Lycra or MTB shorts for beginners?

[Harold Kumar]

How did you start off?

The idea of lycra still seems a bit outlandish to me as a beginner. Is this something that will change over time as my biking experience grows in time?

Are there any advantages to lycra? Must admit though the birds look pretty hot all dressed in lycra - but blokes??? urgghhh

 

[vickster]

Padded shorts underneath MTB shorts would be an option. Wear whatever you feel comfortbable in
Something like an Endura Humvee, very hard wearing and come with a padded insert

Lycra is comfortable, dries quickly if you get wet, makes you more aerodynamic and dries quickly once washed - which you'll want to do after every ride as they are worn commando

Watching the Giro at the mo, I would strongly disagree than all blokes look bleurgh in lycra

 

[numbnuts]

Lycra is the way to go

 

[Widge]

Lycra is most definitely the way to go........HOWEVER.......it isn't the law! Nor is it a good look for some of us!

I am mind-bogglingly thin and my Lycra makes me look like a matchstick-man, It can also make some peoples bums look big.

Life is too short. wear those comfy padded lycra shorts under some baggies..........do whatever feels ok to you........embrace the total weirdness of it all if you've a mind! Go commando and revel in the secret knowledge!!


Or just wear some shell-suit bottoms like I did before discovering the dark and sinister world of lycra.

 

[Harold Kumar]

The trouble with lycra is I'm worried I might look like I just walked out of some seedy fetish club hehe..

But like you said, Widge, life is too short and I plan to give it a try perhaps during the night.

 

[vickster]

I don't think it's lycra they wear in fetish clubs

 

[Harold Kumar]

I don't think it's lycra they wear in fetish clubs

LOL

 

[MrJamie]

I wear baggy MTB shorts that are made out of stretchy quick drying part lycra material, so don't restrict movement and dry quick. The only disadvantage I can see is they must be a bit less aerodynamic, but I cant imagine they make a noticeable difference.

 

[Nick Stone]

I go with the fook it and wear it, I probably look really bad in it, but who cares not me, I enjoy my time on my bikes so don't worry. If its comfy it works. The cycling helps me loose the weight and I will look good, skin tight aero suit,,, hmmmmm maybe soon (time to check wiggle)

 

[MaxInc]

Depends on the bike check "the rules" when in doubt. You hardly ever see a road biker wearing anything else but lycra, you will almost look out of place if you don't so don't worry about it.

 

[screenman]

Baggy shorts and a road bike look so wrong in my humble opinion.

 

[vickster]

The OP has a flat bar bike, thus baggies are fine

 

[Ciar]

In all honesty wear what you feel comfortable in mate, I wear a pair of Endura shorts, which come with a pair of cycling shorts inside, they clip in or you can take them out, perfect for me as I like to wear shorts but love the padding from lycra's, as long as my harris is free from soreness I am a happy bunny

 

[JoeyB]

I started with and still use DHB bib shorts with a pair of thin B'Twin baggies over the top. Works for me.

 

[ajclarkson]

I started out, like a lot of others here, with Lycra padded underneath some baggy shorts, purely for self conscious reasons. I just got my first pair of bib shorts though, which are so much more comfortable than my cheap first pair of Lycra, and I think I'll just throw caution to the wind and go out in just Lycra from now on. Not taking a razor to my legs though!

Advice Id give is I find bib shorts far more comfortable than just padded shorts, and don't skimp on the price. There's some really cheap shorts out there, I got some, and the padding just isn't anywhere near the same quality.

So in short, enjoy the padding and wear what you feel comfortable in, but you'll be going to fast for them to notice anyway!!