bike shorts - cushion for more pushin :)

[bobsbarricades]

So I just started cycling and went for an hour and a half ride yesterday, hoped on my bike today and had some SUPER tender spots on my rump. The memory of my friend advising biking shorts suddenly popped into my head and I wanted to ask here for opinions/best deals/must haves and what's really bad.

Thanks so much

[vascdoc]

So I just started cycling and went for an hour and a half ride yesterday, hoped on my bike today and had some SUPER tender spots on my rump. The memory of my friend advising biking shorts suddenly popped into my head and I wanted to ask here for opinions/best deals/must haves and what's really bad.

Thanks so much
If you do a search for bicycle shorts you will find more answer than you could imagine. To sum it up - your rump is a very personal area - the fit and comfort is also a very personal issue. Personally I like the Pearl 3D microsensor to the best fit relative to cost. I bought the Assos Mille bib shorts and they are very good but are almost twice the price and not twice as good. I hate the Cannondale Carbon shorts. I also hate any gel shorts or gel bicycle seats. If you wait long enough someone on this forum will give you a completely different response. Also try some chamois cream before long rides. Good luck and experiment.

[bobsbarricades]

If you do a search for bicycle shorts you will find more answer than you could imagine. To sum it up - your rump is a very personal area - the fit and comfort is also a very personal issue. Personally I like the Pearl 3D microsensor to the best fit relative to cost. I bought the Assos Mille bib shorts and they are very good but are almost twice the price and not twice as good. I hate the Cannondale Carbon shorts. I also hate any gel shorts or gel bicycle seats. If you wait long enough someone on this forum will give you a completely different response. Also try some chamois cream before long rides. Good luck and experiment.
well what are some more budget shorts? 50 bucks range - is that even possible to get a good pair?

[capwater]

So I just started cycling .....

Give your butt some time to get in shape, it takes some time.

[bobsbarricades]

Give your butt some time to get in shape, it takes some time.
well it's not necessarily the cheek section..... It's more inward... not the middle 'muscle...' but around it.

..... how ackward....

[kaikane]

well what are some more budget shorts? 50 bucks range - is that even possible to get a good pair?unfortunately for your budget, you get what you pay for in bike shorts. you buy cheap shorts, you might as well ride in street clothes, in my experience.
I've found decent shorts for around 75.00 from pearl izumi when they're on sale from a company like www.nashbar.com
colorado cyclist had some great budget shorts (their house brand) for 50.00 but I haven't been able to find them anymore. you might try their site, too.
good luck.

[bobsbarricades]

unfortunately for your budget, you get what you pay for in bike shorts. you buy cheap shorts, you might as well ride in street clothes, in my experience.
I've found decent shorts for around 75.00 from pearl izumi when they're on sale from a company like www.nashbar.com
colorado cyclist had some great budget shorts (their house brand) for 50.00 but I haven't been able to find them anymore. you might try their site, too.
good luck.
that kind of brings me to another question. I need to get some other essentials. Car rack/little snap on table-rack to tie on bags and the like/helmet as well as said shorts. Any suggested websites?

[kdelong]

well it's not necessarily the cheek section..... It's more inward... not the middle 'muscle...' but around it.

..... how ackward....
I beleive that you have a problem that padded shorts is not going to help. Your weight is supposed to be supported by your Ischial Tuberosities, or sit bones in English. If your saddle is extra plush, it could be that you are being supported by the soft tissue around the sit bones, and this is the cause of your pain. It could also end your sex life if you ride like this too many times. Check the fit of the saddle. Is it extra plush? My saddle is very hard with just a little gel padding where my Ischials contact it. Is your saddle wide enough to support your weight on your sit bones? I know one guy who has a wide pelvis and has to use a woman's specific saddle. Since you are rather new at this, you should probably find an LBS that has a saddle fit kit and let them see if your saddle matches you, or find you one that does.

As some have stated, you are going to feel a little pain if you are relatively new, but it should be right under your Ischials, not more inward.

[bobsbarricades]

I beleive that you have a problem that padded shorts is not going to help. Your weight is supposed to be supported by your Ischial Tuberosities, or sit bones in English. If your saddle is extra plush, it could be that you are being supported by the soft tissue around the sit bones, and this is the cause of your pain. It could also end your sex life if you ride like this too many times. Check the fit of the saddle. Is it extra plush? My saddle is very hard with just a little gel padding where my Ischials contact it. Is your saddle wide enough to support your weight on your sit bones? I know one guy who has a wide pelvis and has to use a woman's specific saddle. Since you are rather new at this, you should probably find an LBS that has a saddle fit kit and let them see if your saddle matches you, or find you one that does.

As some have stated, you are going to feel a little pain if you are relatively new, but it should be right under your Ischials, not more inward.
well if it's more inward I'm ok. It's not dead center, where I would associate a problem.

I looked it up, and those little guys, the Ischial Tuberosities, seem to be in the dead back of the seat. It doesn't seem possible, to sit on those unless seated totally upright...or if I were to create an intensely un-natural curve in my lower spine.

[Farmguy]

When looking at shorts, consider bibs, little more money, "butt" as much time as you plan to spend sitting on the bike they are well worth the extra cash.

[kestrel0222]

that kind of brings me to another question. I need to get some other essentials. Car rack/little snap on table-rack to tie on bags and the like/helmet as well as said shorts. Any suggested websites?I like Pricepoint.com, they have some really good deals. They customer service is top notch!!

Tom

[bobsbarricades]

OK - so I know you guys recomended some good shorts, but I ended up going with pricepoints Ultra 8 panel shorts because I figured if I get a cheaper pair of shorts, then i'll know what to look for in the next nicer pair I buy. At least that's been my logic for most purchases and it's worked out pretty good so far.

I got these and, being my first pair of bike shorts...need some instructions shall we say :)

One - it seems that the back is higher than the front. is this by design? Or should it be circular all the way around - thus leaving some baggage in the gluteus area.

Two - I don't think there is any way around this one but my jewels need to be flipped up to avoid rather uncomfy contact with the pad on the bottom and to tell you the truth I don't know which is more uncomfortable. I havn't gone out for a ride but they feel pretty good in the seat - which is really all that matters...I'm just lookin for some 'expert advice' if that makes any sense.

.....am I just retarted? Or do people normally just kind of work through stuff like this?

[cyberlegend1994]

One - it seems that the back is higher than the front. is this by design?Yes - bike shorts are cut higher in the back because of the leaning-forward position of road riding - this helps prevent showing what many refer to as "plumber's crack" :D.

Two - I don't think there is any way around this one but my jewels need to be flipped up to avoid rather uncomfy contact with the pad on the bottom and to tell you the truth I don't know which is more uncomfortable. I havn't gone out for a ride but they feel pretty good in the seat - which is really all that matters...I'm just lookin for some 'expert advice' if that makes any sense.

.....am I just retarted? Or do people normally just kind of work through stuff like this?Check the tilt of your saddle - if the front is tilted too high, this can be unconfortable.