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Cycling shorts consist of a relatively small piece of fabric, but technically speaking they are one of the most complex items of clothing of all. The demands on fit and comfort are enormous and the quality of workmanship must also be right so that the bib shorts can withstand the high stresses of mountain biking and cycling in the long term.
Like a second skin
The aim of cycling shorts is to fit the body like a second skin. In the best case scenario, you shouldn't feel them at all during the ride. To achieve this goal, however, a number of factors need to come together. The right size is particularly important. If the trousers are too big, in the worst case scenario they will crease at the crotch or in the bend of the hips, which can sooner or later lead to skin irritation or pressure points. In addition, trousers that are too big will not hold the seat pad properly in place. If in doubt, we therefore advise you to buy cycling shorts that are too small rather than too large.
The right padding for cycling shorts
The seat pad is the heart of every bib short and should be particularly flexible so that it can adapt to the rider's movements. A pad that is too rigid feels like a nappy and will sooner or later pinch the seat area. Make sure that the thicker padded areas are actually positioned under the sit bones. To get a first impression, you should therefore get on your bike and check with your fingers in the riding position whether the exposed areas are also protected by the padding. Caution: The pad should always face the Fit the distance between the sit bones and at least one to two centimetres wider.
High-quality pads are made from foams of different densities to provide targeted support for specific areas of the body: Thin and tight padding in the pubic area prevents irritation in the intimate zone. A relief bar in the perineal area can prevent numbness, while a thicker foam with a higher density in the ischial tuberosity area will not sag so quickly, even on long journeys. There are also significant differences in density: While a thick, soft foam often feels comfortable at the beginning, it can compress quickly during the ride and therefore no longer offers the rider any support. If the seat cushion can be completely compressed with your thumb and index finger, you can assume that it will sag after a few kilometres. A high-density foam, on the other hand, is not so easily compressed, even by a higher weight, and therefore offers more comfort even on longer rides because it can absorb shocks and vibrations better.
The shape of the pad can also provide information about its quality. It should already be pre-shaped to the anatomy of the body when hanging, then it can mould itself optimally and wrinkle-free to the wearer in the saddle and thus prevent chafing and pressure points. Tip: Bikers should avoid pads that hang limply and shapelessly in their trousers.
It's the details like the seams that matter
The great art of manufacturing good cycling shorts is to use as few seams as possible. Ideally, they should be completely absent in sensitive areas such as the seat. The seams should also be as flat as possible so that they do not irritate the skin. A so-called overlock stitch, which is also visible from the outside, generally does little to improve comfort. It is more important that not all fabric panels meet in a seam bundle. Trousers that fit on the bike almost always pinch in the crotch when standing. That's why you should definitely try bib shorts in the cycling position.
Seamless leg cuffs to prevent pressure points
In recent years, the design of bib shorts for cyclists has changed, especially the construction of the bibs and leg cuffs. Just a few years ago, narrow cuffs attached to the trouser material offered little comfort because they were either made with a lot of silicone or were particularly tight to prevent them from riding up. Today, even Cycling shorts for around 150 euros The trouser legs merge seamlessly into the cuffs. They are usually particularly comfortable to wear because they use less silicone and the lack of materials with different levels of stretch means that pressure points can no longer occur. Attached cuffs should be several centimetres wide. Their material and seams should have the same stretch as the main material of the trousers to prevent pressure points.
Wide overlay carriers
The same applies to the bibs of cycling shorts: until recently, these were stitched on both sides and tended to roll up on the shoulders like roulades, whereas today's bibs are usually seamless and lie much flatter and therefore more comfortably on the shoulders.
You should pay attention to the correct tensioning force when buying: Straps that are too loose will not hold the padding in place properly while riding. The bib shorts will then slide around between your bum and the saddle and cause chafing or pressure points. Straps that are too tight press on the shoulders during the ride. After a few hours in the saddle, you'll feel like you're carrying a barbell around in your neck.
Women's choice: The right cycling shorts for women
When choosing the right cycling shorts, women should pay particular attention to the right bibs. Manufacturers such as Assos run the straps along the side of the chest to prevent unpleasant pressure points. The shorts are even more comfortable if the straps are designed as a mesh body and comfortably enclose the entire upper body.
Of course, bib shorts make the wee-wee break much more difficult, which is why many female bikers prefer to wear strapless trousers. Models with wide, seamless and sufficiently flexible cuffs are particularly comfortable. In the current test, we unfortunately found that some models roll up in the riding position and then press uncomfortably on the stomach. Here too, the following applies: Trying them on in the riding position prevents you from making the wrong purchase.
Clever details for cycling shorts
Some manufacturers equip their trousers for bikers with useful details. Small pockets on the back or on the trouser legs can hold gels, bars or small items of clothing - particularly interesting for marathon bikers who are travelling without a rucksack if possible. Isadore and Sportful have models on offer that are made from abrasion-resistant Cordura material and are therefore particularly robust. This means that they not only protect the wearer from unpleasant abrasions in the event of a fall, but can also withstand the occasional contact with the ground, especially in off-road use.
In our latest test, we put a total of 18 cycling shorts for men and women through their paces. If you haven't yet found the right partner for extensive tours in the saddle, you're guaranteed to find it here. You can find all the information and test results in the current issue of BIKE 3/22 - in stores from 1 February.
Stefan Frey
Editor
