Padded cycle shorts

[inkd]

Hi all, a bit of advice please. As im gearing up to start commuting after xmas, i have been getting a few essentials with some birthday money and had some really good bargains. Rucksack, buff, lights and baselayer.
I have never used any padded cycle gear for my bottoms just been using tracky bottoms, I was thinking on getting a pair of padded cycle shorts to go under my work trousers (work trousers are as thin as a teabag) Do they really make a difference in comfort? my commute is 21 mile round trip. Are there any brands that i should avoid? Many thx for your input.

 

[ianrauk]

If you are comfortable enough not wearing padded shorts then why would you want some?
Are you not comfortable on your bike at that distance?
However they do make a bike ride more comfortable.

The thing is, if you are doing a 5 day commute then you would need 5 pairs of shorts if you are not able to do washing midweek. Wearing padded shorts 2 days in a row is a filthy no-no.

But seeing as your commute is not far then I would go for something like Wiggles own brand DHB or Decathlon etc

 

[Boon 51]

Get a cheapish pair and try them out, I have four pairs, two for summer and two pair of winter thermals..

 

[e-rider]

I have to disagree with the advice of getting a cheap pair. Cheap cycling shorts are often incredibly uncomfortable and you would probably be better off not wearing them at all. As the commute is relatively short, you might not need to wear any, but if you do, buy some half-decent ones which start at about £40.

21 mile round trip is going to be quite tough in bad January weather - you'll quickly find that you need all kinds of extra kit to get you through that! Once we get to April you'll be loving it though.

 

[Psyclist]

Get bib shorts, something like Pearl Izumi are good for the price, and +1 to the above post. Don't go cheap.

 

[inkd]

Thx, I was looking at twice a week to start off with. As im still breaking my bike in, around 10 miles is the average time my arse starts to feel it but its far from painful. I just thought that not only the added comfort but the extra warmth for the nether regions. I dont think my money would stretch too far but i might do the ebay thing and look out for a new pair on there. Thx, if you find any good deals could you put the link up please

 

[mip]

Hard to look beyond DHB when looking for value for money.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-cycling-bib-short/

 

[Boon 51]

I have to disagree with the advice of getting a cheap pair. Cheap cycling shorts are often incredibly uncomfortable and you would probably be better off not wearing them at all. As the commute is relatively short, you might not need to wear any, but if you do, buy some half-decent ones which start at about £40.

21 mile round trip is going to be quite tough in bad January weather - you'll quickly find that you need all kinds of extra kit to get you through that! Once we get to April you'll be loving it though.

Considering you could spend £250 + on bib shorts £40 is cheap...

 

[e-rider]

Hard to look beyond DHB when looking for value for money.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-cycling-bib-short/

dhb might be cheap but it's also frequently a bit rubbish

 

[e-rider]

Considering you could spend £250 + on bib shorts £40 is cheap...

Assos unos are about £100 - £250 is an extreme example of the cost. £40 will get a pair of non-bibs that are actually worth wearing.

 

[rosski]

I commute about 30 miles per day. i started off using a cheap muddy fox pair of cycling shorts with some foam padding and then moved onto dhb but the best for value and quality that i have found are these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/OpenRoad-Padded-Cycling-Shorts-Medium/dp/B007PDR2JC/ref=sr_1_1

 

[cyberknight]

I use decathlon "3" shorts for my 10 mile each way trip and they are comfy and have not fell to bits in 5 minutes unlike aldi /lidl specials/ sports direct or tenn stuff.I have used them up to about 40 miles and there ok.For longer rides i use the "5" bib shorts and i am comfy all day long.I have a couple of pairs of those that are still going strong after 2.5 years .
Another bonus is they come in proper uk sizes and are consistant as other brands even expensive ones i have found the cut / shape and sizing can be a horror story.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Seems to be hit & miss with shorts/tights/knickers bibs or non-bibs. sometimes Dhb ones have been fine, mostly not for either my OH or myself. I have some really comfortable North Wave winter bib tights which have been fantastic, but my OH did not like his pair at all.
We both agree that the Assos ones are fantastic (and in our experience worth every penny). We did a 12 month tour in them, wearing them all day every day and love them even more, but as pointed out, they are not cheap or even vaguely sensible prices for someone starting out commuting...

The bigger question is why do you think you need them? as ianrauk says, if you are currently fine why do you need any? Personally I would wait and see how the commute works out, then suss out what you need and buy it as the need arises.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

I use muddy fox padded tights from Sports Direct, paid £12 I think. Also have a pair of padded shorts for about £7. I bike 15 miles each way on my commute and think the tights in particular are very comfortable. They are not the best made, but they do the job for me, though I do like the look of those that Rosski linked to

 

[Crankarm]

In winter you will need leggings not shorts othwerwise you will freeze. 21 miles round trip is a significant distance. I would NOT recommend cycling in work clothes unless you are a chav who works for the council and wear one of those huge fluorescent hi-viz coats and huge hob nail boots ......... in mid July.

Decathlon shorts are very good value. I've had several pairs for 4 years now and they are still going strong. A good comfortable pad, panelled to keep shape and about £15-20. Also extremely good are Endura Thermolite tights/bibs for when it is VERY cold. They are warm and also have reasonable water repellancy to keep you dry. The tights cost about £65 and the bibs about £75, but they are worth the cost. If you want cheap leggings then SportsDirect do pretty good panelled ones for £10. I have a few pairs. Wear them over the top of your cycling shorts. You can wear another pair of non padded shorts on top these as well to give you three layers when it is chill and to protect your veg.

If you don't have anywhere to dry your kit at work for your ride home then you will need a spare set of kit to take with you in the morning for the ride home unless you can put up with putting on wet clothes, but if it is freezing weather you will struggle to wam up and probably catch flu or pneumonia. After a long day it is not nice putting on damp or wet kit.

Also ditch the rucksack and fit a rack to your bike and use panniers ideally water proof ones such as Vaude or Ortlieb. Riding with a rucksack over longer distances ruins your back. It is so much nicer riding without anything on your back affecting balance and your ability to control your bike.

You will also need pretty good cycling shoes, several layers of good socks, over shoes, warm and waterproof gloves, fleece hat and neck fleece. Proper cycling jacket such as an Endura.

Several spare tubes, tyre levers, gas canisters and pump.

It will cost you a few £££££. Maybe you would prefer to start in the Spring?