embarassing question

[mimitabby]

I started going commando after reading here that you're supposed to.
My average speed has gone up 5mph and now i Really smoke up hills!!



okay, okay, only kidding except for the first line.
It still feels odd to me to put those shorts on without anything underneath. Now every time i pass another biker, i wonder...are they or aren't they?

[SadieKate]

I still don't get why it seems odd to go commando. You don't wear undies with a swimming suit, do you? Besides, pantyline is so unbecoming.

As far as "bad chamois" are concerned, a couple things I've learned over the years.

*The original PI 3D chamois: it grabbed "stuff" and held on for dear life during a road ride BUT it works great mountain biking. Who knew?
*The saddle/chamois/body position combo is critical. Sometimes they just don't like each other, but another chamois may love your saddle or may be fabulous in a time trial position and not on a mtbike.
*Flat stitching in your shorts is worth the extra cost. Sometimes it isn't the chamois or the saddle that is causing the pain.
*Thin chamois: Sometimes you can feel the seams in the crotch or on your saddle. When chamois wear thin and you can feel the seams on a road ride, the chamois may still be fine for mtbing because you move around so much more. A thin chamois also reduces chamois suck on technical terrain but can be incredibly awful on a century ride.

Moral of the story, don't assume a single experience with one chamois and with/without undies is the final solution. Experiment a little. I was about to throw out my PI 3D shorts because they were so painful for road rides but just wore them for 27 miles of singletrack. They were great.

[DrBee]

I started out wearing undies, then tried commando. Now - I could never go back. No undies for me. Although my mind, for just a brief second, does question what I'm doing every time I put the shorts on.

[Nanci]

I _have_ tried to switch- I just plain hate the feeling. I have a pair of Trashy Cat shorts, though, the Sunflower shorts, that are too sheer for underwear. Then I have to make an exception. But I don't like it...

[HipGnosis6]

I go commando.... the swimsuit analogy is good one.

of course, I work for a kilt manufacturer and spend more time than you'd think possible explaining that "commando is the only way to fly!"

[kelownagirl]

Related question: Do your hubbies, boyfriends, male friends etc go commando with cycling shorts? Mine says he doesn't like the "loose" feeling - needs something to hold the "boys" in place. What do your men do?

[mimitabby]

my DH wears long underwear with padding under his bike shorts. (It's pretty funny because sometimes it shows at the hemline!)

[Luci]

Good to hear about the PI 3d's. I am still going to tailor the pair I bought, but that makes sense considering how little time you spend in the saddle on a tough MTB ride.

You all are just cracking my up with the comando question. I hate panties anyway . I was happy when thongs became an option and I never gave wearing panties a thought under bike shorts. Hehe, but I must have my underwire and wonderbra!!!!!

My wonderful DH of 5 years this August goes commando and my former husband did also.

[DebW]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.

[mimitabby]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.

ooooooo I can't wait until I get that muscle!
I went from having the skinniest legs in town to having normal looking legs thanks to biking. No massive muscles sticking out yet!

[KnottedYet]

Jockey's "No Panty Line Promise" underwear don't cut into that tendon. They also don't ride up your b*tt.

My favorites are the high-cuts. Bikini cuts bothered that spot for some reason.

And then there's UnderArmor compression shorts with the longer inseam, which I wear as underwear. Those puppies are great!

[Eden]

Anyone else have trouble wearing underwear off the bike when you're in good biking shape? There is a large tendon that connects the inner thigh muscle to the front of the pubic bone, and cycling seems to make it quite thick. Then my underwear cuts into it and becomes really annoying. Sometimes I wear boxers or go commando to avoid the pressure there.

I really like "boy shorts" style underwear these days - they are uncomfortable to wear with jeans though - they bunch up too much. Under shorts (NOT cycling shorts - commando is the only way to go in my book) they are supreme (or sweats, or skirts or loose pants)