JoeOxfordCT

Ok....just got the Spring Performance Bicycle catalog.
It's been a long time since I bought cycling shorts. I used to ride a mtn bike w/slicks on the road. I never wore specialized padded riding shorts other than the one pair of insulated full length tights I use when riding in the winter, and even these aren't padded.

Performance seems to have the best selection of shorts, tights, bib shorts & tights, in all price ranges. They also carry Cannondale & Pearl Iszumi brands too.

I am looking to pick up 2 or 3 pairs of padded shorts or bib shorts. I don't want to break the bank but I don't want to have buyer's remorse either.

I also will pick up a couple jerseys too and 1 good windbreaker type jacket.

Can you please give me a couple of pointers on things to look for and/or avoid.....

Thanks,

J.

MacMan

It's a very personal thing, but .... I don't like Performance shorts/bibs. An excellent bang for the buck is the stuff Voler make - www.velowear.com.

PI are OK - but overpriced when compared to the other high $$ stuff by Castelli, Assos, etc. For me, the best fit is from Santini - and that's the crux of it. Someone will turn round and say that Performance stuff fits them perfectly. But I think there is a consensus here that Voler is a good place to try some quality but not "break-the-bank" shorts/bibs. They offer a free return survice whereby if the size is wrong, you simply return it and they ship out a different size at no cost.

LordOpie

Performance is great, cuz even if you try the shorts on a couple rides, they'll let you return 'em.

As for what to look for, I'm of the opinion that if you "need" lots of padding in your shorts, then you're on the wrong saddle and/or wrong fit. If you agree, then look for shorts with less padding. The only ones I know of that Performance carries that don't have a diaper is the Descente line. Yes, I have two pairs of the bibs. I prefer the chamois in the more expensive Descentes, but the shoulder straps on the cheaper ones.

as for jerseys, if you plan on riding any organized events this summer, maybe just buy the jerseys from the event. Won't cost you much more and it'll have some meaning to you?

MacMan

Another reason for me not to buy their stuff! LOL!

LordOpie

the returns go into the "flush" discount area, which sometimes is as much as 75% off! Still, I'd never wear another man's shorts/bibs and I'd never be with a woman if I could fit into hers

Barn

For those of you who prefer bibs to shorts, why do you prefer the bibs? What's better/different about them versus the shorts?

JoeOxfordCT

I've never had bib anything but I can understand their use now in helping to keep you from sharing your "plumbers crack" with other folks on the road
Is their any other advantage to bibs ???

MacMan

In a word: Comfort. I find the bibs to be far more comfortable. The most obvious difference being the lack of a waistband to cut into you. I like the straps and the whole bib seems to move with you in a better way than shorts do. It's got to the point where I can't even wear shorts on the trainer anymore.

Hey, Opie ... want my old shorts?

LordOpie

*shudders*

EDIT: ditto Mac's comments about bibs.

JoeOxfordCT

Well then back to my original question regarding shorts & bib shorts available @ Performance. Are there any particular lines they carry that you like or dislike & why ?? They do also carry Cannondale & Pearl Iszumi stuff too BTW.

LordOpie

As I mentioned above, big Descente fan.

I've tried the PI and Performance brands. I liked how the Performance fit more so than PI, but all of the ones that Performance carries from PI and their own seemed to have way too much padding.

I suggest driving around and looking at shorts in person.

EDIT: I now hate shorts, but before I tried bibs, I got some Primal shorts from Performance and I like them more than PI and Performance brands.

JoeOxfordCT

......and pay retail **********?
I like my LBS but their clothing & apparel prices are out of sight.......but I see your point about trying on stuff before forking over $$$

taimaixu

newb question:
You dont wear underwear when wearing shorts/bibs right?

LordOpie

Correct.

Two exceptions:
1. You're a woman at that time of the month. I'm not, so I'm just passing along what I've heard.
2. You want a visit from the Underwear Nazi. It's like the "bat signal" to him

my58vw

Ditto on bibs...

I relize that the clothing is more expensive... I just destroyed a pair of PI ultrasensor bibs thanks to a very inconsiderate driver (read thread in general cycling) and the replacement cost is something like 100 dollars. I have lost two pairs of shorts this year to car related crashes and it is breaking the bank. Since I went to bibs I would never go to shorts again...

Since I am tall bibs do not expose certain areas of my rear region in the drops...

Another pair of shorts for the trainer... with a 3 inch round hole in the leg!

JoeOxfordCT

....the Underwear Nazi **********
Please explain this most unfortunate development..

jlin453

What about Nashbar shorts?

2manybikes

Just like all superheroes he'll find you in times of need.

Start a thread that says you are wearing underpants under shorts.

pjbaz

He's a guy on the board who goes ballistic about people wearing underwear under their shorts.

I know it's a drive but Pedal Power in Middletown is doing 25% off their winter apparel. I just bought a Biemme long sleeve jersey/windbreaker/short sleeve jersey dealie for $75. It's cool- It's windbreaker with thin fleece type lining with zipoff sleeves. When you zip off the sleeves it has short sleeves underneath. It's like having three different garments in one.

PJ

Pedal Wench

Without getting into too much detail, why? What do undies have to do with that?

2manybikes

And has a web sight selling clothing with his motto. There may be more. ?

pjbaz

I'm going to google that site now...I didn;t know about that. I can't wait to see what he's got posted there. Hopefully, there aren't close-up pix...unless it's the ladies of course.

PJ

2manybikes

It was kind of more fun as a totall newbie, to learn the old fashion way, instead of having someone just tell me.

JoeOxfordCT

Well that's news to me too....my roadie newbie-ness is showing
Whereabouts in New England do you hail from ?

Bolo Grubb

The thing to do is go to your local bikes to try on shorts and bibs to get an idea on sizes, fit and confort.

You will also get to feel a bit of the difference between shorts and bibs.

Different brands fit differently. You may be a large in one brand and an x-large in another.

Personaly I like performance Ultra bibs, but I do not like perfomance Elite. There are only minor differences between the two but for I like the ultra.

I like my bellwether Elite 8 bibs better though. I also have a pair of bergamo bibs that I like alot but I got those at a bike expo on sale.

So far those are the only brands I have tried. I am lucky enough to have both a suprgo and a Performance store in my area. and several other bike stores as well, so it is easy for me to try on several different brands.