Cycling Shorts?

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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TrevA
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by TrevA »

ASSOS are horrendously expensive - around £100 for waist shorts, getting in for £150 for bib shorts unless you can find them on sale anywhere. I’ve had 2 pairs and whilst they are comfortable they aren’t much better than other cheaper shorts. If you have a Decathlon nearby, it’s worth having a look at their shorts - they do various ranges, ascending in price and I’ve found the mid range ones to be comfortable. I’ve have shorts from Assos, Endura, Altura, Decathlon, Mavic, Funkier, Giordana, Santini and Rapha.
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Mick F
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Mick F »

Sorry, again, late to the party here.
I'm not on the forum as many times as I was.

I was chatting to Mrs Mick F earlier regarding "shorts".
She has issues with dresses and skirts and shorts, as she's (only) 5ft 2ins.

Me, I like SHORTS.
Not the modern stuff that goes down to half way to the knees.
I have a pair of older lycra short shorts, but they are in the wash now. The other two pairs I have, are quite long and with the awful rubbery grippy stuff at the leg end. I'm off on a ride tomorrow, and I'll have to wear one of the awful ones.

Meanwhile, discussing this subject, I was remembering the shorts I wore in the mid 1980s. Pockets, padding, loose fitting, zero lycra.
Here's a photo of me on the Raleigh Clubman entering Portsmouth New Hampshire USA in 1986.

Note the shorts.
I really really really wish I could buy them again. Bought in a bike shop in Plymouth - Devon Cycles, Frankfort Gate. Long gone. :cry:
Clubman.jpg
Mick F. Cornwall
BarkerBrown
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by BarkerBrown »

Thank you so much everyone for all your input. I will go for the padded underpants and wear under my ordinary Jack Wolfskin shorts. Here’s hoping the aching posteria will now be a thing of the past! 😁
Tinkerbell
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Tinkerbell »

Mick F wrote: 21 May 2023, 6:42pm
Meanwhile, discussing this subject, I was remembering the shorts I wore in the mid 1980s. Pockets, padding, loose fitting, zero lycra.
Here's a photo of me on the Raleigh Clubman entering Portsmouth New Hampshire USA in 1986.

Note the shorts.
I really really really wish I could buy them again. Bought in a bike shop in Plymouth - Devon Cycles, Frankfort Gate. Long gone. :cry:
They seem very sensible - was the padding integral or a detachable liner?
Tinkerbell
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Tinkerbell »

BarkerBrown wrote: 21 May 2023, 10:45pm Thank you so much everyone for all your input. I will go for the padded underpants and wear under my ordinary Jack Wolfskin shorts. Here’s hoping the aching posteria will now be a thing of the past! 😁
If you fancy merino, Vulpine have a sale on at the moment - https://www.vulpine.cc/collections/spri ... st-selling

Depending on colour (and size), some are only £20
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Audax67
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Audax67 »

Mick F wrote: 21 May 2023, 6:42pm Meanwhile, discussing this subject, I was remembering the shorts I wore in the mid 1980s. Pockets, padding, loose fitting, zero lycra.
I used to wear sawn-off jeans and supermarket Y's. Suboptimal for >30k, though.
Have we got time for another cuppa?
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Bmblbzzz »

Mick F wrote: 21 May 2023, 6:42pm Sorry, again, late to the party here.
I'm not on the forum as many times as I was.

I was chatting to Mrs Mick F earlier regarding "shorts".
She has issues with dresses and skirts and shorts, as she's (only) 5ft 2ins.

Me, I like SHORTS.
Not the modern stuff that goes down to half way to the knees.
I have a pair of older lycra short shorts, but they are in the wash now. The other two pairs I have, are quite long and with the awful rubbery grippy stuff at the leg end. I'm off on a ride tomorrow, and I'll have to wear one of the awful ones.

Meanwhile, discussing this subject, I was remembering the shorts I wore in the mid 1980s. Pockets, padding, loose fitting, zero lycra.
Here's a photo of me on the Raleigh Clubman entering Portsmouth New Hampshire USA in 1986.

Note the shorts.
I really really really wish I could buy them again. Bought in a bike shop in Plymouth - Devon Cycles, Frankfort Gate. Long gone. :cry:

Clubman.jpg
Good photo!

You can still get similar shorts. Search for "touring shorts".
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CyberKnight
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by CyberKnight »

pwa wrote: 20 May 2023, 10:47am
BarkerBrown wrote: 19 May 2023, 7:37pm I never thought I would be the type of chap to wear lycra cycling shorts. However, since my return to cycling, I think this is the only option open to me (aching bum!). There are various cheap examples on eBay but I was wondering if there is a better alternative. Any suggestions gratefully received. 😄
You can have the best of both worlds, with the padding of lycra shorts combined with the casual look of whatever shorts you would prefer to be seen in. Decathlon do several undershorts, including these: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/gel-padde ... mc=8354334 . They are like padded lycra shorts, but the main fabric is a mesh. That makes them less likely to cause you to overheat, but it means you can't wear them without other shorts over the top, because they are a bit see-through. They are underwear. Put some baggy shorts over the top and the job is done. I'd get some baggy mountain bike shorts to go over the top because they tend to fit better when you are leaning forward and pedalling. Less chance of a chilly gap above the waist.

There are other liner shorts out there but very few have as much padding as these, and some are not very effective at all. There is no advantage to having liner shorts clipped into outer shorts, so you don't need to worry about whether a particular pair of undershorts will match the clipping in points on a particular pair of outer shorts.
decathlon do great range starting from cheap as chips and up, i have in the past done century rides in their mid range stuff .
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mattheus
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by mattheus »

pwa wrote: 20 May 2023, 10:47am You can have the best of both worlds, with the padding of lycra shorts combined with the casual look of whatever shorts you would prefer to be seen in. Decathlon do several undershorts, including these: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/gel-padde ... mc=8354334 . They are like padded lycra shorts, but the main fabric is a mesh. That makes them less likely to cause you to overheat, but it means you can't wear them without other shorts over the top, because they are a bit see-through. They are underwear. Put some baggy shorts over the top and the job is done. I'd get some baggy mountain bike shorts to go over the top because they tend to fit better when you are leaning forward and pedalling. Less chance of a chilly gap above the waist.

There are other liner shorts out there but very few have as much padding as these, and some are not very effective at all. There is no advantage to having liner shorts clipped into outer shorts, so you don't need to worry about whether a particular pair of undershorts will match the clipping in points on a particular pair of outer shorts.
They look a very good idea, thanks! (I've a lot of time for Decathlon stuff- although I didn't like their MTB shorts when I looked briefly in store. Cheap though :) ).

As you say, lots of liner shorts out there, but the ones I've tried really don't work in saddle contact area terms. Pointless !
JohnW
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by JohnW »

I've a lot of years' experience of wearing shorts.
I've tried a lot down the years.
Three things I've learned are 1). I need some ventilation.......... 2).........in association with that, padded shorts or added padding are a problem, particularly in hot weather and more particularly on a decent length day-ride..............and 3).Having discovered Corinne Dennis and her mens' touring shorts, at a York Rally, at least a decade ago, they are worth considering - I've had three pairs and don't feel a need to consider alternatives.
I hope that helps.
pwa
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by pwa »

mattheus wrote: 25 May 2023, 10:59am
pwa wrote: 20 May 2023, 10:47am You can have the best of both worlds, with the padding of lycra shorts combined with the casual look of whatever shorts you would prefer to be seen in. Decathlon do several undershorts, including these: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/gel-padde ... mc=8354334 . They are like padded lycra shorts, but the main fabric is a mesh. That makes them less likely to cause you to overheat, but it means you can't wear them without other shorts over the top, because they are a bit see-through. They are underwear. Put some baggy shorts over the top and the job is done. I'd get some baggy mountain bike shorts to go over the top because they tend to fit better when you are leaning forward and pedalling. Less chance of a chilly gap above the waist.

There are other liner shorts out there but very few have as much padding as these, and some are not very effective at all. There is no advantage to having liner shorts clipped into outer shorts, so you don't need to worry about whether a particular pair of undershorts will match the clipping in points on a particular pair of outer shorts.
They look a very good idea, thanks! (I've a lot of time for Decathlon stuff- although I didn't like their MTB shorts when I looked briefly in store. Cheap though :) ).

As you say, lots of liner shorts out there, but the ones I've tried really don't work in saddle contact area terms. Pointless !
That was my experience too. The only pads that had enough depth and kept the pad in place were on lycra shorts, but wearing baggy shorts over the top of them just made me cook on warm days. I got some mesh undershorts from Decathlon, with a top quality pad, and they were much more breathable than regular lycra shorts, so felt good under lightweight baggies. The pad was of the more effective sort I associate with good lycra shorts.
Psamathe
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Psamathe »

Whilst I'm fine with padded lycra shorts, in the early days I didn't like wandering around with the "lycra look" so purchased a pair of baddy shorts with a padded liner (Endura Humvee shorts). Padding was a lot thinner but the real thing I didn't like was I got too hot in them. Can't work out why I got hot as although there were the 2 layers, there was also a lot better ventilation. But too often too hot.

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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by Vorpal »

BarkerBrown wrote: 19 May 2023, 7:37pm I never thought I would be the type of chap to wear lycra cycling shorts. However, since my return to cycling, I think this is the only option open to me (aching bum!). There are various cheap examples on eBay but I was wondering if there is a better alternative. Any suggestions gratefully received. 😄
I came a bit late to this thread, but I might recommend a slightly different approach to solving the problem...

There are several things that contribute to saddle comfort.
-Bike fit/position
-Saddle size & shape
-Your seat & fitness
-Breaking in the saddle / your backside to each other
-Clothing

In what way is cycling causing pain? Do you have chafing or bruising? The solution is generally different for these to problems. It might also be different for chafing in different places.

In my opinion, the first two or three in the list of things that contribute are the most important elements. If your sit bones aren't at the main points of contact with the saddle, either your position is wrong, or the saddle doesn't suit you. If you haven't had a fitting, take a look at member 531colin's DIY bike fitting guide http://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/upl ... -2017a.pdf If that doesn't put your sit bones in the right place, try some different saddles. Most shops will let you try something for a week or two & bring it back or swap it for another if it doesn't work out. I think that the ones where they measure your sit bone spacing have a somewhat higher rate of success. Some people prefer saddles with cut-outs down the middle.

The 3rd point regards how you sit on the saddle. If you are sitting on your saddle like the proverbial sack of potatoes, you are less likely to be comfortable than if you let your legs do some of the work, this is obviously harder to do if you aren't fit, or aren't fit for the distance you are doing. If I take a longer ride than usual, I sometimes get a bit sore because I don't sit as well or use my legs as much at the end of the ride.

If you are returning to cycling, it could also be possible that your backside & saddle aren't broken into each other, yet. Cycling more frequently, and increasing distance gradually is the cure for this problem.

Finally, we come to clothing.
If it's chafing, you need to figure out what is rubbing and eliminate that. Not everyone likes cycling shorts, or finds them comfortable. I am not very comfortable in shorts with thick pads, and prefer a thin pad, or none at all. But not having seams between me and the saddle is the most important part for me to be comfortable.

The other thing no one here has discussed is that cleanliness is important. Also do *not* wear underwear and cycling shorts together (and apologies if this is teaching granny to suck eggs). Cycling shorts are designed to be worn without underwear.

Many of these things are, to a large extent, personal, and may require some trial and error to work out.
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JohnW
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by JohnW »

Vorpal wrote: 26 May 2023, 11:50am [........................
I came a bit late to this thread, but I might recommend a slightly different approach to solving the problem...

There are several thing that contribute to saddle comfort.
-Bike fit/position
-Saddle size & shape
-Your seat & fitness
-Breaking in the saddle / your backside to each other
-Clothing
.....................
.
I really cannot agree with you more vorpal - of all the variables - and I went through the painful learning process many years ago - saddle height/position/angle/position have proved, to me, to be the most critical element. Properly positioned and dressed leather saddles soon become comfy.

Two examples - several years ago I encountered a chap on our local greenway - he's ridden the length of it (about 8 miles) and was most uncomfortable. He didn't know how a bloke of my age (I was about 65-ish at the time) could ride the length of the greenway, and on to York or wherever afterwards. His legs, particularly his knees, were painful for days after he'd ridden his bike. I watched him ride around a bit, and noted his saddle height. To adjust his saddle for what looked right to me, we lowered his saddle by about an inch and a half and maybe half an inch back. I saw him a couple of weeks later, scampering up and down the greenway, and looking fully relaxed. That bit of adjustment had changed his life! I asked him why he hadn't got the shop that sold him the bike to set him up. The bike was second hand, and he'd asked at a local council-run road safety advisory and been told that the safety requirement was that he had to be able to put his feet flat on the ground when sat on the saddle! I saw him several times after that, and his knees were pain-free and cycling wasn't tiring anymore.

The other example - myself. I needed new cycling shorts - my usual source (Hebden cord, Hebden bridge) had retired. I was advised to get some sooper-dooper (and expensive) specialist cycling shorts - guaranteed to be comfy on the bum. They were padded. In my ignorance I was proud of them. I really looked the part. I was off to meet a friend, 45 miles away. It was summer time, and cool in the morning. On my way home however, the sun was high, it was getting warmer, and specialist cycling shorts were not ventilating and were very hot - sweaty - and the salt was breaking the skin, and becoming painful. I had raw flesh, just where you don't want it! My visit to the doctor was a bit embarrassing and she prescribed cream, gauze and at least four to six weeks before it would heal. I got my Hebden Cords patched, and a couple of years later I met Corinne Dennis at her stall at York Rally. I bought my first pair. They wear very well - and comfortable for 200-mile day rides...............and they ventilate. They seem to be a kind of woven lycra, and dry quickly after a rainstorm.

I'll stick with ventilation, comfy saddle and position and no sophisticated talk.
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Re: Cycling Shorts?

Post by BarkerBrown »

Thank you Vorpal

That all makes perfect sense and there is much there for me to think about. Very helpful indeed.
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