Need Advice on Bike Shorts

[LBH]

I'm new to biking, and bought some men's bike shorts. I'm not sure they're giving me padding where I need it. Are men's & women's shorts padded the same? In any case, can someone recommend reasonably priced bike shorts? Many thanks! LBH

[jusdooit]

LBH..........no, all shorts are not created equal. Men's and women's anatomy are different, so the padding is different. Unfortunately the best advice I can give you is to shop around. I have had difficulty finding shorts that fit me correctly. I don't know want you mean by reasonably priced, but expect to spend $50 plus for decent shorts. Good luck!

[khgulledge]

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.

[Blueberry]

i got the sugoi rs flex shorts, $100, and these are great.

I did check last time I was in the Bicycle Chain, and these are their logo shorts. $79.99 - not too bad, if you feel like riding with a logo on your butt (or having a pair to ride under tights). I haven't taken the plunge yet - I'm too anti advertising (even if they are a good lbs...)

[khgulledge]

i just picked up a pair of PI microsensor shorts at Performance, 20% off. i can do without the logo and with 2 good pair of shorts, i should be ok for a little while.

thanks, karen.

[Bikingmomof3]

LBH,
My all time favourite are Shebeest Triple S shorts:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=9948

[bcipam]

I use Terry shorts almost exclusively. Sometimes they are on sale. Check out their shorts at terrybicycles.com.

[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.