Need Advice on Bike Shorts

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

LBH,
You migfht want to read the threads under the "Apparel" category that haved discussed a lot of different shorts already- some good info there.
I think it's true what some have said already- it's unlikely you'll find a reallly good pair of chamois shorts that are inexpensive. Cheaper shorts often use cheaper construction methods and cheaper materials.
A thinner chamois will do ok for short rides of 10-20 miles. But if you plan on longer rides, you would do well to invest in at least one high quality pair of shorts. Read the Apparel threads- there are many descriptions of various brands and styles that are good for longer rides....and some complaints too about certain shorts that don't do well.
It's better to buy one excellent pair of biiking shorts for $75 than to try to save money by buying a badly made $30 pair, because if you have a cheesy pair of shorts you'll wind up buying other pairs to make up for the bad pair that fails you. You can always save money by having a good pair of chamois shorts and then putting a non-chamois pair of cold weather tights over them for winter, instead of buying chamois tights too.

[Kallisti]

Welcome the cycling!
It's important to realize that it's not just about the shorts, but is very dependent upon the chamois/ saddle combination. A chamois which is blissful on one saddle may be excruciating on another.
One thing I've done is kept a look out for women using the same saddle as me; whenever I see a woman with a Terry Damselfly, sure enough, I'll ask her how she likes the shorts she's wearing. I've found some pretty good recommendations that way.
That said, I have a blog that has a section on the basics of bike shorts. It also has a few of my chamois favorites:
aidslifecycle.org/1713

Hope this helps, Kallisti

[tygab]

I got two cheap ($40) shorts when I started cycling (well, one pair, then realized I had to have another while pair #1 was waiting to get washed). The thinnest chamois ones (Sugoi) are now used primarily for my 1 hr spin classes or trainer sessions. The next in line, Nike shorts for about the same price, has a slightly thicker padding, and I use those on outdoors rides of less than 35 or so miles. Over 40 miles, I get out my 3rd pair which I got later last summer a little before my 2 day ride, which are Pearl Izumis. And I also use Body glide for long rides but don't bother for shorter ones.

The PIs were not cheap but they have the thickest chamois and it does make a difference. I feel confident though that PI stuff lasts for years - I have PI gear from 1995 or so that is still going strong!

So it may be good to have some different options. But if you can only get 1 pair, get the very best ones you can.