Favorite shorts for long distance riding (50 miles +)

In two short weeks I will be embarking on my cross-country bicycle adventure, 49 days long with an average mileage of 83 miles per day.

I still have to get 2-3 more pairs of bike shorts before I head out, so I'm looking for suggestions. I want to have a little more variety than what I already have just in case my undercarriage decides not to agree with my etxeondos after a while. I like compressive shorts... bought a pair of Castelli shorts (not sure what model, but cheaper-- under 100 bucks) in a pinch and they are horribly uncompressive. The fabric is stretchy like a bad swim suit. Needless to say they will stay at home.

Anyway, here's what I already have that I am taking:
1 pair etxeondo sbaren bibs
1 pair etxeondo ribbon bibs
1 pair etxeondo sbaren shorts

I'm thinking of just getting shorts from here rather than bibs because the thought of having to drop trou on the side of the road in Montana somewhere when I'm in my bibs is a little disconcerting lol.

So, what shorts do you reach for when doing a century or a brevet or a long weekend jaunt? I am all ears :)

LG Neo Power.

Gore Oxygen. *choir of angels sing*

+1 on the Louis Garneau Neo Power shorts, the best shorts I've had in quite some time! And I have tons of shorts... :rolleyes:

For those with the LG shorts, do you have the long version or the shorter version?

I have the longer ones. I wish there was something in between. On me, too long just looks goofy and I can deal with that, too short rides up.

I have the long LGs and I'm 5'1"". Felt a little weird at first. Now I love them. Buy up one size for sure.

By the way, your ride really sounds wonderful! Have fun.

Reesha, I have a like-new pair of LG Neo Power shorts for sale if you are interested. They're an XL but I have 38 hips and they're pretty compressive on me. I'm guessing that they may not offer the compression you're looking for if your hips are smaller than 36". Here's the thread.

I like the LG Neo Power (short length) for longer rides too. I noticed that these shorts become soaked all the way through from my sweating and I sometimes squeak when I move on the seat. :) My other shorts (PI Symphony) probably do this too, I've just not noticed it.

I have two favorites, which are heads and tails above all my other shorts. The LG Neo Power, in the short length, and my absolute favorite, a pair of Shebeest shorts, also in a short length. I really hope they get made again.

Right now the Rapha shorts are my go to long brevet or double century shorts. LOVE them. I realized today on my ride that I wasn't even aware of the saddle.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

I realized today on my ride that I wasn't even aware of the saddle.

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Hey, I just realized the same! 66 miles and no chamois butter either (I forgot).

For the LG Neo Power shorts should I look at the size chart... find my size and then move a size up? That seems to be what I've been reading in various places, but I'd love confirmation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

Right now the Rapha shorts are my go to long brevet or double century shorts. LOVE them. I realized today on my ride that I wasn't even aware of the saddle.

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I got a pair when they had that 50% off sale or I would never have considered them, but I have to agree with you. I love them, and in combination with my saddle, feel like I really lucked out by getting things right early. I've only gone 50 miles so far twice, but had zero issues during or after the ride. I didn't even use chamois cream, though did use Anti-Monkey Butt powder, which I also quite like (read about it in a thread here). I wish they made them in knickers.

I also have the Neo Power shorts, which are fine as well.

I ordered my LGs from TE after reading all the reviews. I pretty much wear a small everything. I got the Mediums and they seemed tight at first. I had never worn compression clothing before so was unfamiliar with how snugly they fit. I got used to them right away and feel way more supported in them. The Smalls
would have been way too small.

They are not the heaviest weight shorts out there, which should be good for your warm weather. I like not having an elastic band at the bottom. Way more comfortable. Also the snugness helps keep my knee warmers from sliding down.

I also found the waistband to been comfortable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reesha

For the LG Neo Power shorts should I look at the size chart... find my size and then move a size up? That seems to be what I've been reading in various places, but I'd love confirmation.

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I went up a size in these shorts and they fit perfect.

I really like the Hincapie bibs I got from TE, and they have a clasp in the back for easy pee breaks. It's actually quite well designed. I do think they run a bit large, so that's something to consider. I'm a fan of bibs for long rides for sure, and alternate between these and my Louis Garneau bibs.

I also like my Louis Garneau Corsa shorts if I'm not going to wear bibs.

OK one final question about the LG Neo Power shorts... I guess I still haven't gotten a good answer. Is the size chart on TeamE accurate?

According to the size chart, I should be an XL since I have 40" hips and a 29" waist. Presumably if I order that size they'll be as compressive as LG thinks they ought to be. If I want them less compressive, I order up to an XXL?

I've got 37" hips, 29" waist, smack on the line between small and medium in many brands (e.g. I have both small and medium Shebeest SSS shorts and wear them both comfortably) - solidly small in CW-X running bottoms, solidly medium in Brooks running bottoms, and large in the LG Neo Power.

Does that help??

lol Oh jeez! Yes it does :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reesha

OK one final question about the LG Neo Power shorts... I guess I still haven't gotten a good answer. Is the size chart on TeamE accurate?

According to the size chart, I should be an XL since I have 40" hips and a 29" waist. Presumably if I order that size they'll be as compressive as LG thinks they ought to be. If I want them less compressive, I order up to an XXL?

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You can always call them to ask for more information. But I believe the size chart is accurate. All my other shorts (PI and Shebeest) are mediums but based on the chart for the LG Neo Power shorts I got a size large, and they fit well.

I do not find them to be super compressive. They are about the same as my Shebeest Century shorts, and more compressive than my Shebeest SSS shorts. Also more compressive than some Sugoi shorts and a different pair of LG shorts that I tried on at the LBS last year. But that doesn't mean they're super tight, just that there is less stretch in the fabric.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

Right now the Rapha shorts are my go to long brevet or double century shorts. LOVE them. I realized today on my ride that I wasn't even aware of the saddle.

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X2 on the Rapha shorts. I too, snagged a pair during their 50% off sale (or I too, would not own a pair now)...and they are super comfy. I do think that if they ever run that half-off sale again, I will purchase another pair but in a size smaller. I bought a size Large, and I probably could have gotten away with a size Medium in these shorts. But I'm still happy with them.