Long shorts or short shorts?

[Lise]

This thread is so helpful! I purchased my shorts in near-complete ignorance, but this summer want to do some more informed shopping. My shorts are as follows:

1. The Canari ones I bought at Sportmart at least three years ago. They're getting kind of worn out and baggy. Inseam: 6"

2. The Sugoi Evolution ones I bought when TE had a special offer that you could get free arm warmers with them. They're my "long ride" shorts, d/t big chamois. As I say, I bought them because they looked like "real" bike shorts, and they came with arm warmers (which I believe I've worn exactly...once!) Inseam: 6"

3. My Zoot tri shorts, with a much thinner chamois so you aren't running with a wet diaper-like pad in a triathlon. Inseam: 6"

I really have no idea what I like vs. don't like. I wear so much sunscreen that, while I do tan, it's not that noticeable. I seldom wear anything that's as short as my bike shorts, anyways. I'm 5'8", with kind of long femurs, so I wear things that would be too long on a shorter woman. I may try a 7" inseam on a pair of shorts this summer, just to have the elastic hit a little below the blobby parts!

I'm going to use this thread to go look at various shorts on the web. Thanks for your help. I really didn't know what to look for or where to start.

[fatbottomedgurl]

My blobby parts stop at my knees. Familiar with the term "cupid knees"?

[Cari]

I'm a chubby 5'4" and prefer long shorts.

* 2005 PI Ultrasensors (8.5") are currently my shorts of choice for long rides, but they need to be replaced soon. When my knee is flexed they leave about 5 inches of skin exposed above my kneecap, but at least it my thighs look ok.

* I like a pair of Cannondale Domestique shorts that I got on sale from REI last year. For some reason they make my legs look great. They're about the same length as the Ultransensors (maybe longer) but the leg opening is pretty roomy and the leg gripper is fabric, not silicone or bare elastic. But I don't think the chamois is appropriate for very long rides.

Come to think of it, one of my main problems with shorts is with the leg opening being too tight. I found some LG Ergo Sensors on sale here with a chamois that was surprisingly similar to the one on my PI's. But I'll have to return them because even though I bought a size larger than I normally wear, they're a bit short and the elastic at the leg is way too tight. *sigh*

I prefer knickers because those 5 or so inches of exposed skin above my knee feel like sizzling bacon when I'm out riding for 4 hours in the hot sun. My dad had some small skin lesions on his forehead from years of playing tennis and going to the beach, so I don't want to take any chances with the sun. And of course, knickers make my legs look way better than any short can. It's obviously pretty hot most of the time here in Puerto Rico, but as long as most of my lower leg is exposed, I'm ok. Unfortunately, I still haven't found knickers that will feel comfortable after several hours on the saddle.

* Shebeest's Pedal Pushers were great, but I had issues with the chamois.

* Shebeest Shindiggers have a great design, but the chamois isn't for long rides. They've already survived a couple of falls, so I know the fabric is durable.

* I ordered PI's new Sugar Knicker from TE, but the rise is so short (4" from the front edge of the chamois to the edge of the waistband) that I feel like I need a bikini wax just so I can wear them in public! The chamois looked like it could do the job, though, but since I'm not sure I want to keep them, I haven't taken them for a ride.

* Got a deal on some Castelli Zen 2 knickers and they fit well, but the chamois was a lot thinner than I expected, and the fabric looks a bit delicate.

So if any of you gals have some suggestions for nicely padded knickers, bibs, or long-ish shorts with ample leg openings (and with enough of a rise to cover my navel), please let me know.

Oh, and sorry for the long post. I take my shorts seriously.

~ Cari

[Dianyla]

* I ordered PI's new Sugar Knicker from TE, but the rise is so short (4" from the front edge of the chamois to the edge of the waistband) that I feel like I need a bikini wax just so I can wear them in public!

I just tried these on and bought some at my LBS. I felt rather unsure about the very low rise in front, but then I decided to try cinching the drawstring a little bit. I've never ever used the drawstring on shorts or tights in the past. In fact I always wondered why they even have drawstrings! Anyway, with a lightly tightened drawstring the Sugar knickers are better. They are still awfully low rise when standing up straight (and me, with a potbelly!) but cinched, with a longer jersey and bent over on a bike they're great. I have a very sensitive stomach and I frequently get digestive complaints if something is too tight on my waist.

[caligurl]

if the chamois on the sugar knickers is the same as the chamois on the sugar shorts.. i HATE that chamois! IMHO... i might as well not even wear a chamois it's THAT thin! (for comparison..... i LOVE the chamois in performance ultra shorts)

[fatbottomedgurl]

I guess everyone is different. I have the sugar knickers and the rise hits me an inch below my naval. I think the chamois is on the huge size but its comfortable. Heh - diaper butt - heh heh.

Anyone wear the InSport Stamina Cycle Short? I love the red panel down the side -- slimming. Is it a mid rise short? Th chamois looks very interesting with special WSD cutouts for the naughty bits...

[Nanci]

It's the new "Touring Chamois" (I was hoping to get a pair of 2005's with the 3D Race chamois but can't locate them) which is some powder blue XL soft dealy. Not my thing.

Nanci

[Dianyla]

Yeah, the Sugar Knickers I just bought are the 2006 ones with the beefy chamois.


Somehow the term "beefy chamois" sounds so wrong, but I'm leaving it.

[Nanci]

"Before shorts had chamois inserts, the early riders of the Tour de France improvised. Legend has it that they would buy a cheap cut of steak from a local butcher in the morning. Ready for the off, they'd stick the slab of beef down their shorts and sit on it like a cushion. They'd ride like that all day -- tenderising the meat with their motion, marinading it in their sweat -- then hand it to the hotel chef in the evening with the instruction that it needed only a minute on each side."