My fantasy shorts

[thekarens]

In a perfect world my cycling shorts would be on the longer side, have plenty of padding in the rear and very little in the front. Does anyone know if such a thing exists? If not, what about longer shorts that have little padding period? Most of the tri shorts are too short for my comfort.

I've been having a lot of chaffing on the girly bits for rides of 40 or more. I always use a very generous amount of chamois cream (mostly I use lantiseptic) regardless of the length of ride.

[thekarens]

What shorts are causing the problem now?

Actually all of the ones I have, which are LG, PI and Performance. As soon as out them on it feels too padded up front to me and I always chafe there and am in pain for a couple days after a ride. I've got PI IN-R-Cool, LG Zone 3K, and Performance Ultras.

[GLC1968]

I would recommend Gore shorts. I have a similar problem in the front, and Gore chamois fit the bill there. I think it's the chamois shape and the fabrication that really reduce chaffing for me. Unfortunately, the chamois is too big in the back for me and the shorts themselves are all too long on my short legs, so they might be perfect for you. They aren't usually cheap, but they are really nice quality.

In fact, what size are you? I may have a pair that are basically new that I could give you, if you'd like.

[antimony]

If you're willing to try triathlon-style padding, the Terry Club Long is a 9" inseam and a fleece-only pad. And the Terry Spinnaker is a knicker with a fleece pad. (For some reason, TE doesn't carry either of those though they have most of the Terry line.)

[thekarens]

I actually have been having the problem for a long time with the SI Ldy Gel (which has a cut out.) I just got the B17 (no cut out) and have only had one "real" ride with it and it wasn't as bad, but still had some chafing.

I appreciate all the suggestions from everyone. I've been wearing a medium in most sizes unless they run small.

[ny biker]

I've started to have a similar problem since my saddle was raised recently during a fit adjustment. I'm going to try lowering it a teeny bit (like, 1-2 millimeters) to see if that helps.

[thekarens]

I've started to have a similar problem since my saddle was raised recently during a fit adjustment. I'm going to try lowering it a teeny bit (like, 1-2 millimeters) to see if that helps.

I'd be interested to know if that helps you. I had a professional fit last year.

[thekarens]

Can you get that fitter to make sure your position is good on the new saddle?

I'd have to pay since it's been a year, but I had the problem on the old saddle that he did fit me on.

[Thorn]

I've had great luck with Boure shorts ( https://www.boure.com/ ). One could argue that I'm a groupie. Their base short is longer than most; the chamois is not heavily padded but is wide enough in the back for me (many chamois are too narrow and I end up sitting on the seams), but it is not too bulky in the front.

[jobob]

In a perfect world my cycling shorts would be on the longer side, have plenty of padding in the rear and very little in the front. Does anyone know if such a thing exists? If not, what about longer shorts that have little padding period?

Ground Effect Jitterbugs (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product/SHO/JIT/)and Mojos (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product/SHO/MOJ/) (the latter are 10 panel & slightly longer) -- I've worn both of these styles for years and they're still my favorite shorts, by far. The padding is relatively thin, and the leg lengths are long. Prices are very reasonable.

And there's Short Cuts (http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product/SHO/SHO/) which are the knicker-length version of Jitterbugs.

The only downside is that they're in NZ. That said, I've had no problem ordering from them, I've done so a few times, and the shipping costs have been surprisingly low*. Granted,the last time I purchased from them was in early 2012. But that last time, I had to return a pair of knickers because they changed the design of my beloved Witches Britches -- they now use a different type of lycra that I don't like -- and I exchanged them for Short Cuts w/o much hassle, and those turned out to be excellent.

I wish they had a US distributor, but I like Ground Effect shorts so much it's worth the (minimal) time & effort to get them shipped from NZ.

*Ed to add: I see they now offer free shipping to the US via FedEx. Might be time to make an order ... :)

[thekarens]

Looks like I've got some research to do :-)

[dinbuffalo]

Not to add more confusion, but have you tried shorts with a gel chamois? I used to have chafing issues on longer rides, tried gel, and it was like night and day. I have several pairs of LG Equipe shorts and men's bibs - all keep me comfortable on 50-100 mile rides. I also have a saddle with a channel, which has improved things overall (you mentioned the SI was a cutout, so probably that's not a factor). Brooks saddles take a really long time to break in (you probably know this), and you said it was new-ish? Maybe it hasn't gotten to the "sweet spot" yet?

[jobob]

I know you're asking about shorts here, but since you also mentioned saddles, I want to give a shout out for the Rivet Pearl saddle. I got it along with my Bleriot Formerly Known as Sky :) and Oh. My. God. that is one great saddle. I don't know it's there, it's that comfy.

I was starting to have minor chafing issues with the standard B17 saddle (I wasn't having as much of a prob with the B17 Team Pro on my Lynskey, possibly because it's a bit narrower than the standard B17), but I'm experiencing no chafing at all with the Rivet. Many thumbs up!

[thekarens]

I truly appreciate all the suggestions.

The problem isn't the Brooks since I've had all my problems on the SI.

Side note, if the Rivet had been in the price and color I wanted I definitely would have gone that route. It's a beautiful saddle. The B17 actually is the same size as my SI. I'm on the wider side.

And to clarify I've never had any problems with chafing in the rear, only the front.

[luvmyguys]

I've started to have a similar problem since my saddle was raised recently during a fit adjustment. I'm going to try lowering it a teeny bit (like, 1-2 millimeters) to see if that helps.

I'm having the same problem for the first time ever, and same thing - I had a professional fit done not too long ago. I LIKE most aspects of the fit, in terms of my power on the bike now, but I've got saddle sores near my sit bones for the first time ever.

I'll be interested to know if that helps.

[luvmyguys]

Look at the Specialized shorts, specifically the higher end ones with the BG RBX chamois. They are as you describe - padded in the back, but much less in the front. My only gripe is that the padding, in less than a year, starts to shift within the confines of the chamois. Dh just got another pair (of the men's variety) - I'll let you know if these hold up better than the last pair.

[thekarens]

Look at the Specialized shorts, specifically the higher end ones with the BG RBX chamois. They are as you describe - padded in the back, but much less in the front. My only gripe is that the padding, in less than a year, starts to shift within the confines of the chamois. Dh just got another pair (of the men's variety) - I'll let you know if these hold up better than the last pair.

Thanks Erin!

[hulagirl]

Have you looked at the De Soto 400 mile shorts? It's a thin chamois with padding only where you need it. I did Ironman Cozumel in them, trained for the event in them and will be doing Ride the Rockies in them. Fantastic shorts and a fantastic company. Highly recommend.

[thekarens]

I haven't, but I appreciate the suggestion!

[hulagirl]

I like the chamois a lot. It has minimal padding (I find the thicker pads tend to bunch up in …ahem…places and chafe the daylights out of me. The De Soto chamois has padding along the edges only. We don't need padding down the middle of the chamois in the front! That just mushes stuff off to the sides! So riding with a cutout saddle really lets these shorts work well - no padding in the middle, just some padding on the sides (where you need it!) and padding in the back. But not so much that you have a diaper bum!

The shorts run small and very compressive. I love the pockets on the legs too. Great for a gel or ID. Tracy at De Soto is fantastic to work with and their return/warranty policy is AMAZING.

Denise

[ny biker]

I like the chamois a lot. It has minimal padding (I find the thicker pads tend to bunch up in …ahem…places and chafe the daylights out of me. The De Soto chamois has padding along the edges only. We don't need padding down the middle of the chamois in the front! That just mushes stuff off to the sides! So riding with a cutout saddle really lets these shorts work well - no padding in the middle, just some padding on the sides (where you need it!) and padding in the back. But not so much that you have a diaper bum!

The shorts run small and very compressive. I love the pockets on the legs too. Great for a gel or ID. Tracy at De Soto is fantastic to work with and their return/warranty policy is AMAZING.

Denise

I'm not familiar with these shorts, but I agree that DeSoto has great service. I emailed them last year with questions about the fit for their Cool Wings, and they were extremely helpful.

[hulagirl]

Just wanted to let you know that my referral code for De Soto is now live - it's 25% off your order! No returns though if you use the code so make sure you get the right size. If you want to code, message me and I'll send it over.

Aloha!
Denise

[smittykitty]

What if it's my skin not the saddle, shorts or fit? Rode 50 miles :) yesterday, in addition to horrible allergy eyes, I'm now flame glow red on both upper legs, entire length, front to back, about 1" wide. The thought of wearing jeans today is frightening!

I noticed this problem getting worse last year. Will be getting re-fitted later this week. We will look at changing saddles. I'm riding a Specialized Jett 143. We'll lubed, multiple pairs of shorts. I'm concerned it's more a menopausal (I'm 58) issue of thinning, fragile skin. Anyone else noticed this problem and have suggestions.

[ny biker]

What if it's my skin not the saddle, shorts or fit? Rode 50 miles :) yesterday, in addition to horrible allergy eyes, I'm now flame glow red on both upper legs, entire length, front to back, about 1" wide. The thought of wearing jeans today is frightening!

I noticed this problem getting worse last year. Will be getting re-fitted later this week. We will look at changing saddles. I'm riding a Specialized Jett 143. We'll lubed, multiple pairs of shorts. I'm concerned it's more a menopausal (I'm 58) issue of thinning, fragile skin. Anyone else noticed this problem and have suggestions.

Could it be that you're allergic to the chamois cream that you're using? Or is it definitely chafed, irritated skin?

[smittykitty]

Totally chafed!

[luvmyguys]

What chamois cream are you using? I had tried something other than Body Glide (I might still try Lantiseptic), and it made the problem worse.

[smittykitty]

LBS sent me home yesterday with a Romin to try. On the trainer it appears I'm not rubbing on the sides with it. Will ride today (fingers crossed). I like the shape and the slight raised back. Really worried about the rock hard firmness. I have 30 days to try it.