

Yes, after all bikes have been around for 100+ years and I'm sure the first bike race took place 5 minutes after the first 2 guys met each other riding, and pro racing 2 days after that. Padded lycra has not been around that long, I'd hate to guess but probably just a few decades.

Padded shorts are just worth it and I'd think that any pro would want any advantage he could get, so my guess is that every pro probably wears them.

Then there's guys like Shirtless Keith who I'm betting 'don't ware no girly bike shorts'. I know a few long distance riders who don't wear bike shorts, just cargos or jean shorts.

To me they are worth it. I bought 5 pair from Nashbar a few years ago and alternate them. They make a trip a lot ore, well, pleasant and comfortable.

livedarklions

I think you're onto something here.

I do the slower cadence/higher gear, but I often don't take a break for the first 3.5 to 4 hours of a century. I have a latex sensitivity, so the lycra/spandex stuff is nothing I want to try.