Quality/best $50 (or less) shorts
 

I'm in need of an extra pair of shorts and all I have to spend is $50 (thanks to an AMEX gift cert. from work). I have a pair of Performance Liquicell shorts that are pretty comfortable (although not perfect) and still available at $35/pair, but I'm wondering if there is a general consensus on a pair near the $50 pricepoint that stands above its competitors. And yes, I understand that it is best to visit the LBS and try on 1,000 different shorts, but let's consider this my preliminary research. Tell me, which shorts at the ~$50 pricepoint are the most comfortable/best value...don't care if they're bibs or "regular" shorts. thanks for any input.

I don't think you could get bibs at that pricepoint. If you did, they probably wouldn't be very good bibs.

yeah, figured bibs were a longshot. thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

I haven't tried many, but how about $59.95 for Voler shorts?

If worth it, I could talk the wife into $10 extra. I am fairly new to cycling (i'll be the first to admit it). is the difference between a $30 pair of performance short vs. a $120 pair of PI or whatever brand the quality of the material, the stitching, the chamois, all the above?

Stitching and chamois. I bought a pair of $50 PI's and the chasmois on them is awesome, along with the stitching on it.
You have to try some to get the right feel for it. I spent a lot because I figured I might as well spend a bunch if I'm only going to own one pair of shorts.

performance elite/ultra bibs are decent at around that price point

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

They were $50. I've got a pair and love them. Not as good as my microsensor bib but half the cost and it works.

I have heard a lot of good things about the attack shorts. I am currently riding a pair that was given to me (they are a few years old). The stitching is still great on the chamois and the short itself

I like my PI Attacks, but may have a deal from REI. Got a Pair of Novara shorts for $40 that seem as good or better than the PI's. I only put 55 miles on the today but no complaints.

I just bought a pair of Giordana Silverline bibs (last ones in medium, woot!) from Sierra Trading Post for $50 not an hour ago. Bought a Zoot jersey too, to bring my total over $75, thus letting me use the 20% off coupon code.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...s-For-Men.html

I've also been considering these:

http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HN...YCLING,Cycling

Hard to pass up at $45. What little feedback I've seen has been positive.

http://www.ecyclingstore.com/fs_show...ection=&secpg=

http://www.ecyclingstore.com/fs_show...ection=&secpg=

PI Ultrasensors rule above the Attacks, especially since I bought my Ultrasensors $20 cheaper the the Attacks! REI has some good sales once in a while! The Attack chamois seems a bit diaper like.

Performance Elites are pretty good for the money - $50.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1120

funny that you posted those shorts. I placed my order for the same bibs at STP late friday night. I liked the reviews and it seemed to be too good a deal to pass up.

I've been happy with my Pearl Izumi Quest shorts. $49.99 list, your LBS may knock a few bucks off, if you're a regular customer.

I have the cheapest izumi shorts out there. (The quest, possibly? They are a few years old.) I like them okay.

I recently bought a pair of the performance century shorts, and the stitching was coming apart before I even put them on. Literally. I sent them back.

For $50, I would go with either the Performance Elite or Ultra shorts.

My local Performance just blew out some Elite Light bibs for $50. The Ultra bibs are even nicer and they have been on sale for $65. The Ultras have a pretty decent chamois, it looks like a Cannondale.

I'd rather pay a couple bucks more for bibs.

Az

The Voler Equipe shorts or bibs are the best quality budget shorts I've tried. My faves are PI Attacks, Performance had the '06 model on sale for 50 bucks recently.

How is the quality of the jersey's and shorts from ecycling? I was looking at the long sleeve jerseys, the prices look good.

I was down at my LBS today looking at my first pair of shorts (just got into road cycling this year)...and saw the Pi Quest and some Specialized shorts (the Sport maybe?). They were both 49 bucks, anyone have a preference on one of these? Haven't seen the Specialized mentioned in this thread yet...thought I would throw it out there for the OP and myself :)

I have 2 of their bib shorts and they are ok but nothing special. Looks like someone sewed a chamois into a pair of cheap bib tights. They do the job however and on the plus side give real easy in the front if u need to take a leak.

Whose bib shorts?

OOPs I was tring to reply to woodinville guy's post. ecycling store shorts. I guess at 35 bux they aint too bad.