Pearl Izumi Shorts, Too much padding?
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Pearl Izumi Shorts, Too much padding?
I am getting another pair of bike shorts and was looking at Pearl Izumi shorts, mainly because they are easy to find. The higher end, micro ultra super (or whatever it is), shorts have a massive, thick pad in them. Have they gone too far?
It is clearly possible with saddles to be too soft and things start getting uncomfortable real fast. My suspicion with these shorts is they put in the massive pad so people would buy it based on the more is better theory. A similar trend to the one for saddles a few years ago with huge saddles crammed with gel and feel great when you squeeze them with your finger.
If you feel so compelled make a suggestion for shorts I should check out with a more appropriate amount of padding.
It is clearly possible with saddles to be too soft and things start getting uncomfortable real fast. My suspicion with these shorts is they put in the massive pad so people would buy it based on the more is better theory. A similar trend to the one for saddles a few years ago with huge saddles crammed with gel and feel great when you squeeze them with your finger.
If you feel so compelled make a suggestion for shorts I should check out with a more appropriate amount of padding.
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Pearl Izumi now has four differnt pads for different types of riding. If you have Ultra Sensor shorts, the pad is for long distance rides is is designed.
I used to but shorts with minimal padding and rode with Italia Selle saddles. I switched saddles on two bikes to fiziks and find I get "hot" spots and the beginning of saddle sores unless I ride with Pearl Izumi shorts.
I used to but shorts with minimal padding and rode with Italia Selle saddles. I switched saddles on two bikes to fiziks and find I get "hot" spots and the beginning of saddle sores unless I ride with Pearl Izumi shorts.
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I have those, use them with the Specialized Avatar saddle that came with my Specialized Roubaix Elite, so probably not the best saddle, and I think it feels fine.
#4
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I bought the "Attack" shorts, and feel like throwing them out! The "3D" pad is way too thick, and hurts my junk more than any other shorts! I have 10-year old Nashbar shorts with nice synthetic chamois - way better!
YMMV, of course.
YMMV, of course.
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Yeah, I've found that my most comfortable shorts are also some of my thin-padded, old-school Century shorts from Performance. Simple and effective. A lot of the newer shorts with "anatomical" stitched pads make hot spots on me much more often.
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Yup! I'm with ya! I have to order some more "old school" shorts using a handy discount coupon of course.
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Ive got the ultrasensor pearl bibs - i dont find the chamois too thick, infact i think its much better shaped than other chamois ive tried - this does mean that i have to make sure everything is properly positioned down below before i start riding.
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The pads in my microsensor bibs seem to be about right. Not too thin, but not too thick.
#9
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I love the padding in my microsensors, riding a Toupe Team saddle that has next to no padding. My only gripe is the bibs are a bit too small. But that was my fault for listening to the guy at the bike shop and not trying them on.
#11
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My favorite shorts are PI UltraSensor with the 3D pad. It has a thin dense foam pad and it works for me with my Fizik Arione saddle. Done many 100+ milers with no problem.
I'm not real fond of my team kit Voler shorts or knickers the pad is thick soft foam.
Guess that's why there's so many kinds of pads for the many kinds of seats.
jw
I'm not real fond of my team kit Voler shorts or knickers the pad is thick soft foam.
Guess that's why there's so many kinds of pads for the many kinds of seats.
jw
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I like the ultrasensor pad, but the attack is horrible, IMHO.
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i think it really depends on your saddle. before i used to do the whole gel saddle thing with cheap performance $20 shorts. now that i wear voler bibs with the ion sl pad (team thing), its a lot more comfortable on a rock hard saddle like the san marco aspide
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I recently saw some Assos Mille shorts with padding as thick as a diaper. There were 2 thicknesses, for over 2-3 hrs and under. Honestly couldn't tell the diff.
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I think the top level ultrasensor shorts have the "pro" 3D pad which is actually thinner than the "elite" or "touring" 3D pads in the lower level PI shorts. So if you want less padding that might work for you.
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Wow! I've had the same experience. My boys take a real beating with these shorts. I try wearing them, but they hurt too much. And I am constantly having to push the pad down.