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Bike Shorts

All right....  I can't take me cheap discount tri shorts on the trainer anymore.  Can anyone recommend a quality pair of comfortable bike shorts.  I am also interested in trying bibs, but I'd like to know what you guys recommend.

Comments

  • DeSoto 400 mile bib shorts are great!
  • All Castelli bib shorts. I only wear them. For training I wear Velocissimo $129

    https://www.classiccycling.com/cast...black-acid

  • Bibs. I have multiple pairs of Desoto tri bibs, riviera (sp) and forza models
  • What are you in right now, in particular how think is the padding?

    I like very little padding for the most part and like our former EN tri shorts.  I'll need to check the brand when I get home.  400 mile shorts have a very thick pad.  I also have a two pair of the EN bibs and do like those but really prefer less padding. 

    In my first IM training I had a great pair of shorts, a saddle that just worked and I never used any chamois cream doing several 6-8 hour rides in them.  I used titan wear shorts that were a step above a speedo for padding. 

    I've tried the Desoto forza tri short with the 4mm pad.  I did not like these as much as the EN tri shorts but they were good for longer rides although I found I need more chamois cream.

  • You guys wear shorts?...........................extra weight....
  •  

    @ Gordon - I have been mainly wearing thin padded tri shorts.  I love them for running, but I have never been comfortable riding in them.  I've tried several brands 2XU, Blue Seventy, Pear Izumi and Orca.  Most have been from some type of internet sale.

    @ Phil, Ed and Doug - Thanks!  I will check out Castelli  Velocissimo and De Soto 400 riviera (sp) and forza models !

     

     

  • DON'T GO LOW BUDGET ON THE SHORTS...you'll pay for it as your rides become longer!

    I also wear Castelli Bibs (super comfortable) and Desoto tri shorts (training/racing)
  • @Brad - Yes!  I am starting my 4th year of long course triathlon, and have finally come to that conclusion!  What was I thinking?

  • Bibs bibs bibs.

    The reason they are better is that you want the friction in your shorts to be between the short and the saddle, not between your shorts and your skin. The bibs hold the shorts "still" against your skin better. They are a life-changer.

    Honestly, I think anything you get that is decent will be nice enough. I usually go to competitivecyclist.com to see nice stuff they have on clearance in my size that is black and buy that. :-) That said, I've never been disappointed with a de Soto product, as others have recommended.
  • Bibs. Period

    You guys know that we were selling EN bibs by Capo, correct?
  • @ Rich - Yes! I bought a pair of those as well. I figured It would be nice to have a couple pair and I also wanted to get something right away. Any idea when they will be shipped?
  • @Coach, 2 pair ordered last month.
  • I thought the Capo bibs were cycling bibs, not tri bibs.  Am I mistaken?  Also, I thought the original post was talking about tri bibs. 

    If the question is about tri bibs, I also recommend Castelli tri bibs or Desoto tri bibs (Castelli is cheaper).  At IM Choo, I wore the Castellis and had absolutely no discomfort of chafing.  The best thing I can say is that they were a total non-factor.  The Desotos are also very comfortable, but by the end of a 70.3 for which I wore them, I was ready to get off the bike and reapply cream to mitigate the chafing.

  • @John - what Castelli tri bibs do you have?
  • @ John - I actually did not know there were tri bibs until yesterday.  I never even thought about bibs until the EN Gear forum at the end of last year. I can't wait for them to come in the mail, but I got an amazon gift card for Christmas and wanted to get something quick.  

    Another thing that I was thinking is that I seem to be less comfortable on the trainer than outside.  

    So now I have another question.....  During Ironman - Do you 1) wear bike bibs and then change in T2 2) run in bike bibs 3) wear tri bibs?

    Thanks everyone for your input!!!!

  • +1 to Shaughn!!!!

  • Posted By Brian Hagan on 07 Jan 2016 06:51 AM
    ...

    So now I have another question.....  During Ironman - Do you 1) wear bike bibs and then change in T2 2) run in bike bibs 3) wear tri bibs?

    ...
    Tri bibs or a tri suit is all I've ever worn from gun to finish line. THIN pad, DeSoto Forza. Until last Oct, when I wore the high back shorts Coach P got us for Hawaii. Over the years Ive collected 3 pair of Forza bibs and 5 Forza Tri suits, which is what I wear on the trainer, and whenever Im pn my TT bike. I like the way they hug my legs. I also have a Castelli suit which is primo. I gotta stop buying stuff...belated NY resolution?
  • Yes, there is such a creature as tri bibs, and they are awesome! To answer Brian's second question first, I wear the tri bibs for the whole day (under my swim skin or wetsuit, on the bike, and on the run). I wear bibs (whether it be tri bibs or cycling bibs) on all outside training rides, but typically wear tri shorts on the trainer, as I find the thicker pad on bike shorts to be uncomfortable on the trainer.

    Here are the Castellis - http://www.amazon.com/Castelli-Free-Tri-Bib-Short/dp/B00I8W4NUK
    Here are the Desoto bibs (I have two pair, although I ripped the red pair that matched the EN kit on a training ride) - http://www.amazon.com/DeSoto-Forza-Riviera-TriBib-Medium/dp/B009XDQUQ8/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1452180589&sr=1-6&keywords=desoto+tri+bib

    The Desotos have a little thicker pad and pocket. I find the Castellis to be a little more comfortable, but they do not have pockets.

    Let me know if you have any additional questions.
  • First, thankfully I know nothing about riding on a trainer...shorts, bibs, tri shorts, whatever...and I hope to NEVER need to have that knowledge :-)

    That said, 100% of my riding, on road, tri, and mtn bike, is in bib shorts. for racing I've used the DeSoto tri bibs (in 2011) and this year I raced in the LG one-piece EN suit that Jeremy hooked up. Regardless, all bibs are far, far more comfortable than any pair of shorts. I can see how thickness of the pad could be an issue on the swim and run, which is why I race in tri-specific bib('ish) solutions.

  • Posted By John Henault on 07 Jan 2016 09:37 AM


    Yes, there is such a creature as tri bibs, and they are awesome! To answer Brian's second question first, I wear the tri bibs for the whole day (under my swim skin or wetsuit, on the bike, and on the run). I wear bibs (whether it be tri bibs or cycling bibs) on all outside training rides, but typically wear tri shorts on the trainer, as I find the thicker pad on bike shorts to be uncomfortable on the trainer.



    Here are the Castellis - http://www.amazon.com/Castelli-Free-Tri-Bib-Short/dp/B00I8W4NUK

    Here are the Desoto bibs (I have two pair, although I ripped the red pair that matched the EN kit on a training ride) - http://www.amazon.com/DeSoto-Forza-Riviera-TriBib-Medium/dp/B009XDQUQ8/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1452180589&sr=1-6&keywords=desoto+tri+bib



    The Desotos have a little thicker pad and pocket. I find the Castellis to be a little more comfortable, but they do not have pockets.



    Let me know if you have any additional questions.

    Also ^this^ is why we've chosen to not source a tri-shorts solution for the EN kit. As a team of primarily long course athletes we are all very, very picky on a shorts solution: thickness of pad, length of inseam, bibs vs shorts, etc. We simply can't have a solution that works for all or even most of you, so we've punted on the entire shorts issue and encourage you to source your own personal solution. 

  • I ordered some EN bibs again this cycle (third pair!)...just don't know when they are due to arrive. I was assuming that the need was shorter term than that.

    For the record, I race all distances in the same de Soto tri bibs. Plain black and go nicely with an EN jersey. Along with the other variables, a subtle boy-variable is the ability to pee without taking them off if you want...it's a bit of a TMI situation, but I can pull down the front just enough. Totally depends on how often (if at all) you want/need to do that as to whether it's a consideration.
  • +1 for Desoto bibs. I've been using them exclusively for a few years now. Love the pocket locations and comfort. He offers a pretty good military discount, so that helps as well...and if you're someone that supports companies with great customer service, they are just about the best I've ever dealt with.
  • I haven't really thought much on this but opening up my stash of Tri gear I have all Desoto. Perhaps I might try a Tri suit this year ... good post!

  • Posted By Shaughn Simmons on 06 Jan 2016 01:39 PM


    You guys wear shorts?...........................extra weight....

    Note to self...If ever offered, do not test ride Shaughn Simmons' bike.

  • DeSoto 400 mile bibs - Love them!
    Have not tried Castelli
  • Desoto 400 mile bibs for all road bike riding. I also have various full kits (bibs and jerseys) from Pactimo, Nimblewear, Voler, etc.
    Desoto tri shorts for all tri training (s/b/r).
    I usually race in whatever various kits my sponsorship requires. Lately it's been 2xu, which are actually quite comfortable.

    Seems I've been quite lucky and been able to suffer through pretty much any manufacturer with no effects.
  • Thanks for all your help everyone!  I got a pair of De Soto 400s and a pair of Castelli Free Tri Bib Shorts.  Both are very different, but very comfortable!  Much better than what I had! 

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