Help Choosing Short . . .

[lph]

I have 5 shorts, all different (hey! where did they all come from!), and the different types of padding don't really make much difference to me. I have one that's a favourite because of the padding, but they're all good enough, even though some are a bit sloppier than others, and one is really worn out. What does bug me on longer rides is the ones that have too tight elastic bottom hems. I like them on short training rides because they feel snug and "compressive" but they're irritating in the long run.

Bibs - I have 2 and am still not a total fan. I have had one bout of unexplicable stomach cramps on my road bike, which would have been better without two waist elastics (shorts+tights), but I've ridden many miles comfortably with just plain shorts. And it's a heckuva lot easier to go to the bathroom.

[jesvetmed]

LPH: I have always thought that about bibs.... how DO you manage the bathroom in them? Don't answer -- it's just hypothetical! But that is why I've never considered them.

[lph]

I'll answer anyway

I don't know yet. 90% of my rides are 3 hours or less, and with a little forethought I can get away with not peeing for the duration. But when I wear bibs I do make sure I a) have a somewhat decent sports bra underneath and b) have a jersey with a full-length zipper, in case I need to go be discreet behind a bush.

To be quite honest, that little doohickey that keeps the straps of my PI bib together is the worst problem, when I've got all the rest wrestled off and am in a HURRY!