Pro cyclists bulgie shorts

cdaleguy said:

What shorts are pros wearing that create that huge bulge (obviously a bigger support pad)? They look comfy.

it's just a proportional illusion because they're so skinny:p

You see a lot of Nalini. I have one from last yr's Phonak team. It's actually a pretty thin basic no-seam chamois although it is fairly sizeable. Agree on the illusion due to the riders' sizes.

cdaleguy said:

What shorts are pros wearing that create that huge bulge (obviously a bigger support pad)? They look comfy.

A few things.....
-top quality shorts with a good chamois
-replaced often, so the chamois doesn't squash out and deteriorate
-some pros have their choice of chamois sewn into the sponsors shorts. i.e. if they are partial to Assos and sponsored by Vermarc, they'll have the soigneurs change them over.

ed073 said:

A .....
-top quality shorts with a good chamois

Huge difference btwn a $250 assos bib and the basic, no-frills, simple Nalini bib that Phonak and a lot of other teams use. The nalini's are bout as simple as it gets...almost disposable. I'm not sure if they throw 'em out after a ride, but the Phonak kit is less comfortable and thinner than even my standby mid-range Castelli KISS bibs. They're light, tight, and padding is simple/low-tech.

RC2 said:

Huge difference btwn a $250 assos bib and the basic, no-frills, simple Nalini bib that Phonak and a lot of other teams use. The nalini's are bout as simple as it gets...almost disposable. I'm not sure if they throw 'em out after a ride, but the Phonak kit is less comfortable and thinner than even my standby mid-range Castelli KISS bibs. They're light, tight, and padding is simple/low-tech.

The Nalinis you can buy at your LBS aren't the same as the ones issued to pro teams.

ed073 said:

The Nalinis you can buy at your LBS aren't the same as the ones issued to pro teams.

No these are the real thing. Wife went to TdF with Phonak and brought several kits back for friends n family.

RC2 said:

No these are the real thing. Wife went to TdF with Phonak and brought several kits back for friends n family.

If she bought 'em off the team, that's a different story.

RC2 said:

No these are the real thing. Wife went to TdF with Phonak and brought several kits back for friends n family.

So...
Your wife ran off to France with a cycling team and came back with their shorts in her luggage?
...hmm... :p

supergrill said:

So...
Your wife ran off to France with a cycling team and came back with their shorts in her luggage?
...hmm... :p

You're not kidding, our 3rd baby is due in 4 weeks... the puts the conception timing around...hmmm. I told her it damn well better not speak french. 😠

RC2 said:

Huge difference btwn a $250 assos bib and the basic, no-frills, simple Nalini bib that Phonak and a lot of other teams use. The nalini's are bout as simple as it gets...almost disposable. I'm not sure if they throw 'em out after a ride, but the Phonak kit is less comfortable and thinner than even my standby mid-range Castelli KISS bibs. They're light, tight, and padding is simple/low-tech.

Have your or anyone else here tried the high-end Assos? I am curious to hear if they really make that much of a difference. I've been using Pearl's Ultrasensor Bibs and shorts and need another pair of each. I was going to get Microsensors this time around. I've been eyeing the Assos, but $200 is a lot to drop on bibs. The new Specialized Body Geometry bibs and shorts also look like they might be nice. One other issue I have with bibs is the fit, I'm 6'2" with a 32" waist. I've been wearing mediums which fit my waist okay, but the bib part is too short. Do any of the manufactures make tall sizes? Any suggestions are appreciated, I have my first double century coming up, I need something that will provide the most comfort for 12 hours. Thanks😄

OCRoadie said:

Have your or anyone else here tried the high-end Assos? I am curious to hear if they really make that much of a difference. I've been using Pearl's Ultrasensor Bibs and shorts and need another pair of each. I was going to get Microsensors this time around. I've been eyeing the Assos, but $200 is a lot to drop on bibs. The new Specialized Body Geometry bibs and shorts also look like they might be nice. One other issue I have with bibs is the fit, I'm 6'2" with a 32" waist. I've been wearing mediums which fit my waist okay, but the bib part is too short. Do any of the manufactures make tall sizes? Any suggestions are appreciated, I have my first double century coming up, I need something that will provide the most comfort for 12 hours. Thanks😄

Microsensors are a bit more comfy than Ultrasensors IMO and last I looked they were on sale at Excel Sports Boulder, check their website. FWIW, though I just picked up a pair of Craft bibs that retail for $99 and they are as good or better than the Micro's.

YMMV of course.

NW

OCRoadie said:

Have your or anyone else here tried the high-end Assos?

No, purposefully, because I'm happy with the bibs I have, lately castelli Kiss which are much cheaper. I think you'll find the law of diminishing returns sets in --> you can pay 1 or 2 hundred more on a pair of shorts and get slightly nicer materials, zippers seams and stuff, but my extra cash is going somewhere else unless they start pedalling for me.

RC2 said:

No, purposefully, because I'm happy with the bibs I have, lately castelli Kiss which are much cheaper. I think you'll find the law of diminishing returns sets in --> you can pay 1 or 2 hundred more on a pair of shorts and get slightly nicer materials, zippers seams and stuff, but my extra cash is going somewhere else unless they start pedalling for me.

I'll probably stick with my original plan of picking up some Microsensors on eBay. I would have to hear some really great testomonials about the Assos in order to drop $200+ on some bibs. I agree extra cash would be better used elsewhere.