Cycling shorts

[Cyclesome]

I am looking to purchase a pair of cycling shorts for an upcoming Century event, my first. The most I have biked in one trip was 64 miles. I ride a Cannondale hybrid for now as I am just getting back into biking this year. I have no complaints about my saddle. It feels very comfortable. I would like cycling shorts with just a bit of padding and a great fit with an inseam of approximately 4 - 5". Any advice?

[slinkedog]

Have you checked online here at TE? Susan and Co. are very good about giving inseam measurements and all that. I personally really like Shebeest shorts. Their chamois just really works for me.

I'm sure there are lots of threads in the Apparel section about favorites and all that. Have a look!

[Grog]

Shebeest indeed makes a short with a short inseam.

The Sugar short (Pearl Izumi I think) also has a short inseam.

I know some others really want short shorts, but personally I can't do them, at least not on long rides. They either ride up or just rub in the wrong places. Long shorts just hold my legs so nicely...

[Cyclesome]

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the Pearl Sugar Short, but as luck would have it, it is back ordered. Hopefully, I will receive it soon. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.

[Cyclesome]

PI shorts came yesterday. For me, they just had more bulk than I was looking for. The inseam, however, was fine. I am returning them tomorrow.

I have been researching on the Internet and came across a brand called Shebeest. Specifically, I was interested in Shebeest SSS (Shelastic padding), Racegear (Body Molding padding), Duo Stripe (hourglass padding). Does anyone wear these shorts? Do you like them? I have ridding my bike 64 miles with regular spandex Nike shorts with no sit bone pain whatsoever. But feel I better get some biking shorts with some protection when I ride Centuries.

Please advise.

[Eden]

the chamois in the shorts is less about padding the sit bones, than it is about providing a seamless, non-chafing area to protect the parts of your body that are moving around and in contact with your saddle. The original chamois was just that - a piece of leather chamois- soft, absorbant and most of all seamless, but not particularly thick or padded. Thicker pads in shorts are pretty recent and can be pretty uncomfortable in their own right (search "diaper butt" for a few laughs) - kind of like those big bulky gel seats - they look comfortable, but softer isn't always better.

[Brina]

the shebeest triple s is my absolute favorite short. I just ordered a second pair the other day. hopefully in 2007 the 2006 version will go on sale and I will order some more.

[dachshund]

Check out the Apparel forum for more on shorts. Nanci is responsible for many informative reviews on shorts, such as this recent one - complete with pictures of the chamois. Thanks, Nanci!

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7567