Is there really a difference in cheap (generic) padded bike shorts and name brands such as Cannondale or Pearl Izumis? I have a pair of 15 dollar (new) ebayers that made a huge difference in comfort from regular shorts.

If I were to spend 40-80 bucks on a quality brand, would I notice that much difference? Anyone have any recommendations?

Matt

I usually buy an Australian brand called Netti, they are very good but only cost $55AUD, I have bought other brands like LOOK $85AUD and they were crap, I returned a pair that was wearing thin and loosing stitching after 3 weeks, they were replaced under guarantee and these shorts did the same, they were replaced a second time and are still no better, these were made in Italy.
Considering the chances of crashing and ripping up expensive shorts I stick to what is affordable and reliable.

I buy 2-3 pairs a year.

CHEERS.

Mark

I buy the shorts from velowear.com great stuff. Decent pric. Geat quality.

ditto what samp02 said. I used to buy shorts from performance but now I buy the majority of my stuff from velowear. In fact they have shorts on sale this month

Zack

I have a few pair of REI shorts and they were ok,
I then got some Garneau's which were a huge
improvement. Lately I've been wearing either
Castelli, or Etxe-Ondo and while more
expensive they are that much more comfortable.
The Etxe-ondo have a chamois that looks like
real chamois, 2 pieces and Very comfortable. I like
them better than the others. The Lycra is better
quality as it the construction.
I keep hearing that Assos are the best but at
up to $199 US for Bibs they'd better be
(not that I'm gonna be buying those).
That would buy me at least 3 pair of E-O's.

Marty

I bought some el-cheapos from Performance. They were OK at first, but as 2 of my 3 pairs of shorts, and riding 6-days a week, they get worn quite a bit. I've had them maybe 3 months. I noticed this weekend, that the chamois was absolutely useless now. Time for new ones.
I have a pair of "Cannondale" labeled shorts (no idea who actually makes them.) that were my first padded shorts. They initially cost about the same as BOTH pairs of Perf. shorts. They are still pretty good after 6 months of use.

Sigh up for e-mail notices on their web site, velowear notifies of their sales.

Bike shorts are like anything else. You get what you pay for.

The "cheapest" shorts I'll buy are Pearl Izumi.
Nashbar, Performance, REI, etc. just don't have the same comfort or quality.
My next pair will be either Velo or Castelli shorts. May even try some bibs. :thumbup:

the top mail order shorts are just as good as the entry level name brands (IMHExperience)

RiphRapH

My experience is a bit different. the chamois in the
cheaper shorts seems to bunch up more than the
better shorts.
I do see a big difference in the materials used in
the shorts and how well they are sewn
(although this might be some untested placebo
type effect working here).

Marty

I use the top-of-the-line bibs from Performance ("Elite") and find them superior to a couple of brand-name shorts I've tried in the past. I just wait for them to go on sale; the bibs are currently $50, for example, which isn't bad. They also come in a size that's big enough for me, and that's often a challenge with a lot of cycling clothes.

RichC

I dont buy shorts or shoes for the name. or the price.
I look at how they are made and how the fit.
castelli and velo and some pearl izumi have worked well for me.
they never bunch up, dry and wash well.

I like voler shorts from Velowear.com

I try different brand names, usually the price range is $50 to $90 (Bib short), and if I find them good, I tend to buy more of the cycling short, this way you get to choose the good cycling short.