bike shorts too big??

[easterbird]

I am noticing that my bike shorts no longer stay in place like before...that is the leg grippers are riding higher up my legs and stuff begins to bunch up in my seat. On rides of 20+ miles it starts to hurt. Anyone know a way to shrink bike shorts?These are good shorts that I loved earluer this summer...always cold water wash and air dry them ...I guess my lower thigh shape has changed??Thes eare mediums and I doubt I could fit this butt into a small:) Any advice or similiar experience.....

[GLC1968]

I am having a similar problem. My legs are big, but my torso area is small. I'm finding that the tops of my shorts shift around a lot and can cause discomfort. I'm forced to 're-adjust' the upper half (including the chamois) numerous times on my longer rides.

I keep trying different brands of shorts, and I have yet to find a pair that fits my big legs but that isn't too loose on top. As it is, I compromise and let the leg gripper squish my leg fat more than I'd like to get a waist that isn't super huge. Annoying. I'm also on South Beach and the problem is getting worse as the first place I lose weight is in my belly. :mad:

I have no solutions. Just commisuration!

[yellow]

Thes eare mediums and I doubt I could fit this butt into a small:) Any advice or similiar experience.....
I'll bet you'll be plesasantly surprised if you try on a small. People often wear their shorts too big because, well, they're lycra and just about all sizes can feel "tight". But if there is too much material you're in danger of chafing and other woes. I like the chamois to fit very close to my body. If it sticks out at all, it's either a goofy chamois (for my shape) or the shorts are simply too big. I have big legs-small waist too, so I feel your pain.

I doubt you can shrink them as you'd have to shrink the chamois as well as the short. And since chamoises (is that the plural, grammar goddesses?) aren't made of leather anymore, they don't really shrink!

Try the small! :D

[pyxichick]

GLC-

Speaking as someone who has large thighs/small belly, I'd like to recommend a bibshort. Then you don't have to worry about the waist at all.

As far as the other problem... I can only dream of a day when medium bike shorts would be too large to fit snugly around my legs.

[kaian]

I recently went down a size to prevent bunching in the crotch area. I also have a small waist and huge legs. I wear PI Ultrasensors - XS. I love how the XS fits in the waist and crotch region, but I've been getting chafing on my thighs from the tight grip of the shorts on longer rides! I've been putting chamois butter on the area, which helps, but I still get redness from the grippers grabbing onto my skin! Anyway, it's much better than saddle sores. :) I say go with a smaller size AND shorts do lose their elasticity eventually, so you have to make sure and replace old stretched out shorts.

[Bikingmomof3]

I went down a size-seriously did not think my body was that "small" on the bottom. When they arrived I immediately noticed the difference. I wear a small short-whoo hooo-something is small on me. :D The mediums I cannot stand, they do not fit right and I knew something was wrong, but not how wrong until I tried the small size.

[HillSlugger]

I'm pretty sure that lycra does not shrink.

You might want to consider finding a tailor or seamstress who can take them in a bit.

[Kano]

But if there is too much material you're in danger of chafing and other woes.

OOh! Maybe it's not the longer rides? Maybe it's ME? Here I was thinking that the chamois might just be wrong for longer rides....

Didn't occur to me that it could be ME that's not right for the shorts anymore as I'm wishing the trail were less crowded so I could "pick" at the shorts that don't seem to be in the right spot lately!

Yes, I realize that BOTH these things could be a factor...

I guess it's time to get out the tape measure, and go shopping!

Karen in Boise

[easterbird]

Good Grief...I have all PI ultra sensor shorts 'cause they felt so good. One in size large from last fall when I first began this experiment with biking and 3 pr mediums that I just bought at the beginning of this season. I seem to have the opposite problem from some of you...no change in waist(still big!)but my thighs are shrinking. I ride a fair amount about 3000 so far this year. I wonder if my thighs will start to enlarge eventually. I use gearing to keep spinning rather than muscle thru my rides. I'm gonna tackle shorts issue with my sewing machine just to see if I can tighten up the leg opening.

[li10up]

I buy everything in XL...my dream is to one day be a medium. I'm a size 14 in street clothes but anything smaller than XL just feels too tight.

Something I've wondered...does fitting yourself into a smaller size stretch the fabric and make it more see-thru? I'd hate be be flashing my buns to anyone...and the light outside is so different from the light inside I worry about the fabric being too thin. So does stretching the fabric make it more see-thru?

[Lenusik]

GLC-

Speaking as someone who has large thighs/small belly, I'd like to recommend a bibshort. Then you don't have to worry about the waist at all.
.

I second that. Try bibs. I never wanted to admit this but you get what you pay for. I love my Assos shots and I just ordered bibs as well. They are expensive but they worth every penny. Their gripper is tight enough and it stays in place. Plus, the weist part does not strengle you.

[GLC1968]

Good Grief...I have all PI ultra sensor shorts 'cause they felt so good. One in size large from last fall when I first began this experiment with biking and 3 pr mediums that I just bought at the beginning of this season. I seem to have the opposite problem from some of you...no change in waist(still big!)but my thighs are shrinking. I ride a fair amount about 3000 so far this year. I wonder if my thighs will start to enlarge eventually. I use gearing to keep spinning rather than muscle thru my rides. I'm gonna tackle shorts issue with my sewing machine just to see if I can tighten up the leg opening.


Easterbird - I also have PI Ultrasensors. They are the best fit I've found so far, but I'm still looking. I'm willing to pay more to get the right fit, I just haven't found it. If you want a smaller leg with a generous waist...try Terry. I have the 2005 T-short and they are too tight in the leg and huge in the waist, more so than any other short I own!

[ACG]

I thought the same thing with some of my shorts. I went out and bought another pair - same brand, same size, etc. They fit me sort of loose too. So I took my measurements. Surprise! I had lost inches, just not weight.

I am being optimistic for you, maybe you are getting smaller..........:D