Why Wear Cycling Shorts?
Why Wear Cycling Shorts?
If there is one thing your non-cycling friends are likely to comment on it is wearing tight lycra cycling shorts. A lot of people are embarrassed to wear cycling shorts so why would anyone bother and what are the alternatives?
First of all the reason, people wear cycling shorts is because they make cycling long distances much more comfortable. Decent quality cycling shorts will have a pad inside (sometimes known as a chamois). Which is designed to provide cushioning and relief for your sensitive bits. For obvious reasons, men’s and women’s cycling shorts will have different pads with different shapes.
The pad in cycling shorts is designed seamless and made of a material that reduces friction. It will also be designed not to soak up sweat and water, again to reduce friction. The pad is one the most important part of the cycling short and many manufacturers have their own designs.
Why Do They Have To Be So Tight?
Partly you want cycling shorts to be tight so that the pad stays in place. So there is no excess material to get in the way and rub. When you are moving around on the bike there will also be no excess material to get caught on the saddle or elsewhere.
What Do Cyclist Wear Under Cycling Shorts?
This is a question lots of new cyclists are embarrassed to ask and the simple answer is nothing. Cycling shorts are designed to reduce friction between you and your saddle. Adding in a pair of pants will put the friction back in.
Alternatives To Tight Lycra Cycling Shorts
If you really can’t bring yourself to wear tight lycra cycling shorts there are two main alternatives. These are:
Undershorts – basically padded underwear, undershorts are designed to be worn under normal clothes while still having some of the cushioning and friction relieving benefits.
Baggy shorts – many mountain bikers wear baggy shorts which will have either an integrated or semi-integrated padded liner underneath. This gives you many of the benefits of a lycra cycling short. But doesn’t look weird if you want to go to the pub. You just need to watch that you don’t catch the shorts on your saddle.
What Are Bib Shorts All About?
Once you have got your head around cycling shorts generally the next step is the bib short. Bib shorts are what all serious road cyclists wear and are common with other types of cyclists as well. Bib shorts have an extended back and front. This means you won’t get builders bum when you bend over on the bike. It helps to keep the shorts in place better and stops them from moving around as much. This reduces friction, increases comfort and stops your back from getting chilly.
For men having a wee whilst wearing bib shorts is fairly straightforward. Female cyclists, it can involve quite a lot of undressing. For this reason, there are a number of different designs for women’s bib tights with quick release clips, halter necks and other options being available. Assos have one of the best systems which use a clip at the front.
What Are The Best Cycling Shorts?
Assos basically invented the modern lycra cycling shorts and they are still widely regarded as making the best cycling shorts in the world.
