The $30 short thread
#1
Thread Starter
CAT6 UTP 568B
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 2
From: Bellingham / Vancouver
Bikes: 2005 Allez Elite
Tight budget here, shopping for decent shorts. I've heard good things about the Performance Century, which is $30. Here's a few $25-30 shorts I've found, if anyone owns them (particularly the Cannondale, which I think is selling for $70+ at a LBS here), can you offer your opinions?
Cannondale Everyday $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Cannondale Classic 2004 6-panel $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Canari Veloce $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Canari Veloce Pro $26 at Nashbar
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
Performance Century $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Cannondale Everyday $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Cannondale Classic 2004 6-panel $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Canari Veloce $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
Canari Veloce Pro $26 at Nashbar
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
Performance Century $30
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120
#3
Get A Life - Get A Bike
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota, You Betcha!
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Bianchi San Jose, '87 Schwinn Super Sport
Originally Posted by thewalrus
Tight budget here, shopping for decent shorts. I've heard good things about the Performance Century, which is $30. Here's a few $25-30 shorts I've found, if anyone owns them (particularly the Cannondale, which I think is selling for $70+ at a LBS here), can you offer your opinions?
I've got a few pair of these and they feel great and seem to wear well.
Steve
#4
JOCP Senior Advisor

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth/Keller Texas
Bikes: 1979 Shcwinn Varsity, 2005 Speciazlied Transition Multi-Sport, 2005 Specailized Sirrus
I have a pair of nashbar mondays (usally like 18 US) that while arent the greatest get teh job done on a budget
#5
Thread Starter
CAT6 UTP 568B
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 2
From: Bellingham / Vancouver
Bikes: 2005 Allez Elite
Originally Posted by cheeseflavor
$48 for 2 pair Falconi BIKE SHORTS on eBay
I've got a few pair of these and they feel great and seem to wear well.
Steve
I've got a few pair of these and they feel great and seem to wear well.
Steve

i am tempted to buy the $40 Team Jamaica bib shorts. If only I had a rasta-coloured helmet... and some dreads...
https://cgi.ebay.com/New-Bergamo-Jama...QQcmdZViewItem
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: See sig.
Tell you the truth, I like nashbars cotton short (https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=) quite a bit. I'm not sure why, but the lycra shorts I've worn seem to be more 'noticable', whereas when I'm wearing cotton, it feels like I'm not really wearing anything at all (in a good way!
). Nashbar's monday shorts aren't bad either, but then again, I'm one of those guys who will do 40 miles in street shorts without any problems.
). Nashbar's monday shorts aren't bad either, but then again, I'm one of those guys who will do 40 miles in street shorts without any problems.
#7
Sigh. I have to agree with SDRider about bibs. Having tried both regular and bib shorts, and also being on a budget, I now save up and buy only bibs 
The Voler stuff is well made, and you can get some excellent deals on their e-mail list. https://velowear.com/ I haven't seen them for as little as $30, but I have seen them for about $45, which is pretty good for bibs.

The Voler stuff is well made, and you can get some excellent deals on their e-mail list. https://velowear.com/ I haven't seen them for as little as $30, but I have seen them for about $45, which is pretty good for bibs.
#8
Thread Starter
CAT6 UTP 568B
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 2
From: Bellingham / Vancouver
Bikes: 2005 Allez Elite
Originally Posted by cheeseflavor
https://search-desc.ebay.com/search/s...e=search&fgtp=
#9
Double Secret Probation
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 4
From: Eastern Indiana
Bikes: Madone 6 series SSL, Cannondale CX9, Trek TTX, Trek 970, Trek T2000
The best cheaper shorts I have are the Nashbar Epic. They run small, so buy one size larger, but a decent short for the money. I think I bought them on sale for around $28. But, buy the best shorts you can afford. I got several pairs, but wash after every ride and really only need 2 pair.
John
John
__________________
Time to Ride...
Time to Ride...
#10
Originally Posted by 'nother
Sigh. I have to agree with SDRider about bibs. Having tried both regular and bib shorts, and also being on a budget, I now save up and buy only bibs 
The Voler stuff is well made, and you can get some excellent deals on their e-mail list. https://velowear.com/ I haven't seen them for as little as $30, but I have seen them for about $45, which is pretty good for bibs.

The Voler stuff is well made, and you can get some excellent deals on their e-mail list. https://velowear.com/ I haven't seen them for as little as $30, but I have seen them for about $45, which is pretty good for bibs.
Anyone know of any brands/models that aren't padded or have very thin padding?
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,Tx
Bikes: C'Dale r700 05' Giant Iguana Disc 04'
I have a ouple pair of the cannondale everyday's, I think they are great. Very cool and a great fit for me. The chamois is pretty good, I'm sure there are better and worse. They are pretty tough too I went down a month or so back and ended up sliding on my right hip for about 6 feet and it didnt even wear through the shorts. Very satisfied with the durability, still look new after plenty of washings.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 2000
I have a pair of the Performance Century. They're my first pair of shorts and I dont really have anything to compare them too but they seem to work. I havent had any problems with chaffing and I dont use any chamios creme.
#14
Unique Vintage Steel



Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 287
From: Allen, TX
Bikes: Kirk Frameworks JKS-C, Serotta Nova, Gazelle AB-Frame, Fuji Team Issue, Surly Straggler
I like the Nashbar Crossroads. Probably simular to the Century, but in a 6 panel cut. I bought some Accents from Nashbar that they had on sale, didn't like them near as much and will probably return them for a pair of the Crossroads.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: San Leandro
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
I'm a cheapskate when it comes to shorts. I buy the Performance on-sale-cheapies for $15 a pair and buy 4 or 5 of them at a time. It turns out that I prefer these very light shorts to the expensive ones. Sport Europa used to sell 100%
I'm bought or been given some really expensive shorts just to see why they're so expensive. Yeah, they are made better. Yeah, they are heavier. But they sure aren't any more comfortable except on very long rides. For long rides I use the Pearl Izumi or Voler.
I've owned shorts from the most expensive and supposedly best makers in the world whose names shall remain shrouded in silence (if you can say something nice....) that fell apart on the first washing.
I'm bought or been given some really expensive shorts just to see why they're so expensive. Yeah, they are made better. Yeah, they are heavier. But they sure aren't any more comfortable except on very long rides. For long rides I use the Pearl Izumi or Voler.
I've owned shorts from the most expensive and supposedly best makers in the world whose names shall remain shrouded in silence (if you can say something nice....) that fell apart on the first washing.
#16
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 241
Likes: 6
From: Salida, CO
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX, Ibis Mojo 3
I've tried Performance, Pearl Izumi and Cannondale. The Cannondale Everyday are by far the best ones I have worn. At that price I'm goning to pick up some more. 
Guess not, all they have are size S

Guess not, all they have are size S
Last edited by Baetis; 10-04-05 at 09:00 AM.
#19
Orbea Crayola Rider
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Madison, MS
Bikes: '05 Orbea Onix
I use the Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor...at @ $80/pair, they can get expensive...I have 2 pair...a L and a M...the L is too big...fit when I bought them, then after a week of riding, I lost that extra inch on my gut that held them up...
So, I ride in one pair of shorts...needless to say the washing machine is getting a workout.
mscycler
So, I ride in one pair of shorts...needless to say the washing machine is getting a workout.
mscycler
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Sudbury, MA
Bikes: 2006 Cannondale CAAD8, 2022 Specialized Sirrus 2.0
Originally Posted by WD_40
Why do people like bib shorts? I've always worn regular shorts, so I'm curious what makes the bibs better.
Anyway, I was able to get Performance Elite bibs on sale earlier this year for ~$31. I only got one and haven't seen them at this price since then
#21
Ride First, Work Later!!!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham, AL
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Trek Superfly, Raleigh Rush Hour
I have 2 pairs of the Performance Elites that I like a lot and a pair of Cannondales, not sure which model, that are OK, the fit and sizing between the two is a big difference.
#22
I hate cheap Performance shorts, but that's just me. They're thin, they go up way too high (especially in back), and the chamois isn't that comfortable. I'd stay away from those, but that's just me. They don't support the boys very well.
I have a cheaper pair of Cannondale shorts and I love them. To tell you the truth I forget the model and I can't quite tell if they are one of the ones you listed, but I know I got them for cheap on eBay. They have that C logo and on one of the legs it says "Chrono." The chamois is nice- a little padding, but not too much. They support the boys very well. My only complaint is that the C logo (or was it 2?) fell off, but I don't really care about advertising for Cannondale anyway, so that didn't bother me.
I also have a cheaper pair of Canaris that I got off of eBay, but I don't think they are one of the ones you have listed. They have a thicker chamois that's part blue and part white. Anyone know what the heck I'm talking about? I really should pay attention to the specific names a little bit more. They're nice, but I think they have a little bit too much padding. It's not uncomfortable, just overkill.
If I were you I'd go for the Cannondale.
I have a cheaper pair of Cannondale shorts and I love them. To tell you the truth I forget the model and I can't quite tell if they are one of the ones you listed, but I know I got them for cheap on eBay. They have that C logo and on one of the legs it says "Chrono." The chamois is nice- a little padding, but not too much. They support the boys very well. My only complaint is that the C logo (or was it 2?) fell off, but I don't really care about advertising for Cannondale anyway, so that didn't bother me.
I also have a cheaper pair of Canaris that I got off of eBay, but I don't think they are one of the ones you have listed. They have a thicker chamois that's part blue and part white. Anyone know what the heck I'm talking about? I really should pay attention to the specific names a little bit more. They're nice, but I think they have a little bit too much padding. It's not uncomfortable, just overkill.
If I were you I'd go for the Cannondale.
#23
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Olmo Gran Fondo and Bianchi Squadra
I have some Pace shorts that I got on sale for about $30 each. I've been very happy with them.
https://www.pacesportswear.com/
https://www.pacesportswear.com/







