Biking Shorts/Pants

[popeyespal]

I have seen many posts concerning cycling shorts but everything seems to pertain to the lycra "here's all my junk" style. I have even seen posts from someone called the Underwear Nazi? (Message received...no skivvies here.)

I don't mind the traditional bike shorts while I'm training on the bike trails near here but when I take off on my trip I would like to wear shorts/pants/convertibles that don't offend people at the grocery store/cafe/wherever. Besides I would just feel more comfortable looking normal.

I get the "if they don't like it they don't have to look" attitude, but find that to be a rather self-centered point of view.

In cruising the internet I have seen different styles but the offerings seem to be few and far between. I thought about wearing bike shorts under regular shorts but have been told that the seems are different and will cause discomfort on long rides.

Suggestions???

[FredHiltz]

I wear the baggy mountain bike shorts for the same reasons and for their pockets. Good smooth, form-fitting Lycra inner shorts keeps the chafing down.

Fred

[popeyespal]

I wear the baggy mountain bike shorts for the same reasons and for their pockets. Good smooth, form-fitting Lycra inner shorts keeps the chafing down.

Fred

Brand Name?

[RussSeaton]

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm?currentpage=1&fuseaction=category.display&category_id=37

The Adventure Cycling store sells two pair of non lycra form fitting shorts.  Baggy shorts.  Canari and J&G brands.

[popeyespal]

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm?currentpage=1&fuseaction=category.display&category_id=37

The Adventure Cycling store sells two pair of non lycra form fitting shorts.  Baggy shorts.  Canari and J&G brands.

It's not Lycra I have an issue with. It's the "form-fitting" aspect.

[Grumpybear]

I tour with my lycra shorts, but I have a pair of nylon hiking shorts that I slip on as soon as I get off the bike for almost any reason. One big advantage, besides modesty, is that the hikeing shorts can hold my wallet, camara, and phone. In other words things I don't want to get lose if the bike gets stolen.

[FredHiltz]

I wear the baggy mountain bike shorts for the same reasons and for their pockets. Good smooth, form-fitting Lycra inner shorts keeps the chafing down.
Fred

Brand Name?

Mine are Bellwether, but just about all brands have them.

Fred

[rvklassen]

I'm OK with going into a grocery store or whatever in Lycra.  But not everyone is.

What are called "baggy" shorts should meet your needs.   You do want bike-specific shorts, if you're going to ride long distances.  The inner shorts are there to keep your legs from being worn through by the seams.    It's generally best to try these on, which means a trip to a store.   At which point brand preference isn't so much the question as which brands they carry.

[Pat Lamb]

Once I started thinking of the lycra shorts as athletic gear, I found I didn't care anymore.  I need the support on the bike just like I'd need swimming trunks, golf shoes, or shin guards (for soccer).  If I felt the need to take off bowling shoes before getting some nachos, then putting the shoes back on before bowling the next frame, I might feel the need to change shorts before popping into a store or gas station to get a snack or drink; but I don't, in either case.  Most of the people I run into in those establishments don't seem to care if I don't care.

Two things might help.  First, I normally wore some kind of high-visibility jersey on tour -- that eye-searing green, yellow, or orange attracts the eyes of the clerks and other customers.  If you're still shy, I tried to get out of the shorts as quickly as possible after the day's ride for crotch hygiene.  That means most of the people you deal with in a day, at a campground, restaurant, library, motel, or grocery store, will see you in looser clothing.

[RussSeaton]

http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm?currentpage=1&fuseaction=category.display&category_id=37

The Adventure Cycling store sells two pair of non lycra form fitting shorts.  Baggy shorts.  Canari and J&G brands.

It's not Lycra I have an issue with. It's the "form-fitting" aspect.

Then you do have an issue with lycra.  Lycra is a stretchy material designed to form fit and stretch around whatever it contacts.  It has elastic in it.  You want the baggy cargo shorts everyone has recommended.  They are NOT made out of lycra.  They are made out of nylon and polyester.  Personally I can't imagine this short is as comfortable for riding as the lycra shorts.  The lycra short keeps the chamois in place by stretching it around the part of the body its supposed to be at.  Whereas the cago baggy shorts are loose around the chamois.  So the chamois can slide around and move while you are riding.  Not ideal.

[knolltop]

I normally wore some kind of high-visibility jersey on tour -- that eye-searing green, yellow, or orange attracts the eyes of the clerks and other customers.

+1   

[staehpj1]

Personally I just wear regular bike shorts, but if that isn't your thing some folks either wear basketball shorts over them all the time or just slip them on when they stop.

I do wear some light weight zip off leg pants in camp most evenings and they aren't horrible to ride in either.  I wore them when we were in Yosemite and were just riding around the valley to get to trail heads and stuff like that.  That was usually less than 20 miles a day, but I probably could stand them for longer rides, I just prefer the bike shorts so I don't.

[gregg]

I sometimes wear the standard lycra biking shorts under MUSA baggy shorts (they don't have a seam at the crotch) I got from Rivendell Bicycle Works: http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/musa-shorts/22-078

I've worn this combination on all day rides and it works just fine.

[DaveB]

There are many models of "MTB" shorts which are a lycra and padded  inner short combined with a loose fitting nylon or polyester outer short as one unit.  The viewing public sees a standard street-type short and the inner short makes riding comfortable.  The best of all worlds. 

There are many brands of this type of short including house-brands from Nashbar, Performance, etc.  I have a pair of Nashbar's version and they have proven very comfortable on long rides where I plan on stopping to do some errands, shopping. etc. 

[bogiesan]

I don't mind the traditional bike shorts while I'm training on the bike trails near here but when I take off on my trip I would like to wear shorts/pants/convertibles that don't offend people at the grocery store/cafe/wherever. Besides I would just feel more comfortable looking normal.

News flash: no one really cares.
If you're that shy, carry a pair of swimming trunks and slip 'em on before you face the public.

To heck with the civilians. Your road grime, sunscreen, and sweat stains will bother them much more than your silly biking shorts.

david boise ID