Hi. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good padded bike short that isn't so ugly looking in the front. You know, with the seam and all going straight down the front, it's not very, shall I say, flattering.
Thanks!
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Hi. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good padded bike short that isn't so ugly looking in the front. You know, with the seam and all going straight down the front, it's not very, shall I say, flattering.
Thanks!
I saw these Sheila Moons in a bike magazine this week- they looked good on the model.
http://tinyurl.com/qan2n
I think Trashy Cat shorts are nice looking, too, but hard to find!!!
I don't think you're going to find any traditional lycra shorts with no center seam, though. Maybe baggy MTB shorts.
Nanci
When it comes to shorts I don't think the basic black ones are made to be fashionable...just functional. Unless you buy the nice flashy colors. Me...they just wouldn't look good on me. Those d@mn models...everything looks good on them.:mad: (Yes, I'm jealous)Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
I always worry more about how the back looks- I hate when the chamois sticks out and gives the wearer diaper butt.
Nanci
This picture really doesn't do them justice, but the Sugoi Evolution Shorty shorts are somewhat lower rise in front. They have a really flattering dip at the waistline, which is also nice because when you are bent over on a bike the waistband isn't cutting into your digestion.
I worry about the view from the back too. I don't want the glare from my behind to blind someone behind me. hehe. I try to wear long jerseys, or half the time I heat up and end up having something tied around my waist.
Islandgirl, I don't know if you have your heart set on traditional shorts, but the knickers I reported on in the apparel thread from sugoi look pretty decent in the front. They are that new low rise that dips slightly under the belly. Manufacturers argue that it is very flattering on everyone. The fabric isn't shiny and the chamois seems decent.
I ordered a pair of sugoi shorts and I'll report on those when I try them out.
I got these Sugoi Technifine
Nanci - Check out Trashy Cat's website--I've bought online directly from them before and had a good overall experience in terms of shipping, customer service, etc. Also, they have good sales.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
By the way, Sheila Moon makes knickers w/the same waistband/styling as the shorts that Nanci's link shows. Those shorts look great---love that V waistband. I'll wait to see if someone else test rides em and gives a review before I take the plunge. Maybe TE will stock the shorts or the knickers? The knickers retail for ~ $85 on Sheila's site.
I saw the Sheila Moon knickers in person on Saturday. She was at the Cinderella ride with some stuff to purchase. I wish I had budget to buy them because they looked really nice. The fabric was lovely and the chamois is a Giordana... it looked great, too. When I have money I will probably buy them.
Trashy Cat, on their website, is sold out of just about everything, except XS, and has been since fall. I wonder if they are going out of business. Remember they had that blurb on the website, around Halloween, about new styles coming soon? Nothing ever did!
I had a kind of bad customer service experience with them, too. I ordered some shorts at night, and noticed as soon as I got the e-mail that the address had a one numeral error, but they wouldn't even try to catch it (right, like it had really been shipped at 8 at night) and I had this whole giant hassle with UPS to even get them delivered to me...I kind of felt like Jane the owner of TC was like, "Tough Sh*t, it's your own fault." Which is too bad, since I _really_ love the Black Satin Shorts.
Nanci
Let me preface all of this by saying I'm friends with Sheila Moon. However, my friendship does not bias my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by mickchick
I work part-time in a bike shop. I'd been trying to get my boss (the owner) to carry Sheila's clothes for three years. Each time Sheila would come into the shop with her shorts, I mentioned that I thought her shorts were okay but not for women with a belly (most of us). She swore they were flattering for everyone. Oh, for those who don't know, Sheila's shorts have a yoga pant type dropped waist.
Anyways, a year ago Sheila gave me a pair to prove to me that they were comfy (even for girls with bellies). I fell immediately in love. The chamois is the most comfortable I've ever ridden. And the shorts are super-comfy and very flattering (even on a girl with a belly).
A couple of weeks later, as I'm packing for a three-week bike trip, I realize I need more Sheila Moon shorts. Being a bit obsessive, I needed them before the trip. Well, Sheila was out of town so I called a couple of her local retailers to see if they had them in stock. I ended up driving about 60 miles and paid FULL RETAIL for two more pair of her shorts. Remember, I work in a bike shop -- I don't pay retail -- but, Sheila's shorts are that good.
What is the chamois like in the SM shorts?
Nanci
All my lycra bike shorts have that seam down the front, but if you're looking for a pair of MTB ones, that don't look like MTB shorts and are quite flattering from the back and the front, then I recommend these Fox shorts:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=14853
I have them in grey, and they don't look like bike shorts at all, and aren't baggy like other MTB shorts. My friends can't believe there's padding 'down there' when I wear them.
With the normal bike shorts, just think how they would look if they weren't black. Check out this photo of the Aussie team at the recent Commonwealth games:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...rr/WRR_DSC0147
Not a good look.. I'd have to wear dark glasses with those shorts:cool:
eva
Quote:
Originally Posted by velogirl
The waist band does look very comfy...and just low enough for me to look like I have a beer belly or a couple of months pregnant! Can someone measure the center crotch seam to the dip in the waist band? I like shorty shorts too so the 5 inchers would be great.
The chamois in the Sheila Moon shorts is a Giordana chamois... I think it's the same one as in the Tenax shorts they sell here at TE. Yup. I just looked at it looks like the exact chamois. Felt great. Wish I could have bought some.
Do you think the SM fabric is thinnish?
Look at the chamois in any of the Trashy Cat shorts on TE, that HAP 65. I _love_ that chamois. It is very structured, but in a very comfortable perfect way.
Nanci
I didn't try on the SM shorts, but the fabric didn't feel too thin to me. I would like to try them on before buying, for sure.
The chamois in the TC shorts looks nice and quite similar to the Giordana chamois. I'm pretty sure I read on TC's website that their chamois is imported from Italy, so I wouldn't be surprised if they're close. All I know is that the Giordana chamois felt really nice. :)
Man, Nanci, sorry. I had no idea. I haven't been to their site in awhile. however, if she treated you bad, I'm not going to buy from them any more. I didn't dig the models they use on their site, either. Too much fashionista vs athlete.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
I'm tempted to try out the Sheila Moon shorts. The weather is so nice here in DC that I've been able to wear shorts w/no knee warmers :D By the way, the cherry blossoms are coming out, too. Got a real itch to play hookey from work, but luckily, the weekend is coming. I love spring!!!
I wouldn't go so far as to boycott TC unless something happens again. The shorts are to nice. I _did_ place another order with no problem.
Nanci
I don't usually like to revive an old thread, but I tried the Sheila Moon shorts discussed here They felt great. The fabric felt like a second skin and no chamois discomfort at all. The v-waist could lead to some Britney Spears type mid-riff exposure if you're top is short, but it also didn't pinch at all, even with the extra inches carrying on my waist these days. Definitely worth the price.
I just bought a pair of Pearl Izumis - they are the basic black, really cushy for the tush :) and not unflattering at all (once you get on your bike, lol).....they are the Short Attack ones....i'm pretty self conscious about the whole bike short thing, but once i tried these on, they weren't too bad. Like some of the others mentioned here, they have a lower front than back, which is not only flattering, but waaaay more comfy :)
I don't think they're mtb shorts -- I think the ones I bought are just woosy-I-don't-want-to-wear-tight-lycra-shorts from LLBean. They were cheap and I ordered them before I even got my bike:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...feat=ssdpa8251
And now I'm waiting for a pair of boure tight ones to come, which is going to be scary because I had to order plus-size and yes, I have a belly.
I'm bracing myself for it, and hoping I can actually bring myself to wear them. But, I'm not sure.
ETA: One thing I like about the comfort shorts is that they have pockets. There's a zipper pocket that I tuck my iPod in, and two slash pockets for my keys, my lipbalm, and my glasses. (If I need to read something for some reason, my sunglasses aren't prescription and I can't. Since one thing I do on my bike is go to the post office to check for mail, I need my glasses.)
I ended up getting a pair of Sheila Moon shorts and I don't care for them. The fabric isn't supportive enough, so there is chamois "flap" in the front. I'll wear them inside, when I do Spinervals on my trainer. The Terry Bella shorts have a similar fabric but it's much more supportive and a better overall fit than the Sheila's. The styling is much the same as the Sheila Moon's, too.
I just received my first pair of Bellas (Terry). They are awesome. I like high lycra content and a lower waist so they fit the bill. Also, there is no horrible elastic that leaves red marks around the waist. Now I just have to buy more...
Eh... they are all ugly if you ask me.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandgirl
I can't belive I have worn them in public places even! :eek:
But, whatever... they serve a purpose.
I do like the Pearl Izumi Sugar Short. They aren't as long, and the material is really soft. They also have a really thick pad and run around $40.
Are Bellas Terry or Velo?
I totally agree on all points and I love my Sugar Shorts...even if they make my legs look huge!Quote:
Originally Posted by KSH
The Bellas are Terry. i wore them for a 24 mile ride today and they are perfect. Tight, smooth, thick, but not too thick lycra, a low waist and back, flat front, and a dark navy chamois. Compared to other shorts like this that cost $120, I'm going to buy more.
I just got a pair of womens' Zoot tri-shorts. I really like them. There isn't too much padding and the material is a little lighter than cycling shorts.
Do you do triathalons, or are these strictly for cycling?
I just want to mention that I like to wear bib shorts and they never restrict my belly :) It also doesn't matter if my shirt rides up a little in back, because I know I'm covered.