I HATE wearing bike shorts-help!

[Lokicat35]

I've gotten pretty serious about cycling this past year, participating in 40+ mile events. I've been using a gel seat to save my a__ and a very thin lycra (with underwear-I know) short. It actually feels and works fine, but I feel like i'm getting looks from everyone and i'm trying to look like less of an outsider.

The problem is I just CAN'T seem to get used to a regular bike short and not wearing underwear. I feel like i'm 13 again and wearing HUGE maxi pads and just generally feel "exposed."

What can I do? Is there a less bulky but effective short? How do you get used to going commando?

Help!

[Nanci]

I hate going commando, too. So I don't. Whatever. Except- I have a pair of Trashy Cat Sunflower shorts (which have a chamois you might like- very nice and technical- anatomical, but not bulky or stiff or paddish- and nice and small!!!) that are a bit too sheer to wear panties with, so I don't. Maybe you should try those.

I wear seamless Patagonia capilene panties, and have not died yet. Or just shop around for a pair of shorts with a minimalist chamois. They aren't all overly padded. Maybe you'd like the Canari Gel chamois! It's very thin, in a nice cuddly Polarfleece covering.

Nanci

[Grog]

I suggest you do a search in this forum with the keyword "commando", you'll find LOTS of discussion on this hot topic.

I can't imagine wearing panties under my bike shorts, but as Nanci's experience shows, you don't die from it (although you can get looks from other cyclists). I do suggest that you try to find a pair that suits your preferences and try it a couple times, without panties. If you can't do it, just keep the panties, but make sure you find a type that doesn't chafe (like Nanci did).

I also prefer thicker lycra, but I'm not sure if this has anything to do with your question...

Besides, I understand how you can be self-conscious, but that's mostly what it is: self-consciousness. Most of the people that look at you will not "see" your bike shorts, your panty-lines or absence thereof, etc. They just see a cyclist. So don't sweat it too much.

Keep riding!

[Nanci]

You, know the Primal Wear basic shorts used to be my favorites. They had a nice chamois- not too thick, not too thin, just nice hourglass- (but not extreme) shaped padding. I don't know what they've done to it in the years since I bought any, but they have _very_ tough, supportive, flab-hiding, not see-through lycra, nice 8-panel construction, high-ish rise, no diaper-butt.

Nanci

[Surlygirl]

Maybe try a skort, wrapper or a tennis skirt over your bike shorts. That's what I like to wear over my bike shorts.

[Polly]

Hi there,

why not practice wearing your lycra commando around the house so you get used to the feel?

Or, buy some biking uderwear, and baggie shorts with no chamois to go over the top - this is what I do.

Don't try wearing a g-string under your lycra though, a friend of mine new to biking did this (she thought i was joking about the commando thing!) -the places she got blisters make me wince thinking about it.... Ouch!

[Nanci]

To me, it feels weird until I get on the bike, then it quits bothering me, in the rare instances I have to go commando. (TC Sunflower Shorts)

Nanci

[Dianyla]

I know that personally if I saw someone wearing unpadded shorts I might give them a funny glance like this simply because I know that I would have horrible discomfort if I did that. But hey, if it works for them, more power to 'em.

Is your current gel + unpadded shorts set up working for you?

[CorsairMac]

Welcome Loki and Polly! If you get a chance - there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you".....gives you a chance to meet us and tell us more about you - if you're so inclined!

As for your ?? Loki: if it's working for you - does it matter what people think? In the end (pun {bun?} intended) you're the one that has to live with your bum at the end of the day so go with whats comfortable for you.

[Lokicat35]

thanks for all the responses. I might just start looking around and seeing what i find. trying some new things,etc. sounds like there is a lot of options to NOT have diper-butt (hee!). I'll be sure to post in the getting to know you section too. I like having this site because it just doesn't feel the same getting advice from my boyfriend who just doesn't quite understand a woman's needs in biking.

[Cari]

The problem is I just CAN'T seem to get used to a regular bike short and not wearing underwear. I feel like i'm 13 again and wearing HUGE maxi pads and just generally feel "exposed."!

I used to feel the same way. Now I sort of think of the chamois as my underwear. It took my getting chafed really badly two days before a time trial before I lost the undies and got with the chamois creme.

What can I do? Is there a less bulky but effective short? How do you get used to going commando?

Help!

If you're perfectly happy with your setup, then by all means, stick with it. But if you want to try bike shorts, maybe you could transition into it by wearing a very thin chamois with undies, and later on, switching over to the shorts sans the underwear. Shebeest sells several different shorts and knickers that come with relatively thin chamois. And according to the Shebeest website, they're all proportional to the size of the short. You can see them at: http://www.shebeest.com/she_tech.asp

One of the really cool features of the TE store is that in every description of the shorts they sell, you can follow a link to see a pic and get info on the chamois that comes with the short. You can check out those Shebests, and also look at triathlon shorts, which all have thinner chamois.

Anyway... what's most important is how you feel. You're the only one who has to feel your tush while you're riding, and you're the only one who knows what's really comfortable.

Good luck with the riding!

~ Cari

[moo bean]

Don't try wearing a g-string under your lycra though, a friend of mine new to biking did this (she thought i was joking about the commando thing!) -the places she got blisters make me wince thinking about it.... Ouch!

Owww. That makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

[DirtDiva]

Yeah, that does sound pretty agonising!

Your avatar always brings me a little grin, moo bean.

[Geonz]

Different shorts hit differently, too. My cheaper shorts are much less pleasant and yes, I feel like the Maxi-Pad queen. (This reminds me - I'm going to stick two pictures in the humor part for "why lycra shorts should be black...") I have a more expensive pair, though, that are more streamlined and look and feel a lot better.

[margo49]

I wear "regular padded" shorts (commando) but over the top Speedo nylon beach shorts (inside leg 5 inches). My "issue" is the body-hugging of lycra. My bum and thighs are really actually - but they are *mine*