Cougrrcj

When I commuted by bike to work - 10.7 miles one way - I just wore regular shorts and a t-shirt. If I'm going on a longer ride - say anything over 25-30 miles, I'll wear my spandex cycling shorts under my regular shorts. BUT today I just ordered a pair of 'baggy cycling shorts' to give myself another option.

I don't ride kitted out in spandex. If I did, the term 'snausage' would come to mind.

heffdiddy

When I first started riding I bought a pair of cheap cycling shorts and wore a tech T. I told myself I would never look like those nerds with the full kit. Now I have nice bibs and a half dozen jerseys. The positives outweigh the negatives by a lot in my opinion. Start with whatever you like, but I would recommend at least getting a mid-priced short and a cheap jersey.

Little Darwin

My 2 longest rides this year so far have been 17 and 33 miles... about a week apart. I am a fat, slow, rider, so really time in the saddle is more important... 2 hours versus 3.5 hours.

For the shorter ride, I didn't wear my shorts. My posterior was mildly painful for a couple of days.

Based on that, I decided to wear shorts for the longer ride, and to also try chamois cream for the first time. I got done with the 33 mile ride, and my posterior was ready for more, even though the rest of my body wasn't...

So, shorts may not be essential, but they helped me to enjoy a ride much more than I would have otherwise.

crtbike

When I first started biking, I wore just regular shorts. I bought a cheap pair of bike shorts at SPorts Authority. They were not that comfortable. When I bought my new bike, they guy asked me did I need a pair of bike shorts. He sold me a pair of Bontrager Solstice shorts and they are comfortable and give me the support where it is needed. I now have a second pair. I just love them. I am building up my jerseys wardrobe. I now have 2 jerseys.

I learned form buying a pair of cheap bike shorts. A good pair of bike shorts really make a difference.

SPiN 360

@Jcomer Once you actually try riding with proper bike shorts with the chamois, you'll know why it's better.

Only a year ago I was saying the same things you're saying. Now adays, it is rare for me to ride without a proper bib short.
Though once you get into real bike shorts, other non-bicycling apparel will start to look strange and poor-fitting on you, and then you'll be thinking about jerseys and stuff. Yes, there is no limit to the money you can spend on this hobby.

Btw, unless you're already quite skinny, I say a bib short >> regular bike shorts.

ProfsrChaos407

To OP:

I started out just a couple of weeks myself. At first I went with nothing.

The mind set was that I would not look goofy with all of those "biking" shorts. Well, after about 2 weeks of that, that quickly changed.

I went to the liners to wear under my Basketball Shorts. Depending on the ride I guess you are planning on doing, either get yourself a nice pair of cycling shorts or at least the liners.

For instance, if I am going to go on a ride with my wife down the trails (15+ miles) and we will stop off here and there, maybe grab a bite to eat, etc.. I will wear the liners, basketball shorts, and an Under Armor compression top.

If it is just me for my morning push it ride where there are no stops, wear the cycling shorts.

That has been my approach at least.

slorollin

I'm with you MR. OP, no spandex for me. I'd giggle every time I saw myself. However, I like the idea of the MTB shorts with some padding. I just ordered a pair of the Sugois that a previous poster recommended.

imi

I ride all day quite happily without those new fangled shorts with daipers However most people like them, so give 'em a try... It is not a MUST HAVE for everybody though...

yote223

Don't do it Luke! Don't go over to the Dark Side!

Northwestrider

You'll eventually wear them, so why wait.