Selle SMP Strike

[koala]

Oh, my, yes! (warming up to topic)...

I feel the same way about PI, btw. Their price-points seem inexpensive compared to other brands, but for what they are when you get them in hand they are over-priced.

Descente sizing is identical to PI, they even use the same sizing chart. If you go Descente, the Strata chamois is probably the only acceptable choice. There is a Phantom, but it is stiff & the edges aren't finished nicely (ie, rough). The brand also likes tighter elastic around the waist & the leg openings, so may not be as comfortable for long rides in the drops or in the aero position. Trying to give you pros & cons here. How about bibs to eliminate the waist band?

LG is a little strange in their sizing, but TE has good size charts to follow. I would guess you are a small from what you wear in the other lines, but check the size charts.

The 2 chamois you picked are very similar in thickness, so both would provide good protection. The Airstream chamois has 2 long raised ridges, extra padded, with the idea that your sit-bones park slightly above the rest of the chamois. There are also large vents to give you some air flow. I haven't tried this one, but the gals who have loved it, said they felt like they were riding on air. This assumes that your sit-bones land on the ridges & not in the valley. The Alveo's, and the Power Short, both use the Ergo Zone. I like both these shorts very much. The chamois is flat, smaller vents, but seems to work. The fabrics are nice, too. The Power Short is power lycra, offers good compression so my legs don't feel as tired, and the Alveo fabric has little dimples & bumpies which feel nice against your skin, also has good compression. The riders who use these love them, too. Caveat on the AirStream, believe it's been discontinued for '07, so whatever is there is last of. Alveo's & Power Short will still be available.

Etxe Ondo is a good choice, too. I am hoping for some shorts or bibs myself from this line. The chamois is soft, but has stiffness for protection with some sort of layer sandwiched inside. Unlike the others I've commented on above, it won't need a break-in period to soften up. The sizing is similar to Assos. I take a small, I am 5'2", 26" waist, 35" hips. I am also a small in all the other lines I've talked about here.

I know you want to minimize returns, but I hope you can somehow try Assos, or at least get your hands on a men's short at your LBS so you can see & feel the chamois. They really are all by themselves out there. It is very thick, but soft. And the pad has resiliency, so it doesn't squish down & stay squished, it will spring back. The front of the short does not have an elastic waistband (it is only in the back to keep the short up). The front is like a bathing suit, comfy for bending forward for long stretches. I give it my very highest recommendation.