Looking for quality bike shorts
12-15-19, 10:06 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Looking for quality bike shorts
I'm looking for some quality bike shorts but I don't want to spend a ton of money. I ride 99% on the road, no dirt. Do any of you folks have some ideas or want to share what you are using? A ton of money for shorts means $100 for me. I just can't bring myself to pay that kind of money. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Likes For taco2ewsday:
12-15-19, 10:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,108
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,960 Times
in
943 Posts
A lot of choices on Amazon. It is all subjective on what Quality means to you and what is important.
For me I want a chamois that still feels fresh and comfortable after 60 miles. The more panels of compression material the better, also drawstrings are preferred. Longer inseams are also better. I have paid less and got more. Paid more and got less. Once you find something you like that fits your budget, buy a few. For me at least no matter the brand, cycling shorts do not last more than a couple of years.
Right now I am using Ceruti Bibs (Amazon Chinese Knockoffs) and Thermal Knickers and am pleasantly surprised with the quality, fit and padding after about 20 rides. I seriously thought about buying a pair of $200+ Assos bibs but that will have to wait for now.
https://www.amazon.com/Ceroti-Appare...471094&sr=8-12
Take your time and look for reviews by cycling websites that actually test the shorts and not Amazon reviews.
For me I want a chamois that still feels fresh and comfortable after 60 miles. The more panels of compression material the better, also drawstrings are preferred. Longer inseams are also better. I have paid less and got more. Paid more and got less. Once you find something you like that fits your budget, buy a few. For me at least no matter the brand, cycling shorts do not last more than a couple of years.
Right now I am using Ceruti Bibs (Amazon Chinese Knockoffs) and Thermal Knickers and am pleasantly surprised with the quality, fit and padding after about 20 rides. I seriously thought about buying a pair of $200+ Assos bibs but that will have to wait for now.
https://www.amazon.com/Ceroti-Appare...471094&sr=8-12
Take your time and look for reviews by cycling websites that actually test the shorts and not Amazon reviews.
Likes For CAT7RDR:
12-16-19, 05:06 AM
#4
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,650
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 6,594 Times
in
3,781 Posts
I’ve been very pleased with my bib shorts and jerseys from The Black Bibs.
https://www.theblackbibs.com/
https://www.theblackbibs.com/
12-16-19, 06:44 AM
#5
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,538
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3672 Post(s)
Liked 5,427 Times
in
2,757 Posts
I've been happy with these inexpensive bibs from Chain Reaction. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod154920
Likes For shelbyfv:
12-16-19, 06:55 AM
#6
Senior Member
IMO, (but especially with bike shorts) ya get what you pay for...even some of the more expensive, satisfaction recognized brands end up costing $1-3/ride (at the end of their life). Early season, a targeted application of Okole Stuff makes everything tolerable.
12-16-19, 08:34 AM
#7
vespertine member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Land of Angora, Turkey
Posts: 2,476
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 687 Post(s)
Liked 220 Times
in
163 Posts
I'm also a fan of the DHB brand from Chain Reaction and Wiggle. Both sites (run by the same company now) also have a decent selection of discounted name brand cycling apparel.
Other sources for discounted name brand bike apparel that I've successfully used include Steep and Cheap (the discount wing of Backcountry.com), Sierra Trading Post (hit or miss these days), and Western Bike Works (random deals).
I generally look to spend in the $50-80 range for a good pair of (bib) shorts or tights (discounted, not MSRP). Just be sure to read reviews and size charts when shopping online; European and Asian sizing can differ from American sizing.
Other sources for discounted name brand bike apparel that I've successfully used include Steep and Cheap (the discount wing of Backcountry.com), Sierra Trading Post (hit or miss these days), and Western Bike Works (random deals).
I generally look to spend in the $50-80 range for a good pair of (bib) shorts or tights (discounted, not MSRP). Just be sure to read reviews and size charts when shopping online; European and Asian sizing can differ from American sizing.
12-16-19, 09:49 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
Zoot thin lined trishorts
12-16-19, 02:02 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,094
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,290 Times
in
743 Posts
Very true. I am still using a pair of Endura shorts I bought in 2011. They still look good and function well. Pricey? Maybe, I paid all of $89 for them, but, so far that is something like $11 a year. I'm okay with that.
12-16-19, 03:31 PM
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone! Great ideas for me to look into. I appreciate all of the responses!. I've never tried bibs but it sounds like they're worth a try.
12-16-19, 04:08 PM
#11
Senior Member
Being thin, I (wrongly) used to believe cycling bibs were for guys with prominent guts....bought 1/2 dozen pair of bibs (mostly P.I., Assos, & one pair of mtb specific (?name)...since I charted out stops with clothes washing facilities during GDMBR training/riding 2850 miles).....will NEVER purchase anything else (proper fitting shorts with straps obviates any folds in the chamois material, which (IMO) is mighty important to avoid following 6, 8 or even 10 hrs in the saddle (muliple days in a row).
12-16-19, 06:21 PM
#13
Full Member
Pearl Izumi Attack shorts? Mine are 10 years old so I'm not sure if they still make them. Also Performance Bike's high end shorts are often on sale. Best bet is get one air and ride a few weeks. I'm not that pickey but my wife is only comfortable with some brands of shorts and dislikes others.
