Tell me what kind of shorts you wear!

[MauiRockHopper]

I just got serious about biking (both road and mtb) and dreaded being seen in padded bike shorts. I thought the chamois made you look like you crapped in your pants or had huge camel toe. So I bought a pair of $70 skorts thinking it would be great if I wanted to pop into a store or cafe. I also bought a cheap ($25) pair of Canari padded biking shorts, with low expectations.

Between the two, I prefer the Canari shorts because the skort can be hot in Hawaii's climate. It kinda bothers me after awhile to have the skirt fabric on my legs as I ride too. Depends where I'm going, but if I have a serious ride I rather not use a skort. For rides less than 10 miles I wear plain jogging shorts because padding doesn't seem an issue until after 20 miles.

I now don't care how I look because you are wearing so much bicycling gear everyone knows you are a cyclist and it's ok to be seen wearing those funny shorts. If you ride in a group it's even more ok.

I read that bibs prevent the "spill over" effect from a traditional waistband cutting. But I wonder what you do about a bra if you wear suspender type bibs, if the straps chafe or cut in. And then having to use the bathroom, it seems humbug just like a one piece bathingsuit.

[aicabsolut]

I read that bibs prevent the "spill over" effect from a traditional waistband cutting. But I wonder what you do about a bra if you wear suspender type bibs, if the straps chafe or cut in. And then having to use the bathroom, it seems humbug just like a one piece bathingsuit.

Bibs are much better at the waistband in terms of comfort and appearance. There's no squishing flesh. No exposed backsides if your jersey is too short. They are quite comfortable. The straps should not be uncomfortably tight, though they may not be 100% comfy when you stand completely upright. A lot of them stretch over time, so even that shouldn't be much of a worry.

The order of clothing with bibs is: sports bra, base layer (if desired), bibs, jersey. So, if you do have to stop for a bathroom break, you just remove your jersey enough to get the straps down. The material is different than a bathing suit and not as tight (bathing suits have to be tighter to be sure everything stays covered, right?). It's easy enough to get them off and on. Plus, a lot of them are pretty wide suspenders out at the sides. Some women's bibs have a T strap thing. I don't know how hard it is to get in and out of those. Some have suspenders you can unclip (and then you don't have to remove the jersey). I don't have large breasts, but the suspenders have never bothered me. I've heard some people say that they have nipple chafing (even guys), but I haven't encountered bib straps that come in that far. The straps are soft and when you're in the riding position, they shouldn't be taut over your breasts anyway. Plus, you have your sports bra on. I have never had any problems with the straps. I forget they're even there. The best part about bibs is feeling free of an uncomfortable waistband.

As far as looking silly, who cares?