Ouch! (_|_)

Phixion

I picked up my new road bike yesterday, a Cube Peloton 2011. I am almost 16st and very unfit... I barely walked much prior to starting this.

I'm finding it really hard going, my arse is killing and I'm still getting used to the bike.

Should I invest in some cycling shorts/legs with padding? Do they really help?

Also my sadde is a RFR Natural Shape 0.2 R, it's VERY thin and is hurting like a mofo, should I invest in a better saddle? Being my first road bike It feels really strange how harsh the ride is compared to a mountain bike, I seem to feel every bump in the road!

Also whats the deal with jerseys? Are they wind proof?

Please help!

danowat

There will be a certain "ass hardening period", stick with it and DEFINATELY get some padded shorts.

Thin, less padded saddles are actually more comfortable for many people after the "ass hardening period"

Phixion

As I don't particularly want to wear them tight short on show can I wear them under normal clothing?

Which shorts would you recommend?

Cheers

danowat

I guess you could do, but....

EMBRACE THE LYCRA!

andyrr

Depends on your budget really - £15 to £150, any pair of shorts will feel great compared to cycling in ordinary clothes on a bike, lots of people recommend lots of different brands, check the threads on here. Saddles are a very personal item too, some of the cheaper ones can be uncomfortable - less padding can be more comfortable if the shape, base flex etc suit you.

Duffer65

When I first starting riding a bike again a few years ago I went through a short period where it felt like my a** was being remoulded! But after that period of ass-justment I found that most bike seats that I've had have been ok. As for lycra, I'm a fairly big bloke and I'm a bit shy about exposing my wobbly lycra clad body to the world, so I wear Endura 3/4 shorts or Endura shorts over my lycra cycling shorts. However, I'm thinking about braving it and just wearing the cycling shorts as it might get a bit humid during the summer with two layers on!

springtide9

Phixion wrote:

As I don't particularly want to wear them tight short on show can I wear them under normal clothing?
Which shorts would you recommend?
Cheers

Nothing wrong with wearing tight clothing... don't worry about it... the weight will fall off once you are cycling regularly.

If you really do want to wear normal clothing, then you can get padded underwear.

Try a few things and see what works. Take advice but also experiment beyond the norm, as it is the holly grail being comfy (especially when you start doing longer rides)

There is no right or wrong. Just comfortable and uncomfortable!

Peddle Up!

A spot of cream "cyclist's butter", can help too.

scoob49

I purchased my first pair of bib shorts this week. best buy/purchase I have ever made. It will still hurt but no where near as much as before.

Think I need to get passed this re arse forming! It is getting better slowly though!!

markpotts147

I went through the " don't want everybody to see me in lycra" phase. Didn't last long though. I found the solution was to go as fast as possible - that way you're just a blur

In all seriousness though, if you don't want to wear just lycra then wear the bibshorts with some other shorts over the top. Depending on your budget, have a look at the Shutt Pro VR coolmax - they're awesome!! If they're a bit too expensive look at the DHB range on wiggle........ excellent VFM.

Zoomer37

Padded shorts will defintely help and after the first few times of your mates taking the p*ss out of you for wearing lycra, you wont care and quickly realise you can't cycle properly in anything else but them.

One Man And His Bike

Small distances often will help break your arse in, another hell yes to padded shorts and I lean towards bib shorts also for preference as they are more comfortable and also stop builders arse on a bike syndrome.

springtide9

Almost forgot...

I am a convert.... Bibs are the way forward... much better than shorts (which keep slipping down and becoming uncomfortable)

Don't know what they are like yet, but PX have Bib Tights on sale at the moment:
http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXBIB ... bib-tights

Reason I bring this up is I have just ordered a pair. For £20, I think they are worth a go as I have been pleased with other PX clothing I purchased so far.

garryc

Definately get bib shorts rather than shorts, the elastic waistband on shorts cuts in, which will be uncomfortable, and you'll be constantly pulling them up. The DHB ones on wiggle are a good start.

Don't wear pants underneath, no really.

If you feel embarrased when wearing them just pop a pair of normal type shorts on over the top.

Phixion

So do these come with padding?

http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXBIB ... bib-tights

springtide9

Phixion wrote:

So do these come with padding?
http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXBIB ... bib-tights

yes. most cycling bibs or shorts have padding... it's more unusual for them not to have any.

These high performance fabric bib tights include a padded insert for comfort during long rides and a lightweight mesh bib for manouvreability on the bike.

The main reason why they are cheap...

Note: Minor quality control issues reflected in low price....

It appears our factory in the final stage of production have packed the bib tights whilst not 100% dry, and this has resulted in a slight musty odour. This minor problem is reflected in the super low giveaway price!

Phixion

Wouldn't washing them get rid of that odour?

springtide9

Phixion wrote:

Wouldn't washing them get rid of that odour?

Yes. But basically PX don't want the hassle of washing them or sending them back... and the longer they are damp, the worse they'll get... so they are selling them cheap.

More info at:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/news/pr ... -from-9-99
& FB: http://www.facebook.com/planetxbikes


FYI - as for size... I am 32" waist and 32" leg - and they have advised me a medium would fit (as I couldn't work out their sizes!)

They do stretch a lot - so are very forgiving in terms of size.

danowat

I wouldn't say roubaix tights are suitable for all year riding, its starting to get a bit warm for them.

freddiegrubb

:oops: Aldi kit will be in very soon. good gear & very low price, the cycling underpants are very good with a large thin cotton type pad to soak up the sweat,-- under your lycra padded shorts you won't see them. They will be in on a thursday, so visit the w/site weekly & get in the starting blocks because as the man says "when they're gone

---

".

fludey

Or you could do as I did and buy some moutain bike baggies for starting off with, with a liner short built in. I wear madison shorts sometimes if im riding somewhere where I dont want to walking about in the tight cycling shorts very comfy and have a nice padded liner.

Same with the tops as well if you dont wanna squeeze in to a tight top I found the moutain bike down hill tops to be very comfy for riding in.

But as others have said sod it and just wear the tight shorts and with regualr riding will soon be fitting in to them

jus71n

springtide9 wrote:

Almost forgot...

I am a convert.... Bibs are the way forward... much better than shorts (which keep slipping down and becoming uncomfortable)

Don't know what they are like yet, but PX have Bib Tights on sale at the moment:
http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXBIB ... bib-tights

Reason I bring this up is I have just ordered a pair. For £20, I think they are worth a go as I have been pleased with other PX clothing I purchased so far.

Just ordered a pair of these, can't go wrong at that price (after a good wash that is)

tobermory

Good cycling shorts sure help the jacksy cope better and make riding more comfortable.

arthur_scrimshaw

springtide9 wrote:

Almost forgot...

I am a convert.... Bibs are the way forward... much better than shorts (which keep slipping down and becoming uncomfortable)

Don't know what they are like yet, but PX have Bib Tights on sale at the moment:
http://planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CLPXBIB ... bib-tights

Reason I bring this up is I have just ordered a pair. For £20, I think they are worth a go as I have been pleased with other PX clothing I purchased so far.

Great deal but they're winter tights aren't they? I've been out of my roubaix bibs for nearly a month.

Tonymufc

One Man And His Bike wrote:

Small distances often will help break your ars* in, another hell yes to padded shorts and I lean towards bib shorts also for preference as they are more comfortable and also stop builders ars* on a bike syndrome.

Gotta love that phrase. +1 for everything else mentioned. Stick with it for a good couple of weeks and the ars* will be fine. As for jerseys. Windproof ones tend to be a seasonal thing as in the summer you want some ventilation to help keep the body cool (ish).

aripallaris

if your looking for some cheaper but good quality stuff mate try the dare2b website. not sure how they rate them in the cycling world. but i use them as my snowboarding base layers and recently started using them for cycling and im very impressed. best part they are like £20 in the sales which is on at the moment. seriously cheap and super quality

springtide9

Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:

Great deal but they're winter tights aren't they? I've been out of my roubaix bibs for nearly a month.

Pretty sure they are autumn/spring (or 'non thermal' winter) but I'm still in mine

At this price, they can sit in the draw until the end of the year if they are too warm.

Avezius

DHB shorts from wiggle.

Fit great - wash & wear well, good padding. No cutting in or exposing myself either. Had a few other cheapies, but none as good as those.

Definitely wouldnt ride without them now!

Personally, I have an irrational hatred of bibs, tights & lycra shorts without some kind of outer covering!! Fine on other people - not on me. Lycra tops is fine, just bottom half!!! Umbro's covering my ar$e & it's acceptable - I usually wear some surf boardshorts & feel comfortable. :oops:

Funny as I don't think anything of speedo's & getting into/out of any of my many wetsuits in full view of anyone on beach/carpark/side of road. What youre used to I guess!

arthur_scrimshaw

springtide9 wrote:

Arthur Scrimshaw wrote:

Great deal but they're winter tights aren't they? I've been out of my roubaix bibs for nearly a month.

Pretty sure they are autumn/spring (or 'non thermal' winter) but I'm still in mine

At this price, they can sit in the draw until the end of the year if they are too warm.

Agree - I've just ordered some! 8)