Mickle's tip of the week - Lycra shorts

[Davidc]

People cycling long distances without padded shorts is just wrong, please stop, it makes my eyes water just thinking about it.

No it isn't!

I agree with tyred - use a Brooks B17 saddle. No need then for padding or lycra, just ordinary clothes or sports shorts from sportsdirect.

Have to say that I've been trying out a Charge Spoon (at about 1/3 the price of a Brooks) on the tourer to see how it feels, and have so far found the same - no need for any padding, lycra, or anything similar. No soreness or discomfort but it isn't quite as comfy as the Brooks.

(When I get the time I'll take the Spoon on a 60+ mile trip and really test it)

 

[guitarpete247]

The GF has banned me from visiting her at work in my lycra

. I have some padded normal looking shorts I bought from Tenn last year for going shopping and visiting her office.

I always thought it was the seams on normal clothing that was the main cause of discomfort.

 

[Crackle]

Oooh, quite a contentious one this week.

 

[Moodyman]

Mick - you forgot the aerodynamic effect of Spandex. Less material flapping around and all that.

Not to mention the better visibility of the leg contours.

 

[mickle]

Mick - you forgot the aerodynamic effect of Spandex. Less material flapping around and all that.

The previous draft which disappeared into the ether for no apparent reason mentioned that very thing: the parachute effect of regular shorts.

 

[mickle]

Oooh, quite a contentious one this week.

Ooh I know! So many wrong people on one thread!

 

[mickle]

It's interesting that so many people are so very anti-Lycra. I had no idea.

How many of the people who eschew Lycra in favour of Y-fronts have actually tried a decent pair of cycling shorts I wonder.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I eschewed lycra once - worst thing I ever tasted.

 

[John the Monkey]

Have to say that I've been trying out a Charge Spoon (at about 1/3 the price of a Brooks) on the tourer to see how it feels, and have so far found the same - no need for any padding, lycra, or anything similar. No soreness or discomfort but it isn't quite as comfy as the Brooks.

Pah.

I ride 200 miles on a plank with a rusty nail through it (&c).

I have a B17, I'd still choose to wear bike specific stuff for anything over 5 miles or so. (I've ridden 20 miles in jeans - didn't like it much).

If you can get by in jeans, shorts, jean shorts, hot pants, leather trousers - good for you. Your experience seems atypical for long distance though, it must be said.

 

[Panter]

Pah.

I ride 200 miles on a plank with a rusty nail through it (&c).

I have a B17, I'd still choose to wear bike specific stuff for anything over 5 miles or so. (I've ridden 20 miles in jeans - didn't like it much).

If you can get by in jeans, shorts, jean shorts, hot pants, leather trousers - good for you. Your experience seems atypical for long distance though, it must be said.

I've dispensed with the plank and just use a rusty nail, far less chance of sliding around on the bike

In all seriousness, I couldn't do my commute without lycra, albeit hidden as it is under a pair of baggies

 

[redjedi]

I find that riding my bike (or at least looking like I was recently on one) is the only way I can get away with wearing skin tight muscle hugging lycra in public and not get arrested for indecent exposure. Why would you pass up that opportunity?

 

[Night Train]

I'm not anti lycra, just anti 'the lycra look'. Also I carry enough stuff with me without having to carry a change of clothes so I can get off the bike without getting laughed at around here.

Lycra also isn't a good look when riding a Hungarian folding bike down to the local shops.


I think the real issue is the reason for being on a bike.
If I were riding a road bike for 50-100 miles in the least time possible just for the sake of riding the bike, maybe with a club or a group of fellow nutters, then lycra would probably make a difference I think.

Riding a shopping bike or a hack to the local shops or for a commute of a few miles to do some hard grafting work, where the time on the bike is a brief period compared to the main activity at the other end of the ride, is best suited to jeans and tee shirt type clothing.
If I turned up at the theatre to paint the set wearing lycra, I'd be laughed at and then asked to leave so that others can get on with their rehearsal without giggling.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

It's interesting that so many people are so very anti-Lycra. I had no idea.

How many of the people who eschew Lycra in favour of Y-fronts have actually tried a decent pair of cycling shorts I wonder.

I've been cycling for a very long time, when I first started I wasn't aware there were cycle clothes so I just cycled in ordinary clothes. These days I have cycle clothing, but nothing padded, I have not been uncomfortable cycling without padding so see no point in starting to use it. The shorts I am using are these
http://www.corinnede...g-shorts-3.html
I also wear Altura summer and winter cruiser tights
http://www.cyclestor...productID=22080
Underneath I wear bamboo boxer shorts
http://www.bambooclo...oduct/MA705-BLK

 

[John the Monkey]

I think the real issue is the reason for being on a bike.
If I were riding a road bike for 50-100 miles in the least time possible just for the sake of riding the bike, maybe with a club or a group of fellow nutters, then lycra would probably make a difference I think.

Exactly. And if folk can manage without on those long rides, then fair enough - but they should also recognise that they're a fortunate minority before scoffing at those who favour padding & "technical" fabric.

 

[Cubist]

All this talk of expensive chamois cream and Sudocrem...... what's wrong with a quick squirt of WD40?