Men's cycling shorts question

[IFjane]

My SO is looking to upgrade his cycling shorts in anticipation of quite a bit of endurance riding this spring/summer. His "best" shorts are PI Ultrasensors. What do your DH/SO's recommend? Microsensors? Another brand? Help...and thanks!

[alpinerabbit]

Nalini with "stretch gel" pads. I can't find a US shop on the www to recommend. These are our favorite shorts.

[SadieKate]

My DH loves Assos, but finds Giordana Tenax bibs to be a close 2nd.

He thinks the current selection of PI pads has a max ride distance of a metric.

[Eden]

I don't think I can really comment on brand - both the hubby and I wear the what the team kit comes in, but if he wants and instant upgrade no matter what the brand, my husband swears that bibs are the best. He says they are much more comfy than regular shorts. I haven't tried them, mainly because they really only come in men's sizes in our team kit brand and I'm much to small to fit into guys shorts.

[IFjane]

Thanks for your suggestions - and now I have another question. Neither of us have ever worn bibs. What makes them more comfy? And what about the....uh....bathroom issue?

[alpinerabbit]

ya it is a bit more "gymnastically challenging". basically I slide my jersey up to my neck and the straps down but bibs stay put much better.

A pair of the recommended Nalinis will put you back about a third of a Giordana Tenax or Assos (can't get what they are all about, find the chamois wimpy).

[Eden]

My husband - who is tall - really loves that he doesn't get any gap between shorts and jersey, plus bibs don't have any waist band so there isn't anything to dig into your waist if that is bothersome to you. (some of my team mates like that they hide little tummy rolls too)

[IFjane]

My husband - who is tall - really loves that he doesn't get any gap between shorts and jersey, plus bibs don't have any waist band so there isn't anything to dig into your waist if that is bothersome to you. (some of my team mates like that they hide little tummy rolls too)

Ahhhh Eden - I think I had better get the bibs for me - the tummy-roll-hiding feature sounds great! SO does not have that problem - he is tall and slim....but he may still like the idea of the bibs.

Alpinerabbit - thanks so much for the recommendation on the Nalinis. I'll have to look and see what I can find. I especially like the part about 1/3 the cost of Assos or Giordana...

[Batbike]

Thanks for your suggestions - and now I have another question. Neither of us have ever worn bibs. What makes them more comfy? And what about the....uh....bathroom issue?

I have NOT tried bibs but they have been recommended to me by Susan, here at TE. She says I have the "perfect body type" for bibs because my waist is close to my hip size, making me "thick waisted" and causing me to buy too big of cycling shorts to fit my waist versus needing to fit my hip measurement. With the larger waist, I get too much extra material in my hips, causing chamois to move around. So, if I used bibs, I could get proper size in hips, giving me proper chamois coverage, and not worry about waist measurement. All sounds logical -- I am saving-up to buy a pair or two!

As for jersey over bibs, thinking if I got a full zipper or did some "gymnastic moves" as previously described, I could work it all out ... maybe not in dead of winter when you have multiple layers, but warmer weather seems OK.

[SadieKate]

Giordana Tenax or Assos (can't get what they are all about, find the chamois wimpy).

Hmm, Girodana and Assos come with many different pads, and Giordana in particular revamped their pads a lot in the last year. The pads we have in our Assos and Giordana are far more cushy, substanitial, luxiourious, thick, whatever, than PI, Castelli, Santini, Shebeest, Terry, Blackbottom, and Descente. The pads stretch and conforum to body shape much better. And thick? Only pads I know where you see the outline so clearly. You sure you're not comparing to lower or older model pads? We're wearing the Assos F.1 and the current Giordana. Over 50 years of riding between us and we both think these are the best pads EVER.

[PinkBike]

Thanks for your suggestions - and now I have another question. Neither of us have ever worn bibs. What makes them more comfy? And what about the....uh....bathroom issue?

yeh, the bibs are a big pain in the bathroom issue. a big pain, especially at the porta-potties. think about it. you get into this tiny little cubicle, you have to pull your jersey over your head (with your pockets loaded), slip the bibs down with the straps now dangling on the floor of this stall, . . . . its just a total pain for women.

i really like the feel of bibs tho, not having an elastic waistband and still hugging your body.

[Lenusik]

My DH loves Assos, but finds Giordana Tenax bibs to be a close 2nd.

He thinks the current selection of PI pads has a max ride distance of a metric.

Assos, Assos, and only Assos. And I would strongly recommend their bibs. It is the best stuff you can find.