Major benefits of cycling shorts
 

I ride with gym shorts. Would I benefit from bike shorts? I have a Fuji Pro saddle which was a bit unconfortable at first but not to the point where I could not sit down after a ride(nowhere near that). Just got my road bike and started riding on May 6th.

Been riding for 4 weeks now and so far I've done 175 miles.

I went from the couch to the bike in the beginning of May.

Rode 12 miles the first day out with a 12.5 mph avg.

Great for you getting off the couch...

Getting a half decent pair of bike shorts is a must if you plan on riding longer distances. The shorts will help with keeping chafing and saddle sore problems at bay. Of course that also goes hand in hand with a proper fitting saddle. The shorts also help keep things dry down there. Cotton is very good a trapping moisture and just making things damn and yucky! A perfect breeding ground for bacteria. There is no need to spend a ton of money on a pair of shorts, but you will find that as the price goes up so does the fit and quality of materials. A very important thing is find the shorts that fit you, not the ones that fit everyone else.

Keep on pedalling and you will see how quickly you can get addicted to this sport..

Comfort is not a big deal on rides of under an hour or two. On longer rides, gym shorts tend to bunch up and shift around, which can chafe and pinch your skin.

I'll look into getting some.

Right now I normally ride 18 miles each time I go out (5 times a week).

I want to step it up to 25 miles

1. forget shorts and get bibs.

2. get quality bibs.

3. make sure they fit.

4. if you've followed the advice above your muscles will receive some support, and your bits will remain in place, while your 'taint will be pleasantly padded.

The lycra shorts or bibs hug the crotch and can be very revealing, and embarrassing. Many people prefer the more modest mountain bike shorts that have a loose outer layer over the tight inner layer. Also you can get biking underwear, with a padded section sewn in, that you can wear under normal shorts or pants, but in that case, try to get an outer layer of short or pants that have a very flat seam (or no seam) in the crotch.

Occassionally with loose shorts, the hem of one leg of the shorts will snag on the nose of your saddle as you dismount, so be aware of that.

Some people who ride in tight bibs or tight shorts will carry loose outer shorts to put over top in case they stop and go into store, etc.

It depends on you and your body. I used to ride all over in regular shorts, no problem, but 2 years ago when I really started riding hard again in the spring, my (parts) stared hurting. So I bought several pairs of decent riding shorts, and all is well. I guess the shape of my (parts) just changed over the years.

The main problem with non cycling shorts is they have a seam right where you sit which is pretty annoying with a narrow seat.

I started out riding sub 20 milers on a relatively comfy 80's Turbo saddle. Then I went 50 miles. Bought shorts before the next ride.

Your 'stuff' deserves to be well-cared for. Get some good bike shorts (or bibs) and your 'stuff' will thank you.

Yes. I'd post more, but why? :)

... Brad

The difference is so great that it's hard to describe. Trust us, buy a pair and you'll know.

Just a few advantages to a good pair of shorts:
Comfort
No snagging on your saddle
No sweat
No chafe
No rash

And I agree with Botto, just buy bibs. The difference between cotton shorts and cycling shorts is much greater than the difference between cycling shorts and bibs, but once you've worn good bibs, you won't want to wear shorts.

You can buy shorts/bibs cheap on ebay, but until you know what brand/size you need, try them on first or be sure you can return them.

exacty. buy bibs, and not the cheapest ones you find or you might as well stick to the gym shorts.

The shorts are not essential for the distances you're riding, but I'd recommend them all the same because you will be more comfortable. If you can swing 18-25 miles 5 times a week, chances are good you're going to be riding much further than that very soon. Having said that, I think the advantages of cycling shorts have been exaggerated in this thread. You can absolutely get uncomfortable, sweaty, sore, rash, etc even with the best shorts. However, the frequency and severity will be less.

You should go for a century. Anyone who rides as much as you do is in good enough shape to finish, and the first one is a real blast.

Not all shorts are created equal. If I'm going to be in the saddle all day, I wear ones with a gel chamois. They're a bit heavier, but your butt will thank you.

Hmmm.

I just bought a couple pairs of triathlon shorts to try. I'll wear them for a 30-miler tomorrow and see how that goes. I got them because the inseam length of cycling shorts annoys me sometimes - I hate getting a tan line that regular shorts don't line up with. These tri shorts have just a soft cloth down there (for quick drying when going from water to bicycle I suppose), and I'm hoping the saddle doesn't rub me raw.

Wish me luck! :D

You ever hear the term, "It's not about the bike". Well, it is about the shorts. Shorts make a ride 100x more tolerable. I can never imagine riding without shorts now. Even on quick "new part" test rides I'll put on my shorts.

Next step.... Clipless pedals.

whast this crap aboutg a crotch showing, you guys are like ultra insecure about yourselves. Get a girlfriend jeez.

I like showing off my package. lol
I met my wife while I was skateboarding naked. lol

^^ The above is a man.

The rest of you should wake up and learn

^^^ Anyone can talk sh*t on the web, and when you do, you announce yourself as a pu*sy. Go on, keep broadcasting it. :D

Botto - do you have any experience with tri shorts you'd like to share, or am I better off with my dreams of success?

I have straight lycra shorts with no chamois, tri short with thin chamois, bike shorts and bibs. The worst of all of them is the tri short but not because they are uncomfortable on the bike, but on the run. For tris the no chamois short is my fav.

On bike, the bibs are best, however, pissing and putting on the HR monitor takes slightly more effort or planning which is pretty minor.

I won't be buying anymore tri shorts.

Sorry if this was already noted, and sorry for pointing out what may be obvious to the OP, but also with bike shorts, no need to WEAR anything UNDER them.

I'm here to tell you, someone will notice and someone will say something.

Hey, not like I ever made that newb mistake : )

bike shorts prevent the hairs on my buttocks from being pulled, the frictionless lycra allows no purchase on the hair.

Do you ever stop en route when you're riding? Maybe go into a convenience store?