No spandex

[pinkwheels]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and could use a little advice on clothing. I've been riding the past 2 seasons and am still unsure of making the switch to spandex bike shorts. I know the benefits but, I'm just not ready to let it all "hang" out. I've been wearing baggier shorts and capris on the trails with mostly wicking/performance thongs underneath (+ some chamois cream). Despite the breathability, I'm still getting some serious chafing on any rides over 2 hours. Any suggestions or should I just take the plunge and move to the sausage casings?

[c0nsumer]

What about those combination skirt/spandex short things?

Or, what about proper spandex shorts with baggies over them? Granted, I'm a guy, but I do the latter when it's cold out and it's just as comfy as spandex with only a little more bulk. I think that'd take care of your chafing while still not looking like just spandex shorts.

[jonw9]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and could use a little advice on clothing. I've been riding the past 2 seasons and am still unsure of making the switch to spandex bike shorts. I know the benefits but, I'm just not ready to let it all "hang" out. I've been wearing baggier shorts and capris on the trails with mostly wicking/performance thongs underneath (+ some chamois cream). Despite the breathability, I'm still getting some serious chafing on any rides over 2 hours. Any suggestions or should I just take the plunge and move to the sausage casings?

Just take the plunge and try out a pair. Nobody on the trails are gonna judge, and you can throw on shome shorts when you stop at the Quik-E-Mart on the way home.

Maybe the extra "baggy" fabric still allows friction to develop.

BTW, thanks for the heads up on "performance thongs"

[cmkovick]

A few years ago I said I would never be one of those guys wearing the tight spandex, my friends said the same. Well after riding more often and experiencing the chafing I took the suggestion of a friend to try them out when preparing for a century road ride. I have not put on my baggies since (they had a cheap liner). I am sure some of the nicer baggies offer the support and comfort though. Most of my friends have converted as well.
I have bibs on the way to try them out too.
Function over fashion.

[c0nsumer]

A few years ago I said I would never be one of those guys wearing the tight spandex, my friends said the same. Well after riding more often and experiencing the chafing I took the suggestion of a friend to try them out when preparing for a century road ride. I have not put on my baggies since (they had a cheap liner). I am sure some of the nicer baggies offer the support and comfort though. Most of my friends have converted as well.
I have bibs on the way to try them out too.
Function over fashion.

I tried out some bib shorts last (Voler-brand) the year before last and... well... that's just what I prefer to wear now. They are super-comfortable, about as cool as one is going to get in the summer, and they don't get in the way. Wear plain black (or minimal logo on side of legs only) and they aren't particularly revealing for guys or girls.

And yes, seconded, no one on the trail cares what you are wearing, as long as it's not really bizarre (denim shorts, etc.).

[pinkwheels]

Thanks guys. I think I might try out something like this Shebeest skort. Good call on the cover up at the quickie mart Jon. Also, the performance thongs are great, not sure if they make them in men's but you should give them a try. It's not the guys on the trail that I worry about (they're too busy watching me ride away ), it's Jethro at the 7-11 that gives me the creeps.


The bibs seem like a good concept Steve but, not to seem naive but,......um.....how does that work with the twins? Wouldn't the straps be a bit awkward? I guess I'm picturing something like this or this.

[bender13]

While I love bibs, most girls that I know do not get them since they can be more difficult when nature calls. Guys have less of an issue.

Jeff

[pinkwheels]

While I love bibs, most girls that I know do not get them since they can be more difficult when nature calls. Guys have less of an issue.

Jeff

Ya, that would be tough without a built in feature like the old red union suits.

[c0nsumer]

The bibs seem like a good concept Steve but, not to seem naive but,......um.....how does that work with the twins? Wouldn't the straps be a bit awkward? I guess I'm picturing something like this or this.

I've been told that the straps end up sitting a bit more to the side and stuff is sufficiently comfortable. But yes, as bender13 mentions the straps can make using the bathroom a bit difficult. Full-zip jerseys help here.

[xcrdr]

I have been wearing bike shorts under baggies for 20 years. I have never had and issue with it. No friction, no hots spots, no fires. If it's really hot in the summer I will dump the baggies. A few of the baggies that I wear are old shells from combos that I bought and didn't like the liner so just cut it out. Although the the thought of thongs is appealing a true cycling chamois will offer more comfort and allow you to get on the bike more often and ride longer. Also look for vented mesh material on the shorts. They can be cooler under shells/baggies as well.

[Wolverine]

Lots of guys hanging out in the dirt girls forum. Nothing like mentioning a thong to bring them out of the woodwork

I have these baggies for mountain biking http://www.rei.com/product/733821
The inner layer is tight fitting with a chamois and mesh-like for extra breathability (ie there's no way it could be worn without the baggy layer over it). They work just fine without chaffing except when it gets really warm out. Once the sweat factor gets too high then spandex is really the only way to go IMO. We don't have anything to "hang out" compared to the guys except a muffin top in my case and that's easily solved with a long, loose jersey.

I can't see the skort things working out so well. That just sounds like something that's begging to get caught on the seat as you move around for balance.

I've never seen a woman in bibs. I'm pretty sure those are limited to the men's section for exactly the reasons mentioned above.

As for what to wear under your bike shorts...Whether you wear spandex alone or baggies over a tight layer the answer is nothing. Bike shorts are meant to be worn camando style. If you're worried about Jethro keep a pair of soccer shorts in the car to thrown over your spandex if you don't go straight home afterward.

[pinkwheels]

Thanks Angie, I have looked at the baggies with liners and they seem like they'd work for me. I've also seen just the liners that I could add to my current setup. I guess so on the "thong" comment, I wondered why so many guys responded when I posted so late at night. All the help is appreciated though. Thanks fellas.

[utabintarbo]

FWIW, inasnit swears by bibs (IIRC).

Though I can see wear the pros vs. cons for bibs would be substantially more "pros" for dudes vs. ladies. Ladies generally have an advantage for shorts in the waist/hip ratio area where you will not experience the "drooping" that bibs seek to conquer. And then there is the whole "nature's call" issue....

Angie has a muffin top?!?



ps. Oh yeah... thongs!

[inasnit]

Holy cow, guys .. give the LADIES a CHANCE to reply, would ya?

Yes, its true. I wear bibs. Almost exclusively. I really prefer them. There is very little material to the straps themselves and so they do not bother me, or get in the way .. they just kind of sit across the "girls" .. and believe me, its not like my "girls" are small .. so if the straps don't bother me, they're not going to bother anyone.

I have wide hips, and a significant .. uh .. booty but its still not enough to keep my shorts from sagging in the rear and getting caught sometimes on the saddle -- with bibs, this rarely happens .. and they really are just amazingly more comfortable than a normal wasteband short is.

However, for me, its rare that um .. "nature calls" on rides .. I can usually manage to wait for a proper bathroom of some kind where its easier to strip down -- because yes, that is what I have to do, strip down. Thankfully, I seem to be blessed with an iron bladder. And the times when I've had to do my business in the woods, a porta-potty or other such places, I can manage .. its not ideal, but its worth it for the overall comfort of the ride.

If you're self conscious, then you can put just about anything over a pair of form-fitting cycling shorts and you'll fare far better than just wearing a thong (!? - how this is in any way comfortable on a bike seat is beyond me, but hey .. to each her own) .. The chamois is what you're body wants to be close to. Its designed to wick moisture and provide a frictionless barrier between you and your saddle. Its really not about padding. Most cyclists are more comfortable just with the form-fitting shorts, but some prefer a baggy outer -- but even those folks wearing baggy shorts will have some kind of chamois short underneath.

[pinkwheels]

Thanks Marty. I have a hefty REI dividend coming back to me this year, maybe I'll pick up a couple of different things and see what I like best. Are the bibs unisex or are there woman specific versions?