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Coast to Coast in June. In preperation I'm looking at some good quality shorts OR bib shorts that emphasise comfort in the bottom area. What would you recommend? It will be summertime so light and breezy please. Happy to pay more for comfort.
Best i personally have found was Sportful Super Total Comfort bibshorts, i've done quite a few 24 hour and multi-day rides in them and they work well for me.
I did a MTB coast to coast from Fort William to Dundee last May over 6 days. I wore Altura shorts while my roadie mate wore bibshorts. Neither of us died. However it is worth taking a spare pair_ I ripped the a*** out of my good pair on day one and was very grateful I'd another pair!
Good advice thanks!
You'll get a load of different recommendations from different people, and any mid range bib shorts will probably be very similar. I've been buying various incarnations of DHB bibs for many years, and they've always been good quality and not overpriced.
Like Ken says, most mid price shorts from decent brands will work fine.
Don't tour on only 1 pair.
+1 on Sportful Total Comfort - great for mega days in the saddle. If you're less keen on lycra, then Gore Alp-X 2 in 1 would be my second choice - again I've worn them for 24 hours offroad on a rigid bike and stay comfortable at 30 degrees plus. Also, don't forget chamois cream.
Decathlon 900 series stuff, reasonably priced and have looked after my backside for various long distance (280 miles in a day, 100 miles 3 days on the bounce, that kind of thing) events.
Don't be tempted to wear baggies. Only time I've ever succumbed to saddle sores was after the Lon Las Cymru Wales C2C in baggy outers with changed-daily padded inners. Baggies are OK for mountain bike rides when you're constantly off the bike and out of the saddle but not for road when you're sat in the one position for longer spells and the wrinkles in the fabric get trapped in Chafesville-upon-Scrottom.
Couldn't sit down for a week when I got home.
Got a few different brands of bib shorts/ on the go - DHB are reliable, Castelli make nice lightweight summer ones but my favourites are a pair of Pearl Izumi mid-priced ones I got at a knockdown price from Sport Pursuit. Really well made.
You can't go wrong with dhb bibs in my experience. Two pairs for touring.
dhb for value and Lusso, made in Manchester 100 yards from where I'm typing this, for quality.
Ones you've worn for a few months before-hand! Don't crack open a new pair just for the ride.
Great advices. I've gone for a pair of Decathlon 900 to start with. Have a few months to try out, and the advice to take two pairs is really valuable- I'd only have bothered with one. Thanks all
DHB are pretty nice - i've got a pair of 3/4 length - the pad is similar to my Rapha bibs.
Take two pairs, and wash a pair every night - if they don't totally dry in one night you can air them for a second night before you need to wear them..
Cleanliness is pretty important in the war against saddle sores, so try and avoid wearing dirty ones (especially if its warm) for a second day unless you have to.