Getting over bike shorts?
#51
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It doesn't bother me because:
1. People watch American football with dudes in spandex pants slapping each other on the bottom and reaching their hands between the guy's legs.
2. Guys and girls wear what are essentially panty hose as pants these days. So tight you can make out a female's vulva from 30 yards away. Gasp if you must, but don't you look at car accidents or fires? Cause you know they're going to do some yoga in the middle of the grocery store aisle.
3. Once you've snagged shorts on a saddle or part of the bike, you'll wish you weren't covering your bike shorts up.
4. Bike shirts are soooooo handy and good at what they're designed for. They hold your food, a hand pump/spare, a wallet, wick away sweat better..........etc.
5. Cause more aero.
1. People watch American football with dudes in spandex pants slapping each other on the bottom and reaching their hands between the guy's legs.
2. Guys and girls wear what are essentially panty hose as pants these days. So tight you can make out a female's vulva from 30 yards away. Gasp if you must, but don't you look at car accidents or fires? Cause you know they're going to do some yoga in the middle of the grocery store aisle.
3. Once you've snagged shorts on a saddle or part of the bike, you'll wish you weren't covering your bike shorts up.
4. Bike shirts are soooooo handy and good at what they're designed for. They hold your food, a hand pump/spare, a wallet, wick away sweat better..........etc.
5. Cause more aero.
#52
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When you start going far enough and fast enough to realize that the two parachutes strapped to your thighs are slowing you down, your give-a-crap meter will reset to zero and you will get some tight shorts. Shortly after that, you will feel every flap of your shirt is a wasted watt and you will start shopping for tight jerseys. Face it, if you are on a bike, 90% of Americans already think you're a dork. Might as well lean into it and be a fast dork. The pros aren't wearing skin suits to show off their spaghetti arms and ridiculous quads, they wear them because the enemy is wind and tight clothes are armor.
Sorry, but the practicality of the "skin suit" (i.e. tight cycling clothing) goes well beyond mere aerodynamics. I commute 7-8 miles (each way) every day. I ride hard and I arrive at my destination drenched in sweat. There's a massive difference in comfort (and healthiness) when riding like that in tight clothing vs. regular clothing (and yes, I tried both). So, no this is not just "playing dress-up".
No one suggested that the OP should wear a skinsuit. At most people are explaining why not having flapping clothing has its advantages. But do carry on amusing us coming into threads bringing nothing but opinions that somehow prove that you can flout reality, supported by unverifiable stats as though you are an exception to physics, and making absurd interpretations to rational arguments to make yourself look like the only sane man in the room.
Surak--I just hope your grasp of reality is a bit better than your ability to describe a thread.
If the comparison is between "flapping clothing" and aero kit, there would obviously be a bigger difference than there would be if the comparison was between aero kit and what I wear, which is a relatively snug t shirt and cargo pants.
Yes, I understand that my claims are "unverifiable" but so are pretty much everyone else's on this forum. I don't lie, but I really don't care whether you choose to believe me. But you know what else is unverifiable? A pro's claim that X factor caused his victory, and there's plenty of reason to be skeptical of the pro's motivations in saying so.
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Pro cycling's dirty little secret: pros are only wearing cycling kit because they're being paid!
#54
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Yes, the rear pockets. They're a HUGE convenience, though I often get a cramp in my neck trying to reach for something back there on really long rides.
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#56
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When you start going far enough and fast enough to realize that the two parachutes strapped to your thighs are slowing you down, your give-a-crap meter will reset to zero and you will get some tight shorts. Shortly after that, you will feel every flap of your shirt is a wasted watt and you will start shopping for tight jerseys. Face it, if you are on a bike, 90% of Americans already think you're a dork. Might as well lean into it and be a fast dork. The pros aren't wearing skin suits to show off their spaghetti arms and ridiculous quads, they wear them because the enemy is wind and tight clothes are armor.
I never wore a wicking jersey or sportswear before bike shirt/shorts and was amazed at how cool/dry it felt when the wind hit me.
Last edited by Illgot; 09-05-19 at 04:00 PM.
#57
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Once upon a time, I refused to wear bike-specific clothing. Even did a century in "normal" clothes.
Then, padded shorts happened - under other clothes, of course. It was much more comfortable and put an end to various problems. Next, I got tired of carrying a bag around and got a jersey with pockets. I already felt like a dork in the jersey, so stopped wearing anything over the shorts. Eventually, I found tighter jerseys and bibs more comfortable and decided that bright colors were probably a hot idea.
Somewhere along the line, I just stopped caring. Now, I have no problem wearing bike kit in the grocery store or walking into work. The stuff is comfortable and practical, especially in non-ideal weather conditions. At this point in my life I'm too old to be cool, anyway.
Then, padded shorts happened - under other clothes, of course. It was much more comfortable and put an end to various problems. Next, I got tired of carrying a bag around and got a jersey with pockets. I already felt like a dork in the jersey, so stopped wearing anything over the shorts. Eventually, I found tighter jerseys and bibs more comfortable and decided that bright colors were probably a hot idea.
Somewhere along the line, I just stopped caring. Now, I have no problem wearing bike kit in the grocery store or walking into work. The stuff is comfortable and practical, especially in non-ideal weather conditions. At this point in my life I'm too old to be cool, anyway.
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For the OP. Years ago,I resisted wearing cycling shorts. But a 50 mile ride without padding changed my mind. I was in pretty decent shape at the time, but I wasn't super comfortable in my skin, so to speak. After a month, I wasn't even thinking about it. Before the cycling shorts, I was running in unpadded compression shorts. And for some reason, that didn't bother me... Odd, I know. Took a couple more years to switch to a jersey... The pockets are great, but being able to unzip the front when getting hot is killer!!!
Fast forward 20 years or so... After 15 years off a bike, I had a knee replaced and decided to get back in shape. The bike was my choice, and after losing a few pounds I ordered some shorts, for my hour plus on the bike on a trainer. When the weather warmed, I didn't even think about the shorts when I started riding outside again. Had that pair cut off me a few months later when I crashed bad...
I won't bore you with that recovery and such. I gained a LOT of weight. Last year I had weight loss surgery. I'm down 110 pounds form that, and 132 from my heaviest. And I thought nothing of bike shorts. At first. I think I need a better padding... As my posterior has lost all of the excess and then some. Basically, I wear the shorts away from the bike as I need to, and just don't even think about it. Actually, I look a lot better in kit now than I would have a year ago!
Last week, I stopped at a convenience store after a ride. A little old lady, prim and proper, whispered to me, that I shouldn't be wearing such obscene shorts in public... I whispered back, "you shouldn't be looking!" And winked at her... My inner fat guy was jumping up and down... But my grin was stuck on my face for hours... Best compliment ever for a guy at 246 pounds...
Fast forward 20 years or so... After 15 years off a bike, I had a knee replaced and decided to get back in shape. The bike was my choice, and after losing a few pounds I ordered some shorts, for my hour plus on the bike on a trainer. When the weather warmed, I didn't even think about the shorts when I started riding outside again. Had that pair cut off me a few months later when I crashed bad...
I won't bore you with that recovery and such. I gained a LOT of weight. Last year I had weight loss surgery. I'm down 110 pounds form that, and 132 from my heaviest. And I thought nothing of bike shorts. At first. I think I need a better padding... As my posterior has lost all of the excess and then some. Basically, I wear the shorts away from the bike as I need to, and just don't even think about it. Actually, I look a lot better in kit now than I would have a year ago!
Last week, I stopped at a convenience store after a ride. A little old lady, prim and proper, whispered to me, that I shouldn't be wearing such obscene shorts in public... I whispered back, "you shouldn't be looking!" And winked at her... My inner fat guy was jumping up and down... But my grin was stuck on my face for hours... Best compliment ever for a guy at 246 pounds...
#62
Senior Member
I take spin class three times a week, for about 8 years now. I always wore padded shorts and have gotten many pairs free or used online. I would never want to ride without them.
#63
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I would never buy used cycling shorts.
-Tim-
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Are there threads on scubaforums.net where people post about not wanting to wear a wetsuit lest people think they look like scuba divers?
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#68
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When you start going far enough and fast enough to realize that the two parachutes strapped to your thighs are slowing you down, your give-a-crap meter will reset to zero and you will get some tight shorts. Shortly after that, you will feel every flap of your shirt is a wasted watt and you will start shopping for tight jerseys. Face it, if you are on a bike, 90% of Americans already think you're a dork. Might as well lean into it and be a fast dork. The pros aren't wearing skin suits to show off their spaghetti arms and ridiculous quads, they wear them because the enemy is wind and tight clothes are armor.
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Used bicycle shorts! I will pass on that.
I hate padded shorts.
And the OP is not getting over wearing cycling shorts, he is trying to get over wearing underwear as an outerwear!
I would have a hard time getting over that too. Clothing etiquette you have to admit is a bit weird anyway. What passes as appropriate in one place is not in another. But generally speaking, perhaps some exceptions, underwear is generally not appropriate as outerwear.
I hate padded shorts.
And the OP is not getting over wearing cycling shorts, he is trying to get over wearing underwear as an outerwear!
I would have a hard time getting over that too. Clothing etiquette you have to admit is a bit weird anyway. What passes as appropriate in one place is not in another. But generally speaking, perhaps some exceptions, underwear is generally not appropriate as outerwear.
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I've been cycling a couple times a month, about 5 miles. On my cheap road bike. I'm slowly building up my cycling gear. I just got another "Baleaf Men's Bike Cycling Underwear Shorts 3D Padded Bicycle MTB" and am wondering when I should get a top and cleats. Though I kinda have a problem with cycling clothing. I'm not sure if the shorts I have are supposed to be underwear or what. I usually wear them commando, with basketball type shorts over them and a t shirt. I see cyclist riding without my basketball shorts. I just find it... well embarrassing. They're kinda revealing and it looks like there's a giant pad stuffed in. (male here) At least with my shorts. How did you get the confidence to wear nothing over your bike shorts? I feel like they're the speedo of the shorts world...
Thanks,
Awaqa909
Thanks,
Awaqa909
So when it got warm again, I bought my first pair of cycling shorts....left my house, and by the time I was about half a block away had to ask myself: why didn't I do this a long time ago? SO much more comfortable in so many ways (but not much fun when you're NOT on a bike).
#72
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Used bicycle shorts! I will pass on that.
I hate padded shorts.
And the OP is not getting over wearing cycling shorts, he is trying to get over wearing underwear as an outerwear!
I would have a hard time getting over that too. Clothing etiquette you have to admit is a bit weird anyway. What passes as appropriate in one place is not in another. But generally speaking, perhaps some exceptions, underwear is generally not appropriate as outerwear.
I hate padded shorts.
And the OP is not getting over wearing cycling shorts, he is trying to get over wearing underwear as an outerwear!
I would have a hard time getting over that too. Clothing etiquette you have to admit is a bit weird anyway. What passes as appropriate in one place is not in another. But generally speaking, perhaps some exceptions, underwear is generally not appropriate as outerwear.
Its only weird when its out of place. Imagine football players wearing suits during a game on the field. Now imagine them wearing their play uniforms at an after game victory celebration. During the activity, the uniform of the sport is not only aprpr8iate but expected.
On the other hand, I wouldn't wear biking shorts to go out away from the activity. Although women do now wear leggings as street wear so times can change.
#73
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You can prove anything you want using analogies.
#74
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The other rather obvious reason is that the kit and equipment needs of a racer have about as much to do with those of a commuter as a Formula 500 car has to do with an SUV.
I also just rode 200+ miles in 2 days wearing cargo shorts and briefs, so I just feel a need to push back against the "serious riders all wear X" nonsense I see on these forums every day.
Try them and if they work for you, great! If they don't really seem like they bestow any benefit, though, you shouldn't feel a need to wear them because people tell you they're a necessity. Most people who bike have never worn cycling shorts ever.
#75
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People need to get over themselves, not shorts.
-Tim-
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