More expensive shorts - are they worth it?

[Onthedrops]

Evening all!

I currently have a pair of muddyfox/sports direct shorts with a foam pad. On a recent ride out my backside began aching just over half way round the loop. Been off the bike for some time since. Just had a half hour thrash with same said shorts and within no time the old butt ache returned (shorter distance)

Is it worth investing in a decent pair of shorts with a better quality chamois or is it a case of carrying on and get my backside used to being in the saddle?

Cheers!

 

[philinmerthyr]

Better quality shorts do help and bibshorts are more comfortable than normal shorts in my opinion. You do need to get over the initial pain by riding to get used to being in the saddle though

 

[Rob3rt]

I don't know the answer to your question (it is very hard to know the cause of your discomfort!) but high quality shorts are well worth the money IMO.

 

[Onthedrops]

I don't know the answer to your question (it is very hard to know the cause of your discomfort!) but high quality shorts are well worth the money IMO.

I reckon the aching is from my sit bones. Lasted a while afterwards too. I knew I'd been on a bike ride!

 

[wxbull]

I have a pair of muddy fox 20 quid urban shorts, they took a few miles to get used to, but now they are perfect.

 

[SWSteve]

Have these from Wiggle, they've lasted me ~3hours before my seat bones started to ache, and that's a good sign. I've looked at more expensive shorts...but like you I am unsure of the benefit gains

 

[DCLane]

I've used a pair of Pearl Izumi Quest shorts for the past 2 years - and they've done rides of up to 16 hours without issues.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I can most certainly tell the difference in my cheap shorts to my quality shorts, the fit and comfort does not compare imho

 

[Onthedrops]

Have these from Wiggle, they've lasted me ~3hours before my seat bones started to ache, and that's a good sign. I've looked at more expensive shorts...but like you I am unsure of the benefit gains

Reasonable price. Bit unsure of the sizing though. My muddyfoxes are medium, I'm around 33 - 34 waist. Which size is the best for me? Would medium be a bit on the "snug" size?

 

[boybiker]

bib shorts / tights . Look on wiggle at the dhb range and you wont go far wrong!

 

[SWSteve]

Reasonable price. Bit unsure of the sizing though. My muddyfoxes are medium, I'm around 33 - 34 waist. Which size is the best for me? Would medium be a bit on the "snug" size?

I would suggest a medium, I switch between a 32 and a 34 trouser so should be similar to you.

 

[oldfatfool]

Law of diminishing returns once you get over £60'ish £ for £, I also have some MF shorts and some Karrimor (same short different branding?) bought when I first started and I rate them good for a couple of hours. Lidl/Aldi came next with a firmer better fitting foam pad, ok for 4 hours+, then moved onto DHB/ Altura which imo are about the best of the 'budget' shorts and have been happy wearing them on rides 12 hours +

 

[guitarpete247]

I've recently bought a pair of Decathlon 5, bib shorts. Up to now I've had Tenn and Aldi bib tights and shorts. The 5 shorts say they're for rides up to 3 hours. I've only worn them once for just over an hour and can't fault them. The amount of padding is a big increase on what I've worn in the past. I came back in with no sore bits. I have a Brooks saddle that has been molded to my bum for many years and think that these shorts could be for rides of 3 hours +.

 

[Profpointy]

Evening all!

I currently have a pair of muddyfox/sports direct shorts with a foam pad. On a recent ride out my backside began aching just over half way round the loop. Been off the bike for some time since. Just had a half hour thrash with same said shorts and within no time the old butt ache returned (shorter distance)

Is it worth investing in a decent pair of shorts with a better quality chamois or is it a case of carrying on and get my backside used to being in the saddle?

Cheers!

I don't think it's at all clear cut in price = quality stakes for bike clothing, unlike many other things where "you gets what you pay for" is more valid.

I have some Assos kit, which is indeed nice, but in terms of the pad bit at least, my DHB kit is more comfortable, though the Assos is streets ahead in terms of material, construction etc,

I have some very very cheap shorts from Tschibo (spelling?), who used to do gear as a sideline from coffee bizarrely, but despite being only a tenner, hard to see how they could be bettered.

Assos aside, I think quite a lot of fairly run-of-the-mill cycle clothing seems quite dear to me

 

[Peteaud]

Altura pro gel, not cheap but well worth it imho.