Author Topic: Shorts recommendation?  (Read 14410 times)

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Offline MrBent

Shorts recommendation?
« on: May 25, 2009, 04:26:05 pm »
Greetings:  I need some recommendations on affordable cycling shorts.  I'm taking a crew of three young dudes out on a multi-day tour, but they're pretty inexperienced and come from families without a lot of money.  I'm providing trailers and some other basic touring gear, but I'm putting together a gear list for all the basics they will need.  My main concern is comfort. I don't ride long distance on a conventional bike anymore.  Since getting recumbent, most of the saddle issues that bothered me are long gone.  My charges, however, will be on conventional bikes.

Do you think padded shorts are necessary?  I think so, and I'm going to recommend that that each have two pair: one to wear and another set that can be cleaned and drying for the next day.  I would like to keep the cost at under $40 per pair.  What do you suggest?  Any other hints at helping me make this a success are welcome!

Scott

Offline Rep

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2009, 04:29:09 pm »
Greetings:  I need some recommendations on affordable cycling shorts.  I'm taking a crew of three young dudes out on a multi-day tour, but they're pretty inexperienced and come from families without a lot of money.  I'm providing trailers and some other basic touring gear, but I'm putting together a gear list for all the basics they will need.  My main concern is comfort. I don't ride long distance on a conventional bike anymore.  Since getting recumbent, most of the saddle issues that bothered me are long gone.  My charges, however, will be on conventional bikes.

Do you think padded shorts are necessary?  I think so, and I'm going to recommend that that each have two pair: one to wear and another set that can be cleaned and drying for the next day.  I would like to keep the cost at under $40 per pair.  What do you suggest?  Any other hints at helping me make this a success are welcome!

Scott

I do not know what kind to buy....but...  Maybe a local bike shop would special order the shorts for your young dudes and you could get a discount.  Like maybe at cost?
Bicycling, Brewing & Backgammon...What a life.

Offline johnsondasw

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2009, 11:44:50 pm »
I haven't been able to find shorts that worked for me for less than about $80.  But I'm 60 now, and never even used bike shorts until I was about 42.  We just went touring in cutoffs, swim trunks, etc and suffered temporary discomfort.  Not any more!  The ones I'm using now are Pearl Izumi and cost $100.
May the wind be at your back!

Offline cyclebum

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2009, 12:00:16 am »
Padded shorts are pretty important for touring. I just completed a 1200 miler with one pair that I washed every 2-3 days and put on wet. They dry fast in the summer. I checked with Nasbar and they have several models for $20. As the boys are short on cash, I'd suggest one pair, wash and wear. KISS principle.

Sounds like you and the fellows are in for lots of fun. Good luck.


Offline dubovsmj

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2009, 03:59:57 am »
i'd check out 'performance bike'....not sure if you'd have one of them near your place of residence...if not they got website with some pretty nice discounts on gear...i've gotten multiple pairs of cycling shorts thru them....they weren't a fancy name brand pair...but they lasted a xc bike trip and 4 other smaller bike trips, normal training routine, etc....and i still have em and they're going strong. 

michael

Offline DaveB

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2009, 10:18:24 am »
Second the recommendation for Performance's house brand shorts.  Their "Century" line of shorts is now on sale for $30 and they are a great value.  I find them very comfortable even for long days.  If you catch them on a "10% off" sale or free shipping promotion, you save even more. BTW, I found their even less expensive "Classic" line is too thin and flimsy so don't bother with it.

Another possibility is Performance's MTB shorts and their "Mesa" shorts are on sale for $35.  These are looser fitting and may be more appealing to kids/teens that are a bit self-conscious in regular, tight fitting bike shorts.  These have a padded, properly made liner but look more like regular street shorts. 

And I also concur that proper padded shorts are one of the few really essential pieces of bicycle wear for any but the shortest trips. 

Offline paddleboy17

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2009, 12:25:08 pm »
I also have had a good history with Performance Bike clothing.  Might I suggest two shorts and two jerseys per youngster?  Based on the length of your trip you can decide if you want to air dry or wash between wearings.  I know it will be tempting to just wear T shirts instead of jerseys, but cotton has issues when wet.

REI used to have 6 panel shorts that were both cheap and fabulous.  I think REI no longer sell them, but if you could find them elsewhere, they would be a great buy.
Danno

Offline wanderingwheel

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2009, 01:45:05 pm »
One more vote for Performance for good value shorts.  The mtb shorts is a great suggestion, too.  Another option is to get padded liners and wear normal shorts over them (but jean shorts with large rivets aren't a great idea, don't ask how I know).  The padded liners go for about $20, Andiamo is usually the easiest brand to find. 

In general, I don't think the padding itself is as important as the lack of possible points of irritiation, especially for young riders.

Sean

Offline whittierider

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2009, 05:16:30 pm »
I don't have any trouble with any of the inexpensive shorts that have a flat pad, like this:

which is the inexpensive Performance Classic.

I don't like the sculpted ones like this:


If you can get the kids to accept saturating the pad with a load of vaseline before wearing ("Ewww, that's gross!"), there shouldn't be any saddle sores, partly because of the lubricating effect and partly because the bacteria can't multiply in it.  Putting more vaseline in before each wearing, without washing, makes you get the maximum protection after 3-4 days, and that protection continues many, many rides after that.  After each ride, set the shorts out, inside-out, pad up, exposed to the air, until the next ride.  I know it's very unconventional, but it works the best of anything I've tried.

In any case, they should not wear underwear under the cycling shorts.
« Last Edit: May 26, 2009, 05:18:19 pm by whittierider »

Offline jfitch

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2009, 11:04:44 pm »
"I know it will be tempting to just wear T shirts instead of jerseys, but cotton has issues when wet."

Target (and probably Hell-Mart) has synthetic T shirts. They wick like cool-max, they're cheap (much cheaper than any jersey I've ever seen), they come in bright colors, and they avoid the spandexy look, if that's a consideration. I have some that I use for touring.

Jim

Offline MrBent

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2009, 12:48:42 am »
Thanks so much, everyone!  I'm working on it. :)  I'm going to check our local K-Mart for the shirts you recommend.  I seem to recall something like what you mention.  I've been reading a bit about Vaseline on the Chamois.  That sounds like the ticket.

Been having some great spring riding here at 4,000 feet in the Sierras.  Hope you're all getting out.

Scott

Offline Reinier

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2009, 02:51:26 pm »
I was taken on a tour by my parents when I was 11, and I did just fine wearing just my regular shirts and jeans. I was already used to the bike I was riding though.

Offline DaveB

Re: Shorts recommendation?
« Reply #12 on: June 08, 2009, 04:50:19 pm »
I was taken on a tour by my parents when I was 11, and I did just fine wearing just my regular shirts and jeans. I was already used to the bike I was riding though.
You can tolerate a lot if 1) you are young and 2) you don't know any better.