Long shorts or short shorts?

[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

[Susan Otcenas]

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

Nanci

Nanci, Veronica has these and is pretty happy with them. She's posted here about them before. (Veronica, didn't you do your recent double century in these?)

I have a pair too. I like to test ride as many of our shorts as possible, especially the more expensive ones so I can "compare and contrast". I've worn them several times and been extremely comfortable in them, even on longer rides. Haven't had a chance to wear them in really hot weather yet, and I think that's where they'll really excel. They have vents punched though them and I suspect they will get good airflow over the chamois on hot days. Should keep the chamois drier. On a completely aesthetic note, I love the lines - very flattering on me.

To keep this thread on track, though... My preference is about 7" inseam. At 5'4" , an 8" inseam is just a little too long. And 6" doesn't usually hit me in the right spot - I'm not a small girl (25" thighs) and I confess to being rather critical of them!

Susan

[Waverly]

I am 5'8 and don't like long or short shorts I KNOW that isn't much help! I like them to hit about mid thigh while I am in riding position. When I first started riding I liked Pearl Izumi but the pair I had wore out very quickly, and I don't dry them. Now I am very fond of Sheebeast. I can’t remember the exact style but I really like the chamois. I believe they are a 6" inseam. I do pull on them some but only when I am feeling insecure about my legs looking fat. I have to admit to tan line vanity as well!

Jessica

[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!