Terry flex chamois

[Peddlin' Patti]

Hi, this is my first post. I've read about shorts and at this time the RX flex short is a little beyond my means. I'm just starting out and don't do near the distance you ladies do. I went on my longest ride yesterday, 18 miles! If I start doing more miles, then I might consider getting a more expensive short. I was just wondering if the Terry flex shorts are similar and if anyone has tried them out.
Thanks.

[withm]

Well I think ANY bike shorts would be better than NO bike shorts. That said, you can always find something on sale at Performance, or Nashbar. After you start doing longer rides you'll soon appreciate good shorts and may find the funds to buy better ones for your long rides, and wear the cheap ones for the quickies.

[KnottedYet]

I second what Withm said.

I started with a few shorts from Nashbar that cost $15-$20. It was a great chance for me to ride in slightly different styles of shorts/chamois without spending a lot of money or being distraught if I hated a pair of shorts and didn't wear them much. I still have a pair (around 9 years old now) from Nashbar.

Got to learn what I liked and didn't like.

Now my favorite chamois is the flex style like the Sugois that Nanci took pictures of. That's what's in my Ibex knickers. My second favorite is the Ultimate chamois in my Terry Commuter Skort. But it's a distant second because it does bunch up a bit on me. I haven't tried the Terry flex, but from the pic in the catalog it looks pretty similar.

[Selkie]

I have several pairs of the Terry Bella shorts which have the flex chamois. Very comfortable and more than adequate for shorter rides. I've ridden on 30 mile rides w/out any problems. Of course, I now love the chamois in those Louis Garneaus that cost an arm & a leg.

[Mags...]

I just love my new Shebeest SSS shorts which I got last week from TE, which were $80 and came with 3 pairs of lovely socks (don't know if that special is still current), also soft and comfortable. The chamois in the shorts suits me perfectly, I've also got a pair of Shebeest longs that have the same chamois (they call it the Shelastic Chamois). Rode for 3 hours in them yesterday, in perfect comfort.

The chamois in both of my Shebeests looks to be EXACTLY the same as the Flex chamois in the Terry 2006 T-shorts, which are $5 cheaper.

[Sparky]

I bought a pair of the 06 terry t shorts with the flex chamois about a month ago. I have worn them several times. I like the fit/cut & the fabric is nice. I do not like the flex chamois. It is kind of sponge like. Pad wise it is ok. No stiching or seams which is great. I wore them on a 40 mile ride yesterday & I decided that I don't like the chamois. It retains moisture, is hot and it clings or binds or something. I have a pair of performance ultras from last year. They have a similar chamois. I don't like them either. I thought it was because I ordered a size too big & they ride up but now I think it is just the chamois. I washed about 6 pairs of shorts the other day, various brands, mens and womens after a few hours of hanging to dry I could still squeeze water from the Terry shorts but no others.

Might just be a personal thing shorts seem to be that way. Sorry this wasn't more positive. I am disappointed though because I researched before buying I thought they were going to be great. Now I am back on the shorts search & want to spend less than $100 on them(less than $50 would be nice). Also it took several rides to decide so I doubt I can return them. Maybe I'll call Terry I did buy direct.

I am looking for shorter inseam due to short femur & chubby knees, whole other issue. Anyway I ordered 2 shorts here at TE. I called TE before ordering, spoke to Susan very helpful & informative. TE customer service deserves a big cheer. If you have question they can probably answer them.

[Nanci]

Sponge-like is bad. I'm glad to hear about this chamois, since I'd been sort of thinking about the new Terry Bellas, because the styling looked cool and they had pink overlock seams.

Too bad you can't afford the RS Flexes- there is nothing sponge-like about them, and the welded seams can't be felt. Maybe some day. But then they will change them, anyway.

The only thing keeping me from buying another pair is a vague longing to see if the Wicked Expensive Loius Garneaus are worth it- but they were fortunately out of my size last time, so I ended up with my beloved Sugoi RS Flexes (as recommended by Susan!!) instead.

Nanci

[Mags...]

The Shebeest must then be the exactly the same as the Flex in the Terry, 'cos it's also sponge-like. I hadn't thought of its being moisture retentive though, but you're probably right. This hasn't been an issue for me so far - maybe when our summer arrives here in Aus this might be more noticeable.

[Peddlin' Patti]

Thanks for all the info. I do have some older bike shorts that are ok but my butt starts hurting after about 14 miles. It may just have to "toughen" up! I am looking to upgrade and may just have to pinch my pennies and see what a good bike short is like. I definitely don't want a sponge like pad!

[Selkie]

I wore my Terry Bellas on a 33 miler yesterday in the heat and humidity, and I didn't notice that the chamois was sponge-like in terms of moisture retention. I agree that chamois preference is like finding the right saddle: everyone has preferences.

[Grog]

Too bad you can't afford the RS Flexes- there is nothing sponge-like about them, and the welded seams can't be felt. Maybe some day. But then they will change them, anyway.

The only thing keeping me from buying another pair is a vague longing to see if the Wicked Expensive Loius Garneaus are worth it- but they were fortunately out of my size last time, so I ended up with my beloved Sugoi RS Flexes (as recommended by Susan!!) instead.


My boyfriend tried to get a pair of RS Flex bibs (no bibs for women though) and we did every bike shop around Vancouver Island. They are no longer available and when we called Sugoi they said there will be no more until the next design. In the process, we also learned from a few people that the shorts had literally torn up on them. "Spontaneous tear" happened to at least two men that I know of. One of them got them for free from the Sugoi rep so he didn't say anything.

So anyway, that might be why they are pulling them out, because there seems to be an issue with the fabric this year. However, I have bought a pair (shorts not bibs) and I must say they are fantastic. However, I am not sure if they are THAT much better than the MEC pairs that I have (which are very similar to the Trashy Cat satin shorts), while they are twice the price. I need to buy a new pair again, I think they will be the MEC.

[Nanci]

I was thinking sponge-like meant soft. Maybe I was interpreting that wrong.

Nanci

[Bad JuJu]

after a few hours of hanging to dry I could still squeeze water from the Terry shorts

I noticed the same thing after washing my new Terry shorts with the flex chamois, but like mickchick, I don't notice any moisture retention problems when riding. Maybe the difference is in whether they're actually on the body or not. I don't know, but I do know that they're the most comfy shorts I own. Though I haven't done the long mileages in them that some of you have logged, I have done rides of more than 40 miles in them and they were quite comfy.

My only problem is that they sometimes hang up on the nose of the saddle when I'm dismounting--maybe I just need a smaller size. :)