"Practical" cycling shorts?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,578
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From: NYC, duh Bronx.
Bikes: Salsa Ti Warbird- 2014/ November RAIL52s
"Practical" cycling shorts?
I don't mind throwing on the tighties, cape (well, maybe not the cape...), and emblem riddled jersey and doing the superhero impersonation..I even ordered some bibs..but I really need some more stylish, utilitarian shorts, with pockets in good locations, not so anatomically revealing (The junk is overt...)...I have a pair of Fox shorts, with a chamois and liner, but they annoy the crap out of me because if I put my wallet and iPhone in the pockets they inevitably twist around my thighs and get really constrictive...
So, what's the good stealth gear? I really need an excellent chamois/pad...
I bruised myself up bad ONCE, riding without it, almost couldn't sit, I ride at least a 20 mile loop, sometimes 40, I took a small 3 mile trip WITHOUT my shorts and my soft tissue/tailbone, flesh over the right sit bone, was murderously sore...
I want shorts that I can wear out as "normal," clothing...natural fabrics preferred, I hate poly....durable.
Thanks in advance...
So, what's the good stealth gear? I really need an excellent chamois/pad...
I bruised myself up bad ONCE, riding without it, almost couldn't sit, I ride at least a 20 mile loop, sometimes 40, I took a small 3 mile trip WITHOUT my shorts and my soft tissue/tailbone, flesh over the right sit bone, was murderously sore...
I want shorts that I can wear out as "normal," clothing...natural fabrics preferred, I hate poly....durable.
Thanks in advance...
#2
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
any kind of cargo shorts, without the pads.. can go over the bike shorts,
[Remotely, I really cannot help your quest for perfection..
wear bibs underneath ? might like suspenders on the cargo ones..
I just used a fanny pack , on my last long bike tour, for the bit of cash I needed.. *
now they have a bad fashion choice stigma.. (NYC, a fashion center and all)
*+ a Money belt under my Stuff.. for the 'valuables' under my clothes..
[Remotely, I really cannot help your quest for perfection..
wear bibs underneath ? might like suspenders on the cargo ones..
... they annoy the crap out of me because if I put my wallet and iPhone in the pockets they inevitably twist around my thighs and get really constrictive...
now they have a bad fashion choice stigma.. (NYC, a fashion center and all)
*+ a Money belt under my Stuff.. for the 'valuables' under my clothes..
#4
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Even if I wear shorts with pockets, it's too annoying to try to carry anything in them. I just put whatever I can in the jersey pockets, and strap on a handlebar bag if I need more storage.
#5
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,662
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From: Brighton UK
Bikes: 20" Folder, Road Bike
Hi,
My cycling shorts have no pockets. But I wear them under a pair
of loose quick dry lightweight shorts / trunks with lots of pockets.
I don't find stuff in the loose shorts annoying at all.
MTB padded shorts generally take the loose lots of pockets route.
rgds, sreten.
My cycling shorts have no pockets. But I wear them under a pair
of loose quick dry lightweight shorts / trunks with lots of pockets.
I don't find stuff in the loose shorts annoying at all.
MTB padded shorts generally take the loose lots of pockets route.
rgds, sreten.
Last edited by sreten; 09-01-13 at 03:32 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 125
These are my favorite bike shorts...two big pockets closed with velcro.
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/mtbshorts.html
https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/mtbshorts.html
#7
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 85
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: Mongoose passed on to my son, Miyata, Tailwind, V-Rex, De Rosa, Safari, just added a Bike Friday
I'm also in the baggy shorts over bike shorts camp. I have a pair of "bike" under wear as well - compression shorts made of Coolmax with a chamois that I will wear under lightweight sweats in cooler weather. Tho, for local town type trips - commuting to the gym, running errands or shops, I wear normal clothes and ride a Brooks B17 saddle. Finding the right saddle for you bike makes a great difference in riding comfort.
#8
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,497
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From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I prefer trishorts for their thinner liner. they still offer the moisture management bike shorts require. but you can wear them under anything. I have 2 pair of these. they also have a womens version. you can buy theym from REI or Amazon. my trousers are size 38 and for these shorts I use a size XXL
https://www.rei.com/product/844998/zo...-8-shorts-mens
https://www.rei.com/product/844998/zo...-8-shorts-mens
#9
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,811
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From: Northern Nevada
You already have all the information you need here, but another suggestion: REI (and certainly others, but REI is close to my house) sells bike undershorts, padded but lighter weight than regular Lycra. They go under anything. Mostly, though, I just wear mountain bike shorts. I haven't worn geek Lycra in years.
#10
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
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From: NJ cellphone central
Bikes: Surly Ogre // (old and gone) Cannondale ST400, Rockhopper Sport
Maybe just me but I can't stand riding with anything in my pockets at all, drive me nuts. Small "gas tank" bag or similar to dump wallet and keys into while riding is my preference. Endura Humvee or Izumi MTB shorts are otherwise fine.
#11
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,497
Likes: 4,570
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
I bought an expensive pair of ZOIC MTB shorts at REI with a detachable liner. the liner wasn't comfortable but I continue to get my money worth out of those shorts. best money I ever spent.
#12
I don't mind throwing on the tighties, cape (well, maybe not the cape...), and emblem riddled jersey and doing the superhero impersonation..I even ordered some bibs..but I really need some more stylish, utilitarian shorts, with pockets in good locations, not so anatomically revealing (The junk is overt...)...I have a pair of Fox shorts, with a chamois and liner, but they annoy the crap out of me because if I put my wallet and iPhone in the pockets they inevitably twist around my thighs and get really constrictive...
So, what's the good stealth gear? I really need an excellent chamois/pad...
I bruised myself up bad ONCE, riding without it, almost couldn't sit, I ride at least a 20 mile loop, sometimes 40, I took a small 3 mile trip WITHOUT my shorts and my soft tissue/tailbone, flesh over the right sit bone, was murderously sore...
I want shorts that I can wear out as "normal," clothing...natural fabrics preferred, I hate poly....durable.
Thanks in advance...
So, what's the good stealth gear? I really need an excellent chamois/pad...
I bruised myself up bad ONCE, riding without it, almost couldn't sit, I ride at least a 20 mile loop, sometimes 40, I took a small 3 mile trip WITHOUT my shorts and my soft tissue/tailbone, flesh over the right sit bone, was murderously sore...
I want shorts that I can wear out as "normal," clothing...natural fabrics preferred, I hate poly....durable.
Thanks in advance...
A person will be surprised at how freeing a fanny pack can be in cases like cycling.
I simply can't stand anything rubbing my legs so my pockets are always empty with my "stuff" kept in a fanny pack or a "possibles" bag. Choose a bag no larger than you need and ride on!
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#14
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 377
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From: Hawthorne NJ
Bikes: Surly LHT, Wabi Special, All City Big Block, 1933 Iver Johnson Mobicycle, Giant TCR Advanced
I used Kuhl hiking shorts with liners underneath for an eight day 500 mile mini tour this summer. They worked out great.
#16
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 508
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From: Waxahachie, Texas
Bikes: Gios Compact Pro 10 Chorus, Gios single speed, Pedal Force RS2 10 chorus, CAAD5 10 Centaur, Diamondback dirt bike, Fuji Fixed Gear.
I wear cycling shorts under regular lightweight camping shorts with lots of pockets. I'll usually just wear a T-shirt. I'm not into "kit", unless it's a long long ride. Around town, it's shorts and a t-shirt
#17
the zoic black market shorts i got have been great. the liner is good (for me) and it comes out if i just want to wear the shorts. they are light, and have plenty of pockets. they are loose and look like regular shorts and i wear them around once off the bike. they are elastic in the back which i hate, but i just cut the elastic as best i could with some scissors up through a belt hole.
i would agree with some others though, if you need to carry stuff, put it in a saddle bag. i don't like the feeling of my wallet and phone, etc slinking around my thighs - worrying they'll fall out. i fit a money clip, and my cell phone in my saddle bag along with a few tools. free riding!
i would agree with some others though, if you need to carry stuff, put it in a saddle bag. i don't like the feeling of my wallet and phone, etc slinking around my thighs - worrying they'll fall out. i fit a money clip, and my cell phone in my saddle bag along with a few tools. free riding!
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