Comfortable Cycle Shorts

[Daston]

Hey guys,

I got a road bike a while back as part of our cycle to work scheme (decided to go all out) but I have never got on with cycle shorts. I currently have a padded lycra inner shorts that clip into baggy normal looking shorts.

I find the skin tight lycra really uncorfortable and it's like cycling in a nappy lol. Is there any good non lycra padded shorts out there? Not looking for speed records just something I can throw on and go for a ride over my lunch break (as I am now part of the WFH crowd)

[sociopath]

Sounds like you haven't found the right ones for you.

Each manufacturer has a different pad design, some will suit some won't, you need to try some different ones.

Only other realistic alternative is you can buy a padded cover for the seat but they arent as effective as padded shorts.

How long have you tried, you shouldn't really notice padded shirts once you're on the bike, except you aren't in pain.

[lufbramatt]

Cycle shorts are Lycra because the pad needs to be kept in place under your sit bones and not move around against the skin, as that would cause chafing. I’ve tried cheap shorts that do feel weird and have a pad that feels like wearing a nappy so I know where you’re coming from. I like lusso progel shorts but brands like dhb are perfectly serviceable without spending a fortune.

[bristolbaron]

I have these from decathlon and whilst they may not be convenient for a quick lunch time ride and admittedly feel a bit odd prior to being in the saddle, do the job whilst riding.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rc500-cycling-bib-sh...

[louiebaby]

lufbramatt said:

Cycle shorts are Lycra because the pad needs to be kept in place under your sit bones and not move around against the skin, as that would cause chafing. I’ve tried cheap shorts that do feel weird and have a pad that feels like wearing a nappy so I know where you’re coming from. I like lusso progel shorts but brands like dhb are perfectly serviceable without spending a fortune.

Very much this, especially the bit about keeping the pad in place.

What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. I have got on quite well with the 365 shorts form Planet X, which aren't going to break the bank.

In the past I've also got on well with some Endura FS260 shorts, and still use them for turbo training some times.

I'm not bothered about what I look like, but if you prefer not to be fully lycra'd up, that's entirely your choice. You'll need advice from the MTB crowd. (I just wear road shorts on I MTB.)

[12TS]

Bib shorts are better

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rcr500-super-roubaix...

They hold the pad in the right place. When I used non-bib padded shorts they moved around and were uncomfortable.

Spend more get better is what I've found as well. Decathlon stuff is basic but functional

[smn159]

DHB bib shorts from Wiggle. I've paid more for shorts that are less comfortable

Wear a pair of running shorts over the top if you don't like how they look

[Ares]

Second the suggestion for bib shorts. ONLY option if you are riding for 1hr+ IMO

Not many unpadded though.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Ares said:

Second the suggestion for bib shorts. ONLY option if you are riding for 1hr+ IMO

Not many unpadded though.

I have had several brands of non-bib but padded lycra shorts, and all have been easily as good as bibs, with none of the apparent problems of the pad moving or the waistband going saggy or giving you a builders bum. And they are all infinitely more practical when it comes to toilet time...

Every time someone asks about what shorts, I suggest non bibs. They seem to be harder to buy nowadays, and I have been told I can't be a serious cyclist if I don't wear bibs Maybe I have just been lucky with the fit.

[Ares]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Ares said:

Second the suggestion for bib shorts. ONLY option if you are riding for 1hr+ IMO

Not many unpadded though.

I have had several brands of non-bib but padded lycra shorts, and all have been easily as good as bibs, with none of the apparent problems of the pad moving or the waistband going saggy or giving you a builders bum. And they are all infinitely more practical when it comes to toilet time...

Every time someone asks about what shorts, I suggest non bibs. They seem to be harder to buy nowadays, and I have been told I can't be a serious cyclist if I don't wear bibs Maybe I have just been lucky with the fit.

I'd suggest that if your pad moved with bib shorts, you've got your sizing wrong. The shorts (and thus pad) not moving is one of the USPs of bibs (that and waist comfort).

They are less convenient for a 'bowel movement', but in nearly 30,000km of riding this year, I've never had to dump mid-ride. As mother used to say.....Go before you leave

[MiseryStreak]

Ares said:

Second the suggestion for bib shorts. ONLY option if you are riding for 1hr+ IMO

Not many unpadded though.

Thirded. I have some Gore MTB shorts that came with a padded insert, seemed like a great solution as cooler than Lycra shorts in summer. It was horrible, never in the right place as it drops down with the shorts when out of the saddle.

Bib shorts are ridiculous but the pros where them for a reason, they don’t move around.

Nobody knows you’re wearing them under your baggy MTB clothes, if that worries you! I always make sure the wife sees me in them before putting my jersey/baggy shorts on. She loves the North Korean wrestler look.

[millen]

I've been very pleased with the Energie Madison padded non-bibs from these guys https://galibier.cc/product/non-bibshorts/
4,000 miles since spring and padding and 'elastic' still fine. I'm normally a small so ordered small despite their website suggesting I'm marginal medium. They're a tight fit around the thigh grippers but fine elsewhere. Despite the exotic company name, they're made in Belfast!

I've also been happy with Lusso non-bibs. Not quite as nice as the Galibiers imo. But I agree, padded non-bibs for road use are really hard to find.

[Daveyraveygravey]

Ares said:

I'd suggest that if your pad moved with bib shorts, you've got your sizing wrong. The shorts (and thus pad) not moving is one of the USPs of bibs (that and waist comfort).

I think you have missed what I was getting at. The pad doesn't move for me, regardless of whether they are bib or non-bibs, so I think I have the sizing right. Why people say bibs stop the pad moving and make waist comfort better is lost on me. Maybe if you are outside the 80-90% of size that most of us are, you need bibs. Or maybe you are wearing them well after the elastic has gone, but usually they start to go transparent before the elastic goes in my experience, which is always time to get new ones.

For the life of me, I don't understand why the straps are necessary, they are more likely to cause discomfort, surely? If they are too short you have to hunch over when not on the bike, they can get twisted, if you get a soaking you could get joggers nipple...

And if you think "civilians" think you are weird wearing lycra, wait til they see you with your strappy shorts on!

Ares said:

They are less convenient for a 'bowel movement', but in nearly 30,000km of riding this year, I've never had to dump mid-ride. As mother used to say.....Go before you leave

They're also less convenient for a wee. I sometimes get up and faff about before a ride, wearing non bibs just makes life more convenient...

[Ares]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Ares said:

I'd suggest that if your pad moved with bib shorts, you've got your sizing wrong. The shorts (and thus pad) not moving is one of the USPs of bibs (that and waist comfort).

I think you have missed what I was getting at. The pad doesn't move for me, regardless of whether they are bib or non-bibs, so I think I have the sizing right. Why people say bibs stop the pad moving and make waist comfort better is lost on me. Maybe if you are outside the 80-90% of size that most of us are, you need bibs. Or maybe you are wearing them well after the elastic has gone, but usually they start to go transparent before the elastic goes in my experience, which is always time to get new ones.

For the life of me, I don't understand why the straps are necessary, they are more likely to cause discomfort, surely? If they are too short you have to hunch over when not on the bike, they can get twisted, if you get a soaking you could get joggers nipple...

And if you think "civilians" think you are weird wearing lycra, wait til they see you with your strappy shorts on!

Ares said:

They are less convenient for a 'bowel movement', but in nearly 30,000km of riding this year, I've never had to dump mid-ride. As mother used to say.....Go before you leave

They're also less convenient for a wee. I sometimes get up and faff about before a ride, wearing non bibs just makes life more convenient...

I don't think you've worn well fitting ones. You don't feel the straps, they are wide, very thin material, never get twisted when worn and not designed to be particularly tight so as to need to hunch you over when stood. It also means you don't have something round your waist, nothing to do with elastic going, it just means comfort is consistent regardless of position.

I've worn both, bib every day, infinitely more comfortable whether on a 1 hour or 12 hour ride.... And you don't risk 'builders bum' like the guy I came up behind on Sunday......

As for a pee....They are exactly the same? You just pull the font down??

[smn159]

/\/\/\/\/\

Exactly - anyone struggling to have a piss while wearing bib shorts must have them on back to front!

[SomersetWestie]

smn159 said:

/\/\/\/\/\

Exactly - anyone struggling to have a piss while wearing bib shorts must have them on back to front!

[Mastodon2]

Daveyraveygravey said:

And if you think "civilians" think you are weird wearing lycra, wait til they see you with your strappy shorts on!

You do know that you wear a cycling jersey over the top of bib shorts right?

As per the other comments, get a decent pair of bib shorts, you won't look back.

[MockingJay]

smn159 said:

DHB bib shorts from Wiggle. I've paid more for shorts that are less comfortable

Wear a pair of running shorts over the top if you don't like how they look

I was hesitant to try DHB, but it is actually really good quality and comfortable. I have the Aeron bib tights and they are excellent. Assos stuff is great too,

[bristolbaron]

smn159 said:

/\/\/\/\/\

Exactly - anyone struggling to have a piss while wearing bib shorts must have them on back to front!

I don’t think it’s an inappropriate time to mention my first experience pissing with bib shorts on led to a warm damp ride. you gotta pull those bad boys down a bit further to reduce the old man dribble!

[Paul Drawmer]

Unless you are built like a racing snake, most cycle clothing sizes are just plain stupid. You may need to go 1 or even 2 sizes up from normal if you have any sort of belly.