Anyone else out there not using padded shorts?
10-04-21, 10:05 PM
#176
Member
Silly question.I’m pretty new to riding, I am coming up on my 18 th month of riding, rarely missing a day. I have a Bianchi Pista and a Giant Tough road. I never got around to buying padded shorts partly because I don’t like really . Out here in the PNW I ride in shorts everyday. When I started riding I looked for bike seats with twice as much padding as a sofa, but now my backsides have gotten used to bike saddles . Anyone else out there doing this?
10-05-21, 06:56 AM
#177
Full Member
Actually, I tried a couple of times. It never really felt comfortable having the Lycra (or whatever the material might be) directly against my skin. The xtra layer of cotton/mix feels much better to me.
10-05-21, 07:00 AM
#178
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I'm new to cycling. I wore both bike shorts and regular shorts for short distance( <10 miles). I felt pain without bike shorts. for more than that.
There was one time I adjusted my new saddle with regular shorts and felt slightly uncomfortable when wearing a bike shorts. It turned out the saddle was adjusted a bit too high.
If I adjust the saddle with bike shorts and I will feel a bit lower with regular shorts and that's ok.
I wonder if anyone feel the same thing as me ?
Ryan
There was one time I adjusted my new saddle with regular shorts and felt slightly uncomfortable when wearing a bike shorts. It turned out the saddle was adjusted a bit too high.
If I adjust the saddle with bike shorts and I will feel a bit lower with regular shorts and that's ok.
I wonder if anyone feel the same thing as me ?
Ryan
I call these the "what's the right shoe size?" threads.
10-05-21, 11:17 AM
#179
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How about silk boxers? That seems like it would be better than cotton.
10-05-21, 02:04 PM
#180
Full Member
I'll go dig those out and see if that makes any difference. The biking shorts would prob'ly slide over them pretty easily and I remember them being fairly thin the once or twice I actually tried them on (didn't seem practical for everyday wear).Appreciate the suggestion. Amazing how much one can learn on BF about the intricacies of cycling...even if it isn't quite directly pertinent to the bike
10-05-21, 05:56 PM
#181
Junior Member
I have been into cotton close-fitting* boxers for the last few years. They can get a little moist sometimes as cotton does not dry or wick as well as some other fabrics (particularly modern artificial ones). For longer one+ hours, I sometimes wear artificial/modern athletic fabric boxers or compression “tights”. One of the “poly” fabrics.
YMMV
I’m a (short) commuter and recreational road and trail rider; anywhere up to 3-4 hours in the saddle.
(* Yes, I’ve read/heard that close-fitting can reduce sperm count…but as a couple, we’re well past prime breeding age!)
10-05-21, 06:43 PM
#182
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I tried silk boxers years ago and found that they tended to scrunch/bunch together at the “wrong” spots and/or the seams felt “hard”/stuff compared to the rest of the boxers. So, overall, I found that they caused compression/pain/chaffing spots when used for riding one hour plus.
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10-07-21, 06:23 PM
#183
Full Member
I tried silk boxers years ago and found that they tended to scrunch/bunch together at the “wrong” spots and/or the seams felt “hard”/stuff compared to the rest of the boxers. So, overall, I found that they caused compression/pain/chaffing spots when used for riding one hour plus.
I have been into cotton close-fitting* boxers for the last few years. They can get a little moist sometimes as cotton does not dry or wick as well as some other fabrics (particularly modern artificial ones). For longer one+ hours, I sometimes wear artificial/modern athletic fabric boxers or compression “tights”. One of the “poly” fabrics.
YMMV
I’m a (short) commuter and recreational road and trail rider; anywhere up to 3-4 hours in the saddle.
(* Yes, I’ve read/heard that close-fitting can reduce sperm count…but as a couple, we’re well past prime breeding age!)
I have been into cotton close-fitting* boxers for the last few years. They can get a little moist sometimes as cotton does not dry or wick as well as some other fabrics (particularly modern artificial ones). For longer one+ hours, I sometimes wear artificial/modern athletic fabric boxers or compression “tights”. One of the “poly” fabrics.
YMMV
I’m a (short) commuter and recreational road and trail rider; anywhere up to 3-4 hours in the saddle.
(* Yes, I’ve read/heard that close-fitting can reduce sperm count…but as a couple, we’re well past prime breeding age!)
Most of the time, tho, it works out great. Like yesterday I did my 30 mi. ride out to the SF Bay and everything was fine. On the other hand, I've done my shorter ride (~12 mi.) and come home somewhat chafed. The seams have never been a problem (except when I first started out and rode in normal pants).I do plan to try the silk boxers (on a short ride first) and see if that makes any difference.
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10-07-21, 06:23 PM
#184
Full Member
10-10-21, 03:14 PM
#185
Senior Member
I bought my first padded/chamois cycling shorts after riding my old '75 Fuji for well over 40,000 miles. WITH it's hard leather (Brooks-clone) original saddle. It was only after years of barely-riding that I got both the vibration-absorbing seatpost and chamois-padded shorts. Basically, I got old and heavier, and my butt needed a bit of a break...
The seatpost isn't really a 'suspension' seatpost, but rather the knee joint and sandwiched elastomer 'puck' take the buzz out of riding on chip-seal road surfaces. That's why I refer to it as 'vibration-absorbing'.
BTW, that old Fuji still sports that original Fujita Belt saddle after 45+ years and 55,000+ miles.
The seatpost isn't really a 'suspension' seatpost, but rather the knee joint and sandwiched elastomer 'puck' take the buzz out of riding on chip-seal road surfaces. That's why I refer to it as 'vibration-absorbing'.
BTW, that old Fuji still sports that original Fujita Belt saddle after 45+ years and 55,000+ miles.
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10-10-21, 04:09 PM
#187
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Sometimes it's preferred to use unpadded bibs, however, majority of them are padded with a thick material. Even the "Tri" advertised bibs tend to have the thick padding.
It's very difficult to find competitively priced full length bibs with the thin chamois area stitched in them.
It's very difficult to find competitively priced full length bibs with the thin chamois area stitched in them.
if you want a thin liner, a trisuit from one of the big makers is what you'd be after, or tri shorts, but those are more rare. Triathletes generally wear one piece suits, and imo one piece suits in general are totally brilliant.
Last edited by Branko D; 10-10-21 at 04:24 PM.
10-11-21, 04:25 PM
#188
Junior Member
Or do what the Aussie lifesavers do!
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-su...-11511019.html
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-su...-11511019.html
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