Cycling Shorts

[Selkie]

sure it wasn't you sizing down??

I have lost some weight since I've been able to ride after work (DST is the best!), but my "old" Terry mediums still fit well. It's the new ones that are baggy I think I just might switch to the PIs.

[Waverly]

I just recently tried on a pair of the Shebeest Triple S shorts at a local REI and fell in love. I like the fit better than my PI but I have yet to purchase them so I am not sure how they will work in the saddle. So far that is the only thing I have found that I really like other than my Sugar Shorts by PI.

Jess

[mars]

Just bought my 3rd pair of Pearl Izumi Microsensor. One pair will last 2 yrs, so averaging out the the price.... ok, it's my justification. Only complaint is that the elastic is a little tighter than I would like. Cannondale made a mtn bike short that had great leg grips, wide with no elastic, but no ride up.

[Pedal Wench]

Another Shebeest fan. They've ended up being my 'go to' shorts that I grab for anything longer than 50 miles. I really liked the Performance Ultra's too, but realize that I'm always having to adjust them. Nothing's quite as attractive as a woman pulling at her shorts on the bike - I could totally relate to Lance's nervous tick in his TT!

[caligurl]

performance ultras for me!!!!! i've worn them for centuries... no problems whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[juvel01]

I read somewhere (wish I could remember where so I could cite it) that a number of manufacturers are starting make their sizes larger due to the idea that Americans are ever expanding their waist size (for example, the article said that an average size six 10 years ago is closer to an eight now). Always try them on if its a brand you havent purchased in awhile. I went into buy a pair of shorts which I ALWAYS get an Xsmall and they were big on me, the guy at the LBS said a number of people suddenly seem to be dropping a size in their clothes. Of course there isnt anything smaller than an XSmall.

[caligurl]

so the cycling world is going the way of vanity sizing it's not bad enough i have to shop the teeny bopper department to buy pants/skirts/shorts that fit me... i'm now gonna have to look for teeny bopper or kid size cycling shorts either that or wait for them to start making negative sized clothing

WHY can't manufacturers just leave the sizes alone and let americans realize they are getting fat and lazy????????????????????????????????? and ya know what... i'm not THAT small..... i feel sorry for women that are smaller than i am!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT do they wear???????????? i already wear a size 0 jean.... and thanx to vanity sizing... even some of those are too lose at some stores if they keep this up... i won't be able to find clothes/pants at all!

THEY NEED TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VANITY SIZING STINX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*cali looks around sheepishly and climbs off soap box*

[lyndaj]

Try on many different ones until you find the ones that fit best (that is, if you are not buying off the web!). I have Hind shorts which I absolutely adore.

[jeannierides]

Has anyone tried bib shorts? My SO just won an ebay auction for a pair of Descante (sp) bibs for me. I've been riding Performance women's classic short, but hate the way the chamoise bunches and pulls. I also have a pair of Louis Garneau that I have begun to love!

[WarriorPrncs]

I bought a pair and have had them for about 3 months and then decided to wear them when I did a century ride a few weeks ago and they were sooooo uncomfortable. The greenish part folded up and irritated the insides of my legs while riding. Not to mention the chamois itself seem to hold moisture and felt like a wet diaper. It made for a long miserable ride and by the time I got back I was red and raw in several critical parts and had a few owees. I've ridden lots of century and have worn Performance Gel Shorts in the past and have not experienced this problem. Maybe I got a defected pair?

KatieBell, How are yours? I hope better!

[Trekhawk]

My favourite pair is Sugoi's flex short. They are so good I dont want to wear my other pair (not the same brand) anymore. Guess I will just have to invest in another pair of the Sugoi.

[bikerbarb]

I just sent back some PI microsensors. I ordered them because there was a lot of endorsement of them...but they had baseball-like stitching in strategic parts of the chamois and it was stiff and uncomfortable. Those are the places I get rubbed too much so I don't get it.
I just ordered some cannondales. I'll let you know how they work. That's what I wear now, but they are an older model called Chronos and they are starting to sag. Sigh. I guess to each her own.

[SadieKate]

I just sent back some PI microsensors. I ordered them because there was a lot of endorsement of them...but they had baseball-like stitching in strategic parts of the chamois and it was stiff and uncomfortable.

What? PI chamois are typically one piece now days. Did you get an older model? What color and texture was the chamois?

[bikerbarb]

I bought them here, at TE. I sent them back today, so I don't have them to report on color, etc.

[Cari]

What? PI chamois are typically one piece now days. Did you get an older model? What color and texture was the chamois?

I have one those Microsensors (http://www.rei.com/product/47864388.htm) ($120), which I bought this summer from REI. Most of the chamois looks like synthetic leather with gel inside, then around that there's a lime-colored terry type of cloth.

The Microsensors have been really comfortable for me, especially on long rides I do on weekends. But I was taught to soften the chamois (especially the synthetic leather part) before every ride, be it with chamois creme, chamois butt'r or even vaseline. The stuff kinda builds up on it over time, and if you don't put the shorts in the dryer, they stay pretty soft.

I still think PI Ultrasensors (http://www.rei.com/product/47698602.htm) ($80) are slightly more comfy, but I'll have to see how they hold up vs. the Microsensors after a few months of riding.

By the way... PI Short Attack Road Shorts (http://www.rei.com/product/47864391.htm?) have the same PRT chamois as the Ultrasensors are on sale for $50 (down from $65). And if you subscribe to the REI e-mail list, they send you a code for a 10% discount.

Ok, no more advertising... but I hope that helped.