Gotte

I've been doing a bit of searching, trying to work out what combination of clothes to take on tour with me, and mainly, whether to take underwear or go just with padded shorts.
Last tour, I had some problems with underwear, though it was my own fault for taking the wrong type. Now, I'm not sure whether to go with proper cycling underwear or padded. Thing is, I've got a Brooks B-17, and in some of the posts I've read, I've read people advocating going padding free when on a Brooks.

Is that a common way of doing things, or not? I can see the principle, but have never really come across it as a common thing.

frpax

There are folks who advocate padding free regardless of saddle.

late

I use Boure Pro shorts. They came up with something that imitates what a classic leather chamois did. There is a soft clothlike top layer, and a very slippery middle layer.
The shorts and the top layer can move independently. It works well, but with shorts it's always a case of trying them and seeing what works for you. Their top of the line
short uses the same sort of pad most expensive shorts use; but I don't like it as much on my B17 as the Pro 'pad'.
https://www.boure.com/1100.html

Hmm, the colored shorts are new. I'd suggest avoiding them, especially the red.
The shape of some part of your anatomy can be clearly seen if you do...

twodeadpoets

I have Brooks saddles on all of my bikes and as mentioned on the earlier thread (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...19#post9628919), I wear padded wool shorts for tours and no pad for commuting.

Cyclebum

Only you can know if your rear can deal with a Brooks and no padding for a tour day or 60. Sure will be a lot simpler if you can. I can't. The padded lycra is a lot of hassle and the good stuff is expensive.

Bacciagalupe

I recommend you use actual cycling shorts, preferably bibs, regardless of what saddle you've got. The chamois is made to wick away sweat, which helps keep you comfortable and reduces bacterial growth, which in turn reduces the chances of getting saddle sores and irritation.

A leather saddle may impact your comfort as far as bumps and road buzz, but does nothing in terms of wicking.

If you don't like the tight lycra look, there are tons of baggy cycling shorts out there.

Machka 

I have a Brooks saddle ... and sometimes I ride in shorts with padding, and sometimes I ride in clothing without padding.

If I were going to ride a long distance (a century (162 km), for example), I'd ride in shorts with padding. But if I'm on a tour and my distance for the day was only 80 km, I might opt to ride in regular clothing.

Padded cycling shorts don't have to be expensive. I get mine from MEC for under $40.

christhehusker

Obviously, you'll have to try things and see what works for you, but I've found that since putting a B-17 on my bike, the most comfotable shorts are some of the cheapest ones I have! My favorites are a pair of lycra Nashbars that I saw on sale a while ago for $15. The padding is really just a piece of microfleece. I also like a pair of baggy Zoics that have a liner that is basically the same thing. I have several pairs of much nicer (spendier) shorts that I prefer on my road bike but the thinner ones are more comfortable on the Brooks, which isn't a bad thing!

classix

I commute 30-50km a day in normal clothes. In my case this is jeans and cotton boxer-briefs. I wear shirts, too. They're made of cotton and get hung on the line to air out when I arrive at work. If its cold, I wear a wool long sleeved shirt too. Maybe a raincoat, if its raining....never worn lycra, I hear about it a lot on this forum though. What's a chamois for....drying your car?

BigBlueToe

I love my B-17 (and my Champion Flyer) but don't see any reason to change what I wear on them. I wear padded, Lycra shorts, every ride.

gamecock

I ride an old Ideale (circa 1973). For centuries, or when I will be on the bike for long periods of time, 2+ hours at a stretch, I use bike shorts. I put the same saddle on my "city/touring" bike for trips around town, shopping, visiting, etc with either street clothes or for touring, synthetic exercise shorts and synthetic underwear with no padding because I will be on and off the bike every hour or so.

Speedo

I prefer lycra shorts with the thinnest synthetic chamois I can find. (edit Regardless of whether I am on the Brooks or not. /edit)

Speedo