Anyone else out there not using padded shorts?
#26
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I wear jeans most of the time for anything less than say 70 miles.
The bike shorts are a little more comfortable for the 100+ mile rides.
I've tried thin tights without padding, and they're not comfortable at all.
The bike shorts are a little more comfortable for the 100+ mile rides.
I've tried thin tights without padding, and they're not comfortable at all.
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thin lined (not "padded") Zoot tri-shorts under MTB shorts or cycling pants
if I'm riding to the beach, I just wear a bathing suit
if I'm riding to the beach, I just wear a bathing suit
Last edited by rumrunn6; 09-28-21 at 12:17 PM.
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Being that I’m a utility cyclist I don’t generally wear padded shorts but in the winter that changes since all my tights are padded.
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I ride a road bike about 225 miles per week and have never worn padding. For me, it's always seemed like a solution in search of a problem since my butt is very comfortable on a narrow saddle.
Butts are different, YMMV. If you're really curious, buy a pair and see if you notice any benefit. No one else will be able to tell you that..
Butts are different, YMMV. If you're really curious, buy a pair and see if you notice any benefit. No one else will be able to tell you that..
#30
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My preferred bib shorts have a fairly thin padded chamois. I have had problems with the thicker, more padded chamois's, which strangely feel like they concentrate the force on the sit bones and leads to a pain best described as an ache there. I don't get that with a thinner pad.
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#31
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I don't wear padded shorts for probably 75% of my rides which are almost always in the 40-60 minute range. I find the ride to be moderately faster and more enjoyable when I do wear the padded shorts though. I mostly don't wear them simply because it's not a huge deal for me and I forget about them until I'm 20 min into my ride. Similar to wolf child, when I do wear padded shorts, I wear them under cargo shorts. For me, the two main benefits are:
1) Comfort and, I suspect, improved blood flow to my legs and;
2) Keeps my junk in place well.
Related question: does anybody have any statistics on how much more efficient one rides in spandex vs loose fitting clothing? I normally ride in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt during the summer. When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps. On the other hand, I like to feel speedy even when I've nothing to prove.
1) Comfort and, I suspect, improved blood flow to my legs and;
2) Keeps my junk in place well.
Related question: does anybody have any statistics on how much more efficient one rides in spandex vs loose fitting clothing? I normally ride in cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt during the summer. When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps. On the other hand, I like to feel speedy even when I've nothing to prove.
#32
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Related question to the related question-why is the alternative to spandex in these questions always "loose fitting" clothing? I wear tee shirts of varying material, all quite tight. They're not flapping.
I can't wear spandex, too much latex content for me to be safe.
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#33
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Why, yes. Those would be national olympic teams from bobsled to downhill to ski jumping, to speed skating. Also biathlon is a yes. For swimming, it's a controversial "um, no" due to buoyancy advantages.
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For short rides, I often just wear boxer briefs under my mountain biking shorts. I couldn't do it for much more than a couple of hours, I don't think. Starts to feel a little gritty.
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I save them for the occasional hard ride, race and so on. You feel the sit bones a bit more on 5hr+ rides but it's not objectionable and they have zero tendency to chafe or anything.
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#36
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The padding is only one part of a pair of shorts made for cycling. They also have flat seams and stitching. This stops you from chaffing on your rear end and legs. Started riding in cycling shorts 60 years ago. Would never even think about riding with out them
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Back in 1986 when I started cycling I did not pay much attention to "cycling shorts."
I just wore jean shorts or athletic shorts for 20 to 30 mile rides to the beach/back.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not wearing some type of chamois short because of comfort, chafing and hygiene.
I have been wearing MTB shorts over road bibs lately and I like the added pockets and warmth on cooler mornings. In fact, I will likely wear that combo rather than tights this winter.
I just wore jean shorts or athletic shorts for 20 to 30 mile rides to the beach/back.
Nowadays, I cannot imagine not wearing some type of chamois short because of comfort, chafing and hygiene.
I have been wearing MTB shorts over road bibs lately and I like the added pockets and warmth on cooler mornings. In fact, I will likely wear that combo rather than tights this winter.
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i assumed it was a combination of surface type/friction and the overall fit. i wear fitted running/mtb cycling shirts along with fitted MTB shorts or pants, but one of these days i'll go out to a steep hill and roll down it back to back with two different outfits to see for my exact configuration, how much faster is the "real thing!"
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Could I bang out 50 miles in jeans? Yes. But why would I?
I suit up into my superhero costume even for a 10 mile ride!
I suit up into my superhero costume even for a 10 mile ride!
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These threads are always fun to read.
I'll wear some mtb shorts with compressions under if I'm riding with my youngest because we don't ride more than 20mi and average like 10mph.
Any longer/faster than that and those quickdry mtb shorts become a damp mess. I have 0 desire to ride like that for any length of time at my solo pace. It sounds unfun, actually.
I sweat like crazy regardless of what I'm wearing, so quickdry is just a hope. Given that, I base my clothing decisions on what will not needing constant adjusting to be comfortable.
At hard effort, its easy to know which style works best for me.
The last thing I care about is blending in. I don't care if I am in a short line at a gas station and have some bibs and and jersey on. I look no more ridiculous than the woman in a robe and crocs next to me at 4pm in the afternoon, or the guy in ripped jorts and a sad beater shirt that says 'it was me, I let the dogs out'.
I'll wear some mtb shorts with compressions under if I'm riding with my youngest because we don't ride more than 20mi and average like 10mph.
Any longer/faster than that and those quickdry mtb shorts become a damp mess. I have 0 desire to ride like that for any length of time at my solo pace. It sounds unfun, actually.
I sweat like crazy regardless of what I'm wearing, so quickdry is just a hope. Given that, I base my clothing decisions on what will not needing constant adjusting to be comfortable.
At hard effort, its easy to know which style works best for me.
The last thing I care about is blending in. I don't care if I am in a short line at a gas station and have some bibs and and jersey on. I look no more ridiculous than the woman in a robe and crocs next to me at 4pm in the afternoon, or the guy in ripped jorts and a sad beater shirt that says 'it was me, I let the dogs out'.
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#43
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I don’t wear a padded bra. In fact, I wear no bra all. Just another carefree guy. Was that the question? Oh he!!, it’s BF where answering the question is purely optional. So who wants to start an argument or debate?
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All of my bikes have the same saddle brand and model.
On my flat bar bikes, including my mountain bikes, I just wear nylon cargo shorts with no padded underwear.
On my road bike I always wear padded lycra shorts.
The only difference is the bike/saddle setup. With the road bike the top of the bar is a couple inches below the saddle; in the drops I’m lower. The nose of the saddle has a bit of downward tilt.
The handlebars on the flat bar mountain bikes are a couple inches above the saddle. The saddle has a bit of upward tilt.
The saddle on my converted flat bar road bike is pretty parallel. But that bike is usually for short rides.
John
On my flat bar bikes, including my mountain bikes, I just wear nylon cargo shorts with no padded underwear.
On my road bike I always wear padded lycra shorts.
The only difference is the bike/saddle setup. With the road bike the top of the bar is a couple inches below the saddle; in the drops I’m lower. The nose of the saddle has a bit of downward tilt.
The handlebars on the flat bar mountain bikes are a couple inches above the saddle. The saddle has a bit of upward tilt.
The saddle on my converted flat bar road bike is pretty parallel. But that bike is usually for short rides.
John
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No bicycle-specific clothing. I am doing the longest rides I've done to-date and don't see any need for padded shorts. I prefer loose-fitting cargo trousers/shorts. Trouser leg is safe because I use chainring-guards on all of my bicycles. I use the Brooks C15 saddles.
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Why spend the dough on padded cycling shorts if you don’t need to? If you are comfortable in whatever, good on you.
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It's very difficult to find competitively priced full length bibs with the thin chamois area stitched in them.
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When I see other folk out in full spandex for a lunch ride around the MUP, I question whether the benefit is worth the hassle. Obviously, these are not racing conditions other than Strava obsession perhaps. On the other hand, I like to feel speedy even when I've nothing to prove.