Why tight bicycle shorts?
Discussion
As a MTB rider now on a roadie I tend to wear normal shorts. Nothing massive, just a pair of snug fitting shorts with a few pockets and a pad.
However I'm feeling like I'm missing out on something - tight shorts. Why are they the default for road riders? What advantage is there?? Should I buy some and if so, why are they all like Victorian strongman leotards rather than just shorts?
However I'm feeling like I'm missing out on something - tight shorts. Why are they the default for road riders? What advantage is there?? Should I buy some and if so, why are they all like Victorian strongman leotards rather than just shorts?
Fotic said:
As a MTB rider now on a roadie I tend to wear normal shorts. Nothing massive, just a pair of snug fitting shorts with a few pockets and a pad.
However I'm feeling like I'm missing out on something - tight shorts. Why are they the default for road riders? What advantage is there?? Should I buy some and if so, why are they all like Victorian strongman leotards rather than just shorts?
No bunching, chaffing etc, and better sweat wicking. And they hold the chamois in place.However I'm feeling like I'm missing out on something - tight shorts. Why are they the default for road riders? What advantage is there?? Should I buy some and if so, why are they all like Victorian strongman leotards rather than just shorts?
Shorts are crap: the band cuts in and/or they ride down. The "leotards" to which you refer (aka bib shorts) get ride of both problems.
Jonnny said:
They're brilliant, theres a reason why everyone who rides a road bike wears them.
I fought the call of lycra for a while, obviously I felt I'd look like a massive d
head.....A couple of months later, I'm in bib shorts and a jersey every time for using the road bike. The comfort difference is epic.
Other than a possible lycra fetish, they are comfier, breathe better (makes a huge difference) and just all round feel "better".
There's an element of "thats how its done so thats how we do it" but it really is such an improvement.
I thought I'd be too fat and a MAMIL for wearing all that - or worse - "what do you think you are? bloody TDF rider or summink?"
I did look fat last year, now I look podgy only (20lbs lighter) and no-one has given me grief for trying to present myself as a racer, even in my retro maillot jaune that was given as gift by an old codger who was giving up about 20yrs ago.
it's definitely about the comfort and speed - you don't want any flapping things whipping away at you on a descent at 40mph! Even putting on the wind-proof that isn't skin-tight feels like a massive compromise, but cold/wet has to be blocked sooner or later.
I even converted to arm/knee warmers, which I previously regarded as worse than frilly suspenders!
I did look fat last year, now I look podgy only (20lbs lighter) and no-one has given me grief for trying to present myself as a racer, even in my retro maillot jaune that was given as gift by an old codger who was giving up about 20yrs ago.
it's definitely about the comfort and speed - you don't want any flapping things whipping away at you on a descent at 40mph! Even putting on the wind-proof that isn't skin-tight feels like a massive compromise, but cold/wet has to be blocked sooner or later.
I even converted to arm/knee warmers, which I previously regarded as worse than frilly suspenders!
WarrenG said:
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I even converted to arm/knee warmers, which I previously regarded as worse than frilly suspenders!
Ha! I got some of those bad-boys earlier this year from either Aldi or Lidl. I used the arm warmers for the first time recently, and they were brilliant, keeping the chill wind off my arms yet not causing my core to overheat. I still haven't tried the knee warmers, as they seem like a step too far for now. No doubt that will change as the weather turns all 'autumny' in the next few weeks. I've still not converted to bibshorts yet, nor can I talk of wearing 'tights' in anything other than hushed tones. I'm being assimilated, albeit one step at a time I even converted to arm/knee warmers, which I previously regarded as worse than frilly suspenders!
yellowjack said:
Ha! I got some of those bad-boys earlier this year from either Aldi or Lidl. I used the arm warmers for the first time recently, and they were brilliant, keeping the chill wind off my arms yet not causing my core to overheat. I still haven't tried the knee warmers, as they seem like a step too far for now. No doubt that will change as the weather turns all 'autumny' in the next few weeks. I've still not converted to bibshorts yet, nor can I talk of wearing 'tights' in anything other than hushed tones. I'm being assimilated, albeit one step at a time
Bib shorts are fantastic, no waistband discomfort or gaps, and cold winter mornings to work are the reason to buy bib-tights. Bib-knickers however - well - it sounds like pure faggotry. but really it's bib-shorts with knee warmers attached. I go to work at 6:30 at 12C and come home at 16:00 at 22C I need those add ons and layers to avoid taking two full kits in a bag!
Fotic said:
MiseryStreak said:
Just try some. Wear them under baggy shorts if you're scared but DON'T WEAR BOXERS UNDERNEATH, defeats the point. They are horrible perverted looking things but you will get why people wear them on your first long ride.
Will do. I'm terrified but ill try them. Bibs every time!
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