alpinist

I prefer compression shorts. Buy them from a running store or site. I have the Velocity, and like them. The only problem is that they are very revealing. Very light, very cool, inexpensive, no padding.

https://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/...&AnswerID=1949

Pockets

I find that bibs still work the best for me

Pierre!

It was this time of year, last year, that I read that WalMart had a deal on 'Pilgrim' brand shorts. Nice regular cut shorts with the stretch waist band...

The post said you just go to a fabric store, get some cloth covered elastic and the little 'squeeze clamps' that you thread the elastic through.

Got a big old PDA (Yah, PDA) stylus, drilled a hole big enough for the elastic to go through, then threaded the elastic through the 'cuff' of the shorts. Had the 'squeeze clamps' on the outside seam.

Works really good! No bugs in my package, and that means no WASPS get in there either! More aerodynamic. Just pull the knot in the elastic and slide the squeeze clamp to tighten around your leg.

total cost was under $15 per pair as the shorts were on sale at WalMart for $12 to $13 ea.

Beats the heck out of $60. AND when you get to your location, you just relax the elastic, and the shorts look NORMAL again... except for sweat stains of course (LOL)

So keep an eye on your WalMart/Target/KMart shorts sales, and get next years biking wardrobe setup! Uhm... you can forget white or light grey shorts. They show the chain marks way too well! Blue or Green seem to hide it pretty well.

HTH

cmpycrnk

I've only been riding recumbent (trike) for just under a year. However I am happy to leave my spandex jersey's and shorts behind. I now use shorts and shirts designed for backpacking. The shorts are a very lightweight fabric (reminds me of parachute material) and, along with the shirts, are designed to be UV protection. The shirts have zippered top pockets and no back pockets (yay) while the back pockets on the shorts have no snaps and the seams are there but don't seem to have any welt at all. I've been picking them up at Sports Authority on sale with $60 shirts being $15....I have both long sleeve shirts that have the tabs so that when you roll them up they stay (they call them "fisherman's" shirts) or leave them down for protection from the sun on your arms. I felt like the shorts were going to ride up as my riding buddy uses the Mt. Borah shorts that have the leg ties...Pierre, mon ami, great idea I'll be trying that out myself although I've not had a "Bee" experience as of this writing I'd prefer not to as I've heard this comment before by those that have experienced it...yellow jackets are horrible which I have experienced out in the garden, like fire and leaving a large numb area for a couple of weeks, not what I'd like while triking...

Dr. Derailleur

I currently wear Nike running shorts. They bellow a bit and I've caught a few small stingy insects/bees this year. I must look pretty silly smacking my ass as I go down the road, trying to kill the buggers. Some spandex running shorts sound like a good idea.

oddball

I just started wearing MUSA knickers https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=22-642 Sorry they're still in the $60 range. They're perfect for riding a short wheelbase 'bent. They are loose but not billowy and cinch up at the leg openings. They make shorts and pants that cinch up at the leg openings too but I have no experience with those.

pm124

Get or make some bike knickers. These can be made out of old pants by putting a drawstring or clasp below the knee.

rsbeach

I have found that zip-off pants work well. You can get them in lightweight nylon or something a little heavier, but they come in technical fabrics that dries quickly. They have lots of pockets and the legs seem to fit more snugly than the typical biking short, particularly if you get them just a tad smaller than you really need. The good ones are stylish and last about forever, plus you can zip the legs on when it gets cooler. They are great for touring, but a bit more expensive than jeans. I wear typical lycra underneath.

oldacura

I wear lycra shorts when I ride my DF bike. They have function there. However, I take them off at the 1st opportunity. If I'm not riding, they're not comfortable. I don't see any reason to wear tight fitting shorts on the 'bent except maybe for the bee thing. Maybe if I get stung, I'll see the light.

I find baggy supplex nylon swim trunks to be the most comfortable.

layedback1

Buying high priced shorts to ride a recumbent is not very smart. Personally I ride in sweat shorts. They are inexpensive. One of the many things that is great about recumbents is the fact that you dont need all the really high prices duds.

aikigreg

nope, not smart at all, unless you want comfort, breathability, and to keep the bugs out of your crotch. Of course, bearded FOGs with a 8 mph average doesn't need anything more than a 5 dollar pair, I suppose..

BlazingPedals

Oh, an exhibitionist!

oddball

My personal experience with cheap sweat shorts caused me take a trip to the doctor for the rash, not cheap. I never had this problem on my DF's when I wore expensive lycra shorts with anti-bacterial chamois. My doctor counseled me against wearing cotton in that area since I am a heavy sweater. I have high deductible medical insurance so any money I saved on shorts was gone after the initial and follow-up visits. I now wear Under Armor boxer briefs and My MUSA knickers, together about $80USD. On really hot days I wear Sugoi's triathlete shorts, about $40. I haven't been back to the doctor for the rash. The doctor's visits and subsequent medication was over $300. I would have saved money if I just bought appropriate shorts in the first place.
I also once found a wasp and an earwig in my opened leg sweat shorts. Luckily no sting. Those are the dangers of SWB 'bents.

GreenGrasshoppr

I like the Nashbar C-pants (bought before the credit card theft debacle)

layedback1

As I posted else where, I wear sweat shorts that I buy from a local sports store. Cost is about $12.

spudman1

I found a recommendation for rowing shorts from sew sporty. They are reasonably priced and the ones I got were double layered offering a little more coverage. I liked them so much I got two more pairs which still cost less than one pair of most bike shorts.

Dchiefransom

I like cargo shorts, but don't like the flaps over the pockets where I'm sitting. I'll have to look into the backpacking shorts. I tried wearing some jean shorts that were a bit longer, and discovered that I don't like anything over my knees while pedaling. Too much sliding back and forth. I still wear my bib shorts much of the time.

aikigreg

I have a acouple pairs of rowing trou, but only use them for training because they are so short. No one wants to see that much of my leg.

Pierre!

I believe it was THIS Recumbent forum that turned me onto the idea of picking up some cheap shorts, $9 to $13, from WalMart... then get some round elastic and slip it through the 'cuff' of the shorts.

Worked GREAT! hardest part was finding the eleasit material, but they are on their 2nd year of use right now...

Total cost per pair of shorts, with elastic and plastic clincher = Under 15$, and they have the expandable waist too!!! Talk about comfortable...

HTH...

PS - The original thread - GoatBiker had the WalMart idea...
https://www.bikeforums.net/recumbent/329267-bike-shorts.html

lukenm

Cabela's has some hiking shorts that are fairly inexpensive and not baggy at all. Not too tight, mind you, but definitely not baggy. In general, though, hiking shorts tend to be shorter and less bulky, while still allowing you "room to breathe".