Long shorts or short shorts?

[Nanci]

I am 5'2" so have short legs with big quads and plenty of fat! I like the longer shorts, 8", and have even considered checking out the Terry Long shorts, if I wasn't afraid of hating the chamois. I _do_ think the compression of the lycra supports the muscles. Or maybe it just contains them and makes them feel good. I don't care about tan lines because A. I'm not a shorts person anyway, (Probably because I hate my legs) so wear pants unless it's in the 90's or I'm by water and B. I think bike tan lines are cool. I'd probably wear kinckers on the bike all year if I thought I wouldn't boil. Doesn't black make your legs look longer/thinner?

But- I have a pair of Trashy Cat shorts that are shorter- maybe 7"? that I love- they're the sunflower ones, so I just wear them and try to forget about the sausage effect!! Whatever, at least my outfit's cute! I probably look exactly like one of the models on the website when I'm wearing it! ;-)

I guess I can appreciate short shorts on cute skinny 20 year olds that have nice flat tummies and Sheryl Crow legs, though. Looks nice on them.

Nanci

[Kimmyt]

Long shorts for me. I had a pair of short ones, mid-thigh, and they cut into all my loose jiggly-bits and made me feel uncomfortable and gave me annoying elastic lines. The longer ones go down to where my legs actually get muscular so no lines from the elastic!

[fatbottomedgurl]

I think I'll stick with the longer shorts, I have baggies that I tug on so I never wear them. Nanci: what is it about the Terry chamois you hate beacause I was thinking about them too?

I wish I had thin thighs/ flat tummy, but I didn't when I was 20 and now I'm over 40...sigh. But my calves are rock-hard already.

[caligurl]

wow... ok... i'm the lone dissenter! i prefer short shorts! the shorter the better! my current favorites (performance ultras) have a 5.5 inseam... and i even roll that up! (kinda roll up and over on itself)....

i HATE tanlines.. and for me, personally, there is nothing worse than my shorts tanline being below my "normal" shorts hemline!

the only time i don't roll up my shorts is if i'm riding after dusk/dark or with leg warmers!

oh.. and i'm 5'2"... so short, too! that doesn't help with the shorts length issue!

(that's one of the main reasons i don't wear short sleeved jerseys too often... i HATE the farmer arm tanlines!)

[Eden]

I thought I was the only one - I too wear shorter inseam shorts (6"), not because of tan lines - I think of them kind of like a cyclist secret handshake, but mainly because I am short and I don't like knicker length shorts. I however do not like super short shorts (sure at my height 5' even they are hard to find, but I think its PI's Sugar shorts that even I find to be too short)- if my saddle has any contact with the leg elastic of my shorts (or my skin) it drives me bananas so they at least have to be long enough to clear the tip of my saddle if that makes any sense.

[slinkedog]

I can't stand the sausage effect, so I wear longer shorts, tan lines be damned!

[bluerider]

Another 5'2 signing in...

I wear 8" as well and feel much more comfy in them. I've worn and loved the Sugoi Evolutions and am currently rotating two pairs of PI Microsensors. I have a pair of 6" but I prefer to be more covered up when riding outside. I think the 10" may be a bit long. My 8" currently leave about 2-3 inches of coverage so imagine the 10" would reach your knees.

I'm not sure I buy the muscle support bit. As long as your shorts do a good job of wicking and you pick the length you feel most comfy with, then go for it!

[Nanci]

Well, I don't _know_ that I would hate it, but:

PI 2006 knickers, new "improved" Touring chamois- hate (giant and mushy)

Bera Exte Ondo 3/4- Giant mushy chamois (hate)

Canari Gel Knickers- VERY nice chamois (thin gel covered by cuddly black polarfleece), maternity-style rise!!!!! like up to my boobs!!!, and only four panels. Hate.

Castelli Zen Knickers- not quite as large, not quite as mushy chamois- didn't like chamois, though the rest of the styling was very nice. Sold at a nice discount. Hope the new owner likes them.

Shebeest Knickers from several years ago- caused diaper butt by large chamois and too-stretchy fabric. Never liked, gave away.

Loius Garneau knickers- in the mail. I hope they are ok...

So you can see why I'm reluctant to try new things at the moment.

Why, why, why is it so hard to put a nice, not mushy, not gigantic, without weird seams, chamois in a pair of knickers??? Or anything?

Why, when people put something on their website, and state it is the 2005 3D chamois, do they then send you the 2006 Touring chamois, which I was specifically trying to avoid?

A chamois needs to sit there and not move, not be mushing and wrinkling and bunching and all that. Too soft and billowy and covering your entire asz and halfway down the inner thighs is not a good thing!!! Less is more!! But maybe it sells well. And the manufacturers are all doing the same thing in a slightly different manner.

I just want it to be ergonomic with different heights according to what part it covers sit-bones, edges, sensitive bits), semi-firm, and reasonably-sized, not huge!!

Trashy Cat Satin Shorts where ideal, but they have mysteriously never re-stocked any more of the perfect shorts. :-(

Nanci

[Blueberry]

Shebeest Knickers from several years ago- caused diaper butt by large chamois and too-stretchy fabric. Never liked, gave away.
Nanci

I was the *very lucky* recipient of these, and I love them

They're the pair I'll do laundry to have ready to ride the next day (and that's saying a lot, because laundry most assuredly cuts into biking time)

I love this Chamois - they've changed it now This one was perfect for me - no diaper butt, and I love the soft fabric. Just goes to show we're all different

Thanks again Nanci!!

[Dianyla]

I like short shorts. I'm a smidge under 5'4" and my femurs are somewhat long compared to my lower legs. I feel like long shorts just look... weird on me. I'd rather wear knickers and get the benefit of knee warmth if I'm going to go longer. I do get a bit of "sausage thigh" with shorter shorts but it's the lesser of evils, so...

A 5-6" inseam is just about perfect since it's short enough to look good but long enough that my thighs don't chafe against eachother or the saddle. My favorite pair of shorts so far is the Sugoi Evolution Shorty shorts. They are the perfect length, the waistline has a flattering dip in front that prevents cutting into my digestion, and the fabric is really nice.

Nanci, you might want to look at the normal length Sugoi Evolution shorts. The Ricaro chamois is thick but firm, not mushy at all.

[Nanci]

Maybe...They all _look_ good, but when you get it out of the package in real life it's like 12 inches across.

I'd sure like to know what the $179 LG Airstreamor whatever it is that V has is like, though...

Nanci

[im4smiley]

I like the short, shorts. I am short 5' even. I like the pearl izumi sugar short, 5" inseam, they are my favorites right now. I have a longer pair, cannondale, I don't like as much, not only are they longer but the waist seems to come up to my boobs!! I also have a shorter Desente pair but there is not much support. I need to buy more, I hate to have to do laundry all the time!