Cycling Clothes and Relative Fit From Model to Model?

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Every time I look online at cycling clothing I wish there were a way to know how X shorts fit relative to Y shorts. I have found that even in a single brand different models can have drastically different fits (I'm looking at you, Pearl Izumi).

So...I got the bright idea that maybe we could have a single thread where we could share our fit experiences with those looking for that perfect pair of shorts or jersey.

To start: I really like the fit of PI's Symphony short, but have been trying to find a pair of similar P.R.O. line shorts. I tried a pair of the PRO Leader shorts, but they were WAY smaller in the same size (medium). The PI PRO short looks similar (wish it had that flat front panel...the PRO In-R-Cool short has it, but those damned leg bands give me the worst. sausage legs. ever.).

So does the sizing of the Symphony short match the PRO short? I wear a medium in the Symphony, but a large in PI's tri shorts, if that paints a better picture of my build/size.

[Catrin]

Good idea Zoom-Zoom! I went short-shopping last week and came home with a new pair of 2011 PI Symphony shorts (love the new waistband and leg grippers) and a new pair of medium PI Elite drop-tail bibs. I really WANTED to get a pair of P.R.O. In-R-Cool shorts - but they were more expensive than the bibs! I wasn't about to try a $145 experiment without knowing if the chamois would work for me or not. So far I've not had much luck with any other chamois outside of the Elite 3D.

I did try on the P.R.O. In-R-Cool shorts in medium - which is what I wear in the Symphony shorts. They appeared to fit the same. I did like the cut of the P.R.O. shorts, and a friend who works at the LBS told me she thinks that PI has changed the leg grippers from earlier in the season. These are her go-to shorts and she said the grippers on the pair I tried on were nicer and they didn't appear to be too tight which was the complaint in the spring.

I still want to try the P.R.O. chamois, but knowing my track record with chamois I don't want to pay that much and find out after a ride that they won't work; trying them on in the store doesn't give the entire story

[zoom-zoom]

I did try on the P.R.O. In-R-Cool shorts in medium - which is what I wear in the Symphony shorts. They appeared to fit the same. I did like the cut of the P.R.O. shorts, and a friend who works at the LBS told me she thinks that PI has changed the leg grippers from earlier in the season. These are her go-to shorts and she said the grippers on the pair I tried on were nicer and they didn't appear to be too tight which was the complaint in the spring.

Dear god, those grippers in the early ones were HORRID. I have never had such an unflattering pair of shorts. I LOVED the top half and the chamois, but the grippers were a deal-breaker. Hmmm...I wonder if our LBS carries the newer ones. They carry PI stuff, but not generally the styles I like.

Jen, PI jerseys run kind of all over the place. Which style did you find to be small?

[Susan Otcenas]

I did try on the P.R.O. In-R-Cool shorts in medium - which is what I wear in the Symphony shorts. They appeared to fit the same. I did like the cut of the P.R.O. shorts, and a friend who works at the LBS told me she thinks that PI has changed the leg grippers from earlier in the season. These are her go-to shorts and she said the grippers on the pair I tried on were nicer and they didn't appear to be too tight which was the complaint in the spring.

This is correct. The version they sent us in the spring had leg grippers so tight that we sent them ALL back to Pearl Izumi. I'd imagine they are selling them in their outlet stores right about now... The newer version has a much more appropriately sized leg gripper. That said.... I still won't bring them back in to TeamEstrogen.com. Why? Well, Pearl sent me the updated version to test ride, and while the leg hole opening is indeed much more comfortable, they chose to cut the fabric with a hot knife. That means that they don't have to finish the fabric off at the end (ie. turn it under and stitch it, etc.) BUT, the hot knife essentially melts the fabric when it cuts it (which is what keeps it from fraying) and I feel like this created a really sharp edge to the end of the gripper. I wore them the other night on a 25 mile ride, and had to flip up the gripper because they were irritating me.

YMMV, and they may not all be like that, but I won't take the chance with our stock here. For now, that short is a no-go for us.

Susan

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This is correct. The version they sent us in the spring had leg grippers so tight that we sent them ALL back to Pearl Izumi. I'd imagine they are selling them in their outlet stores right about now... The newer version has a much more appropriately sized leg gripper. That said.... I still won't bring them back in to TeamEstrogen.com. Why? Well, Pearl sent me the updated version to test ride, and while the leg hole opening is indeed much more comfortable, they chose to cut the fabric with a hot knife. That means that they don't have to finish the fabric off at the end (ie. turn it under and stitch it, etc.) BUT, the hot knife essentially melts the fabric when it cuts it (which is what keeps it from fraying) and I feel like this created a really sharp edge to the end of the gripper. I wore them the other night on a 25 mile ride, and had to flip up the gripper because they were irritating me.

YMMV, and they may not all be like that, but I won't take the chance with our stock here. For now, that short is a no-go for us.

Susan

That's good to know, on both counts. I have a pair of the regular PRO short that is finished off like that...so far it's not bothering me, but I can see where it definitely could if it curled-under a little. Bummer that the PRO In-R-Cool short was never done right in the first place--I LOVE the top of that short and the Symphony Cut short (which also has that same elastic-free top that doesn't cut in around the belly button).

[Susan Otcenas]

I LOVE the top of that short and the Symphony Cut short (which also has that same elastic-free top that doesn't cut in around the belly button).

Yes, it's a great feature - very comfortable waistband! A lot of our vendors are going that way now. Some of them have swung TOO far in that direction and have not put enough structure in the waists, but most of them are getting it fairly well dialed by now.

[zoom-zoom]

Yes, it's a great feature - very comfortable waistband! A lot of our vendors are going that way now. Some of them have swung TOO far in that direction and have not put enough structure in the waists, but most of them are getting it fairly well dialed by now.

I even have a relatively small waist compared to my big butt. I can't see why companies didn't start doing this years ago. Who needs bibs when we can get regular shorts that are comfy AND easy to deal with when we need to use the bathroom!

[Jen12]

I'm thinking Pearl Izumi seems to run exceptionally small. I'm generally a small in pretty much anything of a SML system, but I bought one of their jerseys on ebay and it seemed really tiny. Not sure if it's the brand or if I just got an odd style.

I do like Novara bottoms, though. They tend to run true to size.

[meganm]

I'm thinking Pearl Izumi seems to run exceptionally small. I'm generally a small in pretty much anything of a SML system, but I bought one of their jerseys on ebay and it seemed really tiny. Not sure if it's the brand or if I just got an odd style.

I do like Novara bottoms, though. They tend to run true to size.

I agree on both points!

[Crankin]

I wear the same size shorts in every brand I have tried. Right now I only wear Terry Bellas and Shebeest S Pros, but I also have Sugoi and Zoic liner shorts that came with more casual cycling wear. They all fit me fine.
I have never worn PI because they don't make x-smalls. Or, if they do, no one sells them.
I may be in the market for more shorts as a couple of my Bellas are wearing out. My first inclination is to stick with what I have, but I've been having some issues lately, and it may be the shorts. I don't know. I have my saddle tweaked finally. I don't want to waste money on things that hurt when I ride!
I used to have a pair of Shebeest shorts (they were called Double D?, something D) that I wore on the one century I did. The chamois was a bit thicker than what I usually like, but they stopped making them. I also had some triple S Shebeests, but I found the chamois didn't come up high enough int he front.
Now jerseys, pretty much the same. I always where an x small, except for Shebeest, which I can't wear at all. They are way too big and long. Oh and LG. All of their cycling clothes are made for women at least 6 feet tall.

[Juliegoddess]

Every time I look online at cycling clothing I wish there were a way to know how X shorts fit relative to Y shorts. I have found that even in a single brand different models can have drastically different fits (I'm looking at you, Pearl Izumi).

Great idea, Kirsten! My biggest problem is with jersey fit. Now, obviously I know that as a plus size gal, I'm going to have some trouble. But I'm kind of "borderline" right now between regular sizes and plus sizes, especially in shorts. And I KNOW I'm larger-busted. But DANG...how can most cycling-wear companies call a jersey with a measly 40" bust an XXL??? Come on!

I know women come in all shapes and sizes (I'm a plus-size clothing designer...for heaven's sake, I DO know this!)...but just speaking proportionately, how can an XXL have a 44" hip, but only a 40" bust??? Not ALL women are shaped like pears!

I had spoken and written to Terry several times, as I LOVE their jerseys. I had them actually MEASURE an XXL for me...to see if I could squeeze into it. Nope...the XXL measured only 41". Unreal. I know they have plus size jerseys, but I want the snazzy prints that only come in regular sizes. Pooey.

Okay, rant over. Bottom line...I'm designing and making my own jerseys!

[zoom-zoom]

Every jersey needs to fit exactly like Twin Six, just sayin'. Seriously. Their medium feels like it was custom cut for ME! I wish I could afford one of every one of their styles.

[azfiddle]

I have a medium Twin Six and 2 medium Terry jerseys, which all fit me very well. PI is all over the place- 2 that fit great, 2 that are really too tight in the bust, some of the fitted ones I can't even get on, and one I tried on that was way too big. The large size in the fitted styles are proportioned wrong for me.
I'm short with a short waist and relatively generous bustline.

Shorts seem to be more consistent- size small works for me right now in Giordana, PI and Performance. I have one medium in Shebeest that doesn't seem too large. I hate the grippers on the Performance (Ultra)! I don't even notice the gripper on the Giordana shorts.

[jessmarimba]

On the other hand, I have two pairs of Shebeest shorts and one is XS and one is M.

I love them both, they are superbly comfy, but I wouldn't feel comfortable ordering them since I don't know if the size difference is because of the different styles or just the individual fabric cuts. (My oversized behind tells me the XS is a fluke but it doesn't help me gauge their sizes any better).

[OakLeaf]

Every jersey needs to fit exactly like Hind, just sayin'. Seriously. Their small feels like it was custom cut for ME! I wish they still made cycling jerseys.

Fixed that for ya.