vinuneuro

I'm relatively new to cycling and am not at the point of being willing to be out in public in only lycra. If I'm going to wear them under regular workout shorts is there a huge difference between a liner and proper cycling shorts? They look very similar. The REI guy who's been racing for 20 years says the shorts will be much more comfortable than the liner but I'd like the brain trust's opinion.

k_kibbler

Comfort from best to worst, IMHO

Cycling bibs
Cycling shorts
Liner only? (I really don't think these should be worn by themselves)
Regular workout shorts, commando (be prepared for flapping around of all things fabric and non-fabric)
Liner + workout shorts
EDIT: Insert cycling shorts + workout shorts here (I can't see how this could be more comfortable than wearing a liner, which is designed to be worn under other clothing)
Any kind of underwear under any other kind of clothing
Full commando? (theoretical, more data required for meaningful comparison)
Non-exercise clothing e.g. jeans, commando

Basically, the fewer layers of fabric excluding chamois padding between yourself and the saddle, the better.

kbarch

Maybe you're not at the point where it makes much difference. When I was new, I rode with bib shorts and a pair of outer shorts. It was fine. But eventually I got to where I just didn't want to bother with the outer shorts. I'd skip the liners or shorts without bibs. Lycra may be form-revealing, but shorts without bibs can be crack-revealing, which is worse.

mcours2006

Maybe it's my relative noobness showing, and I agree about bib shorts being most comfortable, but my only problem with them is that often I have to, um, pee, during a ride, so, you know,..the one pair of bib shorts I have never gets used. Is there a solution?

Yeah, and I agree about not needing a liner.

gregf83 

Yes, pull down the front and pee.

12strings

The one liner I have has a thinner pad than my cycling shorts, so for longer rides it is not as good. I'm fact, I was thinking about trying my regular cycling shorts under y cargo shorts for my commute today.....

But for just straight bike rides, it's lucrative only.

vinuneuro

After reading more, even for wearing them under running shorts I'm coming around to bibs. I have the same concern about going over the fence to take leak. These Pearl Izumi Elite bibs, which seem to be pretty decent and popular, seem pretty tall to pull down far enough. I suppose worst come worst one could use a bathroom stall and take off the straps.

https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-El...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Lazyass

If you wear workout shorts then you'll really look stupid when the wind makes them flap back on your legs. A mountain bike short would be better if you're self conscious about how you look, they don't flap around much. But you can pull any bib short down to take a whiz. You don't have to get undressed.

mcours2006

Now don't I feel stupid.

dvdslw

I wear bibs and don't see the problem for a bathroom break unless you are female. They pull down easily to get your business done. I agree with others above that say cycling shorts are good but tend to be revealing at times, especially if your jersey or top is short. I used to wear them but kept seeing cracks and low hanging guts sticking out all over the place so I decided it was time to buy some bibs. Best decision I ever made comfort wise. When riding the mtb I use liner shorts with stretchable cargo shorts.

Sy Reene

Wise choice in the end going for bibs. Value priced and generally considered decent are also the Performance brand.. with sale on right now they have Elite bibs (probably last years model) for only $35
Find Lycra Cycling Short : The Best Men's Cycling Clothing From Performance Bike

corrado33

I agree here. My "liner" shorts have a thinner chamois. They're also quite a bit shorter. (Meaning they're essentially short shorts.) They barely go lower than... well... you get the idea. I grabbed them once by mistake and wore them alone. It was... interesting. Perfectly comfortable mind you, but interesting nonetheless. Now, I'm no stranger to short shorts being a runner, but these were a bit TOO short. Think booty shorts.

Now I only wear them under my mountain bike shorts when I ride MTN bikes.

OldTryGuy

I've had bibs and shorts and found that Sugoi shorts are every bit as comfortable as bibs AND much easier to deal with when it's time to go.

16 Tons

Also more inclined to have heat and sweat buildup.

apaulson714

Decided to try out bibs and didnt want to go too expensive in case i didnt like them. Ended up with these:

https://www.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-Qu...ilpage_o01_s00

And for the price i am quite pleased with them.

Just my .02

deapee

Wear them under whatever you want.

The best is probably a cheap pair of either sweat pants or those workout pants, and cut them yourself so that just the bottom of the cycling shorts just stick out.

When it's cold and I have warm leggings on, I'll normally wear a self-cut pair of shorts as well. If I'm driving somewhere, I wear them...then when I get to wherever I'm going, I take them off...that way when I stop in a store on my way home, I'm not skin-tight.

MRT2

I would go with shorts over liners. That way once you get over your aversion to wearing Lycra in public, you don't have to buy another pair of shorts or bibs.

indyfabz

And wear full-zip jerseys in the event you need to go No. 2.

aubiecat

I've been wearing the PI Elite bibs for two years now I can attest they are good quality and comfortable.
I also have their Quest bib that I use on the trainer. I've worn the Quest bib on a couple century rides and they were comfortable the whole time. In fact my avatar is a picture from one of the centuries I wore the Quest bib.
Both these bibs are very easy to pull the front down to take a wizz.

dr_lha

Stupid question, but how does that help? I mean, I suppose it's slightly easier to take off a full zip jersey, but pulling a jersey off like a T-shirt ain't exactly rocket science.

indyfabz

If you have stuff in your back pockets a full zip jersey can make things a bit easier, but yes, pulling off a jersey is not rocket science.

dr_lha

Sure, that's a fair point.

rmfnla

You'd feel worse of you didn't pull down the front first...

rmfnla

Really..?

woodcraft

I wear liners under shorts/ pants

for short rides, social calls, etc..

Less compression, lower profile.

Aero Tech makes a shorts with a thin pad that also

makes a pretty good liner.

Men's Pro Bike Shorts for cycling comfort and bicycle riding