Update - I exchanged the shorts for another pair, and it looks the same on me as the first pair. I think the problem is that the chamois is extremely wide in the front, and the location of the stitching just doesn't work on me.
I just tried a pair of Gore Oxygen shorts at an LBS. They also have a very wide chamois and they had the same bunching effect even though the shorts fit fine otherwise. I really don't understand the point of making the chamois so wide -- even in a time trial position, there's no way that padding in front is helping with anything.
So now I really don't know what shorts to buy. I have two pairs of LG Neo shorts and the first pair was comfortable enough, but the fabric is not holding up well over time and the chamois has become downright painful. The second pair was never good -- the chamois was slightly different from the first, and I've had lots of chafing problems as a result. The Shebeest Century shorts are see-through, which is a shame because I love their chamois. I have a pair of PI Symphony shorts, but I don't like the way they fit and the Elite chamois gets downright clammy after a while. Looking at a photo of the chamois in the PI PRO shorts, it looks to be too wide in the front, similar to the Bellas and the Gore Oxygen.
I need new shorts for long rides and I really don't know what to try next.
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Update to the update: Just compare the Bella chamois to my old Shebeest century chamois. They're the same width at the front. I guess it's a combination of chamois width and fabric -- the old SB shorts have a thicker fabric.
I still don't know what to try next...
Last edited by ny biker; 11-09-2013 at 04:32 PM.
- Gray 2010 carbon WSD road bike, Rivet Independence saddle
- Red hardtail 26" aluminum mountain bike, Bontrager Evoke WSD saddle
- Royal blue 2018 aluminum gravel bike, Rivet Pearl saddle
Gone but not forgotten:
- Silver 2003 aluminum road bike
- Two awesome worn out Juliana saddles