Comfortable Bikes

DougC

Nate Nagel wrote:
> DougC wrote:
>
>> I have a 2006 Fusion, specifically. It can be ridden in street clothes
>> but they're not ideal. I wear recumbent shorts that are lycra, but
>> without any padding.
>
> Where do you find these? I have *one* pair that I bought maybe 10 years
> ago that didn't get worn out/thrown out/whatever. Not being a hardcore
> spandex-and-jersey guy, I usually ride in boxer briefs under cargo
> shorts but the lycra feels nicer (less chafing.) I'm not a big fan of
> the padding, even on a road/CX bike, I'm not sure how much it really
> helps me (I don't often get a sore butt, at least not with the mileage
> that I typically ride) and it's one more thing to get sweaty and nasty -
> which is a real concern if you're a damnyankee forced to live near DC,
> a.k.a. Our Nation's First Swamp.
>
> nate
>
> (80 degrees is hot. I don't care what you southerners say.)
>

Hostel Shoppe sells some, I prefer the Volae shorts.
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/

Kucharik also sells some recumbent shorts that have "thin padding". I've
not tried them myself.

Other people have mentioned using various synthetic exercise and rowing
shorts, but the problems with these is that they usually aren't intended
to be worn without underwear (the fabrics can stretch and become rather
transparent at certain angles). And if you have to wear something under
them, then the whole point fails.
-----
Cotton pants of any kind is bad for riding.
And the problem with regular shorts (on a recumbent or the RANS c-f
bikes) is scooping bugs in the pantlegs.
~

Clive George

"Paul Cassel" <pcasselremove2@comremovecast.net> wrote in message
news:MrWdndkxo8YehbrVnZ2dnUVZ_gidnZ2d@comcast.com...

> On a whim, I got on it and rode it. What a revaluation. I've never been on
> a bike which didn't demand special clothing and a rather contorted
> position. This thick tired, step through bike sat me up comfortably and
> felt right in my street clothes.
....
> Just goes to show how neat a bicycle can be if they are comfortable to
> ride instead of specialized exercise equipment. I think there is a lesson
> here but I"m unsure what it is.

It's not just about the shape of the bike, it's the attitude. Bikes were
originally transport, not exercise equipment - they're there to make getting
places easier, the opposite of exercise!

Bikes should always be comfortable to ride (ok, high-level competition is
probably a fair exception). And there should be a place in everybody's life
for a bike to be used for everyday life, rather than just lycra-clad sport
(my bike covers both :-) ).

When I want to get somewhere on my bike, I do it - no specialised gear (*),
I wear exactly what I wear the rest of the time. This is how it should be.
The bike can cope with all weathers, all lighting conditions. Again, this is
how it should be. Riding a bike isn't 'special', it's normal.

And when I want to take exercise rather than just get somewhere, I put the
lycra on and head off.

So yes, if you found your bike was uncomfortable and required specialised
clothing, something was wrong. I'm glad you've found what it is, and wish
you luck in letting the fun continue :-)

(* ok, I cheat a bit here - I've got SPDs, but I'm old and unfashionable
enough to get away with those as normal footwear :-) )

cheers,
clive

Nate Nagel

DougC wrote:
> Nate Nagel wrote:
>
>> DougC wrote:
>>
>>> I have a 2006 Fusion, specifically. It can be ridden in street
>>> clothes but they're not ideal. I wear recumbent shorts that are
>>> lycra, but without any padding.
>>
>>
>> Where do you find these? I have *one* pair that I bought maybe 10
>> years ago that didn't get worn out/thrown out/whatever. Not being a
>> hardcore spandex-and-jersey guy, I usually ride in boxer briefs under
>> cargo shorts but the lycra feels nicer (less chafing.) I'm not a big
>> fan of the padding, even on a road/CX bike, I'm not sure how much it
>> really helps me (I don't often get a sore butt, at least not with the
>> mileage that I typically ride) and it's one more thing to get sweaty
>> and nasty - which is a real concern if you're a damnyankee forced to
>> live near DC, a.k.a. Our Nation's First Swamp.
>>
>> nate
>>
>> (80 degrees is hot. I don't care what you southerners say.)
>>
>
> Hostel Shoppe sells some, I prefer the Volae shorts.
> http://www.hostelshoppe.com/
>
> Kucharik also sells some recumbent shorts that have "thin padding". I've
> not tried them myself.
>
> Other people have mentioned using various synthetic exercise and rowing
> shorts, but the problems with these is that they usually aren't intended
> to be worn without underwear (the fabrics can stretch and become rather
> transparent at certain angles). And if you have to wear something under
> them, then the whole point fails.
> -----
> Cotton pants of any kind is bad for riding.
> And the problem with regular shorts (on a recumbent or the RANS c-f
> bikes) is scooping bugs in the pantlegs.
> ~

Thanks for the ideas. I'm usually wearing these *AS* underwear, and on
a standard diamond-frame bike, so no worries there. Like I said, I
typically just ride in cargo shorts (so I can carry keys/wallet/cell
etc. without having to carry a backpack,) just want something underneath
so the insides of my legs don't get chafed on the nose of the saddle.
Sort of like MTB shorts, but without the padding, and in two pieces.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Clive George

"Nate Nagel" <njnagel@roosters.net> wrote in message
news:g07in502ojo@news2.newsguy.com...

> I do get your point, though - there are so many bikes on the market for
> various racing purposes, but try to find a *quality* bike that is just a
> good bike for tooling around.

Hooray for rightpondia :-) Touring bikes never died out, or if you want
something a bit nippier, an audax bike makes a darn fine utility bike.
Mudguards, rack, lights, comfort.

cheers,
clive

Clive George

"Paul Cassel" <pcasselremove2@comremovecast.net> wrote in message
news:MKednS8UW6-g8LrVnZ2dnUVZ_rninZ2d@comcast.com...

> I suppose I could ride my regular bikes in street clothes for short
> distances by taking a few precautions, but the only time I tried I got a
> cuff caught in a chainring ruining a pair of decent trousers.

:-)

Something you learn about as a kid if you ride to school in long trousers.

Socks, trouser clips, or rolling up the trousers. Don't worry about looking
'dorky' - life's to short to miss out on fun because of worries about
appearance :-)

cheers,
clive

Luke

In article <MrWdndkxo8YehbrVnZ2dnUVZ_gidnZ2d@comcast.com>, Paul Cassel
<pcasselremove2@comremovecast.net> wrote:

> I think there is a
> lesson here but I"m unsure what it is.
>
> -paul

Environmental, health and economic benefits are secondary; enjoyment is
the most compelling incentive.

Don Mackie

Interesting thread given some developments in our household as we have
gained a number of bikes in the past few months. My wife has
appropriated my old hardtail MTB for fitness rides - she did her
second duathlon at the weekend. It was always a size too small for me
which was OK off road but made it a bit of a pain for commuting,
though it has a certain urban chic with slicks on and some history
behind it. Big Boy (16) has a new 29" singlespeed MTB which he loves.
Our daughters (12 & 14) after a lot of hunting and choosing have some
"comfort" ladies frame bikes which they now ride everywhere. Cheap
enough to have Shimano's Mega low gear (34 in the rear IIRC) so easy
round our hilly neighbourhood. They love the ability to use for
exercise and transport. OK to ride in a skirt (ie school uniform or
something pretty). I've also acquired a Specialized Globe for
commuting but I am using it for more and finding it works as well with
regular clothes. Using it to run round town getting parts for a
singlespeed MTB for me. Looks like a house full of practical transport
(except Big Boy!).

Derk

Don Mackie wrote:

> Interesting thread given some developments in our household as we have
> gained a number of bikes in the past few months.
You see: higher oil prices are good for the bike industry ;-)

Derk

DougC

Paul Cassel wrote:
> Ryan Cousineau wrote:
>
> ....
> I know now that part of the reason she didn't use her other bikes for
> commuting was that she didn't want to dress up, dress down, carry
> clothes. There is something mellow about this bike which makes the
> effort to ride it about the same as walking. I'm content going maybe 10
> mph or even less for all I know. I'm hoping to prise it from her to see
> if I can commute on it in street clothes w/o the sweat issue.
> ....

I have found that the best way to avoid getting sweaty while commuting
is to leave earlier and simply ride slower (8-10 MPH) but it's difficult
to do. I find that I will speed up for something--such as to cross an
intersection, or racing a traffic signal--and then I basically forget to
slow back down.
~

Don Mackie

On May 12, 10:34*pm, Derk <nob...@invalid.org> wrote:
> Don Mackie wrote:
> > Interesting thread given some developments in our household as we have
> > gained a number of bikes in the past few months.
>
> You see: higher oil prices are good for the bike industry ;-)
>
> Derk

yes but.... we now have to agonise about choosing the right lubricant
for all those chains!!!