SamSpade1941 

Something that I’ve been pondering for a while now is the question ...

Why don’t cycling shorts have a fly? I have several pair of liner shorts designed to be worn with pants or shorts in lieu of regular underwear and none of them regardless of brand have a fly..

I’ve been giving this a good deal of thought and can’t come to a good rationale why a manufacturer wouldn’t include one for men’s liner shorts ...

clearly this is a problem in need of a solution

Drillium Dude 

Running shorts don't have a fly - they are expected to be pulled down a bit (perhaps after untying the drawstring if so equipped) so you can do your business. Same with cycling shorts, although it's a bit more difficult with bib versions.

DD

randyjawa 

A fly? What for? Just slip the little fella out of the shorts leg of choice, and geterdone. This works well when riding, for those too lazy to dismount to weewee. Not sure that this works as well for the opposite sex.

canklecat

Some pads in cycling shorts cover well above the pubic bone. A fly or zipper would need to go through the pad. An expensive tailoring solution to a practically non-existent problem with shorts, which are easy to pull down.

Bibs are a hassle. I have only one set and don't often wear them. Too much trouble to untangle for a quick rural roadside urination when necessity strikes. I occasionally wear bibs on routes with ready access to toilets. But not often.

I suspect the preferences for bibs over shorts are influenced by body types. Folks who find themselves tugging at shorts constantly to hitch up the waist or pull down the hems prefer bibs. But snug fitting shorts fit me well enough that I don't need the suspenders to keep 'em in place.

I do have a set of Aero Tech Pro shorts in medium that now fit me loosely after losing 25 lbs since buying 'em, but I can still wear those as liners with baggy shorts or jeans for longer casual rides on my hybrid. But by themselves they sag too much and look even more geeky than good fitting shorts.

A fly or zipper would probably affect compression too. I like 'em very snug and supportive. Seems to help reduce fatigue in my thighs and lower back. There's a fine line between snug and cutting off the circulation, though.

Salamandrine 

That's why lycra stretches. Anyway, the answer is chafing. Some of us can still ride back flat to the wind if we choose. You really don't want a zipper chafing on your junk.

FYI Kucharik will put a fly flap into your shorts if you so desire. And of course MTB shorts generally have a regular fly.

For a liner, you might try hiker's type synthetic boxer briefs instead. That's what I wear if i ride in normal shorts. Cheaper than specialized liners and work fine.

squirtdad

because it takes away from thinking needed for super bright (or ugly as the significant other says) designs like you can get from aerotech

caloso

There's no way I'd want a zipper down there when I'm on a bike. Even with bibs, it takes no effort to pull them down far enough.

iab

Am I the only one rocking crotchless bibs?

canklecat

You and Borat.

qcpmsame 

Now I have this mental picture that just won't go away....................dammit for reading down this far

And thanks to the next guy that bought up Borat, urghhhhh.............

Bill

TenGrainBread 

Wrong forum @iab 😂

Tulok

Sig’d

RobbieTunes

Match my chaps...

Wildwood 

I just make sure my cycling shoes have holes in the bottom for drainage/run-off.
And I don't wear tall socks.

canklecat

Dang right. In my species bare ankles are necessary for converting sunshine to Vitamin D, nitric oxide and Protomolecule.

HTupolev

A fly would just add a potential source of chafing, and for no benefit; having an elastic band for waste retention makes a fly redundant.

canklecat

AAA+++ for maybe unintentional pun. Would LOL again. Depends.

HTupolev

I only pun on accident, unfortunately.

canklecat

Hilarious though.

79pmooney

Bibs? Clip-on suspenders work really well (and quickly stretch out that objectionable waist elastic).

Holes in the soles of shoes - yeah. First race - pouring rain for 105 miles. Peloton jokes was on the flavors of various tires. Peloton woes - to those whose shoes didn't have holes and whose feet were awash for 4 1/2 hours. Those of use with the holes never thought about our feet.

Ben

Last ride 76 

Another image that I will willingly drink Drano to scrub from my mind.

...and raise you one " World Naked Bike Ride"...

qcpmsame 

I see what you did there........

Perhaps these are all Freudian slips, although a slip would bunch up and chafe, unless its worn on the outside.

And, that opens a totally new line of thoughts, either the shorts or when outdoors.

Bill

JohnDThompson 

Good lord. I hope so.

JohnDThompson 

With the elastic to retain the waste, why would you need Depends®?

qcpmsame 

Perhaps to contain the resulting "shrapnel" when things come to the inevitable conclusion.

Bill