Good shorts for longer rides
Discussion
Current shorts, no idea what they are, dhb something's
...they are murder after about an hour on my boney arse and I can feel the circulation dying/pressure on the gooch.
I heard gel pads are quite good? Altura ProGel was recommended.
I seem to chafe easily as well...how much of that chamois cream do you need to put on??!! Seems better than just using sudacrem though! I chafed so bad using that I couldn't sleep for the itching and it got infected!
...they are murder after about an hour on my boney arse and I can feel the circulation dying/pressure on the gooch.
I heard gel pads are quite good? Altura ProGel was recommended.
I seem to chafe easily as well...how much of that chamois cream do you need to put on??!! Seems better than just using sudacrem though! I chafed so bad using that I couldn't sleep for the itching and it got infected!
My friend had those Altura ones, he likes them. Did 100 miles in them the other day and he wasn't complaining.
I've used Btwin 900s before, no complaints though not the best fitting on the legs, the pads good.
Most expensive bib I've tried is etxeondo kom. I did 100 miles and the only thing that didn't hurt at the end was my bum.
I've used Btwin 900s before, no complaints though not the best fitting on the legs, the pads good.
Most expensive bib I've tried is etxeondo kom. I did 100 miles and the only thing that didn't hurt at the end was my bum.
Original Rapha Classics.....I have two pairs, always comfy even after 100 miles!
Buy them via the archive store for a good reduction on rrp.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic-bib-shorts...
Buy them via the archive store for a good reduction on rrp.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic-bib-shorts...
The seat was the default option when I bought my bike (from Ribble). Its a Selle Italia X1? (I think), its a got a channel down the middle. Its pretty hard to be honest, but then I thought nearly all seats were; some look like razor blades!
Currently its set as far back as it will go (because I felt a bit too hunched) and is level... I must admit I do find myself having to adjust my position back onto the wide end/back of the seat as I tend to creep forwards somehow.
Currently its set as far back as it will go (because I felt a bit too hunched) and is level... I must admit I do find myself having to adjust my position back onto the wide end/back of the seat as I tend to creep forwards somehow.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 10th July 20:55
wobert said:
Original Rapha Classics.....I have two pairs, always comfy even after 100 miles!
Buy them via the archive store for a good reduction on rrp.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic-bib-shorts...
Provided you're either a midget or a giant! Not too much size choice available on the discounted ones unfortunately.Buy them via the archive store for a good reduction on rrp.
https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/shop/classic-bib-shorts...
But I'd echo your recommendation for Rapha. I've got various Core and Flyweight pairs and they're always very comfortable on long rides.
My Rapha Classic Bibs are my go-to for the longer rides. (100 mile plus.) I combine them with Assos Chamois Cream, and an ISM Adamo Saddle, and have no problems.
I've also got a pair of Endura FS260 mentioned above. They're a bit older, so I don't pick them first anymore, but before I got the Rapha ones, I've done a few big days in them, and they were good too.
A proper bike fit is always the place to start, followed by getting the saddle right. Once you've got this, there (probably) isn't just 1 pair of shorts that will work for you.
I've also got a pair of Endura FS260 mentioned above. They're a bit older, so I don't pick them first anymore, but before I got the Rapha ones, I've done a few big days in them, and they were good too.
A proper bike fit is always the place to start, followed by getting the saddle right. Once you've got this, there (probably) isn't just 1 pair of shorts that will work for you.
The shorts have an impact but far less than the saddle and general bike fit. If your setup is off you could be putting too much weight through your butt and this will hurt. If it's hurting after an hour I'd suggest it's most likely to be the saddle, but bear in mind that the perfect saddle shape will change depending on your bike fit.
Counter-intuitively, more padding doesn't necessarily make for a more comfortable seat; in fact it can exacerbate things by adding extra movement and chafing. Shape is the most critical factor. You can get yourself measured up or slowly figure this stuff out with trial and error. After a long ride you can prod around and feel where the sore bits are in relation to your sit bones (the bony bits of your butt that you actually want to be taking the load) and try a wider/narrower saddle accordingly.
Once those are dialled, then move on to shorts. In my experience (which is relatively substantial now) the fit of the shorts overall is the most important factor. You likely want smaller shorts than you realise. The main goal is to get that pad in exactly the right place and keep it firmly there with no movement. After that there are nuances between the different pads but I don't believe this is as big a deal as the manufacturers would like you to believe. Of all the shorts I've tried I rate Bioracer and Assos as the best.
Counter-intuitively, more padding doesn't necessarily make for a more comfortable seat; in fact it can exacerbate things by adding extra movement and chafing. Shape is the most critical factor. You can get yourself measured up or slowly figure this stuff out with trial and error. After a long ride you can prod around and feel where the sore bits are in relation to your sit bones (the bony bits of your butt that you actually want to be taking the load) and try a wider/narrower saddle accordingly.
Once those are dialled, then move on to shorts. In my experience (which is relatively substantial now) the fit of the shorts overall is the most important factor. You likely want smaller shorts than you realise. The main goal is to get that pad in exactly the right place and keep it firmly there with no movement. After that there are nuances between the different pads but I don't believe this is as big a deal as the manufacturers would like you to believe. Of all the shorts I've tried I rate Bioracer and Assos as the best.
Cheers folks.
Where can I go for a bike fit then?
Should any decent local bike shop do it? (i.e. not halfords?) We have a shop here called pedal power, Loughborough and I think there is an Evans Cycles in Nottingham somewhere).
Failing that I could ask some friends as they are well into cycling and have a number of expensive bikes so presume have had the bike fittings done at some point.
Where can I go for a bike fit then?
Should any decent local bike shop do it? (i.e. not halfords?) We have a shop here called pedal power, Loughborough and I think there is an Evans Cycles in Nottingham somewhere).
Failing that I could ask some friends as they are well into cycling and have a number of expensive bikes so presume have had the bike fittings done at some point.
I've wasted money on average fits before and now would only consider The Bike Whisperer. He's damn good.
That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
Gruffy said:
I've wasted money on average fits before and now would only consider The Bike Whisperer. He's damn good.
That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
GCN do indeed have some good bike fit guides, just search Youtube, highly recommended! That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
Plus 1 on Assos products as well, they are expensive but tend to do things a bit different than the others, for instance, I wear their padded boxers (part of their Urban range) which you would think you are wearing inside out as the pad and seams are on the outside!! Very comfy and they don't have front padding but a pouch for your bits which I find preferable to having my bits squashed!! https://www.assos.com/en_m/assos-urban-bike-collec...
Gruffy said:
I've wasted money on average fits before and now would only consider The Bike Whisperer. He's damn good.
That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
Another vote for The Bike Whisperer. Zero issues since I had a proper fit there early this year, plus I'm sure that it made me a bit quicker That said, if you're relatively inexperienced you might have some simple setup quirks that are causing these issues, because even an average fit is likely to be tolerable for an hour. If that's the case you may just want an experienced mate to cast an eye over things. Or watch a few bike fit videos online (GCN probably have some good ones) and tinker with things yourself.
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