New to commuting

[broady]

I've only done about 10 commutes to work and only ride when the weather is dry (don't mind rain on the way home).
I also have to travel round the city to different meetings during the day. I have to wear a shirt, trousers and shoes.
For comfort on the bike I've been wearing cycling shorts but they aren't so comfortable when off the bike.
Are the padded boxers a better option?

Also, on longer rides do people wear the padded boxers underneath their cycling shorts?

 

[broady]

Or is a gel padded seat a better option?
The seat is already padded, but is an old seat.
Hope the pic of my work horse attaches

 

[vickster]

You shouldn't wear anything under cycling shorts. Padding goes against your skin

Padded boxers would work for you under your work clothes assuming you aren't going long distances

 

[Drago]

I'd go for padded boxers over a gel seat.

 

[broady]

The commute is only 7 miles each way and then maybe upto 15 miles during the day, but they are only in 3 or 4 miles at a time.

 

[broady]

Halfords have some gore boxers in my size reduced down to £12.50 so have just reserved those and see how they go.

 

[Ganymede]

I use a gel seat cover - a lot of people on here don't like them as they find that they chafe, but I have never had a problem with mine on rides up to 10 miles - ie 20 miles in a day. I wear normal clothes for commuting although as a woman I find I can adapt to a slightly sportier style (ie trousers with lycra in them, stretchy tops, flat shoes or boots) than a man might be able to. I do cycle in a tailored jacket sometimes but only for my work commute which is 3.5 miles each way so I can bear the strain of the fit on the upper arms.

Also of course, gel seats might work better for women than men - not a judgement I can make personally and I think I've seen both men and women on this site saying they don't like them. I love mine!

Oh, and to the forum.

 

[broady]

Sorry, £11.99 down from £40??
Would they ever have been £40? Or is it like the supermarket trick where they put a high price on something for a couple of weeks at remote stores then it looks like a massive saving?

 

[The Jogger]

Get a brooks saddle, I do similar around London and the brooks is comfy.

 

[broady]

Think I have one of the aldi special buys seat covers that my dad gave me.

I need to cycle (or swim) as I can only do no impact sports after breaking my leg. And having two young kids it makes sense to try and cycle for work rather than miss an hour with them every evening.

 

[vickster]

Sorry, £11.99 down from £40??
Would they ever have been £40? Or is it like the supermarket trick where they put a high price on something for a couple of weeks at remote stores then it looks like a massive saving?

Yes they may well have been. Gore is mid-high end stuff

 

[broady]

I might see what else is in the sale then :-)

 

[Supersuperleeds]

The commute is only 7 miles each way and then maybe upto 15 miles during the day, but they are only in 3 or 4 miles at a time.

Those sort of distances you should be fine with normal underwear.

 

[broady]

Its normally Monday and Tuesday that I struggle after a long ride on Sunday. By the end of the week its not an issue

 

[DrLex]

I tend to use padded boxers, rather than bibs for commuting, and bought a pair of the Gore ones from Halfords a fortnight back after they were reduced to £12. Good, and you won't have wasted your money, but they have a fair-sized pad compared to the Craft ones that I usually use.