Padded shorts advice needed.

digitaldave

I had ,y first run out on my new bike, but found that it was very uncomfortable after a while, so I am hoping that a good pair of padded shorts will help. So, what features should I look for, and are there any specific products I should look at?

sub55

assos
assos
assos

nferrar

Kinda depends how long you're riding for, whilst I do have a pair of Assos shorts I also have a few other makes (some less than half the cost). Up to around 1-1.5 hours I really don't find any of them uncomfortable, over that though and the Assos start to pay for themselves.

I'd also add when you start riding for the first time you'll get some localised bruising etc. which fades once you put some miles in and your body adapts.

As for shorts the first choice is bibs or normal, I always use bib shorts as I hate elastic around my waist but they will generally be a few quid more.

After that it's most about fit and pad quality which is where the money goes in the more expensive shorts. If you're jsut starting out and not doing 50+ mile rides I'd say aim for a pair around £50 (like the DHB ones @ Wiggle or Specialized Comps or Santini Twist Gels) - you'll need more than one pair soon enough anyway. If you start doing really long rides and only suffer discomfort after a few hours then look at investing in some Assos ones.Oh and don't forget chamois cream, a lot of people find it a help especially on longer rides.

redddraggon

sub55 wrote:

assos
assos
assos

assos
assos
assos

Anonymous

I have quite a few pairs but one common feature that the best ones I own have is that they tend to say 'Assos' somewhere on them. Don't know what it means but there is a definite correlation.

FSR_XC

How much can you afford to spend on them?

nferrar wrote:

Kinda depends how long you're riding for, whilst I do have a pair of Assos shorts I also have a few other makes (some less than half the cost). Up to around 1-1.5 hours I really don't find any of them uncomfortable, over that though and the Assos start to pay for themselves

I've never bought a pair of shorts that cost more than a 3rd of the price of Assos. I must be missing something . . . .

skyd0g

Prendas Cyclismo http://www.prendas.co.uk/default.asp do a good range of Santini bib shorts that are very good quality and reasonable prices (about half the cost of Assos).

I would definately recommend you go for bib shorts, as opposed to "normal" waist shorts for comfort IMHO. I found that after trying countless pairs of normal waist padded shorts, they were either too tight and cut into my waist or too loose & needed pulling-up all the time.

bobtbuilder

How long do you plan to ride for?

Budget shorts are OK for shorter rides (up to 2 hours), but beyond that, better quality shorts are a must. Personally, I like Santini's Twist Gel insert that you can get at Prendas.

skinson

Mine came from Tesco's....£10.00 Had them ages now still as comfortable as the day I bought them. In fact I'm going there now to get another pair as they are on offer at the mo! Call me old fashioned, but why pay top whack for sommat when basic price jobbies do the same job just as well.....is it a vanity thing? A look at the top price gear I'm wearing moment thing??
Dave

SBezza

I have rode quite a few long distances in club kit, and this is Endura stuff, and generally do not have any major discomfort in the backside area. In fact my favourite non club kit shorts are my £30 Trek bibshorts

I think saddle choice is more appropiate than short choice, most higher end pads are very similar in terms of padding and comfort, unfortunately some cost far more than others.

Assos stuff is very nice, but not everyone can justify spending over £100 on a pair of bibshorts

giant_man

skinson wrote:

Mine came from Tesco's....£10.00 Had them ages now still as comfortable as the day I bought them. In fact I'm going there now to get another pair as they are on offer at the mo! Call me old fashioned, but why pay top whack for sommat when basic price jobbies do the same job just as well.....is it a vanity thing? A look at the top price gear I'm wearing moment thing??
Dave

Hmmm ... I would question that have to say. They can't compare to a pair of Assos. Seriously.

redddraggon

skinson wrote:

Mine came from Tesco's....£10.00 Had them ages now still as comfortable as the day I bought them. In fact I'm going there now to get another pair as they are on offer at the mo! Call me old fashioned, but why pay top whack for sommat when basic price jobbies do the same job just as well.....is it a vanity thing? A look at the top price gear I'm wearing moment thing??
Dave

Lol, cheap shorts really are crap, might aswell not bother with a "pad"

jswba

How do the Santini Twist-gel ones compare with Assos? Has anyone tried both?

bobpzero

redddraggon wrote:

sub55 wrote:

assos
assos
assos

assos
assos
assos

maybe until i find out if chamois of "Revolutionary" new bib short from Castelli is worth all the technical "stuff" its got at the moment im staying with assos.

cougie

I have a pair of assos but they are seriously padded - like a nappy. I'm happier in the cheaper less padded ones. DHB etc. But everyones different. Hell i use thin tri shorts for 112 mile rides with no bother.

Takis61

Assos have great reviews but seriously, who can afford that for shorts ?
Wiggle DHB Earnleys get great reviews, as do Prendas.

digitaldave

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. As a follow up question, if I want to wear regular shorts over the padded ones, will normal padded shorts be ok, or will I need padded under-shorts instead?

Thanks .

FSR_XC

Normal Padded shorts will be fine.

Might be worth a look at these:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C1232

I bought the bib shorts last week. IMO very good value.

couldashouldawoulda

Seriously - spend as much as you can afford or think it's worth for a comfy bum. I've done 7 hours in assos shorts and 8.5 hours in dhb knowles and was a happy camper in both but 3 hours in cheaper shorts - wanted to sue someone.

I've started with tesco's finest - then endura's then endura fs260 pros then some italians giordinaa stuff then some santini gia's then assos then dhb knowle. I've just realised that you should spend more (much more?) on your shorts than on a saddle. All are good for the money and invest in some chamois cream for the longer runs.

apreading

I dont quite get all this about padded shorts - surely you would be better off with a padded saddle which fits you properly and not need any padding in your clothes?

I am not saying you are wrong, just that I dont understand the logic...

Anonymous

Good padded shorts don't chafe and the padding is also designed to wick moisture away from the seat area, further reducing chafing and preventing saddle sores.

A thick padded saddle will cause chafing and sweating on a long run.

apreading

Ah - I think I get the bit about chafing now because any friction is between the surface of the padding in your shorts and the seat, rather than between the surface of the padding in the seat and your skin.

I dont get the bit about sweating though - surely if there is a pad between seat and skin then seating will be the same regardless of which it is attached to? Actually I have just worked that one out possibly too - the saddle is covered with a water resistant fabric which stops the sweat being absorbed into the padding but with padded shorts this can take place.

OK I concede - but still wont be wearing any as I have never had a problem on a 30-40 mile run - I guess if I was going further I would take a look.

Cheers