Knickers, Anyone?

[latelatebloomer]

I have 2 pairs of Terry knickers and use them indoors (for spin) and out, until temps go above 70 degrees. My knees like the warmth.

[7rider]

I find knickers to be very useful. Great for temps in the 50's, I layer them under thin tights for really cold morning commutes when I know it'll be warmer for the ride home.
As for shorts within shorts, such as those ZOICs, I don't see why you couldn't wear them for casual road rides. Wear what is comfortable.
That said, I'm eyeing these from STP, but I'm not familiar with the brand. As you can see, different brands will fit different folks, well, differently. Some will love a cut, others will not. It's best to try them on, I think...especially a new brand with which you are not familiar.

[Aggie_Ama]

I received the Pearl Izumi Sugar Knickers for Christmas, first knickers. I get cold under 70 degrees (I do better with heat) and these are perfect for the days when there is just a bit of a coolness in the air. Love the knee covering, not a fan of these knickers. The grippers around the calves are tight, the don't bother me when I am riding but after I take them off I have a weird burning sensation for about an hour. Like the tightness irritated my skin. I think it is the elastic PI uses, my skin is happier with silicon grippers.

The chamois is huge, feels like a big old diaper. I have other PI shorts and I know the chamois is usually a bit bigger but this one feels even bigger than those. My biggest beef is the chamois seams are not finished well. Most of my chamois are smooth but these are not. The have irritated my skin (on my tushie) on a few rides. I still wear them but I wouldn't buy another pair. I would however buy more knickers if we weren't heading into our 90+ degree weather right now.

[indysteel]

I have the Shebeest Pedal Pusher and the PI Sugar Knickers. I like them both. The Pedal Pushers cover a bit more of my leg and are a bit warmer. I wear the Sugars when it's just a tad too cool for shorts. I tend to where shorts when it's in the 70s or above.

Whether you're talking shorts or capris, there's a bit of trial and error in finding ones that work. I tend to like longer shorts with material that is substantial enough to offer what I call "lock and load." I prefer a chamois where the extra-dense parts are strategically placed, rather than being just diaper like. I ordered a number of pairs of shorts last summer from TE and returned the ones that just didn't seem right. I also tend to think that you get what you pay for when it comes to cycling bottoms. The cheaper ones, e.g., Performance brand, just don't work for me. But I spend a lot of time on my bike and do long rides on a regular basis.

[Jo-n-NY]

I really like the Sheebeest Pedal Pusher. I bought them here at TE on sale. Since the shorts have the same chamois I tried them and they are my favorite shorts. I have work great for me on long rides including centuries. I bought a second pair of both for this year.

PI micro sensor are good for shorter rides maybe up to 20 or 40 miles. That chamois does not work as well for me.

~ JoAnn

[mimitabby]

I have two pairs of Knickers, one is the ibex wool and the other is a terry pair.
I wear the ibex almost all year round.

I have shorts too and will pull them out when it warms up (If it warms up ) but the $$ i spent on my knickers was totally worth it. They are VERY comfortable, and as kjay put it, they are flattering too.

[GLC1968]

I have been wearing shorts exclusively since I started biking, but this spring, I've decided to try knickers. I've gained some weight, so my shorts look extra sausage-y and unflattering, so I figure I'll try knickers. I don't do well with heat, so I'm not sure how much I'll wear them over the summer, but I used to see plenty of women wearing them year round in North Carolina (where I lived last summer).

I just ordered the Sugar Knicker from TE and I'm picking them up at lunch today, so I'll let you know what I think when I have more info. I picked these because the chamois looks to be a good shape and thickness for me and they were relatively inexpensive. I don't want to spend a lot of money in case I end up not liking knickers.

Came back to add:
Got the knickers - they are similar or same fabric as my PI shorts, so that part is good. They will probably be cool enough in summer (at least in the PNW, anyway). The chamois is the right shape and it's a good thickness...but man, it's HUGE in size! I'm not sure how I feel about it...it might be too diaper-y for me. I'll wear them for a ride this weekend (if I can sneak one in amongst the rain) and report back.

[corey]

I have been wearing shorts exclusively since I started biking, but this spring, I've decided to try knickers. I've gained some weight, so my shorts look extra sausage-y and unflattering, so I figure I'll try knickers. I don't do well with heat, so I'm not sure how much I'll wear them over the summer, but I used to see plenty of women wearing them year round in North Carolina (where I lived last summer).

I just ordered the Sugar Knicker from TE and I'm picking them up at lunch today, so I'll let you know what I think when I have more info. I picked these because the chamois looks to be a good shape and thickness for me and they were relatively inexpensive. I don't want to spend a lot of money in case I end up not liking knickers.

Came back to add:
Got the knickers - they are similar or same fabric as my PI shorts, so that part is good. They will probably be cool enough in summer (at least in the PNW, anyway). The chamois is the right shape and it's a good thickness...but man, it's HUGE in size! I'm not sure how I feel about it...it might be too diaper-y for me. I'll wear them for a ride this weekend (if I can sneak one in amongst the rain) and report back.

Looking forward to hearing how they ride! Keep me posted!
I just saw the Shebeest Shindiggers recently were placed on sale for $64.95- down from $84.95, I think.. so that is yet another motivating factor in my decision!!

Oops! Nevermind about that price thing! I was mistaken. I have looked at so many knickers I can't keep them straight.
I ordered the Shindiggers anyway... I'll post what I think about them when I get them!
Thanks again for all of the advice!

[tulip]

I've only ridden with shorts (and tights when it's colder) in my 25 years of cycling, but just yesterday I bought some PI Versa Capris from TE. They are for an upcoming trip to Europe, and I wanted something that would be a bit more modest/urban for my biking. I'll still wear my regular cycling shorts (I like PI so that's the only brand I even consider) on longer rides, but there will be shorter rides exploring Paris, and the Versa capris ought to be fine for that.

One thing, though, I really don't like buying clothes online because I can't try them on. Sizes seem to be so all over the map (depending on the item, I'll wear a 4, a 6, or sometimes an 8--and my body stays the same!). Hopefully these capris will fit just fine, as I waited until the last minute and will not have time to exchange them!

Oh, and don't feel like you have to go with skin tight lycra if you are not comfortable in it. Baggy bike shorts (sometimes called mountain bike shorts) are perfectly acceptable on a road bike!