I, too, have muscular thighs and look totally foolish in cycling shorts, especially the ones with leg grippers made to fit 6 year old children! I do, however, suck it up and wear them on rides over about 15 miles. My husband looks as dorky as I do in spandex, so that makes me feel better!

I have tried several brands and my all time favorite ones are a pair of Trek's purchased at a yard sale for $3!!! The chamois is smaller (no diaper feeling), and the leg grippers are for normal people and do not make me look like a stuffed sausage. And they still had the tags on them when I bought them!

It has been trial and error for me. The Cannondale's I bought were size XL (EEK!!!!), the PI's were large, and the Trek's are mediums. Just like regular women's clothing, check the sizing charts! Not sure if us women with muscular (if not slightly mis-proportioned) lower bodies will ever look hot in cycling shorts.......