Help Choosing Short . . .

[anasofia]

Hi, I've been riding for years either in regular clothes or with the one pair of padded short I own. Now i'm going on a 5 days 300 miles ride and I want to buy a couple things (maybe one or two shorts and shirts.) it's going to be hot and I want to be somewhat confortable. I started looking but I am COMPLETELY overwhelmed by the selection. the types of padding, etc, etc . . . I tend to go toward cheaper and/or style, but I thought I'd ask for advice in choosing (it's hard online when you don't get to try things on. I live in NYC maybe I should go try some stuff at a store.) What else would you ladies recommend I buy (I have a helmet of course. Should I get gloves? camelback?
ok that's all . . . thanks a milion

[SouthernBelle]

I would definitely go try on shorts since you should have lots of shops available. Get the gloves, good comfy sports bras, jerseys. You may also want to try chamois butt'r on a ride that long. If it will be hot, something to keep the sweat out of your eyes. Good sunglasses. Saddlebag with flat changing stuff.

[VeloVT]

Tell us more about your tour -- that sounds great!

You absolutely must try on shorts. There's really no other way to know if they will work for you. It seems like shorts are a lot like saddles -- everyone has a different preference. Unfortunately, spending more generally does get a better short. I found a great deal on Castelli Visio shorts recently and I really like them -- it's worth checking Nashbar/Performance for good deals on PI shorts (which most people either love or hate -- personally I'm sort indifferent about them). I find Shebeest SSS shorts very comfortable too.

Miscellaneous things that may be useful:
--arm warmers, for when the wind kicks up or it's chilly in the morning but warms up by noon

--a very lightweight and packable jacket and/or vest, like this:
https://shop.sunrisecyclery.com/item/14736/
http://www.rei.com/product/759783?preferredSku=7597830095&cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=D8F3358A-3C03-DD11-AA92-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA

--definitely gloves

--seat bag and flat-changing stuff, if you don't already have them...

good luck!

[OakLeaf]

+1 to trying on shorts. There's just no other way to know what fits, and unfortunately you do get what you pay for, for the most part. Do you like the one pair you have? Can you find the same or similar shorts?

Gloves are a must for safety as much as comfort. It doesn't take much road rash on your hands to put you totally out of commission.

As far as a hydration pack, that depends. If you've been riding for years, you know how much you need to drink to avoid getting dehydrated - will you be able to stop and refill your bottles often enough? Is it a supported tour?

+1 on arm and knee warmers, depending on what kind of weather you expect on your tour.

Cycling jerseys are nice, but not a complete necessity (as long as you have another way to carry your ID, phone, key, credit cards, etc. if you don't have pockets). A good technical fabric will wick sweat, help keep you cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather, hug your body for comfort and aerodynamics in riding position, and give you some (not much) protection in a fall by sliding rather than catching on the ground. But plenty of people ride in T-shirts or running tops.

[redrhodie]

I wasn't riding when I lived in NYC, but I used to get dance and yoga clothes at Paragon on B'way, and I remember them having a good cycling section. I just looked at their website, and they seem to carry a lot of brands, so that may be a good place to try stuff on. I bought my BF some Sugoi tights there 10 years ago, and I wore them myself this winter, and they were still perfect.

Better not to skimp with shorts, the cheapo ones don't last, so you end up spending more in the long run. You'll probably need 2 pairs. If it's going to be hot, I'd opt for 1 short sleeve and 1 sleeveless jersey, either a bolero or armwarmers, and a long sleeve base layer just in case it gets chilly.

Where are you heading? I'm feeling jealous already.

[Grog]

Oh, YES! Try them on!!

And, a reminder: bike shorts should be tight. Not loose. I know some are shy to appear immodest, but please make sure you get the smallest shorts you can squeeze yourself into. If they are loose, then the chammy starts moving around and pinching you in places you really don't want to be pinched! :eek:

Enjoy the tour (and tell us about it!)

[SouthernBelle]

I really would suggest jerseys for a tour because of the pockets. They have rear pockets for food, etc.

[Zen]

+1 on those jersey pockets.

What ride/tour is it?

[OakLeaf]

please make sure you get the smallest shorts you can squeeze yourself into

well, not exactly. Shorts should be snug, but the chamois shouldn't be stretched taut against the area it's supposed to protect. I have a pair of shorts that's too small (must've been dehydrated or something when I tried them on :rolleyes:) and they're VERY uncomfortable.

[Tokie]

Hey Anasofia! I rode from oregon to Jackson Hole wyoming last summer...and these bibs from TE were the ticket in hot weather http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18029 They are out of my size now or I would buy another pair. They fit like a glove, nice chamois, and are very very breathable and cool - and I don't do hot very well ... it was over 100 degrees on many long days! I also recommend the "arm coolers" by de soto that TE sells. Several other riders wore them too ... when they get sweaty, they really are cooler than bare skin, and they cut the sun a bit too. When I felt I was really baking my skin, I even wore the defeat brand arm coolers also sold her by TE - too hot for my arms, but I stretched them over my legs! With the black and white bibs, it was quite unique, but comfortable. by the way, I call these bibs my penquin shorts - the black and white panels are actually very flattering. The long-sleeved Terry reaction jersey (also sold on TE) rocks in hot weather - and I don't get a sunburn through it either, which is amazing. I have 3 of them, and wore them more than any other jersey on the tour. The only other advice I can offer is that the longer the shorts are, the less sunburned the tops of your legs will be! Have fun! Tokie

[lph]

I have 5 shorts, all different (hey! where did they all come from!), and the different types of padding don't really make much difference to me. I have one that's a favourite because of the padding, but they're all good enough, even though some are a bit sloppier than others, and one is really worn out. What does bug me on longer rides is the ones that have too tight elastic bottom hems. I like them on short training rides because they feel snug and "compressive" but they're irritating in the long run.

Bibs - I have 2 and am still not a total fan. I have had one bout of unexplicable stomach cramps on my road bike, which would have been better without two waist elastics (shorts+tights), but I've ridden many miles comfortably with just plain shorts. And it's a heckuva lot easier to go to the bathroom.

[jesvetmed]

LPH: I have always thought that about bibs.... how DO you manage the bathroom in them? Don't answer -- it's just hypothetical! But that is why I've never considered them. :p

[lph]

I'll answer anyway ;)

I don't know yet. 90% of my rides are 3 hours or less, and with a little forethought I can get away with not peeing for the duration. But when I wear bibs I do make sure I a) have a somewhat decent sports bra underneath and b) have a jersey with a full-length zipper, in case I need to go be discreet behind a bush.

To be quite honest, that little doohickey that keeps the straps of my PI bib together is the worst problem, when I've got all the rest wrestled off and am in a HURRY!

[Grog]

well, not exactly. Shorts should be snug, but the chamois shouldn't be stretched taut against the area it's supposed to protect. I have a pair of shorts that's too small (must've been dehydrated or something when I tried them on :rolleyes:) and they're VERY uncomfortable.

You're totally right... But I know from testimonies on this forum that a lot of newcomers to the cycling apparel section buy too-loose shorts and then feel uncomfortable... But of course one does not want to be squeezed!! Yet I have to wiggle to get in my most comfortable (once on the bike) shorts...

[Tokie]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee - in any kind of shorts, in a hurry! Scrunch the leg of your shorts up on one leg, about as high as you can get it. Pull the bunched up leg towards your midline to expose your perineum - right hand in the front of your body, left hand doing the same reaching around behind yourself. for successful peeing without getting your shorts wet, you need a pretty good squat and pee like you mean it! Once you get good at it, it is so much better than hanging your whole butt out! Worth trying, and by the way, bib shorts are super comfortable across your belly - don't let the peeing thing discourage you for trying them! Tokie

[Zen]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee...

For me, that sounds like a recipe for disaster:eek:

[GLC1968]

OK, I have to tell you how to pee - in any kind of shorts, in a hurry! Scrunch the leg of your shorts up on one leg, about as high as you can get it. Pull the bunched up leg towards your midline to expose your perineum - right hand in the front of your body, left hand doing the same reaching around behind yourself. for successful peeing without getting your shorts wet, you need a pretty good squat and pee like you mean it! Once you get good at it, it is so much better than hanging your whole butt out! Worth trying, and by the way, bib shorts are super comfortable across your belly - don't let the peeing thing discourage you for trying them! Tokie

OMG, you must have small legs! There is NO WAY I would have room to pull the elastic on my shorts far enough away from my legs to do this!!

I've never tried bibs because I have a super long torso and a narrow body (but big legs) and every time I've tried them on, they were super uncomfy. All the guys I used to ride with loved them...but most of them had no hips to hold up regular bike shorts either! ;)

Something else to remember about buying bike shorts - you don't necessarily want the thickest padding you can find. I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but like the saddle, often the thicker the padding, the more uncomfy the shorts may be over long rides.

[Tokie]

Well, my legs are about average. I actually couldn't do the pee trick wearing my Louis Garneau "power" shorts, which have a very long leg and high compression lycra. You just hike that short leg up good and as high as it will go, then yank it front and rear to the middle! And be sure that you are in a pretty deep squat, even if you're doing it over a toilet. It took a while for me to get it right. Best practiced at the end of a ride the first times, in case you do get your shorts a bit wet. But this skill is extremely handy in certain situations! Tokie

[lph]

I learn the most amazing things on this forum.

:D

[Grog]

I contemplated this problem as I put on my bike shorts this morning. All of my shorts are made of thick, high compression lycra, so there's no way that's going to be done.

I might consider this when I buy my next pair of shorts... but probably won't!! :eek:

[Ana]

I, too, am in the search for new shorts. Right now I have some gel Bellweather shorts (they are TIGHT but the waist really digs in and causes me much discomfort :(:(:() and 2 pairs of Canari gel Women's. I like the Canari but I think they're getting big as I'm slimming down :D (which is mostly a good thing). I would also really like to try some non-gel shorts but I went to my LBS and they just feel like little foam inserts...that would wear out very quickly....

So now I'm in the market for new shorts but I have no idea how to find them. Even if I try them on, would the bike store let me sit on a bike....?

Anyway, I have no idea what I'm looking for and I am willing to dish out the $50-$100 ($100 is waaaay out of my budget but I will if they're the right ones) for some good shorts.

My rides haven't been over 25 miles yet but I'm building up my endurance! So I don't need anything super professional (like pro racing saddles...which are too hard for me).

Any advice?

[Ana]

Okay, I'm pretty sure I'm threadjacking so I'll start my own :)

My apologies!:p