I realize this is a lame post, but thought I would give it a try anyway. Looking for some less-baggy shorts with a chamois liner. Every short I have tried has been way too big for my bird legs. Too much material flapping in the breeze. I tried the forum search, but did not find anything helpful. Don't want a spandex, road bike short, just a short with smaller leg openings.
Anyone know of a short that is a better fit for those of us with spindly legs???

I agree, this is a challenging quest and I've been looking for a long time. last night I rode in my trisuit with a yellow jersey over the top. try the spandex - it's OK if you're on the bike. I find walking around in it a little disconcerting so I sometimes carry shorts if I expect to take long breaks among non-cyclists. if you're gonna stay on the bike for a couple hours just wear the spandex - it actually feels great.

I came close to getting good over shorts but they just don't behave properly on my thigh above the knee with each pedal stroke. REI has a bunch of stuff you might go try on - but they are expensive.

How about getting a pair of that chamois underwear and wearing it under some street shorts?

I'm OK with spandex shorts, and agree they are really more comfortable and practical than the baggy shorts. It's funny, hanging out at a roadie event in spandex is the norm, but at a MTB event it makes me the odd man out. I've been using my spandex shorts with a pair of lightweight casual shorts over them for races. It works, but I would like to get to a single short. Have tried on several different shorts at REI, but didn't like any of them. Maybe just too particular.
I know the cultural reasons for baggy MTB attire, but are there any practical reasons? Better protection on falls, tree whips, etc.? Does anyone actually use all of the pockets in most MTB shorts while riding, or even post-ride for that matter?
Guess if I'm going to whine about it, I need to come up with a "better" product and take it to market.
Thanks for the tips. The quest continues.

I think that maybe the MTB baggy shorts won't be teared as easily as the spandex?

I don't think clothing tears very easily on MTB. Road bikers rip them to shreds when crashing on the pavement, but I rarely rip clothing in the trail.

You can get away with anything as long as you're in shape and fast. Look at this guy. Can you imagine anyone else wearing spandex and a baggy sleeveless jersey?



Don't worry about how you look at an MTB "event". Just don't crawl down the singletrack at 5mph and block everyone behind you.

They are expensive, but rapha touring shorts fit the bill for me:

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...paign=Datafeed

I'm pretty thin, 5' 11", 140lbs, and they fit me great. They don't flap around and they are not baggy at all. I wear lycra shorts under them.

Fox Base shorts are less baggy in the legs than many and have a crotch that does not hang down to catch on the saddle. Not bad for being the 'wrong' brand .

I'm 5'6" roughly 120 lbs, my legs aren't huge... but I wear a pair of Pearl Izumi ELITE Versa Liner Short, then wear a pair of Billabong/Quicksilver/etc boardshorts over top.
Very comfortable IMO. It's pretty much the same as wearing compression shorts underwear but with a 3-D Chamois.

$30 from Pearl Izumi site...if you google it, you can get it for cheaper. That's what I did.

https://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...366616&outlet=

I have skinny legs myself. I bought a pair of Hoss MTB Ponderosa short, they were on sale on their website. They dont have as much material as other MYB Shorts, so they dont flap as much. But they got ripped up when I took a spill on some gravel. So I tried a different brand, Zoic. I ended up buying the black market short. So far so good, but a bit more material than the Hoss. Alos look into Nema and Endura. They also make some great stuff.

I have the knicker version of these and agree about the fit. I tried/returned about six pairs of shorts prior to the Hoss -- they were all too bag either for my general comfort or would catch on the nose of the seat. One thing to consider about these is that the liner is not detachable. No problem if you only want them for the trail, but they can't double as just hanging-out shorts.

Don't they call those Capris now?

Try a larger youth size. It's EXACTLY what you want!

A while back I posted about how I just couldn't wear spandex, and then all of the little "spandex kings" of the forum had a fit. Yep, I was labeled a troll because I would not succumb myself to the wearing of spandex. These know-it-alls kept telling me, "You're going to get really chaffed on prolonged rides, blah blah blah." Well, guys, it never happened, but I figured I'd suck it up and try it.

Anyway, I eventually caved in (not here on the forums...) and said to myself, "Okay, I'll try the spandex, but damned if I'm going out in spandex alone. The last thing I need to do is get stuck having to use a pay-phone in a redneck bar located in the mountains because I don't get cell coverage."

Given that I have a GT bike, I found some GT gear online on Performance Bike's site, which consisted of a spandex liner and "regular" shorts over them. I sprung the $50 (or whatever...) and a few days later my shorts arrived. They did indeed help with comfort.

I refuse to go out in padded shorts alone, and I still shake my head at those men who do, but some people dress for the ride and not the fashion statement. I've since purchased some padded shorts with spandex liners that look like regular shorts. There were a ton to choose from at Performance, so check them out.

For the record, I gave my word that if I ever succumbed to the wearing of spandex, I'd post a picture and say, "I love spandex," so here goes. Yes, I'm wearing spandex, and no, nobody's going to see it.


I LOVE SPANDEX

how can anything that clenches your sweaty balls to the side of your groin be comfortable? horrible!

Hard to explain, but take my word and others' words for it, they're more comfortable to ride in than standard shorts.

Thanks for all the feedback. I ordered a pair of the Ponderosa shorts a week ago. Unfortunately they were out of stock so won't arrive until 6/11. Picked up a pair of Zoic shorts at the LBS. Really light weight outer material, and a removal spandex, padded liner. Not too baggy, and no bulky cargo pockets. Wore them for a TT race Sat, and for a 3 hour marathon race Sunday. They were great. I'm still learning to use clipless, and went down several times, but no damage to the shorts. Will try to report back when I get the Ponderosa shorts.

and how can a pair of oakley bike shorts run at $150!? holy ! must have nitrous boosts hidden in them!

I was looking for something a little less hip-hoppy than the standard stuff, and I found Zoic's Ether Short (with detachable Assault Liner, hehe). Very comfy.