Cycling Shorts, love em or hate em?

[Crankin]

The Terry Bellas are high compression, have a flat waist and the grippers are not so grippy. These shorts do hold you in more than the regular Terry T shorts. I tend to like 7 or 8 inch shorts, but on my short body, they are a bit long. When i wear regular shorts or a short skirt, my tan lines are obvious, but I don't care, I am proud of them! Although I am pretty thin, my upper thighs are not rock solid. The shorts with a lot of lycra do a much better job of keeping a smooth look.
I also have a pair of the Shebeest triple Ds. They are a bit shorter but still flattering. However, I have had problems with the chamois every once in awhile. I had to wash them 3-4 times when they were new so they would stop giving me saddle sores. Now, it seems like every few times I wear them, the chamois is rubbing in the crease of my legs, like its all of a sudden become too wide.

[emily_in_nc]

I really dislike bike shorts in general and I can't figure out why they make the leg elastics as though our thighs were wrist size...what is UP with that?!?! I'm secretly convinced they make the leg elastics using the same circumference as men's without even thinking about it. They're not elastics....they're TOURNIQUETS!!!!

Lisa,

You might want to give Pearl Izumi Breakaway shorts a try. I just returned some I got half-price at Nashbar because the leg elastic was really loose on me! I do NOT, I repeat, do NOT, have skinny thighs for my size either - I'm short and slender, and my thighs are definitely medium-sized for my frame, not skinny. I would highly recommend these shorts for anyone who haves ample thighs for their hip size as the fabric was nice, chamois seemed very good, my only complaint was the leg grippers being too loose. The sizing runs true to size, as far as I could tell.

Emily

[VeloVT]

Lisa,

You might want to give Pearl Izumi Breakaway shorts a try... I would highly recommend these shorts for anyone who haves ample thighs for their hip size...

Emily

As if I needed proof that my thighs are ample . I have two pairs of these shorts and the grippers are not loose on me at all, but they are not too tight either -- they're comfortably snug (I don't really notice them much but my shorts stay down). I'm 5'6", 125, with ahem, ample thighs . (In all seriousness, my thighs are big for my size. I often have trouble with the cut of women's dress pants b/c of them).

I would second these shorts though. Performance & Nashbar have been routinely selling these at half off, and they're a great deal at around $50 for a $100 short. One other thing -- this is one chamois I have to wash a few times before I can wear it comfortably. (But then I like it, although I prefer a more flexible chamois like the Terry Bellas have). The cut/seaming is more flattering than a lot of PI shorts too (on me at least).

As to the original question, I guess I'm odd because I like my bike shorts! Partly because they're functional, but I also like the way they look. I look forward to getting suited up because it's a sign that I'm going for a ride, and that always makes me happy. Sometimes I'm not crazy about the way I look in my shorts in pictures, but while I have them on I like to wear them. I feel like I look athletic and my big thighs no longer look out of place or unfeminine. And it's hard for me to dislike them because I associate positive things with them (riding).

[emily_in_nc]

I like bike shorts too! I agree with liza that when I wear them, it means I'm cycling, about to cycle, or just cycled, so they have positive vibes for me.

And by "ample" thighs, in cyclists that normally means muscle -- not fat! I probably should have used the term "muscular" rather than ample. Anyway, no offense intended, and liza is right; the PI Breakaway shorts have been discounted a lot lately, and I found them to be VERY nice except for the thihg gripper fit issue. I think I could go down a size and have them fit much better around the thigh, while still fitting in the hip/waist, but I haven't tried. Nashbar didn't have the next size smaller when I ordered.

Emily

[GLC1968]

I too, like bike shorts. I wouldn't show them off as a fashion accessory...and I don't exactly look 'hot' in them...BUT, when I have them on, it seems I have a REASON for my big thighs. Yes, I've always had big, muscular thighs...but now, I have an excuse....I'm a cyclist!

It's weird...but I now get compliments on my legs when I am wearing bike shorts. I guess people figure that I worked hard for these huge thighs?!? Whatever, I'll take it!

[Kano]

I like my bike shorts too

They're NOT flattering. My ample thighs are not ample from muscular-ness yet. It's in there, but there's still lots of the other stuff covering the muscles. That's okay -- there's not as much as there was, and the "sausage-look" isn't quite awful, except:

Now the top half of the shorts -- the really important part -- is too big.

So, the other day, I tried on the next size down of my current favorites, and was pleased -- though they were even less flattering, they felt really good, and they weren't nearly as tight as the originals were when I purchased them. I didn't buy the new ones yet, but soon, probably, cuz I'm down to one mostly comfortable pair these days!

Anyhow, one of the things I really like about wearing lycra: it stops the jiggles on the parts of me it covers!

Karen in Boise

[Starfish]

OK here's a little twist on this topic. Anyone else where their bike shorts to tod other workouts in the gym? Not just spinning, but elliptical or cardio classes?

I do, but I feel a little dumb. I know I could buy lycra gym shorts, but, without the chamois, with my level of fat...well, I'm afraid they might be a little too revealing in the crotch area...

Thoughts?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well I wore my Terry Spinnaker knickers in a swimming pool last year, with a supportive black tank top...why the heck not? They have a very thin chamois pad that adds modesty without bulk. They end at just below the knee. I don't own any bathing suits anyhow. Don't want to shave or fuss. I felt like one of those 1910 bathing beauties. It was fun!

[VeloVT]

IMHO: People at the gym who have time to worry about what you're wearing are NOT busy enough exercising.

Of course, that's not to say that I haven't on occasion decided this or that outfit over-accentuated some flaw that I didn't want to go around flaunting at the gym. But still.

[Starfish]

Well, first, I need to investigate more types of shorts. I have found my PIs VERY comfortable for the bike, but the chamois is huge. The times I have worn them on the treadmill, etc, I do feel a little bit diapered!

Really, rather than a flaw to cover, I was sort of thinking about reducing the risk of, well, I'll just come out and say it, camel toes!

[kjay]

Camel toes? I've never heard of them (other than those on a live camel).
What are they?

[crazycanuck]

Camel toes=your crotch area has a camel toe bend...


Anywho, if you don't want the "grippy bits" on the shorts you can always try a pair of Ground Effect Mojos on. www.groundeffect.co.nz (go to products & click on women's) They're plain & not meant to be flattering. I'll post a pic of them when i get home.

I've never worn any other brands because of the "grippy bit" on the legs and have grown to love my ground effect items.

C

[GLC1968]

I wear lycra shorts to the gym for other activities (or yoga pants) but they are chamois-free. I've never had the camel-toe issue, but I always wear underwear with those types of 'bike shorts'.

I've worn my real bike shorts on occasion for weight lifting after a spin class, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. They are comfy on the bike....not so much walking around in a gym.

[VeloVT]

Well, first, I need to investigate more types of shorts. I have found my PIs VERY comfortable for the bike, but the chamois is huge. The times I have worn them on the treadmill, etc, I do feel a little bit diapered!

Starfish,
you might try some of the Shebeest shorts/knickers with the hourglass chamois, like the shindigger:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25899

or the sprint short:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=25767

I have and like both of these.

The chamois is there, and would provide coverage, but is very thin and flexible. I think the Nirvana short (no leg grippers) and their skort also have this chamois.

[Starfish]

Starfish,
you might try some of the Shebeest shorts/knickers with the hourglass chamois,

Yes, that does look great. Thanks!