What comfy lycra shorts?

Father Faff
Father Faff Posts: 1,176
edited March 2009 in Road buying advice
I am after some comfortable, tough, lycra shorts preferably with chamois leather padding.

I have some original 1990s Brixton Cycles Lusso shorts with chammy leather and they have lasted me years but are now so full of holes (and also in dayglo green/yellow) that they are pretty obscene for any use other than as an undershort.

All other shorts I have had have been non-chammy, less comfortable and fall to bits quickly. My latest set from Edinburgh Cycle Co-op are so bad they rub after an hour.

I'm normally a mountain biker but do some road but have come over to the Roadie Side for advice as they know their lycra! Please advise me what I need!
Commencal Meta 5.5.1
Scott CR1

Comments

  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Has to be Assos for me - not cheap, and synthetic chamois (does anyone do real chamois?), but the last years and are comfortable from day one.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Specialized shorts/tights work well for me so I generally buy them. Bought a few other brands in sales over the winter (Castelli, Bicycle Line, Descente) but none seem as comfy. They don't have a real chamois though but modern synthetic ones are much better IMO (although it's been a long time since I rode on real chamois shorts).
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Forget the leather insert and just go Assos. Comfiest shorts out there!
  • chriskempton
    chriskempton Posts: 1,245
    Giordana Silverline for £35 or Tenax for £50.

    Like everyone else says, forget real chamois - things have moved on.
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    Etxeondo, Look, Campagnolo, Di Marchi.... I've never gone for assos but all of those have served me faithfully over the years.
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

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  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Leather insert :shock:

    Go Assos, you won't regret it.
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    My £50 Giordana's are very good.

    But my £100 Assos are 4 times better.
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  • The Mechanic
    The Mechanic Posts: 1,277
    +1 for Giordana Tenax. V comfy
    I have only two things to say to that; Bo***cks
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    bendertherobot wrote:
    My £50 Giordana's are very good.

    But my £100 Assos are 4 times better.
    I'm of the opposite view.
  • Rhods
    Rhods Posts: 400
    + 1 for the Giordana Tenax.

    Haven't tried assos but definately a lot comfier than my cheaper dhb (earnley i think).
  • dbb
    dbb Posts: 323
    lusso gel very good.

    also, i've been meaning to give these a try. does anyone have any experience with this brand?
    http://www.tenn-outdoors.co.uk/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=106
    regards,
    dbb
  • BMX Bear
    BMX Bear Posts: 198
    I'm a big fan of Northwave shorts, reasonable price as well.
    www.icenivelo.co.uk - Norfolks most inclusive cycling club
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Northwave - no thanks! I've still got the scars from 260km of P-Rx in 30 degree heat with a seam that rubbed me raw. My best shorts are Assos F1:13s, amongst the other half-dozen pairs, Briko Katanas are worth a mention too. My experience of expensive shorts is that the better cut and quality of materials means they last significantly longer than the cheaper ones, despite the fact they get used more frequently. As for real chamois, the last pair I had thankfully expired circa 1990!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Not Another Hill
    Not Another Hill Posts: 382
    Nike shorts/bib shorts I find very comfortable. Good quality chamois pad. JE James are selling last years Elite Bib shorts at a very good price. I have some 5 year old basic shorts and some newer Pro bib shorts and have ridden long sportifs without any discomfort.
  • carl_p
    carl_p Posts: 989
    I've had some Giordana Tenax for a couple of weeks and have done two 40 milers in them. They're good but not brilliant. I'm now saving for a pair of Assos as I don't think I can go through life without knowing what all the fuss is about.
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  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    Not Another Hill wrote:
    Nike shorts/bib shorts I find very comfortable. Good quality chamois pad. JE James are selling last years Elite Bib shorts at a very good price. I have some 5 year old basic shorts and some newer Pro bib shorts and have ridden long sportifs without any discomfort.

    I found those too long - the smallest elite bib shorts were still loose over my knee...
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    +1 for Assos bibs.

    Peter
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Santini shorts are awesome. We have them as team gear this year, and everyone swoons for them. Get the gel pad ones if you want the best pad.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Just bought a £40 pair of DHB 3/4 length shorts - fantastic quality, and comfier than my Assos shorts and half the price. Well worth a look.
  • Shezzer
    Shezzer Posts: 229
    acorn_user wrote:
    Santini shorts are awesome. We have them as team gear this year, and everyone swoons for them. Get the gel pad ones if you want the best pad.

    Any recommendations where to get Santini shorts from? What's the fit like (Italian midget or normal sized)?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Shezzer wrote:
    acorn_user wrote:
    Santini shorts are awesome. We have them as team gear this year, and everyone swoons for them. Get the gel pad ones if you want the best pad.

    Any recommendations where to get Santini shorts from? What's the fit like (Italian midget or normal sized)?

    I would have thought from prendas ciclismo:

    http://prendas.co.uk/list.asp?typ=mfc&ID=7
  • Poulsy
    Poulsy Posts: 155
    Geoffrey Butler?
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Chain Reaction have them too. I'm 5'10" and take an L in Santini bibs.
    e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=29164

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