alpharalpha

Underwear type also ok. Is for my trainer. Outdoor riding I'm fine, but for some reason using the trainer is more uncomfortable, feel more pressure. Tried the Baleaf 3D liner, weren't comfortable for reference. Under $50, Thanks.

veganbikes

I don't have money for cheap stuff so I generally like my Primal bibs or Gore they have always been comfortable and they last a long time so they are cheaper long term.

philbob57

Peral Izumi makes decent quality stuff, and their shorts start at $40 on their website. Discounts are probably available from the usual suspects. What you need is stuff that fits, and you may have to try a number of products to find one that fits acceptably.

Barry2 

These with the YELLOW pad are great.
I've several and use them indoor and out.

At this price, riding 6 days a week.... I've always a clean pair.

Barry

rsbob 

On Amazon, Prezwalski and Sponeed, both make highly rated budget shorts which I have used on the trainer.

But keep in mind, trainers are notoriously uncomfortable regardless. I just spent an hour and a half on mine and had to stand about a half dozen times to get relief, even using expensive shorts.

I know what Mr Vegan is speaking of but he also needs to keep in mind some people have limited budgets and to respect that. I have purchased many good cycling products not made by Rapha or ASOS or Castelli at budget prices and never regretted it. I did buy some ASOS bibs and a club fit jersey because I wanted to see what all raving was about for expensive products. I ended up returning the jersey, too uncomfortably tight and the bibs got tossed - also uncomfortable.

SpedFast

When I started using the trainer early last month, the wife heard me complaining about comfort. She bought me a couple pair off ebay for around $7.US each and I laughed at her for wasting her money, but really appreciated the concern. And then they arrived and I tried them. I won't wear them on the road, but on the trainer they beat my zumi's all to heck. I spend on average 1 1/2 to 2 hours on the trainer per day, 5 days a week unless the sun comes out. Don't let cheap fool you. Good luck,

returnoftheyeti

I wear Santic, you can get it on Amazon,
Black Bibs might meet your price range as well.

I need XS in both, I am about 5”6’ and 130

posse 

Wiggle (England) currently has their DHB Aeron 2 shorts or bibs selling for 45 dollars. Free shipping with purchases over 100. Hit up some reviews and check em out. They're great at regular price but you're guilty of theft if you get them at this price.

Steve B.

I used to use PI excusivley, no longer. The last set of Attack and Expedition shorts are just incredibly cheaply made. They eliminated the edging along the straps, prevents them from laying flat, among other issues. Last pairs I buy, moving on the AeroTech shorts,

And at the OP, do not buy cheap. Buy quality and expensive. They are worth it long term for longevity and comfort. Theres good wisdom in spending on the contact points, shorts, saddles, shoes, gloves.

rsbob 

Another vote for black bib shorts. Well made and affordable - come in bibs and regular shorts.

BTinNYC

Reading the posts, I wonder if shorts are as individual as saddles. My PI shorts don't work for me and the cheaper Baleaf and Hikenture do.

bboy314

https://andiamounderwear.com/shop/mens-padded-skins/

Im a fan of these Andiamo shorts, made to wear like underwear under other clothing, enough padding to be comfortable but not so much as to be bulky.

Germany_chris

They absolutely are.

PhilFo 

Have you had your trainer dialed in to exactly match the fit of your bike?

alpharalpha

It's a Saris Mag' Trainer with my road bike attached; I just clamped it onto the rear QR, so no, nothing else done.

rsbob 

PI was sold some time ago and their quality has gone down the tubes. When Andy Hempsten was part owner, they made wonderful quality kit. Now it’s meh. Not surprising that the cheaper stuff is actually better.

philbob57

I agree that a rider's choice of shorts is going to be as individual as as that person's choice of saddle. Human beings vary widely in their shapes, measurements, likes and dislikes in tightness and looseness of clothing, etc.

The OP's request was for recommendations on shorts under $50. On sale, PI Quest shorts cost less than that. The Podium shorts' regular price is $40.

I have no doubt that more expensive clothing is likely to use more expensive materials and perhaps more expensive manufacturing methods, though that's not always the case. They may or may not be more durable depending on the designer's or manufacturer's choices..

But there's little relation between cost and fit. Clothing that doesn't fit isn't all that useful ... and shorts that fit well are likely to last longer than shorts with the same cost structure that don't fit.

SpedFast

The main difference between a trainer and the real road is movement of your ass on the saddle and bumps in the road. I find my zumis take the bumps and movement a lot better than the el cheapos. But when 'stationary' on the trainer, the cheaper shorts with less padding or cheaper padding doesn't feel as puffed up which equates to more comfort, if that makes sense. But no matter what, I completely agree with fit being the number one issue. I have a pair of expensive shorts at the bottom of my kit closet that is too large. It's at the bottom just in case I run out of others. In fact, I would probably consider going on a ride without them if I reached that far down the pile. They feel like I'm wearing adult diapers and not riding kit.

Eric F

At the OP’s budget, Black Bibs $40 are a good option. I have a pair that I use exclusively on my trainer because I managed to rip a hole in them. They’re pretty much on par with some more expensive Voler bibs that are also relegated to trainer use for the same reason.

Romany275

I got these from amazon for about $30.00 and was not expecting much but I liked them so much I bought a second pair. They're really comfortable and seem to be holding up well but I do rotate between two pairs. I also like the fact that the padded stretchy shorts are sewn into a pair of regular looking athletic shorts that have pockets. I don't have enough posts to provide the URL but they are the "Sportneer Mountain Bike Shorts with 3D Padding."

Romany275

On further review - my recommendation may not be that different than the ones you’ve already tried, but Amazon does make returns easy.

mstateglfr 

What Voler bibs would you say are even with the cheapest Black Bibs?
Voler's cheapest bibs, the Jet line, have better compression and a much nicer leg opening. That isn't everything to everyone though, obviously.

tcs

https://www.thegreenpepper.com/produ...horts-pattern/

Russ Roth

Check out Cambria bike, they usually have some nice clearance prices though men's sizes can be harder to find great deals in, they're the best source I've found so far. Sizing for the kids and wife has been great there.

Yup, I had a well rated pair of shorts I tossed for causing me blisters all three times I wore them when I don't even get blisters from 3 hour rides without cycling shorts. The right fit can make the ride more comfortable but the wrong fit can hurt.

Eric F

I don't know all of Voler's line well enough to make that judgement, and I wasn't clear enough in my previous post. I would agree that Voler's bibs are better quality overall (I have a couple pair that were about $100, and a couple from my team's kits). For the purposes of using them on a trainer (related to the OP's needs), I don't find any difference in comfort between the $40 Black Bibs and the $100 Voler bibs.