Just need to vent a minute.

[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.

[Nanci]

I used to hate low-cut shorts till I got my belly button pierced- now I love them! They have to be just right, though, to still keep my belly contained. I HATE that on jeans, too, and I've ALWAYS had a problem with the waist being too high since I am 5"2". I'm starting to hate it the way bike shorts go way up the back, too, when I used to like that.

But even if you don't have sizing issues, it's still nearly impossible to find the right pair, and when you do they are either wicked expensive or the manufacturer promptly changes them, or both.

I have three pairs of old Primals, with the old quilty-style chamois (if you look at my review on the Sugoi RS Flex shorts, my current beloved, you can see a photo of the Primal chamois) which are about 6 years old, but they are still my first choice as backups. I can't believe how long they've lasted, either, without the elastic or fabric going bad like it does with old swimsuits.

Well, good luck with the hunt.

Nanci

[SadieKate]

DDH, why aren't you trying on the shorts in the store? I've never been able to buy any clothing without trying it on. Every brand is different and every model within the brand is different. Our bodies are all different.

Call TE and describe what you are looking for. They'll help.

Otherwise, go back to your LBS and try on the shorts. There may even be some men's shorts that will work.

[Bikingmomof3]

DDH-
I call up TE and they patiently listen to me babble about measurents, ask me questions and then send out the perfect fitting shorts. I have only tried Shebeest, but I adore that brand. The TE staff is so patient, especially since I do not have anywhere around here to even look at clycling clothing for women.

[cherinyc]

Mary - you make your own? How is that possible? you must be magic or something, b/c I can't even imagine making something like bike shorts.

The bike short dilemma is never-ending. I went in to my LBS on Thursday to get some seat adjustments for an event on Staurday. My (1) pair of shorts was dirty, so I just wore comfortable shorts. The guy said I wouldn't be able to tell unless I was weraing bike shorts - (or maybe he just wanted to make me buy something). Either way - they were all expensive. I ended up getting one of the cheaper pairs ($79.99 - can you believe it? I NEVER spend that much on regular clothing).
Then I found out - when checking out the care label - that they were from Spring 2002. $80 for 4 year old shorts. Although I could've sworn that I had tried on that style (PI Ultrasensor) before and hadn't liked them. But these I liked.
More proof that they change the style, fit, sizing - every year. WHY???? Can't they just make up a new name - and let the old name/style/fit stay the same?