Another Rocky Ride and a Shorts Review

[Veronica]

The triplets, Rock, Cary and Clod, accompanied me for another ride today. It was a much better experience. Thom looked at my bike this morning and noticed my rear brakes were rubbing a bit. Hmmm... that would explain some of my unhappiness yesterday. I took a different route today, but I timed myself on the same hill after riding hard for 75 minutes and was 45 seconds faster than yesterday. Still no where near my best time up the hill... but not agonizingly slow either.

I got some new shorts from TE today - the wicked expensive Louis Garneau ones. Thom does this every time I mention how much they were. The material is odd and seems a little thin. Thom says it looks like I'm wearing carbon fiber. I was worried I would be cold, but wasn't. I like the chamois. It's also different from most others I tried. It sort of has ridges, but I didn't feel them at all. It totally disappeared 20 minutes into the ride. They are probably my most unattractive shorts. They seem to highlight just how big my thighs are. I still had on leg warmers when Thom got home and he said I looked like a sausage. I did ask and I expect him to be honest.

They were very comfortable for my 25 mile ride. I'll wear then on a long ride this weekend and see how they do.

V.

[SadieKate]

Which Garneau shorts? Several years back, Susan recommended against LG shorts as they tended to work better for less stout-legged women than I. Therefore, I've never tried any. If you like them I'm guessing they must have changed the design. Legs warmers and shorts make everyone look like sausages -- even Tom (well, unless he's wearing baggies).

Bubba is most flattered that you liked his rock names.

[SadieKate]

These shorts?
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=18035

That chamois looks like an anatomy lesson.

[Veronica]

After I tried the Descentes, (too tight in the leg grippers and too much chamois) I decided to try the LG Airstreams. I did get a large, rather than a medium. I'm trying not to dwell on that.

Those names got a chuckle out of me this morning. I've been told that the triplets will accompany me on every ride for the next few weeks. Makes me glad I took the rack off Fluffy 'cause otherwise I'd probably have a herd, flock, pride, school, gaggle, pack or troop of rocks instead of triplets.

V.

[allabouteva]

OMG V!

Those are one pair of expensive shorts! In Aussie dollars that would be well over $200. The most I've ever spent I think is US$60. I've heard Assos is a good brand too, and their stuff is around that mark.

So do you think they're the best pair you've ever had?

[Veronica]

I'm sort of put off by Assos's marketing. I've never had a pair of their shorts. I looked at some on Saturday and they looked like shorts. But people whose opinions I respect, love their Assos shorts.

The short material of the LGs is really comfortable. It's weird, but comfortable. I find just about any chamois to be okay for a sub 2 hour ride. It's around 4 hours that I notice irritation. So, I'll be posting an update after this weekend.

V.

[Nanci]

I'd be interested in the review, too.

Is the fabric see-through?

Does the fabric feel tough, or like it would catch or snag easily?

Does the chamois mold to your hiney, or stick out like a thick diaper?

What does the chamois feel like? Stiff and supportive, or soft? Can you tell it's gel?

Do you like the ergonomic panels?

How far, relatively, do the shorts come up in the back, or come across in the front? Like, way up your back, or down below the belly button? I didn't think I'd like shorts that were lower-cut, but it turns out I do.

Ok, that's all my questions except do you love them $180 worth?

Nanci

[Veronica]

Is the fabric see-through?

If you're pulling it over you hand, yes. But Thom says he couldn't see through them when I had them on.

Does the fabric feel tough, or like it would catch or snag easily?

In normal use, I don't think it would snag. I don't think it would survive a crash real well though.

Does the chamois mold to your hiney, or stick out like a thick diaper?

Absolutely no diaper effect.

What does the chamois feel like? Stiff and supportive, or soft? Can you tell it's gel?

I wouldn't describe it as soft or stiff. Supportive? Maybe. Not a gel.

Do you like the ergonomic panels?

I think I'll be able to answer this better after I do a longer ride.

How far, relatively, do the shorts come up in the back, or come across in the front? Like, way up your back, or down below the belly button? I didn't think I'd like shorts that were lower-cut, but it turns out I do.

I didn't really notice, which means not low cut.

Ok, that's all my questions except do you love them $180 worth?

Not sure yet. I will for sure wear then for short rides. I'm hoping they'll be my Double Century shorts. That makes the price like $3 an
hour if I do 3 doubles. Even less the more doubles I do. Of course I'll probably buy a second pair if I love them on a long ride.


V.

[Nanci]

Nice review! I assumed you had the Airstreams, which TE says has a gel chamois. Do you have a different style?

Nanci

[Veronica]

I do have the Airstreams, but the chamois doesn't feel like a gel. But it does clearly say gel. Funny.

V.