Confused about shorts....

[Denise223]

I'm a beginner rider, but I see the importance of getting some bikewear, because the clothes I wear (shorts/shirt) are loose & I'm constantly re-arranging myself - shorts riding up - shirt flapping in the breeze....
When I'm enjoying my ride -- that can get pretty annoying!!

I've read the threads re: shorts, but I am wicked confused.... And, when I look on websites (sugoi, sheebest, novara, REI, llbean etc...), I'm even more confused as to what size I would take.

I'm 5' 2", weigh 185, wear a size 16-18 petite, 40D bra. I went to REI the other night and I know for sure I'm bigger than a size "XL", which is the highest they seem to go.
And the chamois padding -- I'm not on my bike long enough (yet ) to need the "big puffy stuff".

I've got some other questions about shifting & hills, etc.....but, my "bikewear question", (for right now), is the most pressing.

Thank you all for your time in reading my post.

Denise

[Nanci]

TE has size charts for all the clothing they carry. The sizing varies greatly from one manufacturer to the next. TE also has a whole Plus Size shop, with lots of stuff, including a wide selection of Terry clothing, one manufacturer who has cute cycling clothes for _all_ sizes.

Most chamois aren't all that big and puffy- no one would like them. Some sort of chamois is critical to being able to sit on your bike comfortably, no matter how long you are on there. They make "liner" shorts to wear under regular shorts if you are not comfortable wearing "real" lycra shorts- but "real" shorts are more comfortable in the long run, and who's looking, anyway.

Nanci

[bcipam]

Sort of depends on how you are shaped. I'm larger on top smaller on bottom - I generally weawr a man's medium or a woman's large. I'm 5'8" and 200 lbs. Remember the lycra does stretch. I would recommend you start with a women's XL and go from there

[KSH]

If you are able to, it really is best to buy your shorts from a store. Well, for the first time at least.

By going into a store you can try them on, feel the fabric, feel the padding (to see how thick it is), etc... etc... Once you find a pair you like and that work for you... then you can go online and purchase them there.

That's just how it works for me though. I can try on 10 pairs of cycling shorts and look horrible in 9 of them. I am real picky so buying some without trying them on, would be an issue for me.

[pattaloo]

I bought "comfort cycling shorts" from LLBean and like them. I'm brand new to cycling, too (this week!) but can't imagine trying to ride without the chamois!

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...d=pp&feat=dp27

I wear an XL in other similar styles of pants, and this XL fit me fine, if that helps.

[Denise223]

Thank you Nanci, bcipam, KSH & pattaloo!!

I appreciate the time you all took to answer my post.

I'll check out a couple of the bike shops near me (Landry's, Harris Cyclery, Spoke & Wheel) & see what they have.
The shorts & tops I wear out riding now are cotton -- so, you can imagine with sweating just how drenched, heavy & gross feeling they are!! (ick). I'm sure that riding will be a lot more fun than it is now, if the sweat is wicked away.

Thanks again!! This cycling forum is really awesome. I'm happy that I found it!!

Denise

[Brandi]

I would never ride without a chamois now either! And it doesn't matter how long the ride it is just more compfy period! i am afraid I can't help out with size. I wear a med in everything. But I don't like how some of the mtb (mountain bike shorts) fit. I have sporty thighs (I like that, instead of big) the the legs in the mtb shorts bind. I like the fredom of the lycra. But I have three pairs of mtb shorts now that don't get used! The bike shirts are good cause they tend to be longer inthe back, that way you don't get sun burnt. also a big floppy shirt is not good in a wind. Welcome by the way to the world of biking! And to this site. This is the best one out there (not very many for women) you can pretty much get advice on anything. Just check open topic. Hope we are of some help!

[Denise223]

Hi Brandi!

Thanks for your response!!

When I'm at the bike shop, I'll check out the tops too. (that longer area in the back will really help). With what I'm wearing now, I have to keep picking at my shirt to keep it down.
I have very fair skin, so I've got to use a good sunscreen with a high SPF. I'm thinking of trying the new coppertone spray, 'for sports/activity'.

And, thank you for the welcome to the "world of biking". I know it's exercise, BUT....it's wonderful to actually LIKE IT, instead of dreading it. WHAT A TREAT!!

If the weather here in the Northeast ever clears up,(rain, rain, rain....), I'll be able to get out there again and enjoy a ride.

Your Avatar is adorable, by the way !!

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
> Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

****Love your signature!! So true !! ****

Take good Care!

Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'll check out a couple of the bike shops near me (Landry's, Harris Cyclery, Spoke & Wheel) & see what they have.

Denise -
Another shop in the area worth trying is Belmont Wheelworks.

It is good to be able to try things on - but if you don't find what you need in the shops locally, don't hesitate to call the folks at TE. I usually order over the web, but when I was switching to a different brand of shorts this spring and called with questions about size, it was good to be able to talk with someone who was happy to hold the shorts up together and describe the size differences to me. And as Nanci mentioned, they do have a selection of plus size clothing (look under specialty shops).

--- another Denise in the Boston area

[KSH]

Denise -
Another shop in the area worth trying is Belmont Wheelworks.

It is good to be able to try things on - but if you don't find what you need in the shops locally, don't hesitate to call the folks at TE. I usually order over the web, but when I was switching to a different brand of shorts this spring and called with questions about size, it was good to be able to talk with someone who was happy to hold the shorts up together and describe the size differences to me. And as Nanci mentioned, they do have a selection of plus size clothing (look under specialty shops).

--- another Denise in the Boston area

I would like to add that TE does as great job on returns as well. And, keep in mind that you can try something on in the store, but buy it from TE. They have fast shipping too.

I have been nothing but pleased with my purchases and returns with TE!

[JoyfulGirl]

I'm not very helpful with much in the way of biking so I can't help with clothing info.. But had to comment on the coppertone spray stuff. That's one of my new favourite things. I hosed myself off with it, took all of ~30 seconds versus the ten minutes I use to spend carefully covering every inch of me. The only area that got burnt was my shoulders because I changed to a sleeveless shirt after application. Shoulders broiled to a cheery red that's gone on to peeling. The rest of me stayed my normal pasty white. Not impressed with my natural skin tone but absolute love the spray on sun screen- rapid, effective, didn't rub off. two thumbs up. Wish I hadn't accidently done my controlled study of protected versus unprotected skin though.