Pearl Izumi shorts suck
 

I finally uped to nice shorts this year, and based off Pearl Izumi's sizing charts, I picked up small. I put them on and they were just slightly too small. I wore them anyways since they weren't too bad. They did reduce alot of discomfort for my solider, but with longer rides, I would get stinging/tenderness on the bottom of my butt like this...

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/imag...ZZZZZ/sub4.jpg

(that little line on the right girl's butt)

Looking in the mirror after a long ride, the impressions left by the seams in my skin show that the sores are right on the edge of where the chamois meets that line

I rode with them for a while on shorter until they developed a slight tear around the seam of the chamois.

Since I figured the sores were because they were too small, I bought the mediums. Turns out they are too big, however, if I tie the draw string they are still rideable. Well it turns out that now I am getting the exact same sores on both sides (before it was only on my left side)

Sounds like they suck for you...

I have 2 shorts and 2 bibs and love 'em...

No tears, no chaffing, no numbness, no lines on my butt...

I bought PI bibs based on recommendations on this board -- BAD idea. They are sized correctly but, from time to time, it feels as if the chamois pinches me at just the wrong place. Now, I won't use them except on my recovery rides -- my shortest rides of the week.

PI is awesome

Arrrgh!!! I'm having the EXACT same problem!! I wore my shorts for the first time for a 20-mile ride Friday night, and developed a sore right where the seam is. I literally had to put a Band-Aid on my ass. :rolleyes:

and you didn't like them? no way.

I personally swear by Nalini products for now. I've had good comfort with them. I even got my girlfriend to try them and she likes them better than the PI shorts.

Which level of short did you go with? It could be that you need to spend a little more on a higher level PI chamois, I love the pair I have and I've logged over 1600 miles on them and they are just starting to lose some of their padding..

I was using the Ultra Sensor. At $90 MRSP a pair, its not like I buying cheap.


For those of you who have had this problem, apparently we have the same ass, what shorts do you guys recommend?

The pad is fairly narrow, and if your sitbones are too far apart, they will sit right on the seams. Next stop - abrasions, because seams always win in a battle with butt-cheek skin.

They didn't work for me either. These days it's all Nalini for me.

Are the Nalini shorts sized about the same as PI's? I might give 'em a try, but I'd have to order online, and I want to make sure they'll fit.

+ eleventy billion

damn PI shorts are the suck.

ps....what the hell does two hot chicks in panties have to do with PI cycling shorts? lol im missing something

I have microsensors and they are really nice I think the best I ever felt.

eye candy...its what you do to get people to respond to your threads---half naked chics

I had two PI Microsensor bibs, they suck period. OTOH, their accessories are rather nice, I have five of their gloves, 3 socks, bootie cover, and toe cover. Their accessories are the only thing I would buy from them, their jerseys are American sized, which doesn't fit.

I have ultra sensors and they're awesome.

Sounds like you got the wrong size.

exactly. I like how you hate the shorts because you got the wrong size.

Maybe i should get XXXXL and see how I like the Assos shorts??

There is no way that the ultrasensors are worth $90.

I've converted to Voler. The avantis have a nicer pad, although the material is not as nice as ultransensor. The big draw is that they cost half as much.

+1

I had a warranty return on a pair of PI's Attack shorts and the shorts they sent me were the same size, but fit like a tent on me. When I inquired about it they said they were from a different season and they'd send me a pair from yet another season that should fit. They did and they fit except they are long. In the end I ended up liking them, but it shows how crazy PI is with size.

Three shorts from three consecutive season, all with different sizes/fits.

I would not recommend mail ordering PI shorts because you have no idea what you're getting. But other than that I'm happy with my shorts, although the chamois is kinda stiff and if I'm not adjusted right it'll put pressure on my nuts. I don't like that.

My wife bought me a pair and I could not stand the fit. Returned them and decided to stick with my volers until I could pay for a pair of Assos.

Not a dadgum thing...that's why I like it!:p

Seriously though, I have PI microsensor shorts and except for wishing that the legs were shorter I love them. Everybody is build slightly different so what's right for me may not be right for you and I don't think that PI's fault. The make a quality short, with good materials and stitching but unfortunately they're not right for you. Frankly, as soon as you put them on and realized they didn't feel just right you should have taken them off and started looking for the right size. The best shorts in the world won't feel right and protect your skin if they don't fit properly.

It might be that your saddle is the bigger problem.

For me PI shorts and Selle San Marco Era saddle gives me exactly the problem described. That same saddle and other shorts wears a hole in the shorts within 500 miles. PI shorts and either a Brooks Pro or a Fizik Arione and the problem goes away.

It think that the embroidery on the saddle is the source of my problem. I think that with the PI shorts the outside of the shorts are not moving relative to the saddle because the embroidery on the Era saddle "catches" the short's fabric. Now on each pedal stroke my skin was dragged across the chamois seam. With the other shorts the chamois doesn't slide relative to my skin, but the outer surface of the shorts is dragged back and forth across the rough surface of the embroidery and wears a hole in the fabric rather quickly.

I had the same thing with some Castellis. i had a warantee return, the next pair didn't fit at all - the legs were like an inch skinnier and 2 inches longer. went to a local shop and tried on 4 pairs of the same size/model, 3 were like that (skinny/long) and the 4th fit like the original pair.

hello? quality control? $139 shorts?

anyway, it sucks, but it's not just PI.