Bike shorts

[marjoriealice]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and am looking for some information on bike shorts.

I have been riding for quite a while, but generally for short trips, now I am really getting into cycling for longer distances. I went on a bike tour/camping trip on gravel roads and ended up with some soreness and chafing. I have been reading up on the saddles and am thinking of buying a Brooks, but I think the shorts must have something to do with my problems.

There seems to be quite a variety of shorts styles, chamois etc and quite a price range. I am not sure how to decide what I need. I have a couple of pairs of inexpensive shorts, they are OK for short rides, but I am wondering if investing in some more pricey ones is worth it or not.

Also wondering about chamois creams, seems like they would be messy and decrease the breathability of the shorts..

[westtexas]

I've got shorts from all price ranges. I will have to say my favorites are my more expensive ones (the $80 shorts versus the $40 shorts) with the thinner chamois. But I think it's more personal preference than anything else. I find thicker chamois make my legs numb on long rides from the pressure, so I mostly buy tri shorts now. I think the biggest thing to know about shorts to prevent chaffing and irritation is to always wear a clean pair (one use only per pair before washing) and take them off as soon as you are done riding.

For chamois cream... I really like using it. I use the Hoo-Ha Ride Glide and find that it really helps keep my skin protected. I thought the same as you that it would cause everything to get all stuffy in there and with the sweat and everything, but actually I didn't notice that at all. What I did notice is that my skin doesn't get irritated and raw and the tea tree oil smell it has helps cover up the sweaty gross smell.

[Owlie]

It's worth getting some more expensive shorts. My favorites are actually mid-range (probably $90). I have some $120 ones that I got on sale, and while they're nice, the chamois is a bit much for me. They're really a matter of personal preference, so try a bunch.

Chamois cream...Personally, I don't use it. It can help, though, and they don't have to be messy. Just apply it directly to you (and not the chamois), and it really shouldn't be a problem.

[azfiddle]

In addition to the suggestion above- be sure the shorts fit correctly. I did a 60 mile ride in shorts that were too big, and I had some chaffing that made the last half of the ride and the next few dayas really uncomfortable, right under my sit bones). (I was losing weight and had "shrunk" out of my shorts and needed a smaller size).

[Owlie]

In addition to the suggestion above- be sure the shorts fit correctly. I did a 60 mile ride in shorts that were too big, and I had some chaffing that made the last half of the ride and the next few dayas really uncomfortable, right under my sit bones). (I was losing weight and had "shrunk" out of my shorts and needed a smaller size).

+1. I think there's a rule of thumb that says to buy the smallest shorts you can fit into. There's some truth to that.

[westtexas]

+1. I think there's a rule of thumb that says to buy the smallest shorts you can fit into. There's some truth to that.

But not so small that the compression from the waist band makes your intestines upset. I have to be really careful with that - having heartburn 40 miles from home really stinks.

[jelee1311]

I love my PI shorts for long ride (just make sure you don't get the sugar short unless you want short shorts), I also really like the higher end Performance brand shorts and they are cheap comparativly speaking plus they have a great return policy.I think you just have to keep trying until you find what you like.