Kertrek

I bought my first nice bike off Craigslist, and got a pair of bike shorts to try 'em out (which I did NOT buy off Craigslist, of course). But these things have no space for my genitalia. Like when a certain sub-culture of women are into the chest binding thing to flatten their chest and give them a tomboyish appearance...these shorts are doing the same thing to my junk and it doesn't feel too comfortable. And it doesn't lead to a very enjoyable bike ride. They weren't particularly cheap shorts, they were marked down to $50 at Performance Bike.

Does anyone here have any recommendations for Men's bike shorts that aren't so damn tight in the crotch region? 'Cause these shorts I'd recently bought are torture. I doubt I really need shorts with chamois padding anywhere but the sitbones and perineum. And if your bike seat is adjusted properly, I doubt anyone needs chamois padding covering their privates. Oh, and are stores cool about letting you try on shorts over underwear?

OldTryGuy

Your money, your body, but the BEST shorts I have are from Sugoi. Costly but comfy. Mens Bike ? tagged "type_shorts--bibs" ? SUGOI Performance Apparel

IMO, any short that allows me to pedal 112 non stop miles for an Ironman event are better than average.

Machka 

Um ... wouldn't it have made more sense to buy some that you could try on first?

When I decided I wanted a comfortable pair for long distance cycling, I went round to all my LBSs and MEC and tried on everything they had. I stood in them, sat in them, crouched in them, moved my legs in a pedalling motion in them.

Then I bought the most comfortable pair. I've been wearing that brand ever since. I'm hoping to get another 2 or 3 pair again soon.

GFish

My guess is you have the wrong size. And you can try before buying, just wear underwear underneath.

For any serious rides, bike shorts are a must to eliminate hot spots and reduce friction.

As you're finding out, not all shorts are comfortable. Generally speaking, the more you spend the better quality chamois and material. So I have shorts I consider comfortable on 20 mile rides, 50 mile shorts and 100 mile shorts. From my perspective, comfortable bike shorts start at $100 and go up in cost.

Looigi

I find the Performance Ultra and Elite shorts/bibs to be excellent, and great values.

shelbyfv

Try one size larger.

rydabent

Bent riders dont have to by uncomfortable shorts to protect them from their bikes. Hmmmm uncomfortabe bike and uncomfortable shorts, seem like a lose lose situation to me.

shrtdstncrdr

Why not go back to the clothes you wore before the cycling shorts? You can ride in those until you decide your regular clothing doesn't work for you. You know, like when you think, during or after a ride; I would be better off if my clothing was that way instead of this way. Riding shorts are really just clothing without seams in the places cyclists wouldn't want them.

Harv

obed7

I have several different brand shorts, some are more comfortable than others, but i do not have any that are uncomfortable...I don't even notice them after about 5 minutes into a ride...

steve_cay

Mine are very comfortable. My "junk" is not the smallest, and my bike shorts are not the most expensive!

Like many have said, go to the store and try different models and sizes. They should not mind if you keep your underwear on. I am sure you will find something comfortable.

And BTW, I assume you know you are not supposed to wear them with underwear, otherwise that can contribute to feeling bunched up.

PepeM

Try one size up.

corrado33

Also try... repositioning... so that "you're" in the 12 o'clock position instead of the 6 o'clock position.

I also think that you bought shorts one size too small.

fietsbob

So, You are used to wearing baggy boxers not tighty whities?

Shuffleman

+1. Lol.

intransit1217

Some people don't need/ use bikeshorts. You may be one of them. Are you uber light? That could be a factor. How many miles do you ride?

Since I've lost some weight, I can now go 20 miles on just lube and standard clothing so I can save my shorts for longer rides and not wash them 3 times a week.

TenSpeedV2

I have some Performance brand shorts and they are alright. They run a little small I have found. I prefer Pearl Izumi when they are on sale. My favorite pairs of chamois are Pearl Izumi and I got them at $24.99 a piece on line on a huge blowout. One of the best purchases I have made the entire time I have been cycling. Sugoi are not bad either if you are looking for other brands. One brand I have are Fox and they are not comfortable at all.

Leebo

Try mountain bike shorts, much more comfortable.

Camilo

Seriously, recommendations are fine, but you just need to try some on. Since you're using Performance, if you're doing mail order, just order 3-4 different pair, try them and return the ones you don't like. Yea, you'll pay some extra postage, but (1) bike shorts are lightweight so you can get quite a few of them in a medium flat rate box and (2) so, that's just the extra price you have to pay to get what you need.

That said, the Performance house brands of bib shorts called Ultra and Elite work very well for me. When I bought them, I also ordered some Gore, Sugai, Pearl Izumi and I've also tried Louis Garneau. I mainly use the Performance and have found some Castelli I like a lot.

Again, you have to try them on, there's no alternative.

fastk9dad

The part of the chamois that is in front of the shorts and covers the boys isn't there for padding (I'm pretty sure no one wants to ride there) it's a modesty panel, because w/o it there wouldn't be much left to the imagination (think how little here is now it would be 10x worse).

fastk9dad

I agree, Performance Ultra and Castelli's are my favorite bibs. The Performance brands are an excellent value/quality for the price.

hueyhoolihan

i swear i saw a cylist with his helmet on backwards the other day...

hillyman

Buy a Brooks saddle and pitch the riding shorts

Midtown

Maybe try these;

Dave Moulton's Blog - Dave Moulton's Bike Blog - Padded Under*Shorts

corrado33

You know the material that girls stretchy pants are made out of that is perfectly see-through when stretched. Yeah these are made of pretty much the same stuff. So yes, modesty panel, good idea.

Bill

I fully understand the discomfort issue, and I have been riding for 20 years. I have a hard time finding comfortable shorts, not so much for when I ride but when I am walking around or going up and down stairs. The chamois for me clings to the boys in a place that makes them ache. Often, once I get on the bike, I am ok. It's when I am doing other things when I am wearing them. Actually, I often grab my crotch when I am going up and down stairs. It's also a problem when I am stretching. It does help when I wear something under them, like a speedo. But I don't do that because of what people say about wearing anything under your shorts, although back in the day I would wear a speedo under my shorts for rides that lasted for 160 miles without problems