Cyclebum

When I made the switch to a bent, I knew I wouldn't be wiggling myself into padded spandes girdles anymore. That alone was worth the move to the dark side.

Then I quickly realized that the legs of the light, synthetic shorts I wear over the spandex when touring in warm weather were blowing up to my crotch. Not a sight I'd want to inflict on anybody. Umm.....

Went shopping and discovered that Starter makes synthetic, stretchy, underwear with legs that come down to a couple of inches above the knee, and that don't ride up when I pedal. In black, they look pretty much like the padded lycra. They also make a line of syn shorts for wearing over the undies. All very inexpensive.

When riding locally, I jump aboard with whatever I'm dressed in for the day, usually regular shorts or jeans. But when on tour in summer, light weight synthetics are the uniform.

What combo's do you wear for bent riding?

rydabent

Yes one of the many advantages of riding a bent is the fact that special clothes are not needed. I wear regular jockey shorts, and rugby shorts that I buy at a local sports store for about $15.

Notso_fastLane

I like my regular bike shorts on the bent, just for the added absorbency. I don't want any shorts that are loose enough that stuff from the road (or insects) could blow up the leg, either. I get enough of that when I open the visor on my motorcycle helmet....

Cyclebum

Good point. Hasn't happened to me yet. It will. That thin underwear ain't gonna stop a wasp stinger.

oddball

From my personal expierience denim doesn't stop wasp stings either.

I usually wear compression shorts or Under Armor boxer briefs to limit unnecessary exposure. Cheap nylon shorts over them.

If you're want to wear Lycra shorts without the pad triathletes wear shorts referred to as "jammers" by some that will fill this role. They're usually cheaper than bike shorts also. I have a pair made by Sugoi.

I have a pair of knickers from Rivendell that have closures at the bottom to keep insects from flying up there in the first place. https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/ws2.htm
The new versions have elastic instead of Velcro closures at the bottom. They also have pants that cinch up at the bottom for when it's cooler.

BlazingPedals

There's triathlete shorts, which have a smaller-than-normal pad, and there's jammers, which are long-legged lycra competition swim suits.
https://www.kiefer.com/kiefer-lycra-j...p?page_id=147\
Notice they look a lot like bike shorts. Jammers are a complete swim suit and have a 'modesty' layer of material in the front. It's not much but it's something. Lycra running shorts are similar, but don't have any liner. What neither jammers or running shorts have is 'leg grippers' to hold your leg warmers up. If it's that cool, I wear tights.

For $20, I'm going to load up on a few of those Kiefer jammers.

JanMM

Rugby shorts are special.

ratz

Reverse gear inc. makes a really nice set of products especially for the bent rider. Padding and seems are just right for the reumbent position.

Also love Bomber shorts with strap down bottoms those are great. Sinch them up, ride to the store, loosen the straps and you look like an average person in cargo shorts.

Trsnrtr

I occasionally ride with regular shorts for very short trips but for 90% of my rides, I wear Lycra recumbent shorts made by Kucharik.

Grishnak

Running shorts are good,i still use "normal" cycling shorts as well.How is the seat on your bike? Do you have a ventisit pad? There could be a wasp out there with your name on it.

tctdvm

+1

without a doubt the best
JL Velo makes a similar short, too, I hear. I've not tried it.

T

Dudelsack 

Russell compression shorts covered by Reebok gym shorts. I like the black CG boxer shorts as an undergarment, too. Still wear my bib shorts out of habit sometimes.

Sayre Kulp 

Exactly the same as you and for the exact same reason.

Tractortom

I have been riding recumbents for the last eight years or so now, and have 'converted' my cycling shorts. I take the stitching out that holds the pad in place in an inexpensive pair of cycling shorts, and wear them with white briefs underneath to provide a little bit of support and moisture wicking. It seems to work for me, but I have looked at compression shorts without pads as an alternative. I still have one pair of cycling shorts with a pad, and am hoping to find a mountain bike under the christmas tree this year.....

mobilemail

I prefer UnderArmour boxer-briefs under light poly-cotton or synthetic "regular" shorts - really anything that is light, comfortable and dries quickly.

osco53

My Tour Easy crank Is low enough that my street shorts don't let my gear fall out.
So no worries there..

On workout rides it get's real hot n sticky In central Florida and sweat cools me down so I don't think about dry.
Good old fashion running shorts are coolest to me and they have a liner, again, So my gear stays where I left it XD

BlazingPedals

Having your junk falling out isn't the concern; it's having a bee or wasp blow UP your pant leg and get caught. Bees don't like to be caught. And I guarantee your junk doesn't like bee stingers.

osco53

I hear ya..
Pain reminds me I am Alive !

I rode Into a Pissed off Yellow Jacket once doing 75 mph on my Roadster,
Full riding gear, Flip face helmet and all

Only skin showing was about a one inch strip of neck,,,

You can guess where he got me...At that speed he was a wet spot, but in his last second of life he was
flying away from me.
The stinger went deep,,felt like the whole poison sack went in with it.
We stopped at a liquor store, got a mini of 100 proof vodka.
wet down the knife and my neck..
Dug It out,,no biggie.....

Never have considerd a sting on my gear tho,,,,

Ok so I will re-think my shorts,,,,

rufusprime99

I was riding with whatever shorts I had on. Now I am doing longer rides and put on my old baggy MTB shorts. There aren't really baggy, but shorts over spandex inner shorts. I like this because of the cargo pockets on each thigh. One pocket for my phone, another for a cliff bar. I liked them so much, I am looking for a new pair with similar characteristics so I have 2 pair. They are nice for walking around off the bike too. Not showing all you got to folks who might not want to see.

BlazingPedals

Admittedly, you don't need to look like a racer to ride a bent. But if you're going to wear shorts with generous leg openings, try to put some sort of drawstring in the leg hems. That way you can cinch the openings closed and prevent unpleasant interactions with insects. If you're running a fairing, that helps a lot too.

Tandem427

Aero Tech Designs has unpadded bike shorts, compression running shorts, and recumbent jerseys.

I like to wear some sort of compression shorts while riding my high racer. Might even be a tiny fraction faster with them on. Anyway, it just feels right.

When I'm in more rugged terrain with my fat-tire recumbent, I go with my fire-hose shorts that I got from Duluth Trading Co. They are comfortable to ride in and tough enough to handle anything off the bike, too.