shorts and sleeveless jerseys

[kgorrell]

I'm having trouble finding another pair of road shorts that I like. I've tried several pairs and am having a hard time finding something that fits me and is comfortable. I'm 5'2 and about 106 lbs. So far, the shebeest triple S are the most comfortable shorts I have tried but I would like to purchase a higher end road short for longer rides. I like the fact that the shebeest are shorter and would like to find something with a comparable inseam.

Also, does it take some time to get used to the road shorts that have a higher waist in the back? I have tried several shorts that come up quite a bit further than the triple S and it feels uncomfortable and I don't know if that is something I would get used to after a few rides. The shorts I have tried so far and didn't like were the Sugio RS Short (too long), Louis Garneau Zone 8 (too short), and the Giordana Laser Short (I think I would have like these but the sizing chart was wrong and I ordered the wrong size so they were way too big).

I am also trying to find another sleeveless jersey to order. I recently bought the Sugio RS sleeveless jersey which I love and was hoping to find another jersey that is comparable in material. Any thoughts on Castelli jerseys?

Sorry for all the information but I'm relatively new to cycling and I'm having trouble finding clothing I like. I've been wearing the stuff I bought when I first started riding and now that I'm riding a lot I would like to get some nicer things.

Thanks

[KathiCville]

Good luck on your search for the perfect short---you'll find loads of informed opinions here!

On the sleeveless jersey front, I prefer jerseys that don't have the traditional fitted elastic band at the bottom. So most of my tops are generally fitted through the body, but end in a somewhat relaxed (or at least not tight) hemline. The sleeveless models I reach for most frequently are my Terry Sun Goddess, Terry Singletrack Tank, Shebeest S-Curve sleeveless jerseys, and Terry sleeveless Mandarin. Sheila Moon has some great scoopneck tanks with matching boleros--a combo I love.

The one Castelli jersey I own is very nice fabricwise, but it has the typical tight elastic at the bottom, so it isn't one of my favorites.

I splurged on 3 Etxe Ondo jerseys on Sierra Trading Post a few months back when they were at a 'deep' discount---one is sleeveless. The fabric is absolutely wonderful, but it has the bottom elastic too. I wear it anyway because the feel overall is so nice that I don't mind the fitted band as much as I would on other less well-made jerseys.:) Ditto the two short-sleeved Etxe Ondo jerseys I have!

Good luck! Be sure to check out all the wares here in the TE store---great stuff and the staff is fabulous about answering questions about fit.

[Blueberry]

I'm curious - why don't you think the triple S shorts will work for longer rides? I have ridden them on 80+ mile rides, and not had a problem. Just curious:o

[ny biker]

I have a couple of pairs of the Shebeest Ultra D short that I bought last year and I love them:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25749

The inseam is longer than the Triple S short, so I don't know if this is what you're looking for. But I find them to be comfortable and I like the mesh panel on the back.

For sleeveless jerseys I like the Shebeest Easy-V because it fits well and is comfortable. But it doesn't have any mesh panels like the Sugoi RS does, if you're looking for that.

[kgorrell]

To CA_in_NC,


It's not that I have any problems with the Shebeest triple S on longer rides (because I have ridden 80+ miles in them as well and they have been fine). I am just interested in finding a short with a little more breathability (in the material) and maybe a denser padding in the chamois. I love my triple S though and if I don't have any luck with any other shorts, I will just purchase several pairs of them because they seem to work for me.

Thanks.

[ehirsch83]

Look the the LG shorts with the air gel chamois and mutliple leg paneling. The really good ones don't have elastic on the bottom. The compression from them is amazing!

[michelem]

kgorrell,

I'm around your size and I find the Shebeest Ultra D's great for centuries. However, as KathiCville mentioned, there is a mesh panel in back -- DON'T FORGET TO APPLY SUNSCREEN OR WEAR AN SPF TOP THAT COVERS THAT PORTION OF YOUR BOD!!! :eek: I wear SPF full-length tights over mine, so haven't had the sunburn problem, but I've heard of others who have . . . :eek:

Sorry, I can't help you on the sleevless jersey thing . . . I wear long-sleeve SPF 50 jerseys year-round.

[Aggie_Ama]

I personally love bibs and you never have to worry about the rise. Yes, they are a pain in the butt when I have to pee but oh so comfy!! And they are easy to get off in the summer with sleeveless jerseys, just pull the straps out the arm hole like removing a bra from under a shirt. My favorites are some Exte Ondo ones I got off Sierra Trading Post. The fabric disappears, I feel naked yet it supports the legs. I only like a custom sleeveless jersey I have, so no help there.

[pranachick]

I LOVE the Descente Bliss shorts (7" inseam). I also have the Sugoi RS...but I agree they are a bit too long. The Bliss (I have the regular and the splice) have no elastic in the waistband or the legs. I've done two 75-mile rides in them and will do a century this weekend.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=11915

I'm not familiar with the Sugoi jersey, but just bought the Honey Wheat Beehive sleeveless jersey from Performance Bike (it's a Primal Wear jersey) on sale for $50. I've had difficulty finding 3-pockets in sleeveless and halters, so I jumped on this deal.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25068&subcategory_ID=1212

[kgorrell]

Thank you for all your suggestions and helpful information.

Pranachick: Have you tried the Shebeest Triple S and if so, how do they compare to the Descente Bliss Shorts? I like the fact that they don't have the elastic at the waist or the leg but I was wondering was the chamois was like. Thanks again for the helpful information.

[pranachick]

Pranachick: Have you tried the Shebeest Triple S and if so, how do they compare to the Descente Bliss Shorts? I like the fact that they don't have the elastic at the waist or the leg but I was wondering was the chamois was like. Thanks again for the helpful information.

I had to pick up my race packet at LBS this afternoon and was actually looking for the Shebeest Triple S (you peaked my curiosity from your previous post). The LBS only sells PI and Sugoi shorts, which I find odd since they sell Shebeest jerseys. So unfortunately, I can't compare. The chamois in the Bliss are thin (not as thin as a tri short) yet really soft. On rides over 70 miles the thicker chamois starts to irritate the inside of my thighs. Good luck...having your "bum" happy is a HUGE priority.

[kgorrell]

Pranachick,

Do the Descente Bliss shorts run true to size? Have you tried the Bliss with the 6.5" inseam?

Thanks.

Good luck in your race this weekend!

[pranachick]

Pranachick,

Do the Descente Bliss shorts run true to size? Have you tried the Bliss with the 6.5" inseam?

Thanks.

Good luck in your race this weekend!

kgorrel - I have the small. I ordered according to the Descente sizing chart. It actually worked. My waist is 26.5 and hips 37. I just rode 106 miles in them today and everything down there is feeling good...no chafing, no saddle sores, no sore sits bones. I currently have the pink splice and just ordered the black a few days ago.

BTW - I am on a quest. I am still in search of the Shebbest Triple S...can't find them anywhere in Albuquerque. I'm in Santa Fe next week for work so I going to chekc out two bike shops there to see if they have them.

[kgorrell]

kgorrel - I have the small. I ordered according to the Descente sizing chart. It actually worked. My waist is 26.5 and hips 37. I just rode 106 miles in them today and everything down there is feeling good...no chafing, no saddle sores, no sore sits bones. I currently have the pink splice and just ordered the black a few days ago.

BTW - I am on a quest. I am still in search of the Shebbest Triple S...can't find them anywhere in Albuquerque. I'm in Santa Fe next week for work so I going to chekc out two bike shops there to see if they have them.

Thanks for the help. If you can find the Triple S shorts, you should check them out. I have found them to be really comfortable.

[Skierchickie]

Wow - shorts heaven! After reading here, and finding something like 53 reviews on Sierra Trading post of the Shebeest Triple S shorts, I took the plunge and ordered a pair from TE. I got them last Saturday, and I've worn them for every ride but one since then. That one day - not as good.

My old PIs, well, never wonderful. Those were my first "good" bike shorts (after years of cheapo ones that just weren't right). To diapery, and in my recent saddle search I kept finding the seams in the back. Not terrible, but not great

I got a pair of Descente Aero X last summer - I wanted a really good pair for once. It ain't those! Love the shorter length, love the fit, the chamois feels like wimpy cardboard. Wimpy for cardboard - stiff and unforgiving for shorts. Once in a while I try them again, thinking it's just me.

Then, later last summer, I thought maybe I had a winner. Nike Team. But the chamois that was about right in the actual chamois area was way to thick along the outside (the sort of "wings" that they have that on the SSSs is just a layer of elastic-ey fabric is as thick as the chamois itself on the Nikes. The whole thing is about the same thickness. Not terrible, but not right - and too long.

My DH got some Craft Master bibs last summer, and never wears anything else now (okay, you know what I mean). They are light, stretchy, and the chamois is really stretchy - that was what I was looking for.

My only (and I mean only) reservation about the SSSs is how low they are in front. Fine for biking, not as good for walking around, at least when you are 42 and have a long torso - nobody needs to see my navel, let alone the 2 or 3 inches below it.:rolleyes: Maybe more of a jersey issue, I suppose.

Anyway, I love, love, love these shorts. I'm not 100% discomfort-free from my saddle, but far better than ever before. The day I wore the Nikes last week I had more front discomfort, as well as sit bone discomfort. I really think the stretchy chamois is the ticket.

[jennrod12]

Another vote for the Shebeast Ultra-D from me. (I have not tried the SSS, but I prefer a longer short.) I like the mesh back, and I love that no matter how much I sweat, I never feel like I have a wet, sweaty bum. I don't know how they do it, because the shorts actually do get very wet and when I wash them and hang them out on the line to dry, they take FOREVER to dry. I guess they just pass the moisture away from the body.

Jenn

[sundial]

I lucked into a pair of PI bibs with the 3 D Pro chamois and gripper free legs. It's the most comfie thing in my closet.

[arielmoon]

First post!! Woo hoo!

I am so thrilled I found this forum and this thread. I need new shorts (not too long) and jerseys (I love tank style tops with built in shelf bras).

I have 2 pairs of PI (short short & attack) and they seem to be fine (I need a new saddle but that is another story)... but I am new to all this and they are the only ones I have. I am riding 5 days a week now and it would be great to be able to go a few days without having to do a load of laundry!! The Shebeest Ultra D looks awesome if a little long for what I think I like but they may be something to get for the century rides I am working up to in Sept and Oct. Based on the comments here I think I may try the Decente Bliss and the triple S in the meantime. I wear a S in PI but it looks like I would be a M in the Shebeest.

Thanks!

[indysteel]

Looking at your specifications, I wonder if Giordana Forma's might work for you. http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25981

TE indicates to order a size smaller than you normally wear.

I wear the Sugoi RS (which I also think runs big) and Gore Ozon. If you think the RS was to long, you'll probably think the Ozon is, too. For better or worse, most of the high end shorts (although not all) come with a longer inseam.

As for jerseys, I'm partial to Terry and Shebeest for fit and quality. Castelli, while good looking, generally has what is often described as racer or athletic fit. I generally prefer a more relaxed cut, although I love Terry's Euro halter. That's my top of choice for summer.