cycling shorts

of course there is some premium to pay for the name with stuff like Nike, Assos etc.

in my own experience there is certainly better quality (materials and workmanship) in some more expensive clothing but, whether that results in the actual costs of the garments being increased by the amount that would justify such premium prices.... I think not.

at the end of the day its for consumers to make their own trade off between their own perception of the quality of the garment versus their needs versus the price.

As price goes up not only is material a bit better (8 panel vs. 6 panel), but the pad is significantly more ergo. While you may not want to drop a couple of hundred on bibs, shorts are one place where money is well spent. Search this forum, the topic has been diiscussed in detail many times before.

so just curious because I am pretty new to cycling... why would you wear bike shorts? Whats their purpose ans well as bike shirts!

dirtylaundry said:

so just curious because I am pretty new to cycling... why would you wear bike shorts? Whats their purpose ans well as bike shirts!

Search, dude, search ............... been there done that each and every week.

capwater said:

Search, dude, search ............... been there done that each and every week.

Yeh, didn't we beat this topic to death just a couple of weeks ago?

capwater said:

As price goes up not only is material a bit better (8 panel vs. 6 panel), but the pad is significantly more ergo. While you may not want to drop a couple of hundred on bibs, shorts are one place where money is well spent. Search this forum, the topic has been diiscussed in detail many times before.

+1. I recently picked up a Pearl Izumi Vertex Microsensor shorts off e-bay, and I still can't believe what I had been missing by buying cheap shorts in the past.

I would never buy the super-expensive Assos or similar shorts, but I won't skimp on shorts again ever. The Vertex shorts stays exactly where they are supposed to, and I really like the chamois.

Super

SUPER RIDER said:

+1. I recently picked up a Pearl Izumi Vertex Microsensor shorts off e-bay, and I still can't believe what I had been missing by buying cheap shorts in the past.

I would never buy the super-expensive Assos or similar shorts, but I won't skimp on shorts again ever. The Vertex shorts stays exactly where they are supposed to, and I really like the chamois.

Super

I did buy the Assos bib shorts and have a pair of the Pearl microsensor 3D which is the generation prior to the Vertex. My wife has the Vertex and it is essentially like the microsensor 3D but with a vent in the back. The Pearl rides just as well as the Assos for half the price. I agree that the quality of the short is often price dependent but it seems that beyond a certain point there is no advantage to spending more. Just my 2 cents.

SUPER RIDER said:

+1. I recently picked up a Pearl Izumi Vertex Microsensor shorts off e-bay, and I still can't believe what I had been missing by buying cheap shorts in the past.

I would never buy the super-expensive Assos or similar shorts, but I won't skimp on shorts again ever. The Vertex shorts stays exactly where they are supposed to, and I really like the chamois.

Super

+1, except I switched to bibs. All my riding companions say that you get what you pay for in shorts/bibs. Now I believe them! A recent poll that I saw indicated that 90% of cyclists that try bibs never go back to shorts. This convinced me to try them and I am glad that I did. Descente Aero-X are good for me.

Bike clothes may seem a little odd to the uninitiated [surely no article of clothing other than the speedo is more mocked than lycra shorts], but they evolved to meet a need and they meet it well. It's always good to have the right tools...

For road work, tight shorts are much more aerodynamic, they don't bunch up, move with you rather than on you, and transport moisture away from your skin. The more panels, the better. The panels are cut to mimic your muscles-- no seams cutting accross muscle groups make them more comfortable. Since each muscle is under its own panel and the seams between panels strech very little, the muscles flex more normally [without the fabric from one area moving contrary to the needs of a neighboring muscle group], and the compression factor of the shorts is greatly increased, which enhances circulation and lessens fatigue.

They should fit tight while remaing comfy at the waist-- I feel much better after a long ride in my modern, 8 panel shorts as compared to my old shiney lycra that fit close to the skin, but offer no compression.

The value of padding should be self evident, just remember compression resistance is more important than overall thickness.

Bibs are fine, but I don't feel the difference is all that dramatic. No waistband makes them a bit more comfy after about 20 miles. I like my Sanitini bibs better than the LGs, and the LGs better than the Cannondales.

Bib shoppers: read the fit guide. Many companies size their bibs by your height, not your waist size. If they aren't long enough, the shoulder straps bite like junkyard dogs.

I have a couple pair of baggy shorts with padded liners I use for mtn biking: they work fine with the more upright position and generally lower speeds.

Jerseys [cycle shirts] are designed to fit close enough to the skin to provide aerodynamic efficiency, long at the back for coverage, short at the front for less bunching, wide accross the shoulders easy reach of the handlebars. They offer great moisture control, and the pockets in back can hold your water, keys, cash stash... much better than having anything in a thigh pocket.

On a hot day, my favorite is a fairly loose, sleeveless mesh: its actually cooler than riding shirtless.