Oh me bum. What's the current thinking on shorts?

[Acyclo]

Today's commute[1] started off vee uncomfortable. A sharp pain on sitting on the saddle. It eased off after a couple of miles. This isn't the first time, but worse today than before, and unexpected after four days off. I wear cheap padded cycling shorts with a gel pad. Advice please.

[1] 7 miles each way. Old giffer, sixty plus.

 

[rivers]

Better quality shorts or a saddle more suited to you? Do you normally suffer from pain?

 

[Milkfloat]

"What's the current thinking on shorts?"

Wear some, especially if you have a white saddle.


I have better results with some shorts over others, but ultimately if I have a long time off the bike, it takes a while to get my rear accustomed to the saddle again, just a case of increasing the mileage bit by bit.

 

[Acyclo]

... Do you normally suffer from pain?

Not usually, but occasionally recently. I just thought it was a little odd that I'd get this sharp pain after a few days off.

 

[fossyant]

Better shorts. Decathlon do some good ones without having to rob a bank.

 

[Ian H]

Try to work out where the pressure point is and then have a think about how to alleviate it.

 

[Profpointy]

If you're getting discomfort after only a short (or medium) distance then I'd suggest you got the wrong saddle (for you) or an outright bad saddle or the position is wrong. Fix that first, and only then worry about apecial shorts

 

[I like Skol]

I have said this so many times now that I nearly don't bother! You do not have to wear padded, or even cycling specific, shorts to be comfortable on a bike. I don't, and even on occasional longer rides (around 100 miles) I rarely find myself wishing for any padding. The most important factors IMO are bike fit and a compatible (for you) saddle.
Having said that, immediate pain when sitting on the bike after a good few days off doesn't sound right. Are you sure there isn't some other issue rearing its head? Might be worth taking a good look and prod at your undercarriage to rule out a physical problem before condemning your previously acceptable set-up.

 

[Dismount]

Does anyone know of any decent padded shorts that are lose in fit? I mostly ride a CX bike and I don't have a requirement for lycra I can go plenty fast enough with loose fit.

 

[S-Express]

Does anyone know of any decent padded shorts that are lose in fit? I mostly ride a CX bike and I don't have a requirement for lycra I can go plenty fast enough with lose fit.

MTB shorts would seem to be what you are after. You are also after the word 'loose' - not 'lose'...

 

[Dismount]

MTB shorts would seem to be what you are after. You are also after the word 'loose' - not 'lose'...

Thank you for the tip and the correction

 

[mjr]

Don't put currents in them. The fruit's for eating in snacks, not for wearing.

 

[mick1836]

You might have developed a boil? Get a mirror and have a look.

Or a close 'friend'?

 

[vickster]

Does anyone know of any decent padded shorts that are loose in fit? I mostly ride a CX bike and I don't have a requirement for lycra I can go plenty fast enough with loose fit.

Try Endura Humvees, come in shorts and 3/4 length with a padded liner. £50 or so last time I looked

 

[bigjim]

Does anyone know of any decent padded shorts that are lose in fit? I mostly ride a CX bike and I don't have a requirement for lycra I can go plenty fast enough with loose fit.

I doubt anybody on here wears Lycra shorts to go faster.