Lycra recommendations

lifeform

As well as riding like I've got a club foot at the moment, my shorts gave up the ghost this evening.

Unwilling to splash out loads of cash on my first foray into the world of skintight, I did the proper noob thing and bought some Altura airstream shorts - partially because I've got a nightvision jacket from them and it's excellent.

The shorts, however, have literally disintegrated - stitching has gone in four places in less than 10 hours usage. Utter garbage.

So seeking recommendations on kit which isn't Rapha expensive, but equally isn't going to fall apart after a couple of hundred miles.

Bobbinogs

I quite like Altura, see them as the M&S of cycling. Have you still got the receipt? If so, pop back and chat to the shop about the issue.

Looking at alternatives, Gore, DHB (Wiggle) and Endura spring to mind.

pilot_pete

You say 'not Rapha expensive', but will come to learn that quality costs money. Your Altura's are bargain basement and worked out as a complete load of tosh. I spent £50+ on some Specialized bibs which felt great, but which have worn away in the front of the crotch in less than 8 months cycling.

I now spend £100+ on Assos, which have lasted a year and still look and feel like brand new shorts every time I ride in them. Recently spent £100+ on some Cipollini shorts, which I expect to last the same. Looking at some Cervo Rosso shorts next, which are cheaper but look good quality.

I reckon you need to spend £60-70 to get shorts that perform, look good and will last. Put it this way, if they only last 3 months, that is probably a better cost/time ratio than your Alturas!

PP

The Ors

I bought these, slightly cheaper than the Airstream but I have ridden several hundred miles in them so far & they still look like new.

Duffer65

I wear Altura, DHB, Endura, and a few Pearl Izumi (sale stuff) items and find them all to be good and have served me well. I would love to be able to buy Rapha and Assos kit but my budget will just not allow it. As has been suggested it might be worth trying to return the shorts if they have degraded so quickly.

MattC59

Exactly what is your budget ?

The dhb stuff from Wiggle gets great reviews, although I've not tried it myself.
I have some Endura stuff, which was as a result of my mountain biking, but I also have Craft bib shorts. There's a marked difference in fit, the Craft shorts are fantastic for the road.

The bottom line is buy the best you can, as the quality and fit varies hugely.

Herbsman

Endura FS260 Pro FTW

mididoctors

gore

flasher

Don't waste your money on anything else..............Assos F1 Uno's

noiseboyfeetman

I've recently got some Giordana Silverline bib shorts which I find extremely comfortable and at a good price.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/6 ... gn=pid6599

Rich Hcp

Shutt VR

Good price, nice shorts

Paul E

Thumbs up for craft, excellent fit and the pad is great

P_Tucker

Whatever you do, don't buy plain black shorts. Nothing looks worse.

lifeform

Thanks for the tips chaps.

Spoke to Evans today, and they said 'sure, just send 'em back and we'll issue a refund'

All black - no... I made that mistake. A look made all the worse by the pasty freshly shaved Anglo-Saxon legs contained therein. As my wife said upon modelling of said shorts, with that look of utter disdain only your wife can achieve, "well, with the glare off those you won't be needing lights"

rolf_f

lifeform wrote:

All black - no... I made that mistake.

He was being ironic (I hope!). Not much looks better than plain black. However, if you think otherwise I'd definitely go for all white.

I'd also recommend Shutt VR and also Santini. No need to reach the heady heights of Rapha or Assos expenditure.

Bobbinogs

I prefer my pasties unshaven.

P_Tucker

Rolf F wrote:

lifeform wrote:

All black - no... I made that mistake.

He was being ironic (I hope!). Not much looks better than plain black. However, if you think otherwise I'd definitely go for all white.

I'd also recommend Shutt VR and also Santini. No need to reach the heady heights of Rapha or Assos expenditure.

No, black looks chippertastic to the max. Fact

rich164h

Rich Hcp wrote:

Shutt VR

Good price, nice shorts

but not great durability if my experience is anything to go by. Bib shorts bought and after only 2-3 short rides seams were coming apart in three places. Sent them back for repairs (no problem at all - excellent customer service) but within a couple of weeks of only casual use the seams were failing in another two places this time leaving larger holes where the stitching went through the material which isn't great as one of the places is at the front of the pad (which is now loose of course) and could if things get worse prove rather embarrassing!

I've also got some of their arm warmers and the stitching on on of those are coming apart as well. I want to like them and love the styling but to be honest I don't think I'll be going back again.

I hope I've just been unlucky as the people I've spoken to there are extremely helpful and I really appreciate that this is a whole UK based company, but they do appear to be let down by poor quality control.

Matt Square

I bought a couple of bits of Altura kit and didn't find them up to the job.
I find Endura kit very good. I have also got some DHB stuff that I think is good for the price.

Pete Reader

You guys should try some Btwin Decathlon bib shorts. They're cheap as chips but incredibly durable and the most comfortable padding I have ever worn! I've crashed quite badly deveral times in mine and no tearing or even grazing. They must be made of a great lycra material as blood does not stain them and they look as almost as shiny and white as they day they were brought! for just over £20 per pair they're absolutely fantastic!

FSR_XC

Have you looked at Lusso?

It's British made kit too.

I bought some of their shorts predominantly for mountainbikibg. They were a bit thicker than my other lycra shorts and have proved to be very durable.