Yes folks, your butt may look big in them but die-hard cyclists swear by Lycra bike shorts as the only way to walk tall after a long ride and not just because Lance Armstrong says so.
Lycra Fabric, Why it is Perfect for Cycling
Lycra bike shorts look pretty simple but these high-tech garments offer an amazing fit with fabrics that wick away moisture, preventing chafing and eliminating bacteria in that all too sensitive area the crotch. The fabric does half the work and the padded liner called a chamois does the rest.
Nylon Spandex, a brand of Lycra, is the fabric base for most cycling shorts. It has great stretch and durability but only offers supreme wicking capabilities when it is either coated with a special finish or knitted with another yarn like polyester.
A basic pair of cheap nylon Spandex shorts may not be as breathable as a more expensive Spandex and polyester mix counterpart, but they will do a pretty good job in the comfort department for short rides. For longer rides, however, your bike pants need to be both figure hugging and they need a great fitting chamois.
Lycra Clothing Made for Cyclists
So how does a cyclist find a great chamois? Before you think of popping down to the local car wash, it’s worth remembering that the wool shorts of yesteryear actually had just that, a thin layer of "chamois" leather to ease saddle pain.
Modern garment technology and practical design uses the elasticity of Lycra fabric combined with panel construction and an integral chamois liner to create the ideal biking pant. There are many different manufacturers and at least as many types of liner with differing constructions. Many chamois liners are made quite slim for comfort, but the actual placement of the liner in the short determines how comfortable the pant is for different riders.
The only way to find a comfortable bike short is to try on lots of different brands. Not so easy when your local bike shop only stocks one brand so read as many reviews as possible before buying cycle shorts online. Once the perfect bike short is found, simply reorder that trusty favorite online, whenever required.
How Many Panels in a Lycra Cycling Short?
Basic bike shorts normally have just 4 panels, two on each leg. These cycle shorts are more suited to urban riding or gym workouts. More expensive shorts have 6, 8 or even 10 panels and offer a more contoured fit with the addition of extra panels. Some of these shorts might look weird to a novice as they appear "sat in" before being tried on but this is because they are already curved for a more crouched riding position.
Lycra Bike Tights and Shorts are Practical
Aside from the comfort aspects of wearing Lycra clothing on a bike, Lycra shorts are practical too:
- Easy to wash as mud and dirt is quickly shed and super fast to dry.
- Lycra coated with special finishes repels water and mud, leaving just a few dirty splashes after a rainy day in the saddle. They can even be worn for a second day if the washing machine is full!
Essential Cycle Clothing
Lycra cycling shorts are an indispensable part of a racing cyclist’s wardrobe. Novice riders may not feel comfortable wearing the look but their butt will thank them for picking Lycra as the cyclist’s fabric of choice.
Related Articles:
You may also be interested in our articles on Essential Cycling Clothing for All Day Riding , How to Choose Comfortable Cycling Shorts and Baggy Shorts are Great for Mountain Biking for those who don't want to show off their butt.
 |
 |
 |
 |
