Shorts...suggestions?

[Catrin]

I've got a post on the FS thread where I am trying to sell almost all of my shorts and bib shorts as they are all now too big for me (nudge nudge, the bibs are in great shape) While this isn't a BAD thing, it is an expensive thing as I am now down to only one pair of shorts (drop-tail bibs) that actually fits. I don't really have this in my budget, but I need more than one pair of shorts. I can live with two. My drop-tails are smalls, and I am beginning to wonder if they are approaching the point of being too small This is perplexing to me as I DO have a belly...

One of our LBS is having their annual spring sale this weekend, and they typically have great clothing prices. So far the most comfortable chamois for me has been the PI 3D-Elite but I am wondering if there might be something else I could try. The pads ARE a bit thick, but they work. Then again, perhaps I am doing myself a disfavor by not trying something else out. Any suggestions for a 1-time experiment? Pity I can't try several brands. I know they have LG shorts, as well as Terry and a few other brands that escapes me right now.

What is YOUR favorite short and why? Inquiring minds would love to know, thanks!

[Crankin]

My favorites are the Terry Bellas. Longer, compressive, and flattering. Chamois is not too thick.
However, they are a little heavy/sweaty for very high temperatures, at least for me. My issue occurred in Spain, when it was +95 degrees. I now have a few pairs of Sugoi RS shorts, too.
My Bellas have lasted for years. I bought 2 new pair 2 years ago, but basically, the rest I've had for 5 years.

[Catrin]

Thanks Crankin, I think others here have mentioned both shorts in the past. Frankly, I prefer bibs for the summer - that lack of a waistband is very nice in the heat but they are more expensive than a decent pair of shorts.

I know that BGI carries Terry, will see if they happen to have the Bella shorts. My usual LBS carries Sugoi if BGI doesn't so I will see if they have the RS. I do prefer longer inseams (even though I am short) the Bella sounds interesting. The one non-PI chamois I've been able to wear (at least at shorter distances) has been the Terry Liberty short, and also the Terry liner in my mountain bike shorts. I've not tried either for >20 mile rides however.

[Crankin]

The chamois in the Bellas is better, at least for me, than the ones in the liners and the Liberty. I have both of those; I have worn the liner on a 50 mile ride (once) under baggies, riding my old Jamis flat bar bike. Soft tissue did not feel so good after that, but it may have been a combo of the shorts and bike geometry. I find the Liberty chamois a bit wide for me, but I like those shorts for when I am doing errands.

[Sky King]

I am such a Terry Bella fan, is all I wear. I may venture out and try Terry's Liberty short - the description sounds interesting Anybody worn them yet?

[Catrin]

Ive the Liberty shorts, good for shorter rides. It sounds like I need to find some Bellas to try.

[Catrin]

Ok, I've done a bit of research and can't seem to find a local source of the Terry Bella shorts. The liner LOOKS a lot like the liner in the liner insert for my Terry mountain bike baggy shorts. Is that the case? If they are then they might be too thin for me for longer rides, but all I have to go by is the pink picture

I see the 2012 Piston 200 Tri Pocket Short doesn't have grippers - is anyone familiar with these shorts? They are half the cost of the Bella shorts - which makes me pause as I've learned that where shorts are concerned that price normally matters. TE doesn't have a picture of the chamois. I see this has a 9 inch inseam which is longer than either the Bella or the Sugoi RS. What makes a pair of shorts better for triatholons over more general cycling? I assume this means a quite thin chamois so it will dry more quickly. To me thinner isn't necessarily better. The only reason I am even considering these is the price.

I am trying to find a LBS with the Sugoi RS women's shorts but haven't been successful, yet. The chamois on TE looks...interesting. A review on the TE store site indicates that the chamois material was stiff and chaffed a bit - as many positive comments I've read here about those shorts makes me wonder if she got a bad pair or just too small for her, she also had problems with the waistband rolling down.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Have to second the Sugoi RS short. I too like the PI 3D chamois but find they "flatten off" over time. My pair of RS shorts are still comfy and so no signs of flattening.

The chamois at first is a bit stiff but I use chamois cream and it soon softened up. No problems with the waistband.

[OakLeaf]

I've never worn Sheila Moon, but have you considered any of theirs? No leg grippers, wide cross-over waistband.

[Crankin]

Catrin, the liner is pink in both the liner and the Bellas, but they are not the same.
I bought a Sheila Moon liner to wear under a cycling dress, on sale, both from TE. I haven't worn the liner riding, but when I tried them on, I was kind of sorry I bought them. The chamois is very wide and kind of curled over into my thigh crease. But, they are so cute, white, with lace on the bottom, so they are perfect for under the dress.

[Catrin]

Yikes Kiwi! Thanks for the heads up! That knocks one of them out of the running...

[Artista]

I wonder if the chamois in the Terry liners has been upgraded recently. I have a pair of Terry liners and I 'm pretty sure that the chamois in the liner is different from my Terry Bellas.

[Artista]

Forgot to mention that the REI near me carries Terry Bellas. Catrin, do you have an REI near you?

[Catrin]

Forgot to mention that the REI near me carries Terry Bellas. Catrin, do you have an REI near you?

Why YES we do, I will head out there this weekend to check it out. It isn't far from a LBS that I want to check for the Sugoi RS shorts anyway. For some reason I just never think of REI for this sort of thing - my brain associates them with camping goods.

I think my problem with the chamois in the Terry removable liner is thickness - they are too thin for me. Great for short rides though - or were until they became too large for me. The woman at TE suggested maybe finding someone who works with lycra and have my stock of too-large shorts taken in. The problem is the chamois area, they are now just too large for me and bunch up I suspect that isn't really fixable without a lot of custom work that would likely be more expensive than new shorts...

[indysteel]

Just a reminder that TE carries both the Bella and the RS.