Embarrassing Question

[KenSky]

I recently bought a road bike and am getting into the cycling scene. So far I love it and am learning a lot. However, I do have a question that is a little embarrassing because I haven’t found any other posts where people talk about it. I am a guy and recently purchased my first pair of “real” bike shorts. I know you are not supposed to wear underwear with them, but how do other guys handle the hair down there from sticking through the spandex? Does anyone else have this problem? It is really noticeable after a while.



Is this something that goes away with a better quality short? Is there something I can wear under the shorts that would prevent this and not make me look like a dork?



Any advice would be great.

 

[John M]

That must be some cheap lycra on those shorts. Yes, better shorts use a more substantial fabric. There are some very thin undergarments designed to wear under bike shorts or with non-cycling shorts to make them more suitable for biking. Most cyclists don't wear them under regular shorts, but some do, including my wife because she likes a little more padding.

Look for Andiamo brand

http://www.andiamounderwear.com/index.html

 

[capwater]

Better quality shorts fer sure, but a little trim ain't a bad move either. You want the pad and spandex night and tight so you're not sliding around thus causing sores.

 

[KenSky]

Thanks for the quick replies. I got them at http://www.aerotechdesigns.com/. They are the "MEN's Pro Bike Shorts. I got them because I am just starting out and didn't want to drop $100 on a pair of bike shorts. They were $30.00. So what is a good price to pay for a pair of shorts?

Do most guy cyclists shave down there to keep this from happening?

 

[kdelong]

Do most guy cyclists shave down there to keep this from happening?

Only if we are wearing cheap shorts .

 

[cheapie]

if you're looking for inexpensive shorts that shouldn't do that, you might check out the stuff performancebike offers.

i don't recall any specs detailing a hair-pokethrough-resistant fabric though.

 

[John M]

I agree that performance bike's house brand clothing is a pretty good value. I have a couple of pair of their century shorts that have held up pretty well over several years. Their classic is the lightweight stuff so I would avoid that. Avoid the 5 oz. lycra.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19873&subcategory_ID=1120

 

[rwinthenorth]

I recently bought a road bike and am getting into the cycling scene. So far I love it and am learning a lot. However, I do have a question that is a little embarrassing because I haven’t found any other posts where people talk about it. I am a guy and recently purchased my first pair of “real” bike shorts. I know you are not supposed to wear underwear with them, but how do other guys handle the hair down there from sticking through the spandex? Does anyone else have this problem? It is really noticeable after a while.

Is this something that goes away with a better quality short? Is there something I can wear under the shorts that would prevent this and not make me look like a dork?

Any advice would be great.

Just don't use the Little Miami Trail where people can get to close to you. Better shorts are worth every penny. I'm only a few years into the sport, but I still have my good shorts. If you are hooked into this sport like a crack addict (like I am. I see more and more [size=-1] Parallels[/size] everday.) you will not regret spending $50.00 - 70.00 on a pair of shorts. Better material is just more comfortable and probably will take care of the "image" issue.

 

[KenSky]

I am planning to ride tomorrow (if the weather cooperates) so I stopped by the local bike shop on the way home and picked up a pair of $80 Specialized bike shorts. I do admit that they seem to fit better, but the thickness of the material seems the same as the cheaper shorts. I even looked at a pair of $140 shorts that looked to have the same type of material. I am starting to think it is me. It is almost like they need to put another layer of fabric there or something. I can't believe other guys don't have this problem.

And rwinthenorth, I am starting to think I am addicted. It is like I discovered this great thing and I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. If you ever want to ride with a newbie (hair and all ) let me know. I am looking for others to ride with.

 

[kyperman]

Why don't most guys wear underwear? I know that I actually usually do, that must make me a REAL NUWB. I just can't stand the feeling of being "unprotected so to speak. I can't stand boxer shorts either....lets all remember the now disgraced "Kramer" ..."my boys need a home..!"

I am planning to ride tomorrow (if the weather cooperates) so I stopped by the local bike shop on the way home and picked up a pair of $80 Specialized bike shorts. I do admit that they seem to fit better, but the thickness of the material seems the same as the cheaper shorts. I even looked at a pair of $140 shorts that looked to have the same type of material. I am starting to think it is me. It is almost like they need to put another layer of fabric there or something. I can't believe other guys don't have this problem.

And rwinthenorth, I am starting to think I am addicted. It is like I discovered this great thing and I wonder why I didn't do it sooner. If you ever want to ride with a newbie (hair and all ) let me know. I am looking for others to ride with.

 

[JohnO]

Some of the best cycling investments I made were good jerseys and good shorts. And a proper fitting saddle - I went through four saddles before I found one that was just right. Nope, haven't had a hair problem with the shorts.

We're in a good area for cycling. I live and ride in the Frankfort/Lexington KY area. Lots of quiet backroads around the horse farms, where traffic is low and they keep the roads in good shape. Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been cooperating lately. A bit too much rain.

 

[waxbytes]

I get a few hairs poking through on my bike shorts and it's nothing to do with the quality of the shorts. It's just the nature of my pubic hair. I don't worry about it, and no one else has ever commented to me about it. Dark hair, black shorts, not easy to see unless the viewer is very close up, in which case something else is probably happening anyhow.

 

[capwater]

Why don't most guys wear underwear? I know that I actually usually do, that must make me a REAL NUWB. I just can't stand the feeling of being "unprotected so to speak. I can't stand boxer shorts either....lets all remember the now disgraced "Kramer" ..."my boys need a home..!"

It's all about shifting around. If you slip and slide you get rashes/sores. Not fun. Thus, tight to the skin shorts avoid this tendency. Ya ride enough, you'll get used to it.

 

[KenSky]

I got the chance to ride both Saturday and Sunday. I went out with a friend on Saturday wearing the Specialized Brand or Shorts, but I noticed the problem before I left the house. So I put on a pair of Calvin Klien boxer briefs that I have. I think it is from their tech line. It solved the issue and you couldn't tell I had underwear on. But I will say that during the ride, I felt more constricted. I think it was from the elastic in the underwear and the elastic in the shorts.

On Sunday, since I was riding with the wife, I went sans underwear with the Pro Bike Shorts and even though I could see a several little hairs sticking out when I started, when we finished I didn't notice any. Also, I think it helps that the jersey I bought covered up the top 3-4 inches of the shorts.

However, I will say there is a big difference in feel between the two different brands. The Specialized just felt better and fit better.

Waxbytes, Thanks. I was beginning to think I was the only one with this issue.

 

[capwater]

Don't worry about anything showing, everything does; package, cameltoe, etc. Nobody checks each other out so you just have to get used to wearing very tight shorts.

 

[oldbobcat]

I agree that performance bike's house brand clothing is a pretty good value. I have a couple of pair of their century shorts that have held up pretty well over several years. Their classic is the lightweight stuff so I would avoid that. Avoid the 5 oz. lycra.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19873&subcategory_ID=1120

The Performance house brand shorts are quite serviceable. The chamois are somewhat minimal, and the lycra tends to pill after a season or two, but they cover everything and they're durable. Also check out Excel Sports (www.excelsports.com) for a well-priced upgrade from the Performance stuff.

 

[kslim]

Why don't most guys wear underwear? I know that I actually usually do, that must make me a REAL NUWB. I just can't stand the feeling of being "unprotected so to speak. I can't stand boxer shorts either....lets all remember the now disgraced "Kramer" ..."my boys need a home..!"

A cautionary tale on the underwear thing. I did a 100km ride on some reasonably rough roads once - the elastic leg seam things on the underwear actually caused abrasions on rub points that took a week to heal. Painful sitting down and not able to ride for a week. (Having said that, I've ridden the same sort of distance on good roads without problem)

 

[dabac]

.. I do have a question that is a little embarrassing ..how do other guys handle the hair down there from sticking through the spandex?

Darkish hair, dark shorts - I ignore it, it's really not that noticeable for anyone who aren't looking for it. And if someone is close enough to see the hairs, then, given the nature of tights, they're close enough to see the contours of everything else, so why worry about a few wayward curlies?

 

[rdr0912]

What's wrong with just shaving too? I thought it was a crazy thing at first and then I tried it---not too bad. I think it's a little cooler too.
Give it a try....worst case, let it grow back

 

[kyperman]

The problem here is the growing back part I would think, I would assume itching would be a problem....

What's wrong with just shaving too? I thought it was a crazy thing at first and then I tried it---not too bad. I think it's a little cooler too.
Give it a try....worst case, let it grow back