Fit of lycra padded shorts. Advice please

Bubbabo

Howdy. I recently bought my first pair of Lycra shorts which are Rayleigh 8 panel, and they seem to fit quite well in the leg and feel snug but they are not overly tight. I think any bigger and they would be close to my knee, restricting the movement. I'm noticing that sometimes when I get out of the saddle, and then pull myself back up onto the saddle, I sometimes get the padding at the back hooked on the seat. I’m usually a large in shorts, and these are a large. How far toward the rear should the padding really go? Would this catching suggest: they are too big for me? They are too small for me? Or the shape of the insert is not right for my body?

Thx, Bubba

FOAD

The catching would suggest that you arent used to getting out of the saddle and back into it without catching your shorts just yet IMHO.

You will very quickly adapt to it and rarely catch after that.

skyd0g

+1^^

As you progress, you may wish to consider a pair of "bib-shorts" as oppose to "normal waist shorts". I found that with waist-shorts that the waist was either to tight, (and so dug-in), or too loose (and the rear slipped down).

It sounds as if your shorts are about the right size, but if the rear slips down this would allow the pad to try & straighten-out and therefore catch. Bib-shorts are much comfier overall IMHO.

claash

Hi
If they are comfy to ride in, then they fit fine!

But just do a quick mental note to self as you go back to get in the saddle:
"Can't just slip my bum on to the seat...... Have to lift n place down corectly"

You will get the hang of it!!!!!

idreamoftailwinds

+1 on the Bib-shorts. I only use my old shorts for under my Bib-Tights.

Bubbabo

FOAD wrote:

The catching would suggest that you arent used to getting out of the saddle and back into it without catching your shorts just yet IMHO.

You will very quickly adapt to it and rarely catch after that.

I wondered if technique had something to do with it.

It usually happens when I'm stuck in traffic, or going at slow speeds, so I guess that explains it. When I'm going at speed, I have the power going, I remember to push up, and it is much more natural. I will buy another pair of shorts now I know I have the right size, as I do need some spares. I will go into my LBS sometime to try some bib shorts, as I keep having them recommended to me.

Thx, Bubba

idreamoftailwinds wrote:

+1 on the Bib-shorts. I only use my old shorts for under my Bib-Tights.

How much more do I need to be paying to get bib-shorts, compared to basic padded shorts?

idreamoftailwinds

Not sure what you are paying now but These are a good price, however you get what you pay for.

skyd0g

Bibs aren't that much more expensive, you could look at these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/dhb_Earnley_Cycling_Bib_Shorts/5360024489/

keef66

That's 2 votes for the Earnleys then!

I've got DHB bib tights and for the money they are great.

Bubbabo

keef66 wrote:

That's 2 votes for the Earnleys then!

I've got DHB bib tights and for the money they are great.

How is the sizing on them? As I see a large is a 38 waist according to the guide, but in a lot of other shorts I have seen, a large is about 34-35. So are they quite a lot bigger in sizing?

hopper1

I sometimes suffer from this snagging, but only when wearing my DHB Earnley bibshorts! I put it down to materials, as it doesn't happen when I'm wearing my Assos, or Pearl Izumi kit, but they do feel more substantial...

keef66

I'm between sizes according to their chart; buying bibtights I had to consider height and waist. Went for medium but suspect I could've got away with small. Bit of a Nora Batty effect around the knees when off the bike. Also sometimes get the snagging you describe which I put down to the pad being flat rather than shaped, and the tights not being quite as tight as they could be.

I'll buy some bibshorts come the spring; will order 2 or 3 sizes this time to ensure best fit

fungus_the_muffin_man

Chain reaction had some half decent addidas bib tights on sale. I have some they're ver comfy though the low down at the front pad takes some getting used to. :oops: