Best Century Short and Why ?
 

Looking for cycling short/bib recommendations for century rides and longer. What works best for you and why ? I like Pearl Izumi Elites for my longer rides over anything else I've tried, but I certainly haven't tried them all. What is your go to short/bib for long rides ? Assume cost is not an issue. Sometimes comfort cost more.

P.S. Post has been edited for clarity and simplicity.

No one can really answer this for you. Like saddles, it's a personal fit/preference issue.

That said, you could try Assos, if you're not looking for cheap.

Go with bib shorts. I resisted for far too long. I personally prefer Garneau's Mondo Evo for long rides.

+1 on the bibs. I don't find a huge difference in the name brands, except for in sizing. They all seem to work fine for me.

I'm pretty happy with my Assos bibs. Second choice would be my Hammer bibs.

I love my Pactimo Summit bibs for long rides.

I picked up some Hincapies this winter from Chainlove that are pretty comfy.

The Volers that Hammer sells are good too.

I don't think that I'd pick a century as a time to experiment.

Changing anything on you or the bike a day before a century is not a good idea.

I have an expensive pair of shorts with lots of panels and a space-age chamois. They are great for rides of 40 miles or less. Longer than that, and they aren't so great. I have a cheaper pair of shorts with fewer panels and a thinner, less technologically advanced chamois, and they are the "go-to" shorts for a century. Get a couple of pairs of shorts, bibs, or whatever of different designs. If one or both will go 50 or 60 miles without damage to your derriere, you have the answer.

I like my Raphas. But my Castellis and Gores work fine too, it's not until I get over 300kms that I start getting picky.

Not riding a century anytime soon, guys. Just a hypothetical question seeking good advice on shorts for long rides. And I agree bibs are more comfortable, but which ones for you ?

Well that was a stupid way to phrase it, then.

Try stuff - it's all you can do. Some people like thick and dense, I like thin and pliable, some people like something in between. If you're finding yourself unhappy with all of the above, you might want to think about looking at new saddles.

My current faves are the Hammer shorts made by Voler. I like those PIs, too. Done many a double and up on PIs.

If you like the Elites then upgrade to the P.R.O. They are similar but better. More compression, thinner/denser pad. I've only tried a few others (Performance, Hincapie, Ibex, Canari (crap)) but so far these are the best IMO. Would love to try some fancy stuff some day.

EDIT: +1 on bibs

We have had Hincapie for the last few seasons and I have been very pleased. Nice firm pad and no elastic grippers on the legs. Of course, YMMV.

These were the only ones that actually hurt to use. 20 miles in and I couldn't wait to get home. Felt like I was sitting on a pipe.

Thank you, WhyFi. You know what they say, right. Keep your mouth shut and let people think you are "stupid" rather than opening it and removing all doubt.

Maybe I should have just asked what your go to short is for century rides ? But it's clear most knew what I am asking.

Yeah. That's the thing. It's very personal.

Not sure why thinner is better, but many seem to feel that way. Hasn't been my experience on 50 mile plus rides. But you are right. I may like them if I tried them. Hear great things about them.

Any Sugoi RSE users ?

I like my Hincapie stuff (have to they paid for it)
We switched to Sugoi but I am not racing so I didn't get me care package and can't comment on it.

Small sample size shows 25% of the respondents took your statement literally and 75% didn't read close enough. Yes, next time just ask for preferences instead of adding a pressing timeline for no reason.

Very subjective and personal. That said, I bought some Assos Mille bibs last season and now I won't wear anything butt...

I have a pair but I think they're just OK. Not particularly compressive, chamois is fine but not great & I think the legs are too short (for me.) I don't want to look like a chick in tri shorts.

Anyway, Giordana lasers are my current favorite (and I have a pair of their FormaRed shorts too) Very compressive & a good pad.

I have PI pro shorts (not bibs) and I have had chafing issues on occasion, but if I take care to adjust everything in there, they're nice shorts with good support.

Because it's for moisture management and to move with you to prevent chaffing. It's not supposed to be padding. You sit on your sit bones. If you have a thick, soft pad then as you sink into it you add pressure to places you don't want pressure. YMMV.

Honestly, I have cheap shorts (Pearl Izumi Quest) and expensive Specialized, Louis Garneau, and Endura. I go to the Quests for the simple reason that they stay put. When I'm tired, the last thing I want is slippage in the crotch that catches the saddle when you transition from standing to seated.

I agree with this last comment. What I want most are shorts that keep everything supported and in tact. And I hate when the shorts catch on to the seat. The most recent bibs I bought are Louis Garneau and they were relatively cheap. The chamois is thin and a bit stiff. But I like this better than ones I have with larger pads that are bulky and don't tightly embrace the male parts.