awesome! I've never owned a pair.
Today was the Hotter than Hell 100 century race in Wichita Falls, TX. They said that 11000 cyclist left the line this morning. I was signed up to do the offroad race (24 mile trail) but the course flooded monday night, so I got lucky ;D. Anyways, I ended up just hanging around the trade show and race village, drinking beer and buying stuff. I decided I was going to get my first pair of real bicyclist shorts.
I can't believe what I've been missing [laugh] I look silly as hell in them, but they are damn comfortable. I rode about 15 miles tonight, and they felt great! I have drank the cyclist kool-aid....I'm a convert.
here are the obligatory pictures....take last night at the criterion (sp?)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1382.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1375.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1378.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1377.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1383.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1379.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1380.jpg)
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/Le_Pirate/DSCN1381.jpg)
Sorry they are IZ_. I let IZ take them...I mean...my camera couldn't focus [cheeky]
BTW--I made the mistake of taking my wife, and now she wants a road bike (after I just bought her a new Trek XC bike 2 months ago :-X ). So if anyone knows where I can buy used bikes I'd be greatful (nothing more than 400-500 is my budget...I can't afford another new bike right now). I keep trying to convince her that week can throw some slicks on the XC bike and some drop bars, and It'll be the same thing ;D
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 23, 2008, 08:29:07 PM
Sorry they are IZ_. I let IZ take them...I mean...my camera couldn't focus [cheeky]
i was wondering why you were takin pics of the guys and cops standing on the corner... they're in perfect focus.
yeah...it's a 4 year old nikon point-n-shoot....the auto focus is less than wonderful :-\
I bought a couple pair when I rode up to Ouray last year. They are awesome! Makes getting the leathers off easier...
Follow the object.
C'mon debry help him out.
maybe the shorts were too tight? [cheeky]
bike shorts are amazingly comfortable. i could wear them all day long practically.
however, it is a very nice feeling when you take them off and free everything up.
It's official..he's loud and proud now! [cheeky]
Please..no pics of said bike shorts are required!!
yeah they're silly looking but a couple hours in the saddle and they pay off. I always wear mine under some 'regular' shorts so i don't look so creepy eating lunch.
they're great on the duc too.
Andy
A friend of mine did the HH100 this weekend, I"m waiting to hear back how she did.
How much Kool-Aid did you drink? Let's find out...
Did you wear briefs under your cycling shorts?
Did you wear shorts over your bike shorts?
Did you use chamois cream?
Did you log the ride on bikejournal.com?
Looks like fun times, congrats. [thumbsup]
I usually use MTB shorts, even on the road bike.
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 23, 2008, 08:29:07 PMBTW--I made the mistake of taking my wife, and now she wants a road bike (after I just bought her a new Trek XC bike 2 months ago :-X ). So if anyone knows where I can buy used bikes I'd be greatful (nothing more than 400-500 is my budget...I can't afford another new bike right now). I keep trying to convince her that week can throw some slicks on the XC bike and some drop bars, and It'll be the same thing ;D
Craigslist special?
And some of those XC bikes can do quite well on the road.
Quote from: Privateer on August 24, 2008, 08:48:06 AM
yeah they're silly looking but a couple hours in the saddle and they pay off. I always wear mine under some 'regular' shorts so i don't look so creepy eating lunch.
they're great on the duc too.
Andy
i tried that, but i found that on the road bike it's more comfy if i just wear them by themselves. on the mtn bike i'm out of the saddle often enough that it doesn't matter.
Quote from: IZ on August 24, 2008, 08:43:41 AM
Please..no pics of said bike shorts are required!!
I assumed that was a given [cheeky]
Quote from: swerdna on August 24, 2008, 09:50:39 AM
How much Kool-Aid did you drink? Let's find out...
Did you wear briefs under your cycling shorts?
Did you wear shorts over your bike shorts?
Did you use chamois cream?
Did you log the ride on bikejournal.com?
I didn't wear the briefs under them, but I did throw some gym shorts over top (I'm just not that comfortable wearing skin tight clothing in public [laugh] )
no chamois cream, and I didn't know bikejournal.com existed.
So.....just a little kool-aid, and not the full pitcher? I don't have a cycling jersy either....I'm just not quite that hardcore on my afternoon rides.
Next stop: leg shaving.
BTDT, but it was back in my racin' days... (side note: we had a guy who lived with the nickname "Underwear Bob" for years on our team because he showed up for a training ride with briefs on clear display under his shorts. You don't want nothin' there to bunch up and poke you wrong at around mile 90.)
Good shorts, seriously, are the first accessory I suggest for folks just starting to ride any distance. Then gloves, then good bike shoes matched to clipless pedals. The jersey's the last thing after you've done those -- mostly for the handy pockets on the back.
Quote from: triangleforge on August 24, 2008, 08:15:38 PM
Next stop: leg shaving.
I prefer Veet. Simple, effective, no ingrown hairs.
Quote
Good shorts, seriously, are the first accessory I suggest for folks just starting to ride any distance. Then gloves, then good bike shoes matched to clipless pedals. The jersey's the last thing after you've done those -- mostly for the handy pockets on the back.
+1
Where are you at with pedals? Straps? Cages? Clipless already?
I've got a ton of bib shorts from years and years of cycling. The ones with holes get used for all day moto riding under my gear. In the warm months, the only thing under my Airglide overpants is a pair of cycling bib shorts.
Quote from: triangleforge on August 24, 2008, 08:15:38 PM
Next stop: leg shaving.
Nothing like getting under the sheets for the first time!
Gotta do this...don't want to be called a hairy leg or Cat10!
Quote from: ducpenguin on August 25, 2008, 12:11:23 PM
Nothing like getting under the sheets for the first time!
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] Yeah, I remember that...
Quote from: swerdna on August 24, 2008, 10:02:57 PM
Where are you at with pedals? Straps? Cages? Clipless already?
I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time [laugh]
Actually, It might be a whole new bike. My cranks have the ever scary creeeakkk-creeeakkk. think they are toast...and replacing them would mean spend about as much as I bought the bike for :-[
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 25, 2008, 01:41:38 PM
I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time [laugh]
It's probably a lot to do with what we're used to -- for me, riding platform pedals on technical terrain actually gives me the willies and takes away my (limited) ability to bunny hop. Even though I know full well that there are plenty of platform pedal BMXers out there who could nearly hop over me WHILE I'm in mid-air.
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 25, 2008, 01:41:38 PM
but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time [laugh]
Shimano M-647 clipless, with platforms, are the shit. Get the cleats that allow multi-directional release (SH-55, or something). I ride these all the time, as an all-mountain rider and super D racer; they rock. There are lighter out there, Time makes some carbon-fiber dealios, but they are harder to get in and out of.
....i know what you are thinking Joel....dont EVEN try it!! >:(
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 25, 2008, 01:41:38 PM
I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time [laugh]
don't worry, you'll have a clip fall too, just liek the rest of us.
that's how you learn that you have the clip set too tight, or that you have to twist and you can't just pick you foot up off the pedal anymore.
iused to ride platforms when i was a messenger, then when i started riding for fun and needed new pedals i went with SPDs. that way when i am on the road bike i don't walk like i spent the night in jail.
I started with a pair of half-platform/half-clipless SPD pedals (M-324). It's a great way to learn, since you can use the pedals as regular platforms, and slowly work your way into the clipless thing. I moved to the Crank Brothers clipless system after that, but I highly recommend the Shimano M-324 pedals for someone getting started with clipless.
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 25, 2008, 01:41:38 PM
I come from the BMX world...so my bike currently has a set of Haro platform petals on it, but I think my next bicycle purchase will probably be a set of clipless. I'm still a little scared though...never know when a tree root or something will catch me off guard and then I won't be able to get a foot down in time [laugh]
Actually, It might be a whole new bike. My cranks have the ever scary creeeakkk-creeeakkk. think they are toast...and replacing them would mean spend about as much as I bought the bike for :-[
set them loose to start with and work your way up on release tension. I never had trouble releasing when I had to, and more often i had more trouble getting out just to stop and take a break.
that creaking might be the bottom bracket, not the cranks. cheaper replacement than a whole new set.
Andy
Are bike shorts any different than the under armour shorts that I already have? Or are they basically the same thing?
Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem? :-\ Am I missing something?
Quote from: WannaDucBad on August 27, 2008, 07:31:36 PM
Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem? :-\ Am I missing something?
Just depends on the kind of riding you're doing...if that works for you, that's great. [thumbsup]
Quote from: WannaDucBad on August 27, 2008, 07:31:36 PM
Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem? :-\ Am I missing something?
I have done the same thing for years (my bike was about 280 new....6 years ago). I started having some issues (ahem....down under) which led me to the bicycle shorts. They're padded, super breathable, and anti-funk.
the pedals are just something I've been thinking about....I keep hearing how much easier they make it to put power down.
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 28, 2008, 04:31:04 AM
the pedals are just something I've been thinking about....I keep hearing how much easier they make it to put power down.
Yep, especially when you are doing lots of climbing. My road bike has SPDs, my folder has half SPD/half platforms, so that I can ride in either kind of shoes.
When I'm doing steep hills with just the platforms I really miss having the clipless!
Quote from: WannaDucBad on August 27, 2008, 07:31:36 PM
Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem? :-\ Am I missing something?
Climb a lot? Clipless and stiff shoes are the shit. I just got a pair of 'lycra-boy'-esque MTB shoes that are stiff as hell. I'm not used to them yet; I also have a pair of hike-able clipless shoes for high alpine hike-a-bike riding. The riding shorts are a no-brainer, but get baggies, not that lycra shit.
bike shorts have padding in them, the theory is that if you have the padding in the shorts you dont' need as much on the seat,
there is a reason why tour de france guys that ride average 100 miles a day for 21 days wear these shorts, they work.
the whole spandex thing, once you "get over yourself" and remember that nobody is reallly looking at you because you honestly are not that great looking in spandex even if you do look like lance, then just wear them, as long as you are comfortable what do you care?..
also the whole wearing shorts over the bike shorts, is really done in mtb bc when you fall the outer shorts will take the brunt of it so that you don't tear your 150 dollar bib shorts you are wearing underneath.
when you are riding a road bike, then wearing baggy shorts on the outside is sorta lame, just get over yourself and wear the biek shorts liek you should with nothing outside them.. wearing baggy shorts here is akin to wearing a full moto gp style 1 piece leathers and kit while riding a 50 cc vespa, sure you can do it and people will make fun of you, but honestly you know and i knw that its overkill and sorta lame looking.
also once you go to clipless pedals you won't go back, the only guys that seriously bike that don't use clipless are bmx and downhill riders bc they do so many jumps and don't want to be clipped to the bike, but for everyone else they are great.
try the bib shorts for a long ride once you do you will wonder why you didn't get them earlier.. they are that good.. its like riding a 1970s honda cb and then riding a modern sportbike you will be literally amazed a tthe difference in the ride of teh bike.
Quote from: WannaDucBad on August 27, 2008, 07:31:36 PM
Is all this gear really necesary? I have a $200 bike, Athletic shoes, cargo shorts(for the pockets) and a t-shirt. I'm fine like that, never noticed a problem? :-\ Am I missing something?
Actually, that's about what I look like most of the time on my fixie, though I've got clipless pedals on it. For running around town that's all you need. But if you wanted to go out and ride 20, 40, 100 miles, things like good shorts, a saddle that fits you & other gear start to make a bigger and bigger difference. That's not to say that folks haven't ridden 100+ kitted out just like you describe, but it's a whole lot less fun -- saddle sores are some nasty stuff, believe me.
And the MTB shorts (most of which have a lycra bike short and pad inside 'em) are a good option if you're not ready for the whole skin-tight thing. Mostly, roadies wear the traditional bike shorts, mountain bikers wear the cargo-short-with-bike-short liner ones, and each makes fun of the other. It's the circle of life. I keep meaning to spring for a pair of the MTB shorts, but so far I just wear pre-crashed road shorts when I'm out on dirt, so I don't really care what happens to them.
And everybody laughs at the guy who shows up with panty lines underneath his bike shorts from wearing briefs or (shudder) boxers underneath. One really fast guy on our team lived with the nickname "Underwear Bob" for all the years I knew him, because he showed up for one early training ride with briefs underneath. Don't let this happen to you.
Quote from: sbrguy on August 28, 2008, 08:39:06 AM
also once you go to clipless pedals you won't go back, the only guys that seriously bike that don't use clipless are bmx and downhill riders bc they do so many jumps and don't want to be clipped to the bike, but for everyone else they are great.
I need to learn to ride/jump with flats. It takes some getting used to, from what I hear.
Lets be honest here. The only reason MTB'er wear cargo shorts is to have a place to keep thier stash.
Quote from: Sinister on August 28, 2008, 09:08:58 AM
I need to learn to ride/jump with flats. It takes some getting used to, from what I hear.
I can bunny hop something fierce (due to years on a 20") with platforms....I can only imagine what it'll be like to do it with the bike attached to your feet [evil]
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 28, 2008, 10:39:46 AM
I can bunny hop something fierce (due to years on a 20") with platforms....I can only imagine what it'll be like to do it with the bike attached to your feet [evil]
That's the thing with clipless: you get lazy and use your feet to pull up the bike instead of bunny hopping right. Flats make you a better rider. So much of the stuff I do is hike-a-bike, anyway, I've been pondering going to flats.
Quote from: Le Pirate on August 28, 2008, 10:39:46 AM
I can bunny hop something fierce (due to years on a 20") with platforms....I can only imagine what it'll be like to do it with the bike attached to your feet [evil]
be careful with that. when i first went to clipless i went to hop off a curb and pulled the back of the bike up way too high which resulted in a few things.
1) i got an uncomfortable meeting with the horn of my seat
2) i was over my front wheel before i realized what was going on
3) i pulled an impressive stoppie into moving traffic without touching the front brakes
Quote from: FatguyRacer on August 28, 2008, 10:30:29 AM
Lets be honest here. The only reason MTB'er wear cargo shorts is to have a place to keep thier stash.
True stories from the start line of a road bike race: a bunch of super-fit guys nervously explaining to one another how badly the previous week's training went.
True stories from the start line of a MTB race: a bunch of super-fit guys nervously explaining to one another how hungover/stoned/hungover AND stoned they are.
And at 'cross races, it's all of the above...
Quote from: Sinister on August 28, 2008, 11:05:32 AM
That's the thing with clipless: you get lazy and use your feet to pull up the bike instead of bunny hopping right. Flats make you a better rider. So much of the stuff I do is hike-a-bike, anyway, I've been pondering going to flats.
Makes lots of sense to me. I know I really depend way too much on being attached to the pedals, and my extremely limited vertical range shows it.
The bunny hop thing is all well and good, but how many of you fellers can trackstand your motorcycle?
Quote from: FatguyRacer on August 28, 2008, 01:38:31 PM
The bunny hop thing is all well and good, but how many of you fellers can trackstand your motorcycle?
I wouldn't even try. I can't trackstand a skateboard, man.
Quote from: FatguyRacer on August 28, 2008, 01:38:31 PM
The bunny hop thing is all well and good, but how many of you fellers can trackstand your motorcycle?
i actually do a bit better on the moto than i do on my road bike. :-[
Quote from: KnightofNi on August 28, 2008, 05:33:57 PM
i actually do a bit better on the moto than i do on my road bike. :-[
I think I do as well....