Just need to vent a minute.

[DDH]

I have been to my LBS twice trying to find a good pair of shorts. I bought 1 pair brought them home, tried them on and the were a bit small, but mostly they had that low rise waist and I can't stand that. My pants, shorts whatever need to be on my waist or I am tugging at them trying to pull them up. Makes me feel like my pants are falling down. Okay, showing my age here I know. LOL
Anyway, yesterday I took them back and the only other thing he had that wasn't the low rise waist was some of the mountain bike shorts, that have the camios (sp?) and lined shorts on the inside but are lose on the outside.
Went to get ready to ride this morning and put them on. They are toooo tight. I'm so mad!!! I was hoping to have a new good pair of shorts to ride with this weekend on the organized ride I am going on. My shorts I have now are the ones that we bought back when we first started riding like 9 or 10 years ago. They have been sitting in my drawers all these years and it's not like they weren't used a lot back then. They fit, but they are so worn that they ride up on my legs and the padding is not nearly as good as the newer shorts now have.
Oh, well, guess I will be riding in old worn out shorts this weekend. Being fat and trying to find something that fits really sucks!! I can wear an XL in anything I buy from the store, but not in bike shorts I guess.

[Kano]

Even mediocre shorts would help, right?

I've found a couple of pair at REI -- one is their house brand, and the other is Canari. The chamois is nothing special, mostly a layer or two of fleece, I think, but they get me through a ride! Fabric is heavy enough so they're not see through, and if you're lucky, you'll find 'em on their summer clearance rack! I got mine for $20/pair.

We're starting to ride a bit longer now -- 30+ miles on weekends, and on the last one, I found myself thinking that maybe these shorts aren't designed for rides that long, so I might be hunting for something nicer for "long hauls" one of these days.

I know what you mean, though, about the waist too low -- Dad calls it "dunlaps disease" when the waist done laps over the belt. My frustration is that when the waistband is in the wrong place, the front rolls down, and all the padding in the world doesn't help with THAT issue!

Karen in Boise

[Lise]

My first pair of bike shorts was an XL Canari from Sport Mart. That store is now called something else...Sports Authority. Anyhoo, it's a "big box" sports equipment store. Eventually I got too small for the XLs, went back, and bought an L in the same shorts. I still wear them. Four years later. I have fancier shorts, and more expensive shorts, but these are still perfectly good.

Maybe you can find some like that in a bigger store. Good luck, and have fun on your rides!

[Cassandra_Cain]

The never-ending saga for well-fitting bike shorts, is, well, never-ending! And for good reason really.

Whether tis because manufacturers like to make our lives difficult by changing sizing EVERY darn year OR because the LBS only carries, say, XS - it goes on and on.

I try to support the LBS as much as possible (3 bikes in 2 months is plenty I think) - but sometimes you have to go online, like here at TE, to get what you need. I find most shops have every imaginable size in men's gear, but mostly hand-me downs and random sizes in women's.

Hang in there, i'm sure you'll get some good shorts soon enough

[DDH]

Mimi, you cracked me up with the rubber shorts comment. LMAO

I have an image now of riding around in rubber shorts. Hey might be a way to hold all the fat in, unless it is soft rubber. LOL

Anyway, thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

[tulip]

I agree with Cassandra. TE specializes in women's stuff, and they have expertise in larger sizes. It may seem expensive to get a good pair, but they will fit you and you will get lots of riding out of them. If you treat them right, they will last a long time.

[mary9761]

I'm glad I make my own.

[mimitabby]

I sure understand your frustration, there is such a considerable difference in sizes and styles.
I bought a pair of shorts (Cannondale brand?!) they felt like rubber. who wants to wear rubber on a bike all day?
I'm sending them back!