Confused About Cycling Shorts-Tights-Knickers.

[nsandz]

I bought a pair of Adidas knickers at Ross, and have a pair of black exercise tights that I bought many years ago for the gym, that I resurrected to wear over the shorts. It really doesn't have to be that expensive to buy the clothes.

You find that purchasing regular (I guess jogging/exercising) kickers or tights and wearing them over cycling shorts is okay? They stay in place and everything?

[OakLeaf]

You find that purchasing regular (I guess jogging/exercising) kickers or tights and wearing them over cycling shorts is okay? They stay in place and everything?

I haven't worn compression tights over cycling shorts and it doesn't seem like a good idea to me. But regular thermal or stretchier lycra tights are fine. If your chamois is in your shorts, then the tights don't need to "stay in place," they just need to not pull the shorts out of place.

[mrhughes]

In the winter, I wear regular, unpadded "running pants" over my cycling shorts and I have no problem with them staying in place. The legs of running pants aren't as tight as "tights", there's a bit more room but not so much that they flap in the wind!

I also have a couple of pairs of cycling pants with built-in chamois. I don't have a preference - either solution keeps me warm. The running pants are more versatile - can wear them for running, yoga, weight work, etc.

[featuretile]

The athletic knickers need to be form fitting, not loose. The exercise tights are also form fitting. There is no problem wearing them.

[cosc]

I like to wear padded tights or knickers, as wearing any garment over shorts puts more sweat and pressure around my middle.
In very cold weather it is necessary to layer bottoms though.

[easterbird]

I just spent some time today checking out bike shorts...my old ones are worn out. PI have been my brand so I tried several styles.Of course I tried them on with undies and not only could I see the underwear line, I could see right through to the undies and my white skin on my thighs. Thought perhaps going up a size would help. Not better and they are tooo big on legs,too. I looked though the selection of other brands but it is easy to see straight thru them on legs and bottom. Guy at the shop says they are made thinner these days for better wicking. I wonder if that's the case or if it's cheaper that way.
This issue was brought to my attention as I noticed many bottoms and butt cracks as I did Bike Va and other group rides.
Anyway any suggestions about 'decent' bike shorts??. I have used a padded liner with 'old' shorts or just baggy nylon shorts as a cover but in the summer that gets HOT!

[CyborgQueen]

I just spent some time today checking out bike shorts...my old ones are worn out. PI have been my brand so I tried several styles.Of course I tried them on with undies and not only could I see the underwear line, I could see right through to the undies and my white skin on my thighs. Thought perhaps going up a size would help. Not better and they are tooo big on legs,too. I looked though the selection of other brands but it is easy to see straight thru them on legs and bottom. Guy at the shop says they are made thinner these days for better wicking. I wonder if that's the case or if it's cheaper that way.
This issue was brought to my attention as I noticed many bottoms and butt cracks as I did Bike Va and other group rides.
Anyway any suggestions about 'decent' bike shorts??. I have used a padded liner with 'old' shorts or just baggy nylon shorts as a cover but in the summer that gets HOT!

I noticed there's been a change in design as well. After spending a small amount on my first shorts, I decided to get more expensive and better designed, and they had PI Short Shorts (and there was a LOT of them here...so I'm wondering why the previous poster said it's hard to find) at LBS. I went to check it out, I liked it, then I bought it. When I wore it for the first time on the bike, I only went 2 miles before I said that I absolutely hated it. The grippers were driving me CRAZY! It was fine in the store, but when your legs are moving a lot, it does get annoying. I could FEEL the damn plastic stitching (which I think has been changed as well). I've tried to roll them up, but they seem to flop back down when I rode. So I returned it, thanks to REI's wonderful return policy!

I know a lot of people in my groups that swears by them. After the experience I looked at their shorts - and they look better in them than me since I am thicker around my thighs, but I checked out their grippers - it is obvious that PI changed their designs. The newer ones seem to use PLASTIC stitching and more "grip". The older ones seem to have just some sort of gripper tape, with cotton (? whatever, it's not plastic!) stitch, hence why it's probably more comfortable.

I'm very picky about how things feel on my skin, I'm just so sensitive. If there's something that feels weird, it will stick in my head for the rest of the time and I can't just "ignore" it. I don't like 'tolerable', I like "Perfect".

I think I'm just going to buy shorts without grippers. My shorts now is starting to get really uncomfortable for longer rides - the padding is not even a chamois. My girly bits don't hurt at all, but the inner part of my thighs get irritated - due to the extra stitchings in that area. That stinks - I really like PI's padding, it's perfect. I'm a big padder girl.

[TrekTheKaty]

I ditto the bike shorts with tights over the top. I wear Shebeest bike shorts. The leggings are moisture wicking tights left over from my running days. Check out some clearance racks at your local sporting good store. I have one pair of capris for spring and fall.

[nscrbug]

You mention that you are "full figured". Not sure what that means to you, but I'm pretty heavy for a cyclist. Size 18 in street clothing. I've been road biking for 13 years, at an average of 2,500 miles per year, so I've been through a LOT of shorts. You're going to find they are as personal a decision as is a good saddle. There's a different short for every bottom! But the advice to always buy 8-panel construction is spot-on.

My favorite is the Pearl Izumi Short-Cut Short, size XL. They are VERY hard to find, so I've got a good supply on hand. I like my chamois substantial, and the leg length at no more than 7". Too short & my chubby thighs rub my saddle bag, too long & I look like a stuffed pork sausage. I, too, roll back the gripper on the bottom edge of the leg. Mostly I don't want a tanning line that is lower than my street shorts & skorts, so 7" crotch length is my limit.

I used to wear Sugoi's, but found the chamois wore out in just 2 years or so. I wash bike shorts in warm water/cold rinse and ALWAYS line dry them. Other brands have lasted much longer. I found Shebeest to be the thinnest, least serious shorts, made mostly for fashionable Spinning classes.

I always tell women who are reluctant to spend $$ on good shorts "honey, I don't know what your "specials" are worth, but I think mine are worth protecting!".

Just an FYI...you can find your favorite shorts here:

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/PEAWAS5R

[nscrbug]

On cooler rides, I wear cycling shorts (usually PI) with a pair of Under Armour Cold Gear tights on top. This combo keeps me warm...sometimes almost too warm. I also have a few pairs of New Balance running tights that I use as a top layer over shorts. I've been searching for a decent pair of padded long cycling tights, as I would like to try a cooler ride with just 1 layer (I get warm easily)...but I haven't been able to find a pair that I'm happy with. I've tried the PI Thermafleece padded tight...but I felt it didn't sit high enough on my hips. I really prefer my cycling bottoms to come up a tad bit higher in the back, as I tend to have problems with the waistband sliding down in the back...drives me nutty! I also tried a pair of Performance Bike Radiator padded long tights, and they were awful. I wore them for one ride, and they've been collecting dust ever since....anyone want them? I'd be happy to give them away, because I know I'll never wear 'em again.

[malkin]

In the cold cold, I wear wool unders with two layers of tights. The outsidest ones are biggerish, because I bought them when I first started riding.

[LilBolt]

I have a pair of shorts & a pair of knickers that I like other than the grippers. I found that if I use Body Glide where the grippers hit me, they are just fine...as long as the Body Glide doesn't wear off before the end of my ride.

For days in the 50's to lower 60's, I like to wear knickers. When it gets into the 40's, knickers w/ wool ski socks (I like the extra fabric up front, and thiner fabric on my calves) or cycling tights w/ chamois. Below that, it is winter tights (no chamois) over either shorts or knickers with the ski socks...this has left my lower half pretty comfortable into the upper 20's.

[flash]

Hi,

I would suggest buying one or two high quality pairs of cycling shorts, and then also investing in some UNPADDED tights and/or knickers/capris. If you also want knee warmers and/or leg warmers, go for it. I find that I prefer tights to leg warmers, just because I haven't found leg warmers that truly stay up!

Layering cycling shorts (with chamois) under tights has several advantages ...

• if the weather warms up, you can just strip off the tights and still be comfy (and vice versa)
• you can use the unpadded tights/knickers for other sports (running & xc skiing come to mind, also as a baselayer for hiking or adventure racing), and that saves both space in your closet and $$$. I sometimes layer tights on really cold days.

Monica

[Debster]

I'm new here, and this thread is very timely for me. I was trying to figure out what to wear now the weather is colder. Thanks for all the great ideas!

[blackhillsbiker]

I wear Shebeest shorts. They've spoiled me for any other kind. I'd rather spend the money on good shorts I can wear year-round. I'm not as picky about the tights. Over bike shorts I layer wool tights, and sometimes wind pants. I usually just wear street clothes for my commute unless it's really cold or really hot.

Deb