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I'm sure this has been done before, but I'm new and I can't find it. (Sorry) My husband just got some Assos and I'm having short envy. I have some Pearl Izumi's that I loved, until I switched from my hybrid with suspension to a road bike. After 40 miles yesterday, I'm ready to shop!
I may be weird, but I wear tri shorts all the time (made for triathlons with very little padding). Have done up to 102 miles in them with no discomfort. I do have to say that it took lots of littler rides to get myself used to them. It probably helped that I didn't wear "regular" (ie: diaper padded) bike shorts from the start. I'm sure I'm alone on this one.:p
Quote:
Originally Posted by cunninghamair
I'm looking forward to hearing these replies. I too switched from a hybrid to a road bike this year. I've got 4 pair of Pearl Izumi "Symphony Ultrasensor" shorts that I just love - but on the road bike I'm having a harder time feeling comfortable - (I'm sitting on an ice pack now after this morning's 20 mile ride because things are a bit swollen).
I've got a 45 miler in October and I'm just hoping things will "toughen up" down there. Wishful thinking?
Bib shorts! Yes, they are AWESOME on a road bike! I had trouble finding some that fit, so I'm wearing the first pair I could get. The chamois is actually not bad, though if I had had a choice, I would have gone with a thinner pad. I really don't like to wear shorts with a waistband anymore, but on the road bike the Sugoi RS is the best I have (still not perfect), and the Pearl Izumi are just way to thick for the road bike, but are quite good on the mountain bike.
Try lots, if you're comfortable on the bike you'll ride more! :D
Hugs and butterflies,
~T~
Hi,
I have only ridden road bikes all my life - so I'm not sure what you wear on a hybrid... but here is what I use:
-A lot of pro team clothing. I usually buy at the 'end-of-pro-season sale' when they show the next year's colors and you can get the old overstock very cheap. This year I got a lot of items on sale from the Health Net and the Francaise de Jeux teams - and they are all very comfortable and nice. My boyfriend just bought the last CSC kit (he doesn't even wait for the sales) and is very happy with it.
-Assos, both regular short and bibs (their women bibs are sort of a sleeveless skinsuit though). Love Assos clothing, it's totally my favorite, very comfortable and lasts years and years.
-Lately I got a few items from Voler, mostly to support the USA Cycling Foundation, but the clothing is very good and comfortable - and it looks nice too :)
-We often buy cycling stuff online from www.livestrong.org to support them, and we like those Nike shorts very much too.
-Gore bike wear makes nice shorts, I have two pair of the ozon shorts (I got the last one from a TE'er here) and love them.
We usually order Assos through the local bike shops, but I know a lot of people that buy it online on www.glorycycles.com or on www.competitivecyclist.com
Here's some of the websites where we often shop for comfortable clothing:
http://www.procyclegear.com
http://www.tscyclingusa.com
www.voler.com
https://store.bianchiusa.com
And look at ebay - you can find some good deals!
:)
+ 1 for bibs :) I was only recently introduced to them (detered by the high price) but got some discounted pairs from fellow TE-ers and on eBay :) Now I love them and cannot imagine riding without them. I should probably list the regular shorts here on TE sometime soon since I don't wear them anyway...
One thing to watch for with the bib shorts is whether they are for men or women. The chamois is different so make sure you get the right ones :)
Also, sometimes the straps are oddly placed in regard to your breasts, as you don't want them rubbing uncomfortably. I have one pair that goes in between (which I find most comfortable) and another that goes "around" them (which is less comfortable).
I ride a mtb for commuting (40-90 min, daily) and for training on gravel roads, (60-90 min, maybe weekly) and a road bike for longer rides on paved roads (2-5 hrs, maybe weekly). I prefer bibs on longer rides when I have to eat on bike as my stomach tends to cramp a bit otherwise but for rides up to 2 hrs I'm fine with shorts, road or mtb.
I wear:
- an old pair of Nike spinning (?) shorts with sloppy thin chamois. Fine for short commutes, useless for longer rides.
- a pair of PI Ultrasensor shorts, 2-3 yrs old?. Thick padding which is soft but getting annoyingly sloppy and can chafe on longer rides.
- a pair of Gore shorts, newish. Firm padding, look nice but a couple of shoddy seams started to unravel almost immediately. Leg grippers are a bit tight in the long run.
- a pair of PI Microsensor bibs, newish. Firm, thinnish padding, nicely made but the shoulder straps feel a bit skimpy and too stretchy
- my club bibs, made by Craft. Mens model, a tad large, comfort ok, but not my favourite and I tend not to use it outside club rides cos the design is hideous ;)
Still looking for my absolute favourite, I suspect it's expeeeeensiiive... and will have to wait until one of the above expires for good.
Zoot CycleFit from last year. Flat waistband that sits kinda low. Chamois that isn't over-stuffed; too big of chamois bunch up and cause chafing. Not a huge fan of the leg grippers. No seam up the middle of the outside of the chamois. For some reason I can feel those seems after a couple hours. Not good.
Now that I see they're on sale on Zoot's website, I'll probably pick up some of Zoot's Ultra Cycle shorts from this year.
I also have a pair of DeSoto Sport tri shorts that I'll wear for shorter (<30 miles) rides.
My current favorites are 2 pair of Shebeest SSS and a pair of Ultra D's. Prefer the SSS for hot rides, because the Ultras are longer. BUT the Ultra D's are more comfy > 50 miles.
I have others I ride, but not that I would buy more of.
CA
You are not alone! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
I wear Prana yoga shorts when I ride. No padding, no leg elastic, no high waistband, just supersoft wicking material. They only sell them seasonally though, and I'm riding enough to need more than 2 pair (washing the same pairs 2-3 times a week is not a way to keep them looking nice) so I'm in the market for tri shorts, spin shorts and any other good riding shorts with little or no padding. Are there any particular shorts that you prefer?
My favorite is the Giordana Tenax bib shorts that TE sells.
The design is a bit funky, tho. The front dips down so much my belly skin was peeking out from the bottom of my shorter jerseys. I stitched it up about an inch and it was fine. Other than that they are super comfortable. The fabric kinda massages your legs.
Terry Bella's...both the shorts and capris...
I've only worn Sugoi, so I know no other brand. It's the kind my club sells, and the only kind I've bought. I have 6 pair, so I must like them OK. I've got nothing to compare them to, tho. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Flur
Those were the ones I was looking at. Perfect. Thanks :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri Girl
Terry Bella and Sugoi Evolution. The Bellas are my favorites.