Padded Bottoms - Necessary?

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Yep, these shorts have a nice big gusset ... [snip] :eek: The gusset creeps into my crack - putting the rest of the seams in uncomfortable places, too. And if that weren't enough, the legs ride up and I have to keep pulling them down. I don't even like these shorts for the gym.

I'm glad they work for Knott!! For my big butt (9" bigger around than my waist), these are not the shorts...

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They may not be the same shorts.

Mine have a quite small gusset, which really only serves to avoid the 4-seams-meeting.

I do have the creeping up the crack and crawling up the legs problem when I wear a size too small. (I have 3 sizes of UnderArmour shorts for the 3 stages of healthy-chubby-fat I cycle through.)

For what it's worth, my butt is quite a bit larger than just 9 inches difference from my waist. Always has been, always will be... "the eternal hourglass" no matter if I weigh 145 or 205.

Currently I'm 205 lbs, and wearing my XL UnderArmour. When I get down to 165 I switch to the L, and so on.

[QUOTE=OakLeaf;564330]Y'know, I'd forgotten that I have a pair of their 5" shorts at the bottom of my gear drawer. When I pulled them out this morning to run in, I remembered why they were at the bottom. :p

Oakleaf, I haven't laughed this hard in days. Thanks for sharing! I don't know why you keep them around. Do you just bring them out as a reminder of what to avoid?

I also can't bear to throw anything away, and don't live in an area where athletic clothing would do anything but languish at a thrift store. Spandex and other technical fabrics aren't even any good as shop rags. So the things I hardly ever wear, never wear out, and sit at the bottom of my drawer forever...

I should inventory all of it and put it up for a TE giveaway. Anyone want those UA shorts now that I've described them so fetchingly? ;)

does the fabric that wicks water away from your skin really make a difference??

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Y'know, I'd forgotten that I have a pair of their 5" shorts at the bottom of my gear drawer. When I pulled them out this morning to run in, I remembered why they were at the bottom. :p

Just another illustration about how everyone is shaped differently. Yep, these shorts have a nice big gusset ... which not to put too fine a point on it, is centered on my anus, so you can imagine what equally sensitive parts are directly underneath the front of the gusset where the three seams join, and then directly under the front center seam. :eek: The gusset creeps into my crack - putting the rest of the seams in uncomfortable places, too. And if that weren't enough, the legs ride up and I have to keep pulling them down. I don't even like these shorts for the gym.

I'm glad they work for Knott!! For my big butt (9" bigger around than my waist), these are not the shorts...

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gawd! i'll stick to my no pads cotton lycra tights:eek:...are you sure they are shorts??!!

I am pretty sure the shorts Oak is describing have no pad...
And yes, wicking fabric really does wick. It doesn't mean you don't feel some sweat; it just doesn't stick to you and your jersey doesn't stick to you, making you cold and clammy, or overheated. Cotton is your enemy in any endurance sport.

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Originally Posted by audreytatou

does the fabric that wicks water away from your skin really make a difference??

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Oh my yes, far more comfortable than cotton!

I just bought 3 pairs of underarmor compression shorts from TJ Maxx for <$15 each!! Also saw several cycling jerseys (though not my style). I love that TJ Maxx/Marshalls are buying cycling apparel :)

I am a little late to the party here, but wanted to add a few of my observances about trying to find comfort for the "girly bits," on the bike. For reference, my rides are normally 40-60 miles. I have done 1 century.

I did try several saddles and am now on a Brooks, which is my favorite so far. Parenthetically, when I had a professional bike fit, one of the fitters did a freak out when he saw my Brooks and tried to talk me out of it. Uh uh! Whereas my saddle doesn't disappear, it is far from the hell of the other saddles I tried.

One of the saddles I tried did have a cut out and was gel and the gel was too soft and caused me to sink into the cut out - which caused a lot of swelling.

As for shorts, I am considering trying to ride with no chamois (which I mentioned to the fitter as well, and he did another freak out!) although I do like the padding for my sit bones. Just not my labia. I am trying to find capris with a minimalist chamois. Although, I am a bit resistant to buying more shorts. I have three pair already, two of which I don't really use!!

Here is the thing I am experiencing, which I don't think was mentioned here. I am a newbie. I just started road biking last year. I notice that as I am getting stronger on the bike, I use the muscles in my legs and butt differently and I push harder, which keeps my labia lifted off of the saddle more. I also think when I concentrate on my core, this also helps. If I am really pedaling from my butt, keeping my core strong, and focusing on form, I am really comfortable on the saddle. I am also faster :)

The fitter who trained me was very wise. You are not allowed to "freak out" over choices made by your client - unless those choices are causing the client problems.

So, if my client comes in riding centuries on a hard plastic BMX saddle with no complaints that can be traced to that saddle, I am not to throw a fit and demand the client change saddles.

If a client comes in wearing his favorite Utilikilt (in the traditional manner) that he says he wears for all his rides, and has no issues with his hee-hah; I am not to throw a fit and demand he start wearing cycling shorts.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

(take your fitter's freak-outs with a grain of salt)

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

If a client comes in wearing his favorite Utilikilt (in the traditional manner) that he says he wears for all his rides, and has no issues with his hee-hah; I am not to throw a fit and demand he start wearing cycling shorts.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

(take your fitter's freak-outs with a grain of salt)

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oh thanks Knott, i really needed THAT visual...

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Originally Posted by Susan

Interesting discussion - I just asked this myself too. DH has gotten me an Assos Cycling Bib for a present but I just don't seem to like it enough for the price. They feel bulky at the front. He loves his Assos Cycling shorts and thinks they are well worth the money...

From my understanding, if you have a fitting saddle - so you are sitting on your sitbones - the padding in the front doesn't make much sense, does it? The chamois in the front does makes me feel hot and uncomfortable.

Maybe the chamois-design comes from a wrong understanding where women ought to sit on a saddle?

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I find the in most cycling shorts the padding in the front doesn't come up far enough and there's too much in the back. I've been considering Assos so maybe they will work for me. Thank you for providing your feedback! Not many reviews out there (outside of this site) on women's shorts and Assos in particular.
...I also ride in a rather 'aggressive' set-up, nearly parallel with the road! but is very comfortable for me - everyone is different :cool:

If I can help you with any further information about this cycling short cervelogirl, just ask.

I understand that you may have different needs if you use a very aggressive setup on your bike.
I myself will look for a more minimal cycling short the next time - but I am mountainbiking, so my position on the bike is quite relaxed.

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Originally Posted by audreytatou

does the fabric that wicks water away from your skin really make a difference??

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Yes!

I went on a ride in 100 degree heat last year and went over 30 miles. Let me tell you this, if I wasn't wearing moisture wicking fabric it would have been heck on the "girly bits". Hallelujah for moisture wick!

I digress.

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Originally Posted by cervelogirl

I find the in most cycling shorts the padding in the front doesn't come up far enough and there's too much in the back.

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Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

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Personally, the PI 3D Elite chamois works well for me, though they are a trifle thick - but do very well for long rides for me. So far I've yet to find another that does. Am currently trying Terry Liberty shorts for short rides, but for some reason it almost feels like I slide around the saddle more than I should with them :confused: I would not use them for a long ride, but outside of the sliding thing they seem fine for short rides.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Personally, the PI 3D Elite chamois works well for me, though they are a trifle thick - but do very well for long rides for me.

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Yep. I tried a pair with the PRO chamois, but didn't really like it...partly because the shorts gave me the worst. sausage legs. ever.

First, let me say I'm loving this forum! I'm getting all kinds of information, and being new to long distance cycling, it's helpful. It seems like any other hobby. You can spend a small fortune on it, or a large fortune. Just pick.

Today I did my first ride (20 miles) wearing shorts with the chamois (how do you pronounce that, btw?) I bought a pair of Novaro shorts at REI that were $40, which seems like about the least you can pay. Aside from making my backside appear to one again be the two sizes that I've lost over the last year, they seemed okay functionally. I didn't have too strong a feeling one way or the other, but they do have a great deal of padding. I can see how that would be hot on a really warm day.

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

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Originally Posted by Jen12

First, let me say I'm loving this forum! I'm getting all kinds of information, and being new to long distance cycling, it's helpful. It seems like any other hobby. You can spend a small fortune on it, or a large fortune. Just pick.

Today I did my first ride (20 miles) wearing shorts with the chamois (how do you pronounce that, btw?) I bought a pair of Novaro shorts at REI that were $40, which seems like about the least you can pay. Aside from making my backside appear to one again be the two sizes that I've lost over the last year, they seemed okay functionally. I didn't have too strong a feeling one way or the other, but they do have a great deal of padding. I can see how that would be hot on a really warm day.

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

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When it comes to bike shorts, it really is best to purchase the most expensive pair that you can afford and they should be tight. It does matter where bike shorts are concerned - if they are loose then they will chafe just where you don't want them to :eek: There are so many different types of chamois out there, some look like a diaper, some are almost non-existent - but what really depends is what our butts think of them.

Personally I will never ride without bike shorts or a liner with a chamois - but that is me. Some chamois are better for short rides, some are best for long endurance rides, and some aren't worth purchasing - but it is for your butt to decide which is which - this is a quite subjective process.

I've never ridden in a skort, but I do know there are some TE women who really like them - there is only one way to see what you think of them and that is to give them a shot :)

If the chamois feels like diaper while you are on the bike, then the shorts aren't right for you. They shouldn't make your butt look 2 sizes bigger. This is a very individual thing.
I have a couple of cycling skorts, but I generally wear them for rides < 20 miles, errands, lunches, etc. There are a couple of styles; I have found the wrap ones fly up in the front, so the shorts part shows, which is a little weird, because the shorts part look like cycling shorts, but are not as compressive, usually. So, I always feel like my underwear is showing, although it's really shorts showing. I like the ones with the side slits more.

Americans usually say "shammy" IME. I want to say there's a car polishing product that spells it that way.

It's unfortunate that you have to spend so much money before you can try them out to see if they work. From this thread, it seems as if many people have several pair stuffed away in a "failure" drawer, and wear them when their favorites aren't available. It reminds me a lot of running shoes. I don't know how many fittings I went through and how many problems I had before finally finding a pair that worked for me.

It depends on your riding style, too. When I used to do a lot of 50+ mile rides (before my accident), the absolute best shorts I could afford were much more important. Now that I typically do shorter rides in the 15-30 mile range, any of my shorts will do, even the ones under cycling skorts that don't have nearly as much padding.

It also helps that my saddle works well for me. A bad saddle will make even the best shorts feel worse. It's difficult to get both of them right at the same time, but when you do -- nirvana! :D

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

It depends on your riding style, too. .....

It also helps that my saddle works well for me. A bad saddle will make even the best shorts feel worse. It's difficult to get both of them right at the same time, but when you do -- nirvana! :D

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I should have mentioned this - certainly shorter rides are more forgiving - and if we can find the perfect saddle it certainly does help :)

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Originally Posted by Jen12

I also purchased a skort with a chamois. What is the feeling on that? It certainly covers up the odd shape the chamois gives. Coming from a running background, I've always preferred running skirts to shorts, but haven't tried riding with the extra fabric. Anyone care to weigh in on that?

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Skorts are very nice for blending in with the non-athletic-wear crowd, if you like to ride to the grocery store, library, etc. For some of us, a skort feels more modest in those situations.

There are also some really cute skorts out there - a big step up from tight, plain black shorts!

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Originally Posted by soprano

Skorts are very nice for blending in with the non-athletic-wear crowd, if you like to ride to the grocery store, library, etc. For some of us, a skort feels more modest in those situations.

There are also some really cute skorts out there - a big step up from tight, plain black shorts!

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I thought a skort would be fun until someone pointed out that flapping fabric can be bee magnets. :eek:

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I thought a skort would be fun until someone pointed out that flapping fabric can be bee magnets. :eek:

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AHHH!!! So now I have to worry about cars, potholes, other riders, runners, bike issues AND bees? Oy vey....:eek:

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Originally Posted by Jen12

AHHH!!! So now I have to worry about cars, potholes, other riders, runners, bike issues AND bees? Oy vey....:eek:

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Ha...but the funny part is that I've not been stung (yet) on the bike. But last Summer I got stung while plodding along on a run. Small bee flew into my cleavage and was unhappy...so I ended up with an itchy welt for my troubles. :p

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Have you tried Pearl Izumi? I have this exact issue and they are the only brand that has really worked for me. I had several different brands of shorts where the widest part of the chamois fell behind my sit bones and my sit bones ended up on the seams in front of the butt part of the chamois. The only other brand that fit me OK was Gore, but the padding was not dense/thick enough under my sit bones.

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This should come as no surprise, but I have the same problem. :rolleyes: The issue I'm having is that the PI shorts I've worn for the past 5+ years are now no longer correct. I have no idea what happened but my sit bones are now in front of the widest part of the chamois on these as well! It may be the new saddles (which work GREAT with tri chamois but I need more padding for longer rides). It may be more aggressive positioning. I don't think it's weight loss as I'm not even down to where I was when I started cycling yet. FRUSTRATING!

Now I need new to find new bike shorts! Ugh!

And here I was going to ask for your recommendations and all you've got for me is PI? :p Crap.

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

And here I was going to ask for your recommendations and all you've got for me is PI? :p Crap.

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Ha, which short, in particular? I've been wearing the Symphony and Symphony Cut shorts with the orange "Elite 3D" chamois.

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Ha, which short, in particular? I've been wearing the Symphony and Symphony Cut shorts with the orange "Elite 3D" chamois.

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Mine are old. Old Ultrasensors or Microsensors with a grey and green chamois. I think it was labeled the Elite 3D or the PRO 3D or something like that, but it looks totally different than the current versions. Actually, the current versions look even longer!

I just ordered a pair of Gore Oxygen shorts and a pair of Castelli Tyra's. My best (but not perfect) chamois is in a pair of Gore shorts but the shorts are a bit too large on me, so maybe they'll work if I get the right size. I've never tried Castelli, but the picture of the chamois made it look kind of short so I thought it was worth a shot. I just hope neither of them are too cushy. I like my chamois dense...like my men. :p J/K

Update: I finally found the perfect cycling shorts: Louis Garneau's Women Zone 3K Shorts. The fabric is very different than other shorts I've seen, it's very soft and stretchy. LG calls it "Alveo 3K" fabric if that means anything to you. The waistband is beyond comfortable and the bottom of the shorts don't ride up. Strongly recommend these shorts and if you wanted to look at them they're sold at Performance. Thanks everyone for your advice!

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