Confused about shorts....

[Denise223]

I'm a beginner rider, but I see the importance of getting some bikewear, because the clothes I wear (shorts/shirt) are loose & I'm constantly re-arranging myself - shorts riding up - shirt flapping in the breeze....
When I'm enjoying my ride -- that can get pretty annoying!!

I've read the threads re: shorts, but I am wicked confused.... And, when I look on websites (sugoi, sheebest, novara, REI, llbean etc...), I'm even more confused as to what size I would take.

I'm 5' 2", weigh 185, wear a size 16-18 petite, 40D bra. I went to REI the other night and I know for sure I'm bigger than a size "XL", which is the highest they seem to go.
And the chamois padding -- I'm not on my bike long enough (yet ;) ) to need the "big puffy stuff".

I've got some other questions about shifting & hills, etc.....but, my "bikewear question", (for right now), is the most pressing.

Thank you all for your time in reading my post.

Denise

[Nanci]

TE has size charts for all the clothing they carry. The sizing varies greatly from one manufacturer to the next. TE also has a whole Plus Size shop, with lots of stuff, including a wide selection of Terry clothing, one manufacturer who has cute cycling clothes for _all_ sizes.

Most chamois aren't all that big and puffy- no one would like them. Some sort of chamois is critical to being able to sit on your bike comfortably, no matter how long you are on there. They make "liner" shorts to wear under regular shorts if you are not comfortable wearing "real" lycra shorts- but "real" shorts are more comfortable in the long run, and who's looking, anyway.

Nanci

[bcipam]

Sort of depends on how you are shaped. I'm larger on top smaller on bottom - I generally weawr a man's medium or a woman's large. I'm 5'8" and 200 lbs. Remember the lycra does stretch. I would recommend you start with a women's XL and go from there

[KSH]

If you are able to, it really is best to buy your shorts from a store. Well, for the first time at least.

By going into a store you can try them on, feel the fabric, feel the padding (to see how thick it is), etc... etc... Once you find a pair you like and that work for you... then you can go online and purchase them there.

That's just how it works for me though. I can try on 10 pairs of cycling shorts and look horrible in 9 of them. I am real picky so buying some without trying them on, would be an issue for me.

[pattaloo]

I bought "comfort cycling shorts" from LLBean and like them. I'm brand new to cycling, too (this week!) but can't imagine trying to ride without the chamois!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?page=comfort-cycling-shorts&categoryId=40486&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=6202&cat4=2069&shop_method=pp&feat=dp27

I wear an XL in other similar styles of pants, and this XL fit me fine, if that helps.

[Denise223]

Thank you Nanci, bcipam, KSH & pattaloo!!

I appreciate the time you all took to answer my post. :)

I'll check out a couple of the bike shops near me (Landry's, Harris Cyclery, Spoke & Wheel) & see what they have.
The shorts & tops I wear out riding now are cotton -- so, you can imagine with sweating just how drenched, heavy & gross feeling they are!! (ick). I'm sure that riding will be a lot more fun than it is now, if the sweat is wicked away.

Thanks again!! This cycling forum is really awesome. I'm happy that I found it!!

Denise

[Brandi]

I would never ride without a chamois now either! And it doesn't matter how long the ride it is just more compfy period! i am afraid I can't help out with size. I wear a med in everything. But I don't like how some of the mtb (mountain bike shorts) fit. I have sporty thighs (I like that, instead of big) the the legs in the mtb shorts bind. I like the fredom of the lycra. But I have three pairs of mtb shorts now that don't get used!:( The bike shirts are good cause they tend to be longer inthe back, that way you don't get sun burnt. also a big floppy shirt is not good in a wind. Welcome by the way to the world of biking! And to this site. This is the best one out there (not very many for women) you can pretty much get advice on anything. Just check open topic. Hope we are of some help!:D

[Denise223]

Hi Brandi!

Thanks for your response!!

When I'm at the bike shop, I'll check out the tops too. (that longer area in the back will really help). With what I'm wearing now, I have to keep picking at my shirt to keep it down.
I have very fair skin, so I've got to use a good sunscreen with a high SPF. I'm thinking of trying the new coppertone spray, 'for sports/activity'.

And, thank you for the welcome to the "world of biking". I know it's exercise, BUT....it's wonderful to actually LIKE IT, instead of dreading it. :D WHAT A TREAT!!

If the weather here in the Northeast ever clears up,(rain, rain, rain....), I'll be able to get out there again and enjoy a ride.

Your Avatar is adorable, by the way :) !!


Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
> Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

****Love your signature!! So true :D !! ****

Take good Care!

Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'll check out a couple of the bike shops near me (Landry's, Harris Cyclery, Spoke & Wheel) & see what they have.

Denise -
Another shop in the area worth trying is Belmont Wheelworks.

It is good to be able to try things on - but if you don't find what you need in the shops locally, don't hesitate to call the folks at TE (http://www.teamestrogen.com). I usually order over the web, but when I was switching to a different brand of shorts this spring and called with questions about size, it was good to be able to talk with someone who was happy to hold the shorts up together and describe the size differences to me. And as Nanci mentioned, they do have a selection of plus size clothing (look under specialty shops).

--- another Denise in the Boston area

[JoyfulGirl]

I'm not very helpful with much in the way of biking so I can't help with clothing info.. But had to comment on the coppertone spray stuff. That's one of my new favourite things. I hosed myself off with it, took all of ~30 seconds versus the ten minutes I use to spend carefully covering every inch of me. The only area that got burnt was my shoulders because I changed to a sleeveless shirt after application. Shoulders broiled to a cheery red that's gone on to peeling. The rest of me stayed my normal pasty white. Not impressed with my natural skin tone but absolute love the spray on sun screen- rapid, effective, didn't rub off. two thumbs up. Wish I hadn't accidently done my controlled study of protected versus unprotected skin though. ;)

[KSH]

Denise -
Another shop in the area worth trying is Belmont Wheelworks.

It is good to be able to try things on - but if you don't find what you need in the shops locally, don't hesitate to call the folks at TE (http://www.teamestrogen.com). I usually order over the web, but when I was switching to a different brand of shorts this spring and called with questions about size, it was good to be able to talk with someone who was happy to hold the shorts up together and describe the size differences to me. And as Nanci mentioned, they do have a selection of plus size clothing (look under specialty shops).

--- another Denise in the Boston area

I would like to add that TE does as great job on returns as well. And, keep in mind that you can try something on in the store, but buy it from TE. They have fast shipping too.

I have been nothing but pleased with my purchases and returns with TE!

[Nanci]

Or you can do what I do- order three different somethings, (gloves was the latest) and pick the one you like best, and send the others back. Or, if unsure about the size, order two sizes and send the one that doesn't fit back.

I love shopping for everything on line. Most shops just don't have a big enough variety, or the right sizes.

Nanci

[pooks]

Nanci, that's what I did when I was looking for a laptop bag/shoulderbag. I think I ended up with four, maybe five here at the same time and am so glad I did, because the one I chose was one I never would have believed in advance, and ordered on a whim.

It's worth a little postage to be able to try things and compare.

[Denise223]

Good Morning Everyone!

Thanks for your responses.

Denise -- I remembered Belmont Wheelworks, but forgot to write it down.
I've never been there, but have driven by. They seem to have
quite a well stocked store!!

Joyful -- I'm going to purchase the coppertone sport spray today. There's
no promise of sun today out here...but, we're promised sunshine on
Saturday through Monday!! :)

KSH -- Thanks for info about TE. I've only heard good things about them!!

Nanci -- I like your idea!! I may have to think about gloves at some point,
too. I've had over 20 bilateral hand,wrist,thumb operations, and
I'm having trouble with my left thumb CMC joint (joint that connects
thumb to wrist). I think I'm probably gripping too hard. Both of my
wrists are "fused straight" (no up&down motion). I'll make an appt.
with my hand surgeon--think my CMC joint is too hyperextended.
Probably could use a custom splint.

pooks -- You're right..postage is a small price to pay to be able to try &
compare in comfort of own home.

Have a happy & peaceful day!!

Denise

[Denise223]

Hi!

I finally purchased a pair of shorts Thursday :D & wore them out last night.

I tried on 5 pairs & ended up buying the women's PI 3D Pro Short, in a size XL.

They fit really well, very comfortable. The leg stays right above my knees.
Perfect!

I really didn't want to spend that much, but I did, and....they really made my ride last night much, much more enjoyable. (except for the minor accident I had when taking my eyes of the road!!)

I purchased a couple of Champion C9 tops at Target yesterday ($14.99 each), and they worked great as far as wicking away the sweat. They are longer in the back, too!

What a difference wearing the right clothes makes!! :)

Just wanted to let you all know that I finally got my first pair of shorts.

Thank you all again for your help & advice.

Have a great day!!

Denise

[Nanci]

Hi Denise,

You won't believe how nice gloves are to ride with. Besides the obvious- wonderful cushioning for your hands, you also get:

Crash protection.
Sun protection for the most vulnerable part of your body.
Place to wipe sweat.
Place to wipe nose.
Traction if it's raining.

That's all I can think of right now. I feel _naked_ if I forget my gloves! I hate it!!

Nanci

[Denise223]

Hi Nanci!

I'd just logged out, but saw your post, so I signed back in... :)

I don't have gloves, but they certainly would have helped my hands when I crashed last night.
Both of my wrists are fused - they're straight, no up & down movement. (I've had 20 operations over 27 years on both hands, wrists & thumbs, after a car accident).

So, my wrists didn't "give" when I fell last night, and my palms are hurting today a bit.

I'm sure that gloves would have helped!!

What brand of gloves do you recommend?

Thanks, Nanci!!

Denise

[Nanci]

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17288

I got these at the last minute before my 600k ride. Or maybe the 400k. I also tried:

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=19478

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=20405

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=5581

I thought I would like the LGs the best, since I already have

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=8513

(that I got cheap on clearance, and while I really like LG's styling and fit, non-gel gloves just aren't enough for me on bumpy roads and all day rides)

but the PIs were just really cool. Great, perfect fit. No velcro fasteners. I wasn't sure if I'd like that, but I love it. My hands don't get hot, because the weird gel padding is mesh. I wasn't sure how it would hold up, but when I crashed a couple weeks ago and my palm went scraping across the pavement with all my weight behind it- there wasn't even a scratch on the palm gel. They have been washed many, many times and always look brand new.

The gel isn't in the traditional place, and they felt "different" on the first few rides, but I like it that way now.

The TE person who was helping me narrow down my selection to four thought she was going to buy a pair, too, after trying them on while helping me over the phone :-)

$40 seems like a lot, but my last pair of gloves has lasted eight years!! and is only now starting to look kind of ratty and a bit thin over the gel- so nice gloves are a good investment.

Nanci

[pooks]

Re: shorts. I'm overweight and apple-shaped (one risk factor I intend to do something about, thank you very much!). Any recommendations for shorts?

When I look at chart measurements it's the waist that always kills me. My legs are proportional and long, so my thighs aren't large in proportion to the rest of me -- I never have trouble with calves or thighs fitting into boots/tight pants/etc.

So is there any brand that is more prone to fit an apple as opposed to a pair or a banana?

[Nanci]

I order bike shorts (or anything, for that matter) by the hip size, and pretend my waist is within the measurements listed. I'd say almost always bike shorts fit anyway.

Nanci

[kelownagirl]

Hi Denise,

You won't believe how nice gloves are to ride with. Besides the obvious- wonderful cushioning for your hands, you also get:

Crash protection.
Sun protection for the most vulnerable part of your body.
Place to wipe sweat.
Place to wipe nose.
Traction if it's raining.

That's all I can think of right now. I feel _naked_ if I forget my gloves! I hate it!!

Nanci

I bought some gloves a few weeks ago and really like wearing them. My hands always sweat so much so it's really nice to have something to soak it up. Also like using them to wipe my face as Nanci suggested. I think I need smaller ones though as these seem a bit loose. They were size small but maybe they are mens?

Realized I get a pretty funny tan with them today though. There's a hole on the back of the glove where the velcro strap goes so I have whiter hands with a tanned strip across the back...

[Denise223]

Hi Nanci!

Thank you so much for all of your information regarding gloves. We went to one bike shop today, (most all closed at 5 - 6pm), but....the one we went to only had some PI's...and, some other brand. I wanted more gel in the palm area, and right under my knuckles (on the palm side) as well. The ones I saw really had quite minimal padding.

I believe it is a great investment as well!! And, to hear that yours lasted 8 years and are still useable - that's good to hear. If I can get to this larger bike shop tomorrow (before our ride), I will do that. I know that they had TONS of PI gloves.

Hi Kelownagirl!

My hands don't really sweat....but, I'd really like them for riding -- going over bumps & stuff. I hadn't really even given them any thought until the other evening, after I crashed & scraped my hands.
So, I am happy that Nanci 'reminded' me that I needed gloves... :) !!

Hi Pooks!

With regard to shorts, I only have one pair - so Nanci knows more than me, but.....I would definitely go by your hip measurement first, then your waist measurement second. (That's what I did for the pair I have.)

Goodnight Everyone!!

Denise

[Nanci]

Ok, this is for emergency use only, but if you're on a really long ride, and have to stop to pee in the bushes, it's worth it to wipe with a glove rather than drip drying and risking getting irritated from leftover urine. Then just rinse off with a water bottle.

Of course, it's better to have Kleenex or Wet Wipes!

Nanci

[DeniseGoldberg]

$40 seems like a lot, but my last pair of gloves has lasted eight years!! and is only now starting to look kind of ratty and a bit thin over the gel- so nice gloves are a good investment.
OK, I'm really impressed with this one, and Nanci - I'd love to know how you manage getting 8 years of use out of a single pair of gloves. I always make sure that I have 2 pairs of wearable gloves (probably because of touring, gloves don't always dry overnight when I wash them...). And I consider myself lucky if they last more than a year (or two). I do realize that some of the wear is due to the fact that I hate having the velcro closure closed (so there is unnatural wear on the back of the gloves) but the sun does a lot of damage to the glove backs as well. (Although all things considered I'd prefer to have the wear on the gloves as opposed to on my skin.)

--- Denise

[Nanci]

They are Trek gloves- mens, I think, with big fat gel pads. The black terry cloth back is this kind of mousy brownish gray now, but still soft and nice and not worn- and they are terry on the whole back- can't find that now. The suede palms have worn so thin you can see through to the gel in a couple places- and there are little shards of suede peeling off- but the velcro is still healthy, and they still are the cushiest gloves I've ever had. Most of their life was spent as MTB gloves- so you know they got in some good use. I think they enjoy being road gloves now in their retirement. I wear the PIs almost exclusively, but haul out the Treks when the PIs are in the wash/forgotten in the laundry room, or on long, long rides where I want spare dry gloves/super cushioning. I just wore them yesterday and was reminded again of how comfortable they are.

The PIs are pretty and new and stylish and I love them, too. I hope they live as long as the Treks have.

I'm generally not hard on clothes/shoes.

Nanci

[kelownagirl]

I am enjoying my Sugoi shorts and have decided to buy the more expensive RS Flex shorts that everyone is recommending.

I was wondering about the shorts shorts though. I find the long shorts (9"?) really comfortable, they don't around or ride up or anything, they barely feel there. But I like to get more of a tan. How comfy are the shorter ones (4-5")? A friend told em she found they rode up too much. Anyone else find that? (I wondering if it's just because she's young and has lovely skinny legs...)

barb

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

We bought some gloves today & are heading out soon for a ride! It's 94 degrees out here today with beautiful sunshine!! We've had so much rain that it's nice to see the sun shining!! :cool:

I tried about 4 pairs on & I couldn't seem to find any that were padded enough in the palm area. And, because my wrists are fused straight surgically, they seemed to be "cut short" at the wrist--for what I wanted. I wanted the glove to comfortable fit over where the fleshy part of your thumb connects to the wrist--(called the 'hypothenar eminence').

My wrist doesn't bend up or down, or sideways at all. My radius & ulna have been fused to the carpals (which have all been fused as well) -- so, it's just like my wrist is a continuation of my radius & ulna. There is ZERO wrist motion at all.

Nanci, I'm glad that you mentioned gloves to me in the first place:) . Because my wrists are fused, I don't have that "shock absorbsion" that most people have. So, when I was going over bumps & stuff -- my hands/wrists did hurt!! There is no 'give'.
So, thank you Nanci!! Todays ride should be much more comfortable!!:)

So......the girl at the shop recommended that I try the PI women's gel lite glove, (last years model), and....they fit perfectly. The velcro part wraps right around my wrist, and there really is a good amount of padding just where I wanted it.

She also talked to me about my bike -- and how I probably should come in & see what can be done to make my riding more comfortable -- given my hands.
I DO stretch more than I'd like.

Any recommendations would be MORE THAN WELCOME with regard to how I can made my bike more "ride friendly".

With regard to "peeing in the bushes", (knock wood), I've got a pretty good bladder. But then again, I haven't ridden enough miles at one time (yet!!;) ),
to have to go.

Barb -- You'll have to let me know how you like your Sugoi RS Flex shorts, when you get them. I don't think I want to buy anymore shorts, that is...until I can fit into a large... ;)

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day!!!

Peace & Happiness,

Denise