4 ms·

Yeah, IMO the correct combination is spandex shorts and cheap cotton for everything else. Having nice gear doesn't mean you aren't having fun.

• ip26 8y ago
  You don't have to have spandex for the legs, for me synthetic hiking pants have done fine, and also courds in the winter. The problem was basically two things- jeans were abrasive, wearing away hair follicles, and they didn't breathe, trapping a lot of sweat/humidity.
  • solipsistnation 8y ago
    If you're riding for very long, though, you will probably want padded shorts. I used to think they were silly, but after a couple of rides where my butt was seriously sore afterwards and one where my junk went numb, I swapped out my old saddle for one with a split down the middle and started wearing padded shorts and now I can bike for 40+ miles without getting sore. I like my cycling tunic/jersey thing because it gets really good airflow, but I've gone on long rides in just a plain old t-shirt, too.
    • photojosh 8y ago
      IMHO a lot of this is the need for adaptation to increased stress. I've heard a lot of stories of people going through quite a few different saddles until they finally find one that "works", but in the meantime they've also been spending a lot of time riding and have toughened up their posterior. So was it the saddle or the adaptation that solved the issue? I'll wear padded shorts and lycra for a looong ride (2-6 hours) as it's just more comfortable, but plain tights under short and a cotton tshirt is fine for the 30min commute.
    • schrodinger 8y ago
      I bought a Brooks saddle, and now I can go 50-70 miles comfortably without the padded shorts!