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Getting over bike shorts?

Old 09-09-19, 10:33 AM
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This sport is far more than "pro wanna-be vs retrogrouch" Please stop basing arguments on the premise that everyone must fall only into one or the other.


Originally Posted by livedarklions
Wrong analogy--this is general cycling. Better analogy would be people on a swimming forum telling people they need to wear a speedo to do laps in a pool.
fify

You don't need to wear tight cycling gear. Heck nobody says you have to wear any cycling gear. But if you want to maximize your effort, you 'get into' the sport.

I rode an organized century yesterday, and I saw people wearing everything from cargo shorts and tee shirts to super-bling aero kits. Even people riding with their bike locks, panniers, everything on their bike as they would be during the week. On one hand, sure, DoWhatchaLike. But on the other hand, why wouldn't you make things easier on yourself? Forget 'skin suit' -- a properly fitting jersey and shorts are more aerodynamic than cargo shorts and tee shirts (and we're not even talking about materials and moisture management etc). So why not take advantage?


oh and since we're kicking the skinsuit dead horse, go to any cyclocross race. the last thing you want to happen is your clothing getting caught on anything.
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Old 09-09-19, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
I assume that's addressed to me, and I didn't say that. I said that "you should wear x while you commute because pros wear x" is a stupid argument. One of the reasons is that pros do make some choices based on getting paid, so when they say "x is important" as opposed to "y is important", you really don't know their motivations. That's not saying that kit isn't important to them, just that they have a financial incentive to make the kit seem more important than it is.

The other rather obvious reason is that the kit and equipment needs of a racer have about as much to do with those of a commuter as a Formula 500 car has to do with an SUV.

I also just rode 200+ miles in 2 days wearing cargo shorts and briefs, so I just feel a need to push back against the "serious riders all wear X" nonsense I see on these forums every day.

Try them and if they work for you, great! If they don't really seem like they bestow any benefit, though, you shouldn't feel a need to wear them because people tell you they're a necessity. Most people who bike have never worn cycling shorts ever.
The difference here is that you can actually commute to work on a pro bike.
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Old 09-09-19, 11:33 AM
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OP, if this is what you're wearing, you are indeed wearing underwear. I've been riding for 40 yrs and never seen this option? I think you'd be better off with standard cycling shorts and most of us find the "bib" variety the most comfortable in the long run. But to use what you have, just wear your basketball shorts over them. But DO wear something over them.

https://www.amazon.com/Baleaf-Padded.../dp/B07CR9B713
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Old 09-09-19, 11:34 AM
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I don't mind wearing them, although on my commutes I usually don't.

The key to getting over it, IMO, is a combination of being convinced that you look like a loon regardless, and denial that anyone cares enough to notice.
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Old 09-09-19, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by AndreyT
Is this a joke thread?


Frankly, I thought that given the variety of dedicated cycling clothing styles available today, such weird underpants should've disappeared off the market by now. But apparently someone still makes them... Yet buying such underpants and then wearing them by themselves... well... keep it for Burning Man, Helloween or Dress Crazy day at the office.
HA and most likely your last day at the office.
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Old 09-09-19, 02:03 PM
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From MTB to road shorts.

I know exactly how you feel. Ive been riding for years. Mountain bikes first and got my first road bike two years ago. I never saw road shorts as manly. I just recently manned up and got a pair of road shorts. My first ride pissed me off because I let my machismo get in the way of comfort. Go out and get a pair of real road shorts. You don't have to spend $100 on the expensive brands Garneau have entry level shorts that are comfortable and feel good for less than $50. Once you do your first pair you'll be hooked. Also spend money on real cycling jerserys and clip-on shoes and pedals.
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Old 09-09-19, 02:07 PM
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Appearances

Remember one thing. When your out there riding, every one that you pass or passes you are wearing them too.
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Old 09-09-19, 02:38 PM
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Bike shorts?

I think I've owned 1 pair of bike shorts don't remember likes or dislikes. I've just always worn underwear and regular multi pocket street shorts. No problems 9,000 miles loaded cross country touring and two years bike messenger.
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Old 09-09-19, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Awaqa909
I've been cycling a couple times a month, about 5 miles. On my cheap road bike. I'm slowly building up my cycling gear. I just got another "Baleaf Men's Bike Cycling Underwear Shorts 3D Padded Bicycle MTB" and am wondering when I should get a top and cleats. Though I kinda have a problem with cycling clothing. I'm not sure if the shorts I have are supposed to be underwear or what. I usually wear them commando, with basketball type shorts over them and a t shirt. I see cyclist riding without my basketball shorts. I just find it... well embarrassing. They're kinda revealing and it looks like there's a giant pad stuffed in. (male here) At least with my shorts. How did you get the confidence to wear nothing over your bike shorts? I feel like they're the speedo of the shorts world...

Thanks,
Awaqa909
whats the problem...are there short comings u don't want the world to see?
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Old 09-10-19, 04:53 AM
  #85  
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Originally Posted by Pena0612
Remember one thing. When your out there riding, every one that you pass or passes you are wearing them too.
Maybe it depends on where you ride, but I see the most riders in my travels when I'm riding in the Boston area, and the vast majority of them are not wearing bike shorts. Street clothes are much more common.
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Old 09-10-19, 05:08 AM
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I eventually got used to wearing bike shorts only. Just stopped caring what I look like.

But thought I'd mention, I find cotton Tees much more comfortable than the more "advanced" fabric of cycling shirts. So I've tried to find, but had no success, cotton shirts made specifically for bike riders with handy lower back pockets. Anyone ever seen such items of apparel? THNX
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Old 09-10-19, 07:53 AM
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I am late to the thread and have the same experience as the OP and others. I have a few pairs of the padded "underwear" like the OP references and a few pairs of cycling shorts. I've always wore athletic shorts over the underwear. I've also taken athletic shorts with me on some multiday tours I would slip on over my cycling shorts when I stopped somewhere. I can't say what would work for every person but for me.... After several thousand miles a year I realized bike shorts and bike specific padded underwear caused more problems than they solved for me. The increased heating from the pad area caused more moisture build and retention then not having it. I switched to regular athletic underwear and athletic shorts and moved my "padding" away from my skin with a slightly more padded seat about a year ago and feel much better overall. I've done centries and weeklong tours without issue. Not all non cycling athletic underwear and shorts are equal and price and brand is far from an indicator of quality and comfort on a bike. The material, where the seams are, and how the are sewn make the difference. Some of my most comfortable setups are cheap Russell Coolforce underwear and cheap RBX shorts from Walmart and tjmax. I've done 350+ miles a week in those on gravel and pretty much all I wear now. It comes down to personal preference and what works for you.

Last edited by u235; 09-10-19 at 10:58 AM.
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Old 09-10-19, 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Awaqa909
I've been cycling a couple times a month, about 5 miles. On my cheap road bike. I'm slowly building up my cycling gear. I just got another "Baleaf Men's Bike Cycling Underwear Shorts 3D Padded Bicycle MTB" and am wondering when I should get a top and cleats. Though I kinda have a problem with cycling clothing. I'm not sure if the shorts I have are supposed to be underwear or what. I usually wear them commando, with basketball type shorts over them and a t shirt. I see cyclist riding without my basketball shorts. I just find it... well embarrassing. They're kinda revealing and it looks like there's a giant pad stuffed in. (male here) At least with my shorts. How did you get the confidence to wear nothing over your bike shorts? I feel like they're the speedo of the shorts world...

Thanks,
Awaqa909
Re shorts: As others have stated wear what is comfortable for you.

Re tops: I just recently purchased two inexpensive cycling Jerseys. I am not wearing them to emulate the pros, or to try and go faster. I tried them to see how they felt on a ride, and it made a world of difference in comfort. I usually ride with a hydration pack, and caring gear over moisture wicking athletic shirts. I went from having drenched shirts to sightly damp. It also just felt more comfortable for the ride. I'd suggest but an inexpensive one and see how you feel.

Re cleats: I can't offer much of an opinion on that, I ride flats and they work for me. However I do have an opinion on what another person commenting that cleats, shoes could add up to more than what the bike was worth... So what. Upgrade your bike, make it work for you. Plus you've just made it more valuable.
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Old 09-10-19, 10:55 AM
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It helps if one actually looks good in shorts.

I rode into work late one day and a lady in the office said, "You can stay in your shorts all day if you want."


-Tim-
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Old 09-10-19, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
Top level pros get paid a fair amount of money to wear stuff so people will say that pros wear stuff to make them faster.
I could hardly be slower. I don't wear cycling shorts to go faster (if the make me faster, it's not by very much, and I've never even thought about it), I wear them because: they are by far the most comfortable thing to wear on a bike. One of the number of reasons is that they manage sweat so much better...but they're also non-binding and all of those other things. Even if I'm only going five miles (which is rare) i want them.
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Old 09-10-19, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by dkatz1
I could hardly be slower. I don't wear cycling shorts to go faster (if the make me faster, it's not by very much, and I've never even thought about it), I wear them because: they are by far the most comfortable thing to wear on a bike. One of the number of reasons is that they manage sweat so much better...but they're also non-binding and all of those other things. Even if I'm only going five miles (which is rare) i want them.
Please read the post I was responding to. It was specifically making speed claims based on what pros wear. If you find them comfortable, then that's what you should wear. I've never seen anyone argue, however, that you should wear something because pros find it comfortable.

My main point was that "pros wear it" is a dumb reason to recommend something, and telling people they'll be faster is pretty silly.

I've got a latex sensitivity that pretty much guarantees that I won't find them comfortable what with the giant itchy rash I'd get, so I tend to find the "serious riders wear bike shorts" assertions really annoying, but I think you should wear them if you like them. Never said anything otherwise.
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Old 09-10-19, 09:15 PM
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You know, it really is not needed to wear kit for casual cycling or even commuting/transportation. I was in Europe for sometime a few years ago and I saw many, many people using bicycles as basic transportation and none of them were in kit and most of them were smoking. Some even pushed the bike up hills and coasted down. They had baskets full of groceries and goods and wore plain street clothing, suits, dresses and leather shoes. I saw few people but Americans wearing sneakers. Mostly leather shoes, button shirts and tucked in with a belt. Suits on bikes were common.

For sport, training, performance cycling, racing or just for serious cycling, sure put on the uniform but it really is okay to commute and ride in regular clothing. I certainly did not wear Lycra speed suits to class in HS and college and yet commuted to classes and to and from school on my "English Racer" (sorry Sheldon, E3S) or my "10-Speed" bicycle. I had on the typical bell bottom jeans and a teeshirt and Birkies or loafers or whatever was in season, I would have found it impractical to change into and out of cycling clothing multiple times a day or clack around Chemistry lab in cleats!
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Old 09-10-19, 10:43 PM
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I felt like you, long time ago...I remember telling a fiend that I wouldn't wear those ridiculous bike shorts...I wear them all the time now, they better for cycling.
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Old 09-10-19, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Roychol
Re shorts: As others have stated wear what is comfortable for you.

Re tops: I just recently purchased two inexpensive cycling Jerseys. I am not wearing them to emulate the pros, or to try and go faster. I tried them to see how they felt on a ride, and it made a world of difference in comfort. I usually ride with a hydration pack, and caring gear over moisture wicking athletic shirts. I went from having drenched shirts to sightly damp. It also just felt more comfortable for the ride. I'd suggest but an inexpensive one and see how you feel.

Re cleats: I can't offer much of an opinion on that, I ride flats and they work for me. However I do have an opinion on what another person commenting that cleats, shoes could add up to more than what the bike was worth... So what. Upgrade your bike, make it work for you. Plus you've just made it more valuable.
Cycling shorts are definitely functional for a variety of reason. However tops are basically shirts with rear pocket. Although they are made of technical fabric, you can get the same breathablity from almost any similar material T-shirt (sans the rear pockets) for a lot less.

On the other hand, some might argue the front zipper which offer some modicum of increased/decreased air flow on the go.

Originally Posted by TimothyH
It helps if one actually looks good in shorts.

I rode into work late one day and a lady in the office said, "You can stay in your shorts all day if you want."


-Tim-
Did it make you feel cheap?
Originally Posted by Loose Chain
You know, it really is not needed to wear kit for casual cycling or even commuting/transportation. I was in Europe for sometime a few years ago and I saw many, many people using bicycles as basic transportation and none of them were in kit and most of them were smoking. Some even pushed the bike up hills and coasted down. They had baskets full of groceries and goods and wore plain street clothing, suits, dresses and leather shoes. I saw few people but Americans wearing sneakers. Mostly leather shoes, button shirts and tucked in with a belt. Suits on bikes were common.

For sport, training, performance cycling, racing or just for serious cycling, sure put on the uniform] but it really is okay to commute and ride in regular clothing. I certainly did not wear Lycra speed suits to class in HS and college and yet commuted to classes and to and from school on my "English Racer" (sorry Sheldon, E3S) or my "10-Speed" bicycle. I had on the typical bell bottom jeans and a teeshirt and Birkies or loafers or whatever was in season, I would have found it impractical to change into and out of cycling clothing multiple times a day or clack around Chemistry lab in cleats!
And therein lies the distinction between a cyclist and someone who just rides a bike. I mean just think about it. There are loads of other sports you can play and enjoy without the need for the full uniform cladding. But when you take that sport seriously, you dress to maximize comfort, safety and convenience and not to be totally overlooked, sometimes purely fashion.
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Old 09-11-19, 06:39 AM
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I really was not picking a fight you (or anyone). I was just pointing out why I wear cycling shorts..
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Old 09-11-19, 06:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Loose Chain
You know, it really is not needed to wear kit for casual cycling or even commuting/transportation. I was in Europe for sometime a few years ago and I saw many, many people using bicycles as basic transportation and none of them were in kit and most of them were smoking. Some even pushed the bike up hills and coasted down. They had baskets full of groceries and goods and wore plain street clothing, suits, dresses and leather shoes. I saw few people but Americans wearing sneakers. Mostly leather shoes, button shirts and tucked in with a belt. Suits on bikes were common.

For sport, training, performance cycling, racing or just for serious cycling, sure put on the uniform but it really is okay to commute and ride in regular clothing. I certainly did not wear Lycra speed suits to class in HS and college and yet commuted to classes and to and from school on my "English Racer" (sorry Sheldon, E3S) or my "10-Speed" bicycle. I had on the typical bell bottom jeans and a teeshirt and Birkies or loafers or whatever was in season, I would have found it impractical to change into and out of cycling clothing multiple times a day or clack around Chemistry lab in cleats!
When I first took up cycling, the main thing I did was commute to work.. 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 miles each way. And I rode in the same cloths I would be teaching in.
And: even if I only go five miles, that's enough to sweat. And clothing caked in sweat is an issue to go through the rest of the day with. I see people riding in street cloths, but I can't do it. Even if I didn't wear cycling cloths, I need to change after riding to work. Bad enough that there's nowhere to take a shower, but I don't want to make it worse.
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Old 09-11-19, 06:56 AM
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Originally Posted by KraneXL
And therein lies the distinction between a cyclist and someone who just rides a bike. I mean just think about it. There are loads of other sports you can play and enjoy without the need for the full uniform cladding. But when you take that sport seriously, you dress to maximize comfort, safety and convenience and not to be totally overlooked, sometimes purely fashion.
Only a self-described Serious Cyclist™ who takes himself, as well as his sport oh-so-seriously would make such a distinction, let alone spend much time "thinking about"' such distinctions.
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Old 09-11-19, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by dkatz1
I really was not picking a fight you (or anyone). I was just pointing out why I wear cycling shorts..
No problem, I didn't see it as a "fight", just that the way you quoted it made it look like we were disagreeing when we really weren't. I just clarified.

Civil discussion of disagreements is always fine, btw. It is a forum. If anything I said made you think I considered what you posted as being "out of line", I apologize. There was nothing in your post that I would consider "uncivil".
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Old 09-11-19, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Loose Chain
You know, it really is not needed to wear kit for casual cycling or even commuting/transportation. I was in Europe for sometime a few years ago and I saw many, many people using bicycles as basic transportation and none of them were in kit and most of them were smoking. Some even pushed the bike up hills and coasted down. They had baskets full of groceries and goods and wore plain street clothing, suits, dresses and leather shoes. I saw few people but Americans wearing sneakers. Mostly leather shoes, button shirts and tucked in with a belt. Suits on bikes were common.

For sport, training, performance cycling, racing or just for serious cycling, sure put on the uniform but it really is okay to commute and ride in regular clothing. I certainly did not wear Lycra speed suits to class in HS and college and yet commuted to classes and to and from school on my "English Racer" (sorry Sheldon, E3S) or my "10-Speed" bicycle. I had on the typical bell bottom jeans and a teeshirt and Birkies or loafers or whatever was in season, I would have found it impractical to change into and out of cycling clothing multiple times a day or clack around Chemistry lab in cleats!
Totally correct, if you're just putzing along 2 miles from pt. A to pt. B on your Dutch bike with the rear cog going click click click, you can wear anything you want. If you're doing a half-century with 5K of climbing, well, you'll be better off wearing comfortable clothing that doesn't get in the way. For a 5-mile commute, you could go all out and make it part of your training, or you might just want to be comfortable enough and not have to deal with changing at the end of the day. There's cycling clothing out there that doesn't look like cycling clothing... and comfortable, breathable non-cycling-specific clothing which looks good and works on the bike. That's what you'll find me wearing for some of my commutes. I wear Sperry's most of the time because they're comfortable on and off the bike and look good enough for the office. It's all about what works for you in your particular situation.
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Old 09-11-19, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by KraneXL
Cycling shorts are definitely functional for a variety of reason. However tops are basically shirts with rear pocket. Although they are made of technical fabric, you can get the same breathablity from almost any similar material T-shirt (sans the rear pockets) for a lot less.

On the other hand, some might argue the front zipper which offer some modicum of increased/decreased air flow on the go.
A half-way decent jersey isn't just a t-shirt with rear pockets. It's cut to fit properly when riding a bike, meaning the hem is shorter in the front and longer in the back and the sleeves fit with your arms forward rather than hanging at your side.
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