There are a few Eureka moments in cycling. – Like when you can master the art of cycling no hands, when you realise you can actually cycle three miles to work and still live to tell the tale, when you realise it’s an awfully lot more comfortable to wear proper cycling shorts than jeans and underpants. In fact you realise it’s so much more comfortable, that you’d rather get dressed in tight fitting Lycra and to hell with what people think – you’re a proper cyclist now!
The only problem with lycra cycling shorts is that the next inevitable step to maintain your chic elite cycling look is getting out the old shaver (well, actually preferably new sharp shaver) – to proudly display the contours of your bulging biceps. Anyway, that’s another step and that can wait. But, a good padded cycling short is one of the most essential ways to get a more comfortable ride, especially for anything over two hours.
Over the years I’ve tried quite a few cycling shorts. Recently, I’ve been frequently riding some Impsport custom made ones for my cycling teams like Oxonians and Sri Chinmoy CT. Unfortunately, Impsport do not make the best cycling shorts. Although, att least they are better than they were. A few years ago, I received some shorts with the padding in a pretty useless place. However, they are reasonable and provide enough comfort for most of my rides.
A few general comments about Cycling Shorts
- Bibbed shorts are more comfortable than non-bibbed. It is much easier to keep them up without the feeling of elastic around the waist. They also seem to stay in position much more easily. I do have a few non-bibbed shorts, but, when getting in and out of the saddle, they tend to move. I also have one pair of shorts with a very good insert, but, it’s too tight around the waist. I do still use it (I can’t bring myself to throw it away) but, it’s not good to have a tight elastic around stomach.
- All shorts become more comfortable when used to cycling. Getting used to spending hours in the saddle is like anything else, you develop tolerance over time. If you’re new to cycling, spending £200 on some shorts will still feel pretty sore after a seven hour sportive. If you’re used to spending hours in the saddle, you probably won’t really notice even Impsport varieties.
- Keep Clean. I’m sure this doesn’t really need saying, but, you want to wash after every ride. They are pretty quick drying, especially if you wrap in towel. (Some pros used to insist on hand washing so they could be sure it didn’t get mixed up with other laundry which could potentially pass on germs)
- Don’t Wash at Too High Temperature. On one holiday in US, I took my laundry to a US washomat. After washing at presumably very high temperature, the lycra was stretched to almost indecent proportions. I had to throw away the see-through shorts before getting into trouble. Don’t ruin a good pair of lycra by washing in hot water!
- Some Chamois cream can help keep the insert padding soft. Useful for long rides, though most synthetic chamois are pretty good at staying soft.
Despite using my custom cycling team shorts on most occasions, a seven hour ride in the Dales, made me wanting a really good pair for such epic rides.
Assos FI Mille S5 Bib Cycling Shorts – Review
Assos have a reputation for producing the best, (whatever the cost). These shorts certainly looked intriguing with their dimpled padding. The padding is quite substantial and feels very soft when put on. It does feel different to other shorts because of the air flow and space in between dimples. This helps to wick away sweat which is one of top ways of creating friction and discomfort. The short fits on the body very easily, it smooths away pressure and there is no feeling of tightness or discomfort. Also, I never felt any seems which I often do on other shorts. For long rides, it is substantially more comfortable and does make a real difference. Sometimes, in cycling you can pay £150 extra and it’s hard to know what you’ve got for your money. But, buy a pair of these shorts and you will notice the difference in ride quality.
If you are serious for training for long distance rides and sportives, a couple (or one) pairs of these shorts will make a big difference and could perhaps be a higher priority than some carbon upgrade to save 10 grams.
- Assos F1 Mile at Wiggle £154
- Assos F1 Mile at Evans Cycles
Cheaper Padded Shorts
If you’re a newcomer to cycling, don’t worry that shorts have to be so expensive. I ride close to 10,000 miles a year and so got excited about such a short. But, for the majority of the time, I’ve been fine riding on much cheaper shorts. For example, the dhb Finchdean padded short at under £50.
Under Shorts?
What if you want to ride normal clothes. It may be you want to ride a bike, then get off socialise, walk around the city and even enjoy yourself. If you want to enjoy cycling but, you feel self-consciousness walking around tourist attractions in lycra shorts, you can still get a padded under short you can wear underneath, this will make a comfortable ride. This dhb undershort is only £13. I have a pair of under shorts, but, they hardly get used, except under winter bibtights with an insert.
- Cycling shorts at Evans Cycles
- shorts at Chain Reaction Cycles
- Lycra shorts at Wiggle
- cycle shorts fit
- Cheap cycling shorts
- Tips for a more comfortable ride
I’ve ridden bikes for years, though not long distances since I was 18ish but I’ve never understood the need for padded shorts! I accept I must be wrong because plenty of people spend lots of money on them but sticking padding in the way of things that would be better off not there on a cycle ride seems counter-intuitive to me! It seems it would make the problem worse. What does the padding do to ones dangley bits, where do they go? Why don’t they get squished more so?
Sorry, perhaps it is improper of me to ask, and you also say anatomy is not your thing, but I can’t see a way of finding out without getting a bit basic!
Forgot to mention: the shorts cost me £9. Done deal.
I tried riding without pants once and vowed not to do it again as it was quite cold. The pants I wear are stretchy, thin boxer brief sort of dealies, so I guess they’re not too dissimilar to lycra shorts anyway.
I bought a pair of Karrimor cycling shorts (I believe Karrimor have been bought out by Sports Direct which would explain why their products never appear to be at full retail price. Usually a 70% sale) without padding and have never had a problem. I’ve not done as much long distance as I’d like to yet, but I did a 140 mile weekend thing with some friends on a rather firm saddle and had no problems whatsoever.
>PJ – Yes, anatomy was never my strong point!
>Lee I definitely recommend riding without underpants. It may feel a little strange at first, but, once you get used to it, it will be more comfortable.
You can always try a little chamois cream as well.
Quick question I have bibbed shorts I’m a beginner to cycling but I like long bike rides (well there long to me) I’m up to 50 mile and on Sunday I did my first 100k in 3:40. Under pants….. I have tried without and It just felt weird, I tried with briefs they rubbed (so there no good) and on Sunday I tried a sport support (Jock Strap) which was ok. Do you advise wearing underpants? I know I know but if you don’t ask you don’t learn
Thank you Lee
Great article, but –
“getting out the old shaver – to proudly display the contours of your bulging biceps”
How hairy are your arms?
That aside – shorts are a big issue for many cyclists, and you’ve identified an interesting stage – when a cyclist starts to realize shorts are far more comfortable. It’s eye-opening.
I went via padded undershorts (which i still wear sometimes), to bibbed lycra. I don’t have £150 to spend, but still managed to pick up some great briko bib shorts on clearance – look out for those!