Embracing your inner roadie on the commute - or, saying goodbye to baggy shorts

Okay, so ever since I started cycling seriously over 25 years ago I've always been a bike shorts and jersey kinda guy whether it was riding my road bike or bombing some singletrack on my mountain bike. Last year when I got heavier into commuting to work, I wanted quicker access to my keys and cell phone so I started wearing baggy shorts with attached liners or some with detachable liners, mainly for the benefit of the side cargo pockets. Another benefit was being able to walk into a store without showing off my junk to everyone as is pretty much the case when you're wearing bike shorts. My wife claims I have really nice legs so she was dismayed to see the baggy shorts phase of my cycling career. Now, after having biked with baggies for nearly 10 months, I'm ready to throw in the towel... err baggies. I have yet to find a pair of baggy shorts that are truly comfortable and where anything put in the pockets doesn't cause some occasional discomfort or distraction. I'm going back to my beloved 8 panel spandex/lycra shorts, and my colorful jerseys. In short, I shall embrace my inner roadie! So, anyone else wander this same convoluted path in selecting their best cycle-commute attire? For the record, I can always carry a pair of baggy shorts in a pannier if I'm going to be lounging around off the bike in polite non-cycling society for any length of time.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on September 15, 2012 at 5:53am
I really like Prana's climbing knickers. They're a nice compromise between technical gear and straight out street clothes, and much cheaper than bike specific knickers. If you don't need a chamois they're worth trying out, and since you can get them through REI you can return them no questions asked if they're not your thing after all.
Permalink Reply by Adam Kitzmann on September 15, 2012 at 11:48am

My $1.50. For my commute, and it's short (3 miles or so), or just bummin' around low speed style, I find the cut-off dickies are just fine, but when i'm on a ride of 30+ miles, the bibs are amazing. Was a long time hater of all things spandex, but when I had my moment of clarity it was amazing for me, by bum and my junk. And Jerseys are just awesome, for riding or the bar. 

Permalink Reply by Duppie on September 15, 2012 at 11:50am

Here is to embracing your inner Fred!

kiltedcelt said:

Guys, you don't need to try to change my mind or keep suggesting knickers or other shorts types that are comfy. I've tried several brands and have finally decided I just don't like the feel of the extra layer of outer fabric. I'm going back to lycra and none of you can stop me! All shall gaze upon my junk bulge and despair! (with apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien).  ;)

Permalink Reply by Dalation on September 17, 2012 at 5:11pm

I don't get it. If you the crap in your pockets is annoying you stop putting crap in your pockets. I wear swimming trunks with no crap in my pockets on a Brooks Flyer and the world is good.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on September 18, 2012 at 4:36am

I believe that's Percy Shelly.

I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

kiltedcelt said:

I'm going back to lycra and none of you can stop me! All shall gaze upon my junk bulge and despair! (with apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien).  ;)

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 19, 2012 at 12:54am

What's it got in it's pocketses, my precious?

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 19, 2012 at 1:20pm

Nine cassette cogs for Mortal Man, doomed to die. (until you upgrade to 10-speed)

1s20gdv3auw5hPermalink Reply by 1s20gdv3auw5h on September 21, 2012 at 12:58pm

All good!!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on September 22, 2012 at 2:22am

Just in case anyone is wanting to spend some money on gear for their Inner Roadie, and also get a great deal, I've found this really awesome online deal-site aggregator. 

Online Gear Deals

I am sad that Bonktown is no longer around after Chainlove ate them but this aggregator keeps up to date and replaces defunct deal sites with new ones all the time.      Chainlove still has a lot of good deals.  I just bought a new pair of full-fingered bike gloves for the CX season as my moto-specific gloves that I have been using don't cut it on brifters -not enough feel.  

Permalink Reply by baci on September 22, 2012 at 6:23am

  I too have come across this dilemma. My solution was a pair of my biker lycra under a pair of cutoff camies... They're not too thin as to have keys and what not digging into my arse or thighs. And they're not baggy, so they don't slide off my butt while I'm riding. As much as I love to show off my "junk", I have found this to be the best way from getting all the stares and pointed fingers. Hope it helps.

Baci

 

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