this is definitely one area where you get what you pay for.

when i started riding, i bought shorts from aerotech designs, $35, and they worked fine for short rides. got some chafing after about 30mi, so i switched saddles and thought this might help, but it didn't really. i then bought shorts from www.velowear.com, $55, and those where 10x better. but, they still weren't great. i had issues with rashes in the pantyline area and tried a brooks saddle for a while, but that was like riding on a 2x4, for me at least.

i finally wound up getting a bike fit done, went back to the butterfly, and bought another pair of shorts. i got the sugoi rs flex shorts, $100, and these are great.

also, the shorts need to be fairly tight, if they are loose they can cause chafing problems. i started out wearing getting a 2x based on my jeans size (18), but they were way too big (and i didn't know it and i'm down to a 14-16 now ). i now wear an XL in the sugoi, i think the waist is something like 33-35", which is slightly smaller than actual and they fit nice and snug. they aren't as snug as my voler shorts tho, and might consider getting a L next time.

you will also want to get some chamois butt'r to use. i use Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter ($4.5 @ walmart) and slather that on for any of my rides longer than 20-25mi. i usually put it right in the pantyline area and then put the performance stuff on the padding of the shorts. i had used the performance brand butt'r, but that was to liquidy. this cocoa butter stuff is a thick cream and works really great.

good luck!

karen.