[Tank69]

OK, I spend $50 on a pair of bicycle shorts today, the ones with Lycra, a gel pad and the ones that don't let the SACK SWEAT! So I throw them on and put on the Phoenix pants, it was 112 out when we left, they fit great now!! So, after 120 miles, my ass did not hurt one bit! The shorts stayed right where they were supposed to and I didn't even get any chaffing on the legs like I did the last time I wore them. I am going to do 200-300 miles tomorrow. If I am 1/2 as comfortable tomorrow as I was today, i'll be THRILLED!

By far, the best $50.00 I have ever spent. Still thinking about a Sargent seat, but we'll see how the shorts work out another month or two.

[Mattress]

I've got a set for dirtbiking, I agree they work great....but TMI

[JPMkicksass]

TMI?

[Skully]

I was looking at a pair a few weeks ago. I thought the pad seemed kinda narrow to make much of a difference. How wide is the pad in yours?

[CanyonCarver]

JPMkicksass : TMI?

Too Much Info, I believe.

I've gone through a couple pair of the padded bicycle shorts over the years. *I first tried them about 5 years ago, figuring that if they help bicyclists tolerate those tiny little seats (that always feel like riding a 2x4 on edge to me), they should work good for the bike. *The last pair I bought, I went for the double-throw-down $120 pair and haven't regretted it one bit. *The extra money gets you better fit, better padding and better cooling. *And best of all, they don't leave you numb in a VERY important area after a long ride. *Very comfortable under the leathers, too.

[Jay]

I've been riding Mtbikes for years and have had my cycling shorts pull double duty too. They work pretty well I think.

[Bacchus]

Definitely the way to go. Also, if you're wearing a one-piece suit, try a bicycling jersey too - not bulky at all, and makes getting the leathers off much easier if you're sweaty .

[Az929RR]

Tank,

I have several dozen pairs of bike shorts, more than I know what to do with. I would have given you a pair.

[BushrodW]

CanyonCarver : Quote (JPMkicksass @ June 28 2003, 4:10am)TMI?

Too Much Info, I believe.

:
Is there such a thing as too much information?

Anyway...the more expensive bike shorts are made from more panels of lycra. Cheap shorts are usually 4 panel and not very comfy. The best are 8 panel. I wear top-o-line Pearl Izumi 8 panel 'bibbed' (built-in suspenders) shorts and I absolutely love them. The absence of a gripper waistband is a major comfort factor to me. Only my $0.02 worth.

OMMV.

Bush

[bwhip]

Yeah, my Pearl Izumis along with the Sargent seat almost make the 'Blade feel like a touring bike! Well, maybe not quite that, but I'm happy to report that my crotch is most appreciative! (Is that TMI?)

[spillover]

CanyonCarver : The last pair I bought, I went for the double-throw-down $120 pair and haven't regretted it one bit. The extra money gets you better fit, better padding and better cooling.

Did you get the shorts by Assos (no pun intended, it's an Italian company, I think)? I wear bibs, also, since they are more comfortable for people who are a little thick in the middle.

The important things about the chamois (usually a leather pad in the crotch of the bike shorts):

They are put together so that you don't have any seams tearing at your tender parts. (There are seams, but you shouldn't feel them).

They should stay put when you are moving around on the saddle (again, so it is rubbing the saddle, not your cajones). So you should get shorts that are tight against your skin, not baggy.

It's not really a pad, per se, so much as big, removable callus.

EDIT: Removed gratuitous gay comment about lycra. Decided it was in poor taste since I put 8k miles a year on a bicycle (one time as many as 14k miles) and probably own more lycra gear than anyone in San Francisco...

[CanyonCarver]

spillover : Quote (CanyonCarver @ June 28 2003, 9:33am)The last pair I bought, I went for the double-throw-down $120 pair and haven't regretted it one bit. *The extra money gets you better fit, better padding and better cooling.

Did you get the shorts by Assos (no pun intended, it's an Italian company, I think)?
The shorts I have now are made by Louis Garneau. I don't know much at all about bicycles or anything to do with them, but I've been told that the shorts are a quality pair. (Not just by the salesman, though. ) I just know they are much better than the last couple pair I've owned.

[thrl-skr]

Jay : I've been riding Mtbikes for years and have had my cycling shorts pull double duty too. They work pretty well I think.

Same here.

[Tank69]

The ones I bought were TRICO.

After a 200+ and 300+ miler Fri & Sat, I felt great!

[nedro]

Well, After reading about all of the assets of wearing bicycle shorts, I decided to give these a try. I figured if I like them I'll splurge for a real pair.

[Denny]

Yep. I have $25 pair. They work great. I think the fact that there are no seams or material to bunch up is just as important as the padding.

[Joel]

I have a cheap pair of cycle shorts I picked up at Big 5. I won't ride more than a hundred miles or so without them.

They worked great on my 1084 mile day, but I still hurt near the end.

[nedro]

O.K., I have to ask cause I just got a pair. Are you supposed to go commando or wear underwear?

[luvtolean]

Commando, or the seams will get ya.

Jay, you need padding with that 'couch' of a bike you ride?

[HondaGal]

Where are the pictures guys?

[ConqSoft]

I got mine from a place Warchild recommended. Really makes a difference on those long rides. (Especially on hot days when cotton undies with seams + sweat don't mix well.) Mine has the 'Roo Fly' up front, which was interesting to get used to. Very functional though.

[ConqSoft]

HondaGal : Where are the pictures guys? *

Hmm. I'll show you mine if.....

[spillover]

Gratuitous photo op... pic of me trying to work out the saddle height on my track bike at a friend's house. For the money, I probably wouldn't recommend the Castelli shorts. Comfortable shorts that satisfy the conditions that I mentioned previously are what matters. The high zoot stuff wicks sweat better, but if you are stuffed into your leathers that doesn't do much for you.

As an aside, if you know anybody who could take my frame and strip off the clear coat and stickers without damaging the aluminum, I am interested in dropping some red and some blue into the paint scheme.

EDIT: Besides my Castellis, I have shorts by Voler and Verge. By far, I prefer the Voler's. The lycra is a little heavier and the waist comes a little higher. The higher waist is a little more comfortable for people like me who are plush in the middle and I find that the heavier fabric just feels better to me.

[HondaGal]

Nice legs!!!!

[Denny]

luvtolean : Commando, or the seams will get ya.

Jay, you need padding with that 'couch' of a bike you ride?

I agree. No seams or bunched up material is key. Smooth is good.

[RacerCutie]

HondaGal : *Nice legs!!!! * *

Serious!
Now how about from all angles.

I bought a pair (can't remember the name) and they were very comfy. Padded where it's needed too! Easy to slip leathers off and on.

[ConqSoft]

RacerCutie : Quote (HondaGal @ July 10 2003, 4:34pm) *Nice legs!!!! * *

Serious!
Now how about from all angles.

I bought a pair (can't remember the name) and they were very comfy. Padded where it's needed too! Easy to slip leathers off and on.
Where are your pics then?

[RacerCutie]

ConqSoft : Where are your pics then?

Right here:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/images/p...I-L0460010.jpg

[sportbiker929]

racercutie & hondagal, maybe a little CHICKEN...Bok...Bok

[HondaGal]

Well, being that you guys started this thread it's only fair that you guys 'pony up'. Right gals???