pdxtex

I've always been confused about how bike shorts are suppossed to be worn ie, with or without underwear. Do you guys go commando or wear a pair of briefs underneath? Either way, one's modesty is always going to be questionable. Chamois cream was news to me until I saw the "Hell on Wheels" documentary following the T-Mobile guys during the 04 tour. So are you just suppossed to put the cream on the chamois and then don the short? Sounds freaky to me. I will keep wearing the tighty "blacky" and shorts until told otherwise. Ideas?

SilentShifter

Bib shorts with nothing underneath. If someone wants to look at 'the goods' let em, I don't care.

I use camois cream on rides longer than 25 miles and I put some cream on the chamois and then some in 'high rub' areas to prevent chaffing.

Doggus

Whatever happened to UnderwearNazi? I miss him.

slide

Bike shorts are undershorts. What one guy I know does is to wear on set of shorts w/chamois and then another over them w/o chamois. That's a trick to abate friction.

If your size is modest, then you can stuff something down there to rid you of that 'little look'.

twahl

I'm sure he'll make an appearance for this thread.

Modesty questionable? I'm an arrogant bastard, there's no question about it.

Sapper89

No underwear for goodness sake. It's not like your going to let someone borrow your bike shorts.

Az B

I prefer mountain bike shorts, or cycling undies under regular shorts. I also wear mountain bike shoes with recessed clips and Vibram soles so I can walk normally. I use my bike for regular transportation and prefer to look reasonably normal at the dentist's office, and am not particularly fond of prancing around the grocery store in tights and slipping on the floor. And carrying clothes to change into isn't really a solution since it's not really necessary with the above solution.

As far as chamois butter goes, you install it directly to the chamois, although it can also be applied to your butt. Either way works. I've found that it's really only required on long rides or if you ride a lot every day. For an occasional 20-30 mile ride, it's not needed.

Az

shokhead

I would say this has been talked about so many times i can safely say you didny use search. It say right on the bottle of chamy cream to put on pad and butt. You dony use a t-shirt under your jersey.
You dont use underware under shorts/bibs.
You dont use cotton socks.

Tree Trunk

You don't? Why?

Stjtoday

I believe wearing underwear would hinder your comfort level in the short, bare nakie be da only way.

jemoryl

YMMV, but I've been riding in cycling shorts since the '70s (real chamois era) and never had the need or desire to use chamois cream. So you might see how things go before resorting to making a mess in your shorts.

shokhead

And thats the thinking if you have never used it,it does not make a mess at all.

kahn

I did just that last year after I chaffed so bad (older, too large pair of shorts that creased badly) that I took skin off. I took an older pair and removed the chamois and wore them over a regular pair of shorts. I figured it worked for hiking with two pair of socks, one against the heel and the other to move "freely" over that pair leaving the heel fine. The two shorts idea worked fine until I healed.

I posted elsewhere in a similar thread about a ride across Washington state. We were in the shower trailer and one guy chimed in saying he was getting really abraided. Asked what he wore, he showed one of those heavy duty, thick webbed jock straps. The unanimous groan shook the trailer.

arbeiter

how could anyone wear underwear underneath? it makes no sense.

slide

So you think you look ok 'prancing around' in regular shorts?

slide

I think if done properly, it will work. It is one of those things that ultra marathoners use too. Of course, if one pants is too large or wrinkled it will be a disaster. That's like saying that Brooks saddles are terrible because one you rode had a nail sticking out of it.

oboeguy

CLEAN bike shorts with nothing underneath other than BodyGlide == no arse or crotch problems.

Nachoman

I'm philosophically opposed to underwear.

VlaanderenFlier

I ride with a base layer under my cycling shorts. Over the years I've found the Performance soltace briefs the most comfortable, with a thin strip of chamois. The dual layer adds a lot of comfort, IMHO. It puts more stress on the brief rather than the more expensive shorts which will hopefully last a couple of seasons. The performance paddded brief eventually turns from a silky synthetic to a sand paper like grit feel. Horrible. On the Soltace brand, usually the chamois will werar out before the fabric.
Sure, if it is a real short >24mi ride then I'll consider going without, but I have a routine of getting dressed, and if I have a clean pair, I'll usually put them on underneath.
If you need the extra support for your "package" or some extra comfort on the saddle then I'd reccommend you try a pair of the Soltace and experience the difference. Some guys hate the dual feel. Good riding

belowzero

I recently developed a saddle rash wearing underpants and light swimmer shorts on top for commuting. Now I ride with the same shorts and no underpants and the rashes have gone away.

underpants suck, they don't breathe well under the extremities and sweat just builds up rubbing in the same motions until your skin gives in.

Trekke

I don't recommend underwear under anything.

Kuma

Good advice that's not just limited to bike-related situations!

Az B

Even on your head?

Az

Az B

Yes. I look fabulous.

Az

cooker

Tuck some very light outer shorts in your seat pack or pannier so you can wear them over the bike shorts if you have to go in a store, or wear mountain bike shorts that have a lycra/chamois inner layer and a modest baggy outer layer.