draku007

After riding 25+ miles at the Tour de Bronx few weeks ago I got a message from my butt - "we need shorts with padding".

I started some research and I see that most people are speaking very highly of Pearl Izumi. They range in price from $50-$150 and I read few comments where people were more comfortable in the $50-$90 models then the higher end ones.

I need a pair for myself and my wife. We have hybrid bikes and ride about 10-20 miles each weekend. Can you guys recommend something that won't break the bank.

Thanks.

erig007

One not expensive that seems to have good reviews, i have one myself and like it:

MEC Rapide Cycling Shorts
https://www.mec.ca/product/5023-732/m...10+50089+50299

Another one even cheaper:

MEC Elan 2 Shorts
https://www.mec.ca/product/5025-159/m...10+50089+50299

fietsbob

PI is more Pro, than required, I suspect. .. MEC is the Canadian REI...

If you visit your LBS , you can try stuff on .. others will talk about Mail Order.


One mail order.. LL Bean ships Free these days .. call and ask about fit sizing.

REI also has phone people to do old fashioned voice chats..

Bike tourist I am I get 3, so I can keep a clean pair handy each morning .
though I may not wash them at night daily.
every other day, wash 2. one will be dry in the morning anyway.

1nterceptor

I used to wear PI shorts, I like them. Then I tried PI bibs, I like them more.
The difference between the lower cost and higher priced models will be the
padding and more panels. Go to a store that carries the whole line to try in
the store at least, won't tell you much till you ride a few miles.

cafzali

I got a couple of shorts from Pactimo when they had a sale and I've been very happy with them. Often, the "store brand" models from various retailers isn't the same quality that you'll get Garneau or a similar brand, but I found theirs to be great.

UtahRider

I need to get me some also.

Berta 

I got two pairs of Pearl Izumi Speed shorts this summer from Amazon that I use as liners. They were only a little over $20 each. I really like mine, but I'm a short woman and the short length of these compared to regular bike shorts is fine for me. Various brands of bike shorts do seem to go on sale a lot, thank goodness.

Machka 

Try many.

Make sure that the padding is large enough to cover your sitbones.
Make sure the padding isn't so thick and bulky that it feels like you're wearing a full diaper.
Make sure that the padding isn't so large that it covers areas which never come in contact with the saddle.
Make sure there aren't places where you'll experience needless friction ... too large and/or too thick padding, hard edges on seams, padding that bunches in odd places.

Sit in the shorts, stand in the shorts, straddle something and sit, lift your knees to your chest several times, walk around in the shorts, stretch in the shorts.

[HR][/HR]

After trying many, my best shorts are these ... although they were better before MEC decided to get on the bandwagon and go with the currently popular lumpy padding.

https://www.mec.ca/product/5017-597/m...02+50093+50299

Winnershcyclist

I had cheap ones for years this year I treated my self to the Assos Uno with chamois creme I can do near 100 miles pain free

Garfield Cat

What Machka is suggesting, is that its not just the shorts. Shorts, saddle, bike fitting, they're all connected. Longer rides means the discomfort will manifest itself.

What you are doing is mostly trial and error with the hope that enough switching of parts will solve the problem. I go to my bike fitter and she knows a whole lot because of her experience and not because she is with a particular bike shop; she's not.

Break the bank: if cycling is your sport for fitness and recreation, better plan on spending money were it should be spent.

Dudelsack

PI is great.

Bib shorts rule.

rdtompki

Also, make sure your fit is ok. 25 miles is not much of a ride to be feeling the need for new shorts.

10 Wheels

100 mile shorts.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...08_-1___200546

woodcraft

Aero Tech Designs

Reasonable cost. I like the thinner pad basic model

https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/

Also Nashbar liner shorts work pretty well under other clothes.

(they don't seem to have them listed currently)

Shimagnolo

+1 on Aerotech.

Also, for liner shorts, the "Andiamo" brand is excellent!
Thin and dense.
I use them with unlined bibs and winter pants.

JohnDThompson 

"Hybrid bike" often means "upright position" which puts more of your weight on the saddle. As you ride longer distances, you'll find this position limiting. Drop handlebars will give you a variety of hand positions and shift some of your weight from your butt to your arms, which will help endurance.

kgoings

I too am looking for another pair of shorts. Great thread! I will take a look at the PI shorts.

draku007

Thank you all for the input. Very useful information.

I got a decent deal on the Pearl Izumi Quest shorts which I can always return to my local LL Bean store. If they don't work all that well I have few other choices based on your recommendations.

THANK YOU!!!

cyclist2000

Assos are my favorite bib shorts, heck, all of the Assos clothing are my favorites. the only downside is that the price.

I would look at PI, Gore Bike Wear, Castelli and the Assos. These have been my favorites I haven't tried any brands like Campagnolo and Giordano because I am on the Clyde size and they won't fit me. Also look at the mfg web sites.

Kai Winters

Cheap shorts are just that...
Better to have one pair of good shorts that perform as intended...
My first choice is Voler...I feel they offer a range of performance combined with good pricing in each range and you can get some good bargains at their site.
Second choice is Pearli...awesome shorts and while you can find bargains they tend to be a bit more costly but generally always worth the expense.

I feel Assos, while high quality, are over priced.

Bakerb24

I've tried a bunch and can honestly say that it's all about personal preference.

I know for a fact that the shorts/bibs that I have are Trek, Cannondale, Castelli, Louis Garneau (sp?), Versus and PI. I don't think that they're the most popular, but my favorites are the Louis Garneau. they just fit me better. Plus they were on the cheaper end. I was in a pinch and bought them at Performance Bike.

martianone

N+1 to the basic Aerotech short.
another great choice is the J&G touring short-
comfortable, don't look like a tight bag on you,
wear well and won't destroyi the bank.
PS, as others have indicated- your tiding comfort has a lot
to do with bike and saddle fit

bikeguyinvenice

I'm thinking I might need better shorts. I've been riding more lately now that the weather here in south Florida is Starting to cool down a bit. I put a new saddle on the bike a few months ago, but never really rode it much until a couple of weeks ago, now I am starting to feel too much pressure on the "sit" bones in my back side. I might try a pair of Louis Garneau shorts. I've only worn nashbar brand shorts until now. My though is that you get what you pay for. More money = more quality.

alienbogey

Once I started riding my bike a lot I thought I needed padded shorts. They drove me insane and to this day my toes curl at the memory of the discomfort they caused.

For me, the solution was a saddle that fits great (Brooks B17), and tough canvas shorts with a gusset in the crotch. Ahh, sweet relief and comfort.

YMMV.

UtahRider

I have these coming my way: Pearl Izumi Men's Quest Short 2013