Lycra or MTB shorts for beginners?

[MrJamie]

Not trying to provoke, but why does anyone not wear lycra?

Hmm, too fat, ride a flat bar so doesn't matter and lots of my rides involve pubs, shops or visiting friends etc where baggies let me walk around looking like a normal person. I still get the padding, the quick dry fabric, stretchy material so unrestricted leg movement. My favourites are like these but in a different colour http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...eeride-short-watson-collaborative-model-31825

 

[Nomadski]

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

I used those same exact shorts / padded pants when I started, it did the job.

OP - As a first step its fine, but once you've worn some good padded bib shorts you wont want to look back.

Don't care what anyone thinks, they aren't on the bike, you are. Last thing you want when your rolling along is clothing flapping about making you hot, and sucking all that rain up.

So go with what you want, use baggies as a first step if you feel more comfortable, then go lycra and wonder why you didn't do it earlier.

 

[themosquitoking]

+1 for bib shorts, i'm almost embarrassed to admit how nice they are to wear.

 

[MarkF]

Not trying to provoke, but why does anyone not wear lycra?

Because I am cyclist not a full time pro racer. I'll often use my road bike to meet up with my family on a weekend outing, maybe at a picnic spot, or, I may meet pals at the pub during a quick ride out. I am not cavorting around the pub or picnic spots all day in bleedin lycra!

Some times I wear it, some times I don't, a leisurely road/canal ride will see me use Endura baggy's with padded inners. On a road (ride only) outing I usually wear lycra, but, if it's one of those days where I start playing mind games with myself about my hairy legs, I might go a for a pair of very small black shorts with lycra underneath.

 

[screenman]

I can see there are times when Lycra may not be suitable, however it seems to me that whenever possible it is the nicest thing to wear when cycling.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I can see there are times when Lycra may not be suitable, however it seems to me that whenever possible it is the nicest thing to wear when cycling.

+1 - I don't give a toss. If, when wearing cycling kit (= tight shorts/bibs jersey etc), I need to buy petrol (driving back with bike from an event), or pop into a supermarket, I just do it. No one seems bothered. I'm not bothered. Don't worry about it. Runners wear kit suitable for running in. Wear kit suitable for cycling in. Nothing worse than baggy cargos flapping in the wind, and a baggy top billowing like a sail. Its not new. We wore close fitting woollen shorts and tops back in the 60's. It is no big deal.

 

[MarkF]

I can see there are times when Lycra may not be suitable, however it seems to me that whenever possible it is the nicest thing to wear when cycling.

I agree, it is. However, I use my bike whenever I can and for maybe 50% of the time I am cycling to somewhere where lycra is not suitable,

 

[Demented]

I started off wearing normal clothing. I then bought some mountain biking trousers and tops. I then tried wearing lycra under the mountain biking gear.
One day I took the plunge and wore the lycra shorts on their own and felt very naked. But after a couple of rides it felt normal and I haven't looked back since.
I now wear Bib shorts and tops and it all being tight fitting definately stops it flapping in the wind.
The main thing is enjoy getting out on the bike and being as comfortable as possible.

 

[Nearly there]

Your first lycra outing will feel odd but then become normal,I know loads of Fat people who prefer the automobile with big bellies and many chins who ridicule lycra clad people dunno why

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Can anyone recommend some reasonably priced padded MTB shorts?

 

[vickster]

Endura Hummvee - £40-50ish (shorts are cheaper than 3/4).

Otherwise, just get some normal walking shorts or similar and wear your padded ones underneath

 

[korsch]

Lycra the worst especially when you have to cycle behind someone wearing lycra shorts with the back section stretch from use to the point that its see through.
But honestly unless you're a hardcore professional its not going to change anything so why waste money

 

[youngoldbloke]

But honestly unless you're a hardcore professional its not going to change anything so why waste money

- because it is so much more comfortable ?

 

[grumpyoldgit]

- because it is so much more comfortable ?

True.korsch,have you never tried a decent st of proper padded bibs?From your statement,I would guess not.

 

[SWSteve]

Lycra the worst especially when you have to cycle behind someone wearing lycra shorts with the back section stretch from use to the point that its see through.
But honestly unless you're a hardcore professional its not going to change anything so why waste money

I love it when motorists can see through my overly stretched shorts lycra shorts are very comfortable though, take the plunge.