Wool Bike Shorts

[Micki Rider]

I ride in a dry, hot climate most of the year. Does anyone ride in wool knickers these days? I found some padded, women's cycling shorts made by Ibex. It seems like these would be more ventillating than spandex. Any clues or tips on these?

[Eden]

First time I've ever heard of Bellevue, WA being described as dry and hot ;)
I found a couple of other sources
http://www.vintagevelos.com/woolistic-shorts1.html
http://www.longscycle.com/webstore/ProductDetails1.asp?ProductID=515&VisID=

but I find my spandex shorts to be comfy enough, not overly hot,and I like bike shorts to be quite tight (they need to be able to keep my leg warmers up and not ride up at all) and I'm not sure wool could ever be like that - not to mention its easy to stretch/shrink it.

[mimitabby]

i wear Ibex wool knickers and they are great. I have never ridden in a hot dry climate though.
what we run into a lot is during a long ride, it will be in the 40's to start and then warm up throughout the day. Since knees are rather delicate
it's nice to keep them covered up during the colder hours so the knickers come in handy.

[nicole309]

I have a pair of IBEX shorts which are very comfy for shorter rides, but I find that they get really hot for longer rides. There seems to be a lot of padding and it doesn't seem to breathe all that well. They were great with leg warmers when it was colder here in Washington.

[Micki Rider]

Hey, HI, and you're absolutely correct about Bellevue, Eden! The other place I ride is in Chelan, WA and it bakes there in the Summer from morning until night. I'd ride with a parsol if I could. :)

I love wool socks so much I thought there must be something good about wool bike shorts that'd keep me cool like the socks do. Maybe I'll look for a lighter color bike short - blue, red, whatever - anything other than heat-seeking black.

[mimitabby]

yeah, that makes sense. beige bike shorts? :cool:
the fact is we get grease on them.

[ehirsch83]

Maybe I'll look for a lighter color bike short - blue, red, whatever - anything other than heat-seeking black.

I ride in the hot humid south fl, and I find that the color of your shorts don't matter.
I have light blue ones and the traditional black ones, I don't feel any difference!
And I actually prefer the black ones, because with the light color- when you sweat it makes you look like you pee'd your pants! hehe

[Micki Rider]

Of course! Duh on my part - grease IS the reason they make shorts black ... which is the only thing about my get up I have coordinated!

I'll go read the other strings on bike shorts here as well as Eden's web links for woolies.

Thanks for your advice! :)

[Eden]

The other place I ride is in Chelan, WA and it bakes there in the Summer from morning until night.

I'll be over that way for the Wentatchee stage race next weekend - I'm looking forward to a bit of sun and warmth, better remember to pack my sunscreen.

[KnottedYet]

I have wool Ibex knickers, too. I haven't been too hot in them yet, but I stay on this side of the mountains...

[Eden]

Of course! Duh on my part - grease IS the reason they make shorts black ... which is the only thing about my get up I have coordinated!

I'll go read the other strings on bike shorts here as well as Eden's web links for woolies.

Thanks for your advice! :)

Of course there are *other* reasons why cycling shorts should be black that have been previously discussed here....
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6183&highlight=black

FYI - this is a link that you may not want to click on if you are at work or some other public place.....

[Micki Rider]

Oooh, Eden. That is too funny. That should be in the Equipment section!

Mic