Anyone have experience with this model of Pearl Izumi shorts?

http://www.pearlizumi.com/images/sho...m/0144_512.jpg

• Microsensor® fabric for unsurpassed moisture-transfer and soft, comfortable feel
• Patent-pending 3D Pro Chamois™ for the ultimate in pad construction and comfort
• Unique ergonomic panel design
• Low-profile flatlocked seams stretch evenly to provide exceptional next-to-skin comfort
• Spandex leg gripper cuffs prevent legs from riding up

Bought a pair yesterday. For the money, I was expecting them to be as comfy as my Assos F1, but they weren't. The chamois/padding felt thinner in the crotch and thicker in the seat, which made me feel like I was tipping forward more onto the bars, and my crotch had more pressure.

Does the "low profile" refer to having thinner padding? Does "Pro" refer to the fact that Pro cyclists are less picky about comfort? If so, then these shorts are indeed for pros, not people like me.

(In fairness, other aspects of the short are highly comfortable.)

I have the same pair.
I had the same feeling. They stretch a lot so if I were you, I'd get one size smaller, this also keeps the padding lower so they don't ride up your ass. My only concern is the fabric seems pretty thin and prone to wear. On the plus side, it matches my CWX jersey really well.

Yes, they do look really sharp.

I have a pair of mtb shorts with their 3D liner, the thin section's a real crotch biter. The 3D removes that and has a slightly better sueded surface on the ass. Only problem is I'm leaned forward or on the drops enough that my ass hardly ever gets to enjoy the padded section.

is there a dif between the 3D and the 3D pro?

i have a pair of the 3D and they work good for me

Funny, I had read mixed reviews on PI's 3D chamois, some magazine (FWIW) basically said they'd stick with PI's PRT chamois instead. As a result, I recently purchased a pair of Ultrasensors with PRT rather than Microsensors with 3D. Love the PRT, best pair of shorts I think I've ever ridden in. YMMV.

I have the 3D's (non pro) and they are the best (comfortable) shorts I have so far.
I looked at the pros and they have a thinner padding. Maybe I'll try a pair in the future.

I love these shorts - have them with white stiching - they do really stretch and feel great; I did get my standard size (L), though.

The 3D Pro's were designed because the PI sponsored riders were complaining that the normal 3D chamois was too large and too thick. Hence the smaller and thinner pad, and considering how the one pair of normal 3Ds I own fit and feel, I'd suspect they did the right thing (feels like a diaper that pinches my grundle everytime I go out of saddle)

Check out this review:

http://www.bicycletest.com/absoluten...d=47&zoneid=12

What were you thinking?

I have the previous years shorts, I like them.

Every Pearl Izumi stuff that I've purchased wore out 2 times faster and worse then any cheap wal-mart or LBS equiv. I see people praising them like they are "the crem de la" but I don't think I would ever purchase another product from them.

I prefer Sugoi. The pi shorts ive used all have thinner lycra, while nice and cool, they dont hold the chamois in place near as well as i prefer.

Id have to say I prefer my PI's over my Nike Race shorts. I like the feel of the material better, more nylon than spandex. The Nikes have more spandex, which seems to sometimes "stick" a bit more on the saddle. The Nikes have a more plush chamois.

i have the 3d...and i love them...going to get 2 other pairs of 3d PROS

As much as I LOVED my PI's.....The upper seams on the left leg came apart after only 4 months of use. I am now using a pair of cheaper Bellwether pro 8's and I think I prefer them.

I find Cannondale's shorts to be the best bang for the buck, and they are often on sale.

They have lifetime warranty. I went to the LBS where I bought them with a similar problem and they gave me new ones right there. you can also send them back directly to PI.

My LBS sent mine back a few days ago but he would not replace them on the spot. Not that I really expected him to.

The padding is too thick for me. I have some less padded, non-3D PI triathlon shorts that I prefer. (I have no idea what the difference is between cycling and tri shorts).

I opted to go for a pair of the microsensor bibs with the PRT chamois over the 3D pro ones. The chamois is a little bit thicker, and they've held up really well over the course of the summer. They have saved my taint over the course of a century and several 65+ mile rides. Well worth the $80... I couldn't really justify the $140 for the 3D pro bibs, and it sounds like I made the right choice.

Cycling shorts have a more substantial chamois than the Tri shorts. I have a the same pair of tri shorts, and they are vrey comfortable, although they don't provide the same padding my lesser expensive Performance Century shorts provide. Also with the tri shorts, the chamois is meant to dry out after the swim, so it is thinner and just allows for a quicker dry to prevent chaffing. But if the chamois on some cycling shorts are too substantial, tri shorts are the way to go for some people.

How many panels does the Micro have versus the Ultra?

I got a pair of PI bibs four months ago. I'm not sure what model they are but they have a blue sculpted chamois and these cool mesh side panels that hold my love handles in. They are by far my favorites.

I had this Italian thing going for a while and I have Assos and Giordana bibs and some other brands I cannot think of right now. I think the Assos are something called a F-1. They came highly recommended. For me the Assos are not that comfortable and I'd rather use the PI's whenever I can.

I also have a pair of PI Gel Lite gloves that are only after a year of use are starting to pull apart on one seam.

Based on my experience I get PI gear now whenever I can.