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Hi,
I bought these shorts a few years back and they are by far my most comfortable short.
I bought at the same time, the PI microsensor( too thin and chamois rides up) and the Sugoi ?RS ( too thin at the front- I like a thicker chamois at the front).
I understand that they don't make the Ultra D any more.
I know that some of you ladies were big fans too. What should I consider as a replacement?
I am resistant to fork out the big bucks for Assos but may be forced to.
Oh man. Shebeest Ultra D....my fave!!! :(
(glad I bought two at the time)
http://www.zappos.com/product/7381979/color/3
What makes them so great?
Also always worth checking Sierra Trading Post for discontinued items. I've gotten some great deals on Shebeest in particular there.
OMG that mannikin looks bizarre!Quote:
Originally Posted by Zen
I find them great because the chamois pad is just right for long rides (30-70 miles)- firm, protective, and very comfy but not bulky. Also I like them because the leg elastic does not cut into my 'curvy' thighs and make me look like a tied sausage. Plus, the material is nice quality.
When I bought them I had ordered 4 other brands of 'long distance' shorts to try on, and none felt as good as Ultra D, so I kept these.
Have you tried the Shebeest SSS short? The chamois is a little softer/less dense than the Ultra D chamois, but it's quite similar.
Also, I would try the Terry Bella short if you haven't -- the chamois is quite similar to the Shebeest shorts.
You might try Castelli shorts too. Both the Kiss chamois and the chamois in their more expensive shorts are thinner than the Shebeest chamois, but like the Shebeest chamois they are flexible and not diaper-like. I find them to be more cushiony than the RS chamois too (I have a pair of RS shorts and my reaction to the chamois was similar to yours). The more expensive Castelli chamois is not thicker, but it is denser. Castellis are my favorites.
I mostly wear the Terry Bellas (also have the silicon gripper, no elastic), but a couple of years ago I bought a pair of the Ultra Ds. I like them, but only use them on rides that are +40 miles. The chamois is a bit thick for shorter rides. Then, I forgot which ones I bought and ordered some SSS shorts. I also like those, but I find the chamois narrow in the front, where I need padding. Hence, those get worn on short rides.
I did wear the Ultra Ds on the one and only century I've done, with no issues.
:D Yeah, not the most flattering way to showcase a product.I think they're about two three sizes to big for Plastic Patty.Quote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
+1 for the Castelli Kiss chamois.. by far my favorite for any length ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by liza
Hey, thanks ladies.
All you Castelli fans, do you think I should try the Zen, or the Big City Bright lights ( or what ever it is called)? The latter has Kiss PLUS chamois. What do you think? Pure hype, or an improvement???
I will also try the Terry Bella shorts. Do you think that they will be similar to the Castelli? Thicker/ thinner? Same quality?
Thanks again.
The Kiss+ chamois that they are using is new. I have a few pairs of Visio shorts from 2007 and 2008 and they use the Y-Pro chamois; the new Visio short has the Kiss+ chamois. The Y-Pro chamois is definitely different than the Kiss chamois. I wouldn't hazard a guess whether the Kiss+ chamois is more like the Kiss or the Y-Pro.
The Terry Bella shorts are equal in quality to the Castelli shorts, just different. They are made of a nice, high-lycra fabric that is very supportive but still lighter weight than the fabrics Shebeest uses (I think Shebeest shorts are a little heavy). It's a little "slippery" -- I find myself sliding around on my saddle more than normal in my Bellas :). The no-elastic belly yoke is very comfortably and flattering. The chamois is pretty much identical to the Shebeest SSS chamois. It's a bit thicker than the Castelli chamois.
As to which Castelli shorts to get... I have Visio shorts, Cocoon shorts, Zen shorts, and an older pair of unknown model with a Kiss chamois. This is kind of a personal choice, but I would steer clear of the Softlex fabric. The Softlex fabric is basically jersey material. It's soft and floppy. I don't think it's a great shorts fabric, but they've carried it through a few seasons so apparently some people like it. It's actually not SO terrible I guess, it is soft and silky, but if you're looking for a pair of shorts that will hold up and be "staple" shorts, the other fabrics are a better bet. The Zen shorts use "Affinity Lycra" which is better than the Softlex imo. The Visio short is made from a fabric that is even heavier and more supportive than the Affinity lycra and it's quite nice. I can't really give you chamois advice because I'm not familiar with the Kiss+ chamois.
TE has the Ultra D too, and on sale!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSB_2141.html
Observe the big red text there on that page, saying 'This product is no longer available'.Quote:
Originally Posted by ASammy1
Oops... :oQuote:
Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl
Thanks Liza for your great review.
One of the troubles I have is distance and the cost of postage. The whole exercise becomes very expensive and returning items is impractical.
If the Terry Bella has the thickest chamois and it is similar to the SSS , I am thinking that none of them are going to do the job. I am looking for something that I can ride all day on.
I might just suck it up and fork out for the uber expensive Assos shorts and see what all the fuss is about.
I'll write a review later
Thanks so much for all your help.
Come to sunny Brisbane sometime! ( well not today, it is flooding)
Susan, have you tried any of the Ground Effect nicks? They're affordable & from just accross the ditch :)
www.groundeffect.co.nz
Happy hunting!