Commuting and padded cycling shorts

MB Lacey

I was going to post this question in another thread on shorts, but it might bring OP's thread off topic.

Out of curiosity, given that padded cycling shorts are pricey and good for one day's cycling before they need a wash, how do people with long daily commutes cope?

Do you spend a fortune on 5 (+) pairs (€250 if paying €50 average per pair), do you do a 'cycling shorts' wash every few evenings to keep up with demand, or do you just cycle in the same shorts for months on end?

NS77

I've been surviving with the one pair of bib tights now for the last year! (Commuting 25k round trip two/three days per week)

Spend a bit on getting a few good quality pairs of bibs/shorts and they'll last you.

idiottje

I do about 40k a day (in and out). I have multiple pairs of Lidls' or Aldi's finest. They are cheap, but I find they do the commute job more than well enough. I have a the shorts (2 pairs) 3/4 lengths (2 pairs) and the long legs (2 pairs). Depending on weather, I use a pair for 3 days, then wash, and use the other pair.

pelevin

Not a cycling commuter myself but I wash cycling shorts in the shower with soap after use. Can more or less get by with 2 pairs that way.

Ole Rodrigo

Mines a 40km round trip. I switched back to civies with merino underwear - best move ever.

CramCycle

I get away with a week of wear, totalling between 100 and 200km depending on the week. I am changing at work, washing myself with wipes (classy). Hasn't been an issue yet.

MB Lacey

CramCycle wrote: »

I get away with a week of wear, totalling between 100 and 200km depending on the week. I am changing at work, washing myself with wipes (classy). Hasn't been an issue yet.

Men's anatomy is different so I guess you're ok, but I don't think a woman would get away with a couple of days, never mind a week.

As suggested above, I think cheapo aldi/ lidl padded shorts might be the answer.

CramCycle

MB Lacey wrote: »

Men's anatomy is different so I guess you're ok, but I don't think a woman would get away with a couple of days, never mind a week.

As suggested above, I think cheapo aldi/ lidl padded shorts might be the answer.

Never even occurred to me that there would be an issue. Not sure about the ALDI or LIDL brands (they might be perfect) but there are cheap padded shorts that I have found to be good quality eg DHB on wiggle and continuous sales of old stock from sites. Cycling shorts dry out quite quickly so you might not even need 5, 2 or 3 on rotation, quick handwash in the sink or with whatever you have thrown into the washing machine.

Puggy

Im doing a 50k round trip. Found that I got a tiny sore (I assume its a saddle sore), and it got really painful. I only had cheaper shorts and used them for a couple of days each, did not use any cream.

Since then, I wear a pair a day, and use chamios cream on the padded section. I've got two cheap Aldi/Lidl shorts, two cheap Aldi/Lidl long winter, and two expensive bib shorts(+€55). The most noticable difference, apart from quality, is the amount of time I can comfortably spend on the bike. Though if you use cream and keep the shorts clean, the Lidl/Aldi ones are fine.

Wishbone Ash

If I do the standard 33km round trip commute (and it hasn't been raining), I'll probably get 2 days (i.e. 4 rides) out of a pair.

If I extend the commute to 30 or 40kms each way, I'll put on a fresh pair for the following day.

Also on the commute I'll usually get 2 days out of a jersey but always use a fresh base layer.

On non-commute rides I'll only use once before laundering.

the.red.baron

MB Lacey wrote: »

I was going to post this question in another thread on shorts, but it might bring OP's thread off topic.

Out of curiosity, given that padded cycling shorts are pricey and good for one day's cycling before they need a wash, how do people with long daily commutes cope?

Do you spend a fortune on 5 (+) pairs (€250 if paying €50 average per pair), do you do a 'cycling shorts' wash every few evenings to keep up with demand, or do you just cycle in the same shorts for months on end?

Surely unless you have an exceptionally long commute or a particularly sensitive posterior you don't need padded shorts.

Wishbone Ash

the.red.baron wrote: »

Surely unless you have an exceptionally long commute or a particularly sensitive posterior you don't need padded shorts.

I also have a couple of non-padded running shorts that I use if I've nothing else available.

Lumen

CramCycle wrote: »

I get away with a week of wear, totalling between 100 and 200km depending on the week. I am changing at work, washing myself with wipes (classy). Hasn't been an issue yet.

A week in one pair of shorts. Duuuuuuude.

I use a fresh pair of shorts and lycra jersey every day. They're so easy to dry there isn't any practical problem with creating more washing, although it has taken me a few years to build up sufficient stock of shorts.

Big Eejit

I use padded jocks and change them everyday (as one would do with normal underwear). Far cheaper than normal cycling shorts, lighter padding and IMO enough for shorter trips.

(I use non-padded tights or sometimes just the usual jeans or whatever over these)

the.red.baron

Big Eejit wrote: »

I use padded jocks and change them everyday (as one would do with normal underwear). Far cheaper than normal cycling shorts, lighter padding and IMO enough for shorter trips.

(I use non-padded tights or sometimes just the usual jeans or whatever over these)

are these the ones?

http://www.lovemybubbles.com/mens-padded-jock.shtml

del_boy13

I use a fresh pair each day, use a baselayer and wash that as well. Have cheapo shorts from Funkier 7 panel shorts (from chain reaction) that don't cost the earth and give plenty of comfort. Used them on 90k cycles as well as 30k round trip commute. Have 3 pairs that I rotate for not cold weather commuting and some bibs that I got for the winter. Have seen plenty of other commuters in them over the last few months.

I used to try and get a couple of days out of a pair but that works better in winter when I am sweating less, smelly though.

daragh_

I wear the same shorts for months on end.

NOBODY drafts me.

Actually I don't. 3 Pairs which I switch between.

Chips Lovell

26km round trip daily.

Anything worn next to the skin goes into the wash at the end of the day (socks, shorts, base layer or jersey).

Have a decent stock of shorts at this stage and mainly use older/out of date club kit for commuting. If I had less shorts I'd just do two washes a week.

Micilin Muc

Monday morning, I wear a set of tights, shorts, jersey and socks on the commute to work and leave them to hang and dry until the Tuesday evening commute home.

Monday evening on my commute home, I wear the set I left to hang and dry on Friday morning. Once I get home I wash and dry them and wear them the next morning again etc. Everything gets worn twice before I wash them.

All Aldi gear

CramCycle

Lumen wrote: »

A week in one pair of shorts. Duuuuuuude.

Only over the winter, no sweating and I am spotless getting in, I only have two pairs as the rest no longer fit me. That said since the weather picked up I have just been wearing in a pair of baggy shorts and a t-shirt which does get changed every day.

No Pants

the.red.baron wrote: »

Surely unless you have an exceptionally long commute or a particularly sensitive posterior you don't need padded shorts.

My commute would be 22 miles in total and I don't bother with the bib shorts for it.

Big Eejit

the.red.baron wrote: »

are these the

Linky no worky. I had to google what you obviously googled to see what you saw.

I'm amazed that there's actually a market for that kind of thing! Brings back memories of a particular American Dad episode.

nak

Clean shorts and sports bra each day, if merino baselayer, can get a few days out of it, synethic only one day. I wear the same stuff for training/racing in the evenings. Do a commute cycling wash mid-week and Friday as my husband cycles too.

NeedMoreGears

Change once a week whether they're dirty or not!

Usually I'll do 4 x20km commutes and then change bib shorts. Tops last the week.

Weekend spins - always clean gear.

Alek

No Pants wrote: »

I don't bother with the bib shorts

Your nickname makes sense now.

Bloggsie

MB Lacey wrote: »

I was going to post this question in another thread on shorts, but it might bring OP's thread off topic.

Out of curiosity, given that padded cycling shorts are pricey and good for one day's cycling before they need a wash, how do people with long daily commutes cope?

Do you spend a fortune on 5 (+) pairs (€250 if paying €50 average per pair), do you do a 'cycling shorts' wash every few evenings to keep up with demand, or do you just cycle in the same shorts for months on end?

I got shorts & full length padded from heatons 8.99 for the shorts & 13.99(i think) for the full length. good value!

mirrormatrix

Wear underwear and normal shorts. Change underwear every day. Job done.

No Pants

Alek wrote: »

Your nickname makes sense now.

:P

Regular shorts from Penney's most likely, change into work clothes when I get there.

Alek

No Pants wrote: »

:P

Regular shorts from Penney's most likely

I'm disappointed, frankly . I was expecting something like http://metronewsca.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/030ded6e4e418fa5904f5e270354.jpeg?w=618&h=408&crop=1

Dancor

Nothing worst than arriving into work after a cycle and realizing you forgot fresh sock and jocks for after your shower. :rolleyes:

No Pants

Alek wrote: »

I'm disappointed, frankly . I was expecting something like http://metronewsca.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/030ded6e4e418fa5904f5e270354.jpeg?w=618&h=408&crop=1

:eek:

As the saying goes, I don't know where the wind is coming from, but I know where it is going.

dermabrasion

This thread has lead to a number of unpleasant images in my head. I'm now thinking about the Cadbury's flake ad from the late '70s.

rollingscone

I think that now. If I had my old 10km each way commute back I wouldn't bother will a Chamois. Even on my rock hard Charge Spoon.

CramCycle

rollingscone wrote: »

I think that now. If I had my old 10km each way commute back I wouldn't bother will a Chamois. Even on my rock hard Charge Spoon.

The spoon is a thing of comfort, do not mock it.

rollingscone

Hey I love the thing it's my commuter saddle, have a Selle Italia Flite on my roadbike which is basically the same thing but softer.