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Cycling Gear: [Sink] cycling shorts

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- CommentAuthor sweigl
- CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
Why does everyone wear those tight bike pants? I like to wear loose fitting gym shorts, which are hard to find, unless you like them below your knees.

I'm a newbie to the sport and would like to know if typical bike shorts are comfortable or not. I don't ride a long way, 6 to 8 miles/day.
- CommentAuthor rpetreccajr
- CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
I'm a guy and in regular pants/gym shorts the 4 way seam where the legs come together hurts when sitting on a bicycle seat. Padded bicycle shorts don't have that seam. Because they have a significant amount of Lycra in them they don't bunch up and chafe either. And then there is the padding itself that helps to absorb a bit of shock.
- CommentAuthor kcp1228
- CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
I don't think that it matter a whole lot if you are only riding 6-8 miles at a time, however, when you get to 30, 40 and more miles bike shorts make a huge difference.
- CommentAuthor hdox
- CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
You can buy a shorts liner with a cycling pad to wear under your loose fitting shorts. That's what I started with. Might enable you to increase your mileage. Once you're hooked, and you start riding with a group of people wearing those tight-fitting shorts, you will begin to feel more comfortable wearing them yourself. A comfortable saddle makes more difference than what shorts you wear. Enjoy your cycling, and be safe!
- CommentAuthor rollyp66
- CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
Get mountain biking shorts they are padded also, fox racing or oakley make some good quality ones. They aren't cheap though
- CommentAuthor flamin trek
- CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
i've ridden for years mostly MTB's) and had cycling shorts for a little while and hated them. I've stuck with comfortable shorts and only really had a chafing issue once when I was really asking for it in wet, muddy-so-your-shoes-and-tyres-gum-up-and-can't-walk-or-ride conditions. Lately i've discovered board shorts are a little more comfortable. I don't often ride for hours on end but have occasionally with no problems. Maybe if my riding mates wore knicks I would have stuck with them.
- CommentAuthor steamroller67
- CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
Road cyclists wear them because they ride more than 6-8 miles. My legs aren't warmed up until I hit the 8 mile mark. Cycling shorts offer a padded crotch, which is a lifesaver 25 miles into a ride. They also offer free range of motion on a road bicycle. The last thing I want is my boxers getting crammed into my groin or getting caught on my seat when I'm out of the saddle. My suggestion to you is attempt a 25 mile ride in gym shorts and boxers/underwear and let us know how you feel the next day. I can already feel the numbness just thinking about it!
- CommentAuthor smokediver
- CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
Believe me, I made the switch to bike shorts and it's the best decision I ever made. I started riding just this year and on my first 45 miler I was starting to hate cycling due to my crotch getting rubbed raw. I switched to bike shorts and now I'm doing much better. When I'm riding in crowded areas I will wear my lycra shorts underneath my looser fitting under armor gym shorts. While those shorts kind of get in the way, it prevents them from bunching up, sticking and rubbing all the wrong areas. Give them a try!
- CommentAuthor dfiday
- CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
I got cycle bibs and they are great. No bunching. I also removed the gel pad from the seat and find it more comfortable. White spandex is see through, avoid it...
- CommentAuthor eladio48
- CommentTimeJul 15th 2009
If you look around around a bit, you can usually find some decent padded shorts for about $30.00. REI stores are a decent place to look. For anybody spending more than a half hour on a bike, especially in hot weather, the bike shorts are the way to go. Now, if you're doing some casual ride on a beach cruiser, you don't need the bike shorts. But, if you are getting into more serious cycling, get yourself the shorts.
- CommentAuthor nfeht
- CommentTimeJul 15th 2009
I wear my uni's from rowing (bottoms similar to bike shorts minus the extra padding). Now its realy just out of comfort ...after 6 years of working out in nothing but spandex its uncomfortable to workout in anything else. spandex does allow be a greater range of motion. also the only way to wear spandex is commando boxers underneath have a good chance of producing blisters at the seams.
- CommentAuthor B20thom
- CommentTimeJul 16th 2009
At 8 miles, hell wear jeans! JK! But you don't need the seamless design of cycling shorts and groin padding. Once you fall in love with the sport, definately go for a pair of these when you start pushing anything above 20 miles like said above! Think of all the friction that will accumulate on the pressure points of your groin and general sitting area, that will cause some major discomfort as you ride longer distances. Try some out and make sure you don't wear underwear!

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If you wear bike shorts into a grocery store, you'll get looks (And not the flattering ones). You wear bike shorts into a gym, and you might get the ocassional glance but nothing too discriminating. You wear bike shorts on the road or bike trail, then welcome to the family. :)
- CommentAuthor looie303
- CommentTimeJul 16th 2009
Some think of the padding in cycling shorts as shock absorbing, others as a means to reduce chafing. I find that the most comfortable shorts for me have a pretty thin pad. True, there's substantial soreness when one starts out cycling or returns after an extended time off. But the ischial tuberosities (or sit bones) and the tissue between them and your saddle quickly get used to the bike. You should do what you're comfortable with. When I first started cycling, I was put off by the look of the shorts and their cost. They're cheaper now, but not any better looking. I've taken to them out of function and I don't like riding without them. REI is a good recommendation. Buy an inexpensive pair, try them out, and I think you'll get hooked. Most of all, enjoy the ride!
- CommentAuthor ryno136
- CommentTimeJul 16th 2009 edited
I said I'd never wear them... ever! Then after chaffing and sweating and chaffing and more sweating... I don't leave home without them and own 4 pair! Well worth every penny. Ebay is the best place to buy them. You can get a good quaility pair for the same price of the cheaper pairs at Academy, REI, or Sports Authority.
- CommentAuthor mdb51
- CommentTimeJul 17th 2009
Imagine tasking sandpaper to your crotch, add some salt and then ride for about and hour or two; for me that is what it was like without bike shorts. Maybe they aren't for everyone, but for this old body the shorts make 100 miles or more tolerable. After you cycle for awhile, you will find the "odd clothes" all have a purpose and function.

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