Managed to get out on mine last night, nothing major just a quick 20 min blast.

 

Running a Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc with Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres, makes it a bit easier on the majority of road riding I do.

 

Just took my bike out for the first time in years at the weekend - was hard work even doing 6 miles. Didn't help that I realised that I had put the bike back in poor state of repair the previous time (gears sticky, brakes rubbing, wheel out of true). Also running on knobbly tyres from about 6 years ago on tarmac doesn't help efficiency (I reckon on slicks I would have used about half the effort).

 

Tempted to get a road bike but put of slightly by the cost of a new one. Looks like £500 is a basic starting point these days.

Triban 300 or 500 from Decathlon - under £300 for a very well reviewed machine.

Just had a look - very impressive and as you say well reviewed (some saying it performs as well as a bike 3 times the price)

I had an old Forme5 (equivalent 500 now), it was a fantastic road bike for the money.

Did 10 miles yesterday morning, got soaked and a man in a Corsa tried to kill me!

 

I've only been out three times so far this year, terrible. I went out on New Years day with full intentions of being out every week.

 

It's not going well so far.

Could it be worth wearing tights with baggy cycling shorts or something over the top? The material and cut is much better, and you'll not be showing as much. I wear baggy shorts over my tights even on my road bike (I think because I'm a mtber and wearing tights on their own feels wrong).

 

Okay, so I'm getting better, although am still a recreational cyclist really.  I'm still out every day and do a minimum of 11 miles and a maximum of 21 miles according to the route I take.  Longer run is flat-ish and Eastbourne to Bexhill/Hastings.  Shorter route is a mixed ride around the Pevensey marshes, which I might do twice in a day.  There's also a 14 mile route up over Beachy Head, which still knocks the stuffing out of me, but obviously does more good, because my thighs are burning by the time I've made it to the top.

 

But....I've started to get saddle sore on my perineum  ,  despite my finding the B17's the best saddle for me.

 

So I'm coming around to the idea of more appropriate baggy shorts and possibly tights under them.  But I haven't got a clue what to go for, the plethora of stuff on eBay just confuses me, and my local bike shop that does clothing seems expensive (£90 for a pair of shorts!).  So can someone recommend some from experience, what I should be looking for and expect to pay please?

 

I think I need padding.  I generate a lot of heat, and I think something like CoolMax or similar would be an idea to draw the moisture away. I'd prefer to spend less than £30 (per item).  I see some baggy shorts are waterproof - that would presumably be a stupid idea if I don't want to retain moisture?

 

All advice and suggestions gratefully received. 

 

Gaz

With regards to the sore perineum - it may just be the saddle is badly adjusted so the weight is sitting on the wrong bit. They should (ideally) be level but trial and error is the best bet in my experience.

 

Other thing is does the saddle have a "love" groove in it?

 

I have to say I always ride in cycle shorts if possible (with a casual short on top as coming from MTB'ing I can't stand the all lycra look). Mine were relatively cheap from Edinburgh Bycycle Co-op. Looks like something like this might suit - link

Cheers Kilted.  I must admit I hadn't thought about maybe releasing the tension on the saddle to 'soften' it - good point  .  They're not grooved, but B17's are hide and gradually mould to your shape.

 

Those in your link are the kind of shorts I've been looking at.  Altura seem to come up regularly.

 

Gaz

£90 for a pair of shorts!

 

You don't have to spend a lot to get some comfortable tights/bibs/shorts.  Sadly its more trial and error as what clothing fits one person doesn't always fit the next person right.

 

Due to my physique, I find padded shorts quite uncomfortable and find they 'walk' down leaving a builders crack on show whilst riding, I've found bib shorts the most comfortable and they hold the padding in place nicely.

 

I have quite a bit of Altura/Endura/Decathlon clothing, the Endura clothing is lasting better than the others.

 

Personally, try some different clothing on to see what fits you best, sadly it will be trial and error.  Don't be afraid to try some chamois crème if you find the padded shorts make you hotter.

 

Keep on with the B17 saddle, only make 1 change at a time so you know what has made a difference to your comfort.

 

Matthew

V6TDI - are you using no padding at all at the moment?  I'll admit just before I started cycling that I was totally against the idea of cycling shorts but a friend was insistent I should wear them for my first cycle (26 mile charity ride) pointing out I could wear them under normal shorts and no-one would notice.  I'm still grateful for her being pushy as my goodness what a difference they make, I started off with a cheap £10 pair and now have a mix from Aldi, Lidl and some other cheap ones mostly under £10 and one set around £20.

 

I agree with the above post that you'll need to experiment a bit and see what suits you but there are plenty of cheap options and hopefully you'll find something that works well for you.

 

John

I'd recommend Endura FS Pro bib shorts as an excellent value padded shorts. I'd never dream of riding without wearing a proper padded pair, otherwise you're asking for problems if you're going to ride regularly. Most riders will use chamois cream too which helps eliminate chafing. The one item of clothing I wouldn't skimp on, being uncomfortable on the bike is a killer. I rode the tour of pembs 108 mile sportive last weekend, and  by the end my gooch was sore, but not so bad I couldn't jump on the bike again on Sunday.

 

Did my first time trial on Wed evening, first one in over 2 years. Jesus, it felt uncomfortable! Onwards and upwards!

V6TDI - are you using no padding at all at the moment?

 

I agree with the above post that you'll need to experiment a bit and see what suits you but there are plenty of cheap options and hopefully you'll find something that works well for you.

 

John

 

Nope, no padding at all.

 

Until now I've always ridden in jeans.  If the truth be told I think this has just been vanity/self esteem.  So yesterday I did 19 miles in joggies (still no padding) and unless it's a placebo effect, I think I was more comfortable 

 

So I decided to hell with it, it was time to grow up and listen to good advice 

 

Literally, not ten minutes ago, these arrived in the post:

 

 

 

I've got to hang the washing out, but then I'm getting changed and am off out.  Will report back later on my first experience with padding.

 

Gaz 

You'll soon be doing this!

 

Nope, no padding at all.

 

Until now I've always ridden in jeans.  If the truth be told I think this has just been vanity/self esteem.  So yesterday I did 19 miles in joggies (still no padding) and unless it's a placebo effect, I think I was more comfortable 

 

So I decided to hell with it, it was time to grow up and listen to good advice 

 

Literally, not ten minutes ago, these arrived in the post:

 

 

 

I've got to hang the washing out, but then I'm getting changed and am off out.  Will report back later on my first experience with padding.

 

Gaz 

I can almost guarantee you will never want to ride in anything but those now.

Cycling gear at Aldi this Sunday inc shorts.

I can almost guarantee you will never want to ride in anything but those now.

 

Well you may have a point.  Wouldn't be fair to judge them on just one ride, but it's promising.  Just done 11 miles as a try out.  Usually average 10.1mph on this route, but this time averaged 11.5mph (which is good for me) with nothing untoward to account for the increase.  Maxed out at 29.9mph (my next target is speeding ).  Nice on a saddle, but aren't they odd to walk in!! :think:

 

Cycling gear at Aldi this Sunday inc shorts.

 

Cheers for the heads-up Man-o-Snakes

 

Bexhill Aldi is only about 11 miles away from me - and it's a nice ride 

 

Gaz

Well you may have a point.  Wouldn't be fair to judge them on just one ride, but it's promising.  Just done 11 miles as a try out.  Usually average 10.1mph on this route, but this time averaged 11.5mph (which is good for me) with nothing untoward to account for the increase.  Maxed out at 29.9mph (my next target is speeding ).  Nice on a saddle, but aren't the odd to walk in!! :think:

 

 

Cheers for the heads-up Man-o-Snakes

 

Bexhill Aldi is only about 11 miles away from me - and it's a nice ride 

 

Gaz

That is what wins for me - can't bear lycra on its own so always wear mine with an over short. Don't feel silly walking into a pub/supermarket with shorts on whereas I probably would with lycra shorts on their own.

You'll soon be doing this!

 

I like rolling downhill  :sun:

 

I've a job interview next week.  If I get the job I think I've decided to treat myself to a new bike. Never thought I'd say this, but my 1980's Raleigh Pursuit lacks range in the gears and my 11 year old Hybrid has better gears and brakes but is just a bit cumbersome - my son's got a Specialised Sirrus and the difference between mine and his is stark.

 

Gaz

That is what wins for me - can't bear lycra on its own so always wear mine with an over short. Don't feel silly walking into a pub/supermarket with shorts on whereas I probably would with lycra shorts on their own.

 

Not so much the aesthetics, but the comfort (for me) as I've not experienced waddling (what it feels like) with padding 'underneath' before 

 

Gaz

I think it is the slight "nappy" look that the padding gives that I really hate.

If you get the right size they should fit snugly. We'll talk about shaving your legs another time

We'll talk about sharing your legs another time

 

Use yer own bloody legs!  :p 

 

G

Already done it, have done for years. I'm a full blown mamil and have no shame in strutting about in skin tight lycra

Already done it, have done for years. I'm a full blown mamil and have no shame in strutting about in skin tight lycra

 Thought you meant shaving rather than sharing?

 

Worried.

 

G