Sausage legs!!!

[BeckaG]

I have thick legs but I'm not plus size at all.....I have one pair of Sugoi shorts (I'm a new cyclist) and I'd really like to know if cycling shorts exist that don't squeeze your thigh and give you that disgusting sausage casing leg?? Or if I should just resign to the fact that I have to compromise looking good on my bike for a nice chamois...:confused:

Please help!!!

[SadieKate]

Call TE. They know which shorts are tight/loose in the legs. They're very good about checking the fit of shorts.

And welcome to the forum.

[indysteel]

I have thick legs but I'm not plus size at all.....I have one pair of Sugoi shorts (I'm a new cyclist) and I'd really like to know if cycling shorts exist that don't squeeze your thigh and give you that disgusting sausage casing leg?? Or if I should just resign to the fact that I have to compromise looking good on my bike for a nice chamois...:confused:

Please help!!!

Which Sugoi shorts do you have? Their Evolution short it more flattering than some. For me, longer is better for avoiding the sausage casing look. But, yes, a certain degree of resignation (and denial) is often required.

[BeckaG]

Okay.. thanks!!

[BeckaG]

not sure which ones they are... they were a gift.

[ny biker]

I've also found that longer shorts look better than shorter ones. Also shorts made with compressing fabric look better on me, as do shorts that do not have a leg gripper. The LG Neo Power shorts are an example of all three. They also come in a shorter length which many women with shorter legs prefer.

[tulip]

Craft shorts have a wide leg hem/band.

[BeckaG]

Is the leg ripper the silicone type stuff on the bottom of the hem that's squeezing me into a sausage? ...I'm very new to cycling. Obvi. :)

[Owlie]

I gave up, to be honest. My Pearl Izumi shorts don't give me sausage leg (much). Primal's do. My Castellis are probably the most flattering shorts I own...but they are also the least comfortable.

[Crankin]

The most flattering shorts I have are the Terry Bellas. Longer and very compressive.
Not cheap, but no sausage leg.

[nscrbug]

+1 on the Terry Bella short. I have 2 pairs and find myself reaching for these, more and more.

[zoom-zoom]

The best shorts that have worked for me and don't cause this issue have been the PI Symphony and Gore Oxygen. The Gore chamois(s) is the best I've found (I like the chamois in the Oxygen as well as the one in the cheaper Power models), so I'm pretty much sold on sticking with that brand.

I tried a few shorts without grippers and liked the shorts' fit and found them flattering, but never found one with a chamois that worked for me.

[OakLeaf]

I've been wearing cycling shorts so long that the look doesn't even bother me, but there are skorts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skorts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c127-atsport_01.html) (which I tend not to like just because the inner shorts are very short), and light overskirts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skirts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c28-atsport_01.html), too.

[goldfinch]

I've been wearing cycling shorts so long that the look doesn't even bother me, but there are skorts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skorts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c127-atsport_01.html) (which I tend not to like just because the inner shorts are very short), and light overskirts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skirts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c28-atsport_01.html), too.


I often wear a skirt when riding my hybrid. I usually use older, ratty shorts underneath. I really don't like the liner shorts I have except for one pair from Terry.

[BeckaG]

Thanks for all the info!!! I'll be looking up all of these brands asap as I'm getting my new bike in a couple weeks!!!!! :D :D Also, one other question.....which shorts do you recommend using for a century?

[BeckaG]

I've been wearing cycling shorts so long that the look doesn't even bother me, but there are skorts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skorts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c127-atsport_01.html) (which I tend not to like just because the inner shorts are very short), and light overskirts (http://www.teamestrogen.com/product/apparel/bottoms/skirts/cycling/c0-c1-c24-c28-atsport_01.html), too.

Funny you mention the short under shorts...I'm actually fine with the shorts being short. I just hate the squeezing that goes on. :rolleyes:

[Owlie]

Thanks for all the info!!! I'll be looking up all of these brands asap as I'm getting my new bike in a couple weeks!!!!! :D :D Also, one other question.....which shorts do you recommend using for a century?

That's very individual, but generally the more expensive shorts will keep you comfortable for more miles.

I still haven't found quite the right ones, but my Pearl Izumi Elite shorts are probably at the top of the list right now. The longer cut ones should minimize the sausage leg. I'd like to try the LG Neo Power shorts, but they're a little spendy for me right now.

[BeckaG]

That's very individual, but generally the more expensive shorts will keep you comfortable for more miles.

I still haven't found quite the right ones, but my Pearl Izumi Elite shorts are probably at the top of the list right now. The longer cut ones should minimize the sausage leg. I'd like to try the LG Neo Power shorts, but they're a little spendy for me right now.

I also want to try the LG Neo Power shorts, but too much money for me too :( I did just look up the Gore shorts and they have a pretty wide price range and are looking the least hideous to me at the moment...I'm riding the STP this summer so I'm going to have to bite the bullet at some point on price, and I'm guessing after 200 miles and seeing the beer garden at the end, I'm not really going to care a whole lot about the short stocky sausages I'm walking around on.:cool: There are other ones from LG though as well that don't have the leg grippers...how important are the grippers really?

[Kernyl]

I have a pair of the LG Neo Power shorts and love them. They are great for longer rides. They also fit a little longer than some other w's shorts, but also they run smaller, so keep that in mind.

I also have some of the PI Pro Series shorts. They are also comfortable, but the LG's win out over them in the end. However they are shorter and the fit is more true to size.

I find that spending the money on a good pair of shorts is well worth the money if you can swing it. They last longer and will keep you riding in comfort longer.

[Anelia]

I have a Scott shorts that squeeze my thighs and they are shorter than my other ones. Also as somebody already mentioned: Craft have nice comfortable models with wide line at the end.
I envy men, they look so cut and shredded in their shorts. We have to have totally fat-free legs not to have the sausage effect.

[OakLeaf]

Funny you mention the short under shorts...I'm actually fine with the shorts being short. I just hate the squeezing that goes on. :rolleyes:

That's why I don't like them though, when they're that short, the grippers have to be super tight, so my legs/the shorts grippers rub against the saddle nose, and often the shorts liner rides up in spite of that.

[Crankin]

I find the Terry liner is OK for rides < 20 miles. I also bought a Sugoi liner about 6 years ago (on TE, of course) that fits me really well and I tend to wear that under any skorts or baggies, which I wear when doing errands, casual stuff. I did ride 50 miles on the Cape Cod Rail Trail in a skort, a couple of years ago. Not fast, but still, it was 50 miles.

[BeckaG]

I have a Scott shorts that squeeze my thighs and they are shorter than my other ones. Also as somebody already mentioned: Craft have nice comfortable models with wide line at the end.
I envy men, they look so cut and shredded in their shorts. We have to have totally fat-free legs not to have the sausage effect.

My thoughts exactly! Again, men are getting off easy. "Nice thighs bro...what'd you have for lunch??? Fried chicken??" Not fair. hahaha!!

[BeckaG]

I find the Terry liner is OK for rides < 20 miles. I also bought a Sugoi liner about 6 years ago (on TE, of course) that fits me really well and I tend to wear that under any skorts or baggies, which I wear when doing errands, casual stuff. I did ride 50 miles on the Cape Cod Rail Trail in a skort, a couple of years ago. Not fast, but still, it was 50 miles.

I'm looking for 100+ miles shorts. I think I'm just going to have to try and try and try again.

[Crankin]

I highly recommend the Terry Bellas. I have done 60-70 miles in them, no sausage effect. I also love Sugoi RS shorts. They are a little shorter and not quite as compressive, though.
My previous response was in regard to the post about skirts, over skirts, etc.

[Artista]

+1 on the Terry Bellas. Comfy for long rides, wider legs, and grippers to keep the legs down.

Crankin, you and I seem to like similar bike clothing. I'm glad to know that you love the Sugoi RS shorts. I've been gun-shy about trying them because I have disliked all of the other super popular shorts endorsed on TE. I think that I''m going to pull the trigger on a pair of Sugois when the weather warms up.

[indysteel]

+1 on the Terry Bellas. Comfy for long rides, wider legs, and grippers to keep the legs down.

Crankin, you and I seem to like similar bike clothing. I'm glad to know that you love the Sugoi RS shorts. I've been gun-shy about trying them because I have disliked all of the other super popular shorts endorsed on TE. I think that I''m going to pull the trigger on a pair of Sugois when the weather warms up.

I used to love the RS short circa 2006-2008, but later model years weren't as comfortable, and the fit changed a bit. Admittedly, I haven't tried the most recent model (they changed the waist band). I switched to their Evolution short last year. The price point was better and I find them to be about as comfortable as the older RS.

[Crankin]

DH bought me 2 pair of the RS shorts when TE had that sale a few months ago. Although they look exactly the same as the 2 pair I bought last winter, as well as some older ones I have, I found that the chamois seems a little wider, right where it meets the crease of my legs, and was annoying. Washing them has softened them out a little, but since I haven't ridden that much since I got them, they haven't been used a lot. It's not as bad as the Gore chamois in pair of tights I bought from someone on TE. Those were so wide, they were definitely an instrument of torture for me. I think I mentioned this on another thread and someone said Sugoi had quality control issues. The waistband and length were still the same, though and I am hoping they will soften up.

[Artista]

Indy, I had forgotten that you switched to the Evolution after Sugoi changed the RS. Is the Evolution fabric much lighter than the RS? I noticed that Sugoi calls the Evolution chamois by a different name than the RS chamois. Is the chamois in the Evolution mostly the same as the RS? Maybe Sugoi will fix some of their quality control issues in 2013.

Crakin, your input on chamois width is helpful. I like the Terry Bellas in part because their chamois is narrower than other popular brands like the LG Neo Power and Gore Oxygen. I want sleek black shorts, slightly heavier fabric, and a narrow chamois that doesn't feel like a board right out of the package. The Terry Bellas meets all of those criteria except for their gosh darn contrasting thread. I don't want my rear-end framed with gray or pink stitching.

[OakLeaf]

If you're just going by photos of the LG Neo Power and haven't tried them on, the "wings" of the chamois are extremely thin, and the "business" part of it is plenty narrow for me. Chamois that are too wide and/or too thick are a big issue for me too (the Sugoi shorts I've tried on fall into this category), but I get along really well with my LG's except for the forward length, oddly, which probably has to do with my very low rise ... the chamois kind of sticks out over my mons when I'm in riding position (NOT standing, it's plenty flexible), and the pedaling motion wears out the lycra in that area sooner than it ought.

[Artista]

I've tried the LG's and the chamois was just wide enough that it chaffed where my legs meet my crotch. I have a pretty narrow frame that must equate to a slightly narrower crotch width.

Did you find the Sugoi shorts to be too wide or too thick, or both?

[ny biker]

I've tried the LG's and the chamois was just wide enough that it chaffed where my legs meet my crotch. I have a pretty narrow frame that must equate to a slightly narrower crotch width.

Did you find the Sugoi shorts to be too wide or too thick, or both?

I recently bought a second pair of LG Neo Power shorts, and the chamois feels wider and thicker in the crotch than the one in the pair that I bought a couple of years ago. I haven't worn the new ones during a ride yet, so I don't know if they will bother me. FWIW I have worn them while sitting on my bike in the living room and backpedaling, and the wider chamois only seemed noticeable while I was standing on the pedals, which I don't do much when I ride.

[OakLeaf]

Both. Sigh.

[Artista]

Hmmm...based on your input ny biker & Oakleaf, I may just resign myself to riding with a framed rear end. Everything else about the Terry Bella shorts are perfect for me. I should write Terry asking for an all black version. It's probably too late for this year's offerings but maybe they'll change it up in 2014.

[OakLeaf]

There's always black Sharpie. Works on all sorts of things. ;)

[Artista]

There's always black Sharpie. Works on all sorts of things. ;)
I've actually considered using a Sharpie on my shorts. My biggest concern is that the Sharpie will rub off on my lovely, white and black, WTB saddle. I guess I'll have figure out my priorities - a lovely rear end or a lovely saddle:p

[indysteel]

Artista, I haven't tried the most recent iteration of the RS's chamois. My guess is that the Evolution chamois is a tad bulkier, so it may not be to your liking. The fabric is also slightly thicker and less compressive. If I were in your shoes, I'd order both to determine which one I preferred. So long as you try them with undies, you can send back the rejects. But you might find, as Oak has suggested, that even the RS chamois is too bulky.

I think the RS runs small by the way, while the Evolution runs true to size.

[Crankin]

I don't find the RS chamois bulky, but my latest versions do feel thicker/wider, as I said. It may be in my head. I can't take bulky chamois, but I don't like really thin, tri-like chamois, either.
Artista, what bothers you about the contrast stitching? I don't even notice it. Personally, I think the Bellas make my legs so much nicer, that no one else would notice anything, either.

[Artista]

Thanks for the Sugoi info, Indy. Based on all of the input on these shorts, I think that I'll stick with Terry's for another season.

Crankin, I'm just being picky about the contrast stitching. I love the look of sleek black bike shorts under bright jerseys. I think that the contrast stitching competes with the jersey and frames the rear end with the arced stitching over the rear hips.

I wrote Terry asking if they were planning on an all black version of the Bellas. It turns out that Bellas with "dark stitching" are being discussed for 2014. I'm guessing that there won't be any changes for this year. The heads-up is enough for me to stick with my current shorts this year and wait to see what Terry offers next year.