Just need to vent a minute.

[DDH]

I have been to my LBS twice trying to find a good pair of shorts. I bought 1 pair brought them home, tried them on and the were a bit small, but mostly they had that low rise waist and I can't stand that. My pants, shorts whatever need to be on my waist or I am tugging at them trying to pull them up. Makes me feel like my pants are falling down. Okay, showing my age here I know. LOL
Anyway, yesterday I took them back and the only other thing he had that wasn't the low rise waist was some of the mountain bike shorts, that have the camios (sp?) and lined shorts on the inside but are lose on the outside.
Went to get ready to ride this morning and put them on. They are toooo tight. I'm so mad!!! I was hoping to have a new good pair of shorts to ride with this weekend on the organized ride I am going on. My shorts I have now are the ones that we bought back when we first started riding like 9 or 10 years ago. They have been sitting in my drawers all these years and it's not like they weren't used a lot back then. They fit, but they are so worn that they ride up on my legs and the padding is not nearly as good as the newer shorts now have.
Oh, well, guess I will be riding in old worn out shorts this weekend. Being fat and trying to find something that fits really sucks!! I can wear an XL in anything I buy from the store, but not in bike shorts I guess. :mad:

[Kano]

Even mediocre shorts would help, right?

I've found a couple of pair at REI -- one is their house brand, and the other is Canari. The chamois is nothing special, mostly a layer or two of fleece, I think, but they get me through a ride! Fabric is heavy enough so they're not see through, and if you're lucky, you'll find 'em on their summer clearance rack! I got mine for $20/pair.

We're starting to ride a bit longer now -- 30+ miles on weekends, and on the last one, I found myself thinking that maybe these shorts aren't designed for rides that long, so I might be hunting for something nicer for "long hauls" one of these days.

I know what you mean, though, about the waist too low -- Dad calls it "dunlaps disease" when the waist done laps over the belt. My frustration is that when the waistband is in the wrong place, the front rolls down, and all the padding in the world doesn't help with THAT issue!

Karen in Boise

[Lise]

My first pair of bike shorts was an XL Canari from Sport Mart. That store is now called something else...Sports Authority. Anyhoo, it's a "big box" sports equipment store. Eventually I got too small for the XLs, went back, and bought an L in the same shorts. I still wear them. Four years later. I have fancier shorts, and more expensive shorts, but these are still perfectly good.

Maybe you can find some like that in a bigger store. Good luck, and have fun on your rides!

[mimitabby]

I sure understand your frustration, there is such a considerable difference in sizes and styles.
I bought a pair of shorts (Cannondale brand?!) they felt like rubber. who wants to wear rubber on a bike all day?
I'm sending them back!

[Cassandra_Cain]

The never-ending saga for well-fitting bike shorts, is, well, never-ending! And for good reason really.

Whether tis because manufacturers like to make our lives difficult by changing sizing EVERY darn year OR because the LBS only carries, say, XS - it goes on and on.

I try to support the LBS as much as possible (3 bikes in 2 months is plenty I think) - but sometimes you have to go online, like here at TE, to get what you need. I find most shops have every imaginable size in men's gear, but mostly hand-me downs and random sizes in women's.

Hang in there, i'm sure you'll get some good shorts soon enough :)

[DDH]

Mimi, you cracked me up with the rubber shorts comment. LMAO

I have an image now of riding around in rubber shorts. Hey might be a way to hold all the fat in, unless it is soft rubber. LOL

Anyway, thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

[tulip]

I agree with Cassandra. TE specializes in women's stuff, and they have expertise in larger sizes. It may seem expensive to get a good pair, but they will fit you and you will get lots of riding out of them. If you treat them right, they will last a long time.

[mary9761]

I'm glad I make my own.

[Nanci]

I used to hate low-cut shorts till I got my belly button pierced- now I love them! They have to be just right, though, to still keep my belly contained. I HATE that on jeans, too, and I've ALWAYS had a problem with the waist being too high since I am 5"2". I'm starting to hate it the way bike shorts go way up the back, too, when I used to like that.

But even if you don't have sizing issues, it's still nearly impossible to find the right pair, and when you do they are either wicked expensive or the manufacturer promptly changes them, or both.

I have three pairs of old Primals, with the old quilty-style chamois (if you look at my review on the Sugoi RS Flex shorts, my current beloved, you can see a photo of the Primal chamois) which are about 6 years old, but they are still my first choice as backups. I can't believe how long they've lasted, either, without the elastic or fabric going bad like it does with old swimsuits.

Well, good luck with the hunt.

Nanci

[SadieKate]

DDH, why aren't you trying on the shorts in the store? I've never been able to buy any clothing without trying it on. Every brand is different and every model within the brand is different. Our bodies are all different.

Call TE and describe what you are looking for. They'll help.

Otherwise, go back to your LBS and try on the shorts. There may even be some men's shorts that will work.

[Bikingmomof3]

DDH-
I call up TE and they patiently listen to me babble about measurents, ask me questions and then send out the perfect fitting shorts. I have only tried Shebeest, but I adore that brand. The TE staff is so patient, especially since I do not have anywhere around here to even look at clycling clothing for women.

[cherinyc]

Mary - you make your own? How is that possible? you must be magic or something, b/c I can't even imagine making something like bike shorts.

The bike short dilemma is never-ending. I went in to my LBS on Thursday to get some seat adjustments for an event on Staurday. My (1) pair of shorts was dirty, so I just wore comfortable shorts. The guy said I wouldn't be able to tell unless I was weraing bike shorts - (or maybe he just wanted to make me buy something). Either way - they were all expensive. I ended up getting one of the cheaper pairs ($79.99 - can you believe it? I NEVER spend that much on regular clothing).
Then I found out - when checking out the care label - that they were from Spring 2002. $80 for 4 year old shorts. Although I could've sworn that I had tried on that style (PI Ultrasensor) before and hadn't liked them. But these I liked.
More proof that they change the style, fit, sizing - every year. WHY???? Can't they just make up a new name - and let the old name/style/fit stay the same?

[SadieKate]

Those PI Ultrasensors with the PRT chamois are highly prized by some folks. The chamois is very good for century rides. I don't blame the shop for not marking them down.

I know two people who grumbled this weekend about not being able to get the PRT chamois any longer.

[mimitabby]

The bike short dilemma is never-ending. I went in to my LBS on Thursday to get some seat adjustments for an event on Staurday. My (1) pair of shorts was dirty, so I just wore comfortable shorts. The guy said I wouldn't be able to tell unless I was weraing bike shorts - (or maybe he just wanted to make me buy something). Either way - they were all expensive. I ended up getting one of the cheaper pairs ($79.99 - can you believe it? I NEVER spend that much on regular clothing).
Then I found out - when checking out the care label - that they were from Spring 2002. $80 for 4 year old shorts. Although I could've sworn that I had tried on that style (PI Ultrasensor) before and hadn't liked them. But these I liked.
More proof that they change the style, fit, sizing - every year. WHY???? Can't they just make up a new name - and let the old name/style/fit stay the same?

Wow, is that the "good" LBS or the "bad" one that sold you 4 year old shorts for list price??!! that's terrible. :eek:

I agree with others here; call TE.. I have already ordered (the rubber shorts) from them and then called them this morning(to find a replacement pair) and both times had excellent conversations from very helpful staff.

[cherinyc]

sadiekate - thanks for your reply. I don't know what a PRT chamois is - is that what's in my new....uh...new for me....shorts?
I am thinking that with rsing costs - these may have been equivelant to a $100 pair of shorts today.:D

[cherinyc]

Wow, is that the "good" LBS or the "bad" one that sold you 4 year old shorts for list price??!! that's terrible. :eek:


actually it's the "good LBS" with the "old inventory method" I think. I don't think it was on purpose, I just wouldn't even know how to bring it up.

[bike4ever]

Have you tried the Terry High Rider short. They come in multiple sizes and are very comfortable at the waist.

[SadieKate]

sadiekate - thanks for your reply. I don't know what a PRT chamois is - is that what's in my new....uh...new for me....shorts?
I am thinking that with rsing costs - these may have been equivelant to a $100 pair of shorts today.:DThe shorts may have had a tag describing the chamois. It's gray and looks like corduroy. Fairly thick. I think of it as the first generation of the diaper feeling pads - but once you are on the bike, you'll never notice the diaper feel.

Chamois is one expense in a short. Number of panels, the fabric and flatlock seams are the other. A $100 pair of shorts today has some of the seams flatlocked and will have a "higher tech" fabric.

Ultrasensors today are $90 and have the front seams flatlocked. Same fabric but different chamois which some of us hate. I think of Ultrasensors (and similar shorts) as the first level of really high quality shorts. Excellent value for the money and will let you ride 100 miles in comfort.
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=17180

[FreshNewbie]

Ok since we are on the shorts topic again. I recently bought a pair of shorts from ebay Sugoi RS shorts. They are not this years model, although they look like only the fabric is not dimpled. The chamois looks totally different, when I asked the seller which year it is she said it was 2005. The chamois is purple padding on the black. It's thick and the material is sort of like suede type. Does anyone remember these shorts?

[bcipam]

Terry also has a good selection of shorts - and it sounds like you would be perfect for the Terry Hi-Rise. Because I'm tall, and for some reason manufacturers make women's jerseys so short, I have to have a hi-rise short otherwise I'm sportin' some really unsightly belly flab! Ick!
Also I am not a fan of Performance, but they will take back anything if a customer is unsatified. Without any arguments! That is the one feather in their cap.

[Veronica]

Ok since we are on the shorts topic again. I recently bought a pair of shorts from ebay Sugoi RS shorts. They are not this years model, although they look like only the fabric is not dimpled. The chamois looks totally different, when I asked the seller which year it is she said it was 2005. The chamois is purple padding on the black. It's thick and the material is sort of like suede type. Does anyone remember these shorts?

Yep I have a pair. They're okay. I won't wear them on a century - too much pad for me. But I did take them to Nova Scotia and wore them a couple of shorter days with no issues.

V.

[FreshNewbie]

Thanks Veronica, I didn't try them out yet on the bike, they do have lot's of padding ( not sure if it's good or bad for me) But I like the fact that the chamois is not as long in the back as any other shorts.

[mary9761]

Mary - you make your own? How is that possible? you must be magic or something, b/c I can't even imagine making something like bike shorts.

The bike short dilemma is never-ending. I went in to my LBS on Thursday to get some seat adjustments for an event on Staurday. My (1) pair of shorts was dirty, so I just wore comfortable shorts. The guy said I wouldn't be able to tell unless I was weraing bike shorts - (or maybe he just wanted to make me buy something). Either way - they were all expensive. I ended up getting one of the cheaper pairs ($79.99 - can you believe it? I NEVER spend that much on regular clothing).
Then I found out - when checking out the care label - that they were from Spring 2002. $80 for 4 year old shorts. Although I could've sworn that I had tried on that style (PI Ultrasensor) before and hadn't liked them. But these I liked.
More proof that they change the style, fit, sizing - every year. WHY???? Can't they just make up a new name - and let the old name/style/fit stay the same?


When you're my size, you don't have many options for shorts/jerseys etc. Also, I'm on a fixed income so I don't have $80 for a pair of NEW shorts much less 4 years old.. :eek: YIKES sounds like you got ripped off on those...:mad:
I sew, so I got a pattern http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/making%20my%20own%20bike%20shorts/2216jalie.jpg and some material and make my own. My pink and black jersey is really starting to show signs of wear AND sun fade of course I wear it nearly all the time and I'm constantly washing it to keep it clean. I'm just lucky I sew or I wouldn't have any bike clothes. Now I can definitely tell a difference when I wear street clothes (ie jean shorts and skivvies) and remember every time I do it why I shouldn't OWIE!! The photo in my Avatar was from about a year ago and I made the full set.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/marysuitbikebc.jpg

[Bikingmomof3]

Hi Mary and nice to "meet" you!
Wow, your outfit is wonderful and you made it? My sewing machine and I do not get on well under the best of circumstances. Your cycling clothes are awesome. You do beautiful work. :)

[mary9761]

Hi Mary and nice to "meet" you!
Wow, your outfit is wonderful and you made it? My sewing machine and I do not get on well under the best of circumstances. Your cycling clothes are awesome. You do beautiful work. :)

Thanks bikingmomof3, (Jennifer, that's my youngest sister's name too) nice to meet you as well. I'm just glad that I do get along with mine. That particular outfit has a bit of a funny story to how I ended up with specifically THAT fabric. I was at JoAnnes and had that color and another with reds and looked straight at a woman in the opposite aisle and asked her, "If you were coming up to someone on a bike, which would you be less likely to hit?" She said the blue to which I responded, "Blue it is then" LOL...
Sorry to hijack the thread now back to the regularly scheduled subject.;)

[SandyLS]

I also purchased the Sugoi RX Flex shorts from TE after reading rave reviews on the TE forum. They are pricey, but so comfortable even after hours on the bike. There is no pulling, rubbing feeling in the crease where my leg meets my body as in some of my other shorts. The shorts have an extra little bump of padding right where my sit bones need it. The leg grippers keep the legs in place without any saussage look effect and the shorts do not shift at all as I am wearing them. The only two things I don't like are the contrasting grey stitching and the price tag, but anything that works to keep on the bike longer is worth the cost. If I could only own one pair of thke shorts it would be these.

[Cassandra_Cain]

The photo in my Avatar was from about a year ago and I made the full set.http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/marysuitbikebc.jpg


Wow! That's a really cool outfit, I like it.

You alluded to the high cost of shorts, and that's true. Another thing though, is that we have far, far fewer choices in terms of color, style, graphics, etc in women's bike clothing than guys do. Making your own seems to take care of both of those problems in one shot~

[DDH]

Mary, your outfit is great!!! You should take up making bike outfits for the girls, I bet you could make a bundle, and lots of girls would be happy. Ecspcially us big girls who have such a hard time finding them anyway.

SadieKate, I know I should try them on there, but my LBS is in an old building with a very small bathroom in it that you can hardly move around in, so I didn't even think about trying them on there. I get a little (MONK/OCD) about some things sometimes. LOL
Plus in all honesty, I hate trying clotes in a store of any kind. I know it's crazy but I would rather take them home try them on and then take them back if need be. Some places just creep me out as far as what kind of people have been in those dressing rooms. My house isn't spotless, but at least it's only my germs and my families germs in there. LOL
I know, I'm crazy.

I did get a suprise in the mail today. A nice pair of nickers arrived to me from a very generous, understanding my dilema lady. They fit just fine, and now I will have something to wear on my ride Sat. Thank you so much, it couldn't have come at a better time.

[mimitabby]

I did get a surprise in the mail today. A nice pair of nickers arrived to me from a very generous, understanding my dilema lady. They fit just fine, and now I will have something to wear on my ride Sat. Thank you so much, it couldn't have come at a better time.

Well DDH you have some good friends! how cool! :)

[DDH]

It was our own Chainsoflove here on the site. She doesn't even know me and after my first post about trying to afford these items, she offered a pair she no longer uses to me. :D
I hope she doesn't mind me giving her a public pat on the back.

All of you ladies are great!! So much support and helpfulness and understanding. ;)

[Bikingmomof3]

That particular outfit has a bit of a funny story to how I ended up with specifically THAT fabric. I was at JoAnnes and had that color and another with reds and looked straight at a woman in the opposite aisle and asked her, "If you were coming up to someone on a bike, which would you be less likely to hit?" She said the blue to which I responded, "Blue it is then" LOL...


I think that is a brilliant way to choose a colour. :-) It is a very good colour on you as well. I recently purchased a yellow jeresey in hopes of being seen (and not hit) easier.

[arnaew]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mary9761
That particular outfit has a bit of a funny story to how I ended up with specifically THAT fabric. I was at JoAnnes and had that color and another with reds and looked straight at a woman in the opposite aisle and asked her, "If you were coming up to someone on a bike, which would you be less likely to hit?" She said the blue to which I responded, "Blue it is then" LOL...

I think that is a brilliant way to choose a colour. :-) It is a very good colour on you as well. I recently purchased a yellow jeresey in hopes of being seen (and not hit) easier.

Apropos of colour as opposed to outfit itself: I always buy jerseys with 'being seen not hit' as THE criterion. There are obviously others (fit, fabric, appropriate season etc) but if it's only available in "girlie" colours like soft pink, lavender, sky blue, lemon etc., I don't bother with the other criteria. If I can't be seen from at least 100 metres away (about 350 feet) then I'm not being seen. The reaction time while driving a car requires at least that. This, to me, seems like common sense and I must add, I don't see many blokes riding around wearing innocuous colours. So why is it that so many manufacturers only offer a 'women's fit' (ie allow for the fact that we have waists and breasts) in colours that render us almost almost invisible to the average motorist? Do they think we only ride on cycle paths? Or that fashion dictates function? Give me bright orange! Red! Yellow! What do you mean, it doesn't match my hair? Give a #$@%!
Many a manufacturer has lost a sale from me because of this penchant; I wear lots of my SO's clothing (much to his dismay) because it's bright (it SO doesn't fit) but I'd rather be visible than become a victim of SMIDSY (don't know if this is used anywhere else, but in Australia the acronym means - as espoused by motorists - Sorry Mate I Didn't See You).
Oops, that was a bit of a rant, but I've just spent a couple of days looking for a sleeveless women's top that looks like a traffic light and also acknowledges women's physiology - I understand that pretty is pretty but if most of your riding occurs within urban parameters, pastels/paisleys/butterflies just don't cut it. To manufacturers out there (mary9761 you are SO not included here - if I could sew more than a button, I'd... but that's another story) I'M JUST SAYIN', YOU KNOW?

[mimitabby]

I recently purchased a yellow jeresey in hopes of being seen (and not hit) easier.

Apropos of colour as opposed to outfit itself: I always buy jerseys with 'being seen not hit' as THE criterion. There are obviously others (fit, fabric, appropriate season etc) but if it's only available in "girlie" colours like soft pink, lavender, sky blue, lemon etc., I don't bother with the other criteria. If I can't be seen from at least 100 metres away (about 350 feet) then I'm not being seen. The reaction time while driving a car requires at least that. This, to me, seems like common sense and I must add, I don't see many blokes riding around wearing innocuous colours. So why is it that so many manufacturers only offer a 'women's fit' (ie allow for the fact that we have waists and breasts) in colours that render us almost almost invisible to the average motorist? Do they think we only ride on cycle paths? Or that fashion dictates function? Give me bright orange! Red! Yellow! What do you mean, it doesn't match my hair? Give a #$@%!
Many a manufacturer has lost a sale from me because of this penchant; I wear lots of my SO's clothing (much to his dismay) because it's bright (it SO doesn't fit) but I'd rather be visible than become a victim of SMIDSY (don't know if this is used anywhere else, but in Australia the acronym means - as espoused by motorists - Sorry Mate I Didn't See You).
Oops, that was a bit of a rant, but I've just spent a couple of days looking for a sleeveless women's top that looks like a traffic light and also acknowledges women's physiology - I understand that pretty is pretty but if most of your riding occurs within urban parameters, pastels/paisleys/butterflies just don't cut it. To manufacturers out there (mary9761 you are SO not included here - if I could sew more than a button, I'd... but that's another story) I'M JUST SAYIN', YOU KNOW?
Boy you said it!! light pink? white? pastels? I want bright colors too.

[tulip]

Mary, you've inpired me to get out my sewing machine. I love to sew, but somehow other things have taken over. My trusty 1952 Singer still rocks!

I have not worked with lycra and other stretchy materials. What stitch have you found best that minimizes puckering and pulling? I don't have a fancy sewing machine, but I can pull a zigzag.

Yes, shorts are expensive, but once you find ones that fit and are comfortable, it's worth it. I only buy Pearl Izumi Attack shorts (Ultrasensor are just too expensive), and I buy one pair per year. As they wear out, I can still wear them under hiking shorts because the chamois is still good but the lycra is a bit too transparent.

[tulip]

Boy you said it!! light pink? white? pastels? I want bright colors too.

www.alertshirt.com

[SouthernBelle]

I found the idea of sewing shorts or jerseys or anything else interesting. I've been thinking about it for winter gear. I've googled for patterns and info:

http://www.thegreenpepper.com/adults.html
http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/jersey.html
http://www.rockywoods.com/patterns_main.htm
http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/patterns/sewingpatterns.pl?patternid=2375
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/dk.html

You'll need to scroll on some of these.

[mary9761]

Mary, you've inpired me to get out my sewing machine. I love to sew, but somehow other things have taken over. My trusty 1952 Singer still rocks!

I have not worked with lycra and other stretchy materials. What stitch have you found best that minimizes puckering and pulling? I don't have a fancy sewing machine, but I can pull a zigzag.

Yes, shorts are expensive, but once you find ones that fit and are comfortable, it's worth it. I only buy Pearl Izumi Attack shorts (Ultrasensor are just too expensive), and I buy one pair per year. As they wear out, I can still wear them under hiking shorts because the chamois is still good but the lycra is a bit too transparent.

I use a standard stitch, just use a quality thread and try not to PULL the fabric as it will cause the fabric to pucker. I recently purchased a stretch needle but haven't had the opportunity to see if it helps keep some of the pulling of the threads later. I've been told it's best to use this needle for lycra etc.

I recommend taking a couple pieces of the scrap lycra and practice sewing with it to experiment with which stitch will work best for you. I also sew a double seam stitch one butted against the other especially in areas that might get extra pull and possibly pop a seam.

The pattern I use doesn't include a chamois so I ride without a chamois basically. It helps that I have a comfort seat, but I've ridden over 5000 miles (indoor and out) 4000+ outdoors in the past year without a chamois and have survived. One thing I do though especially for the crotch area is cut out a second layer of those pattern pieces then when I assemble the shorts, I lay those pieces with the inner crotch seams facing each other. That keeps me from having seam allowances in sensitive areas AND gives an extra layer of protection from fabric that may end up being too transparent AND if I end up with a seam that blows on me then I'm still covered.

I'm in no way a professional. I'm still working out the bugs and finding better ways to do things each time I sew a new pair of shorts or jersey. One thing I will suggest if you purchase ANY pattern, trace it onto freezer paper then you have a the original to continue to retrace when needed. Most patterns are printed with ALL the sizes on them and you'd need to cut some of the pattern off to get the size you need. You iron the pattern that you've traced onto your fabric then peel it off once you have cut the pattern from the fabric. You can reuse this pattern many times without damaging the original.

The Jalie pattern I purchased I got through patternreview.com
Mary