Given that I commute on the road bike 4 days a week now, it's becoming a bit of a chore to keep washing shorts in the week, as not commuting in my good stuff.

So, anyone out there got experience of the cheap end of shorts? Sadly I'm looking at lycra cos it's on a road bike, and it's a 36 mile round trip, so don't want something too shabby, just more budget and non-bib. And preferably not shinier than a geordies bling.

Oh, and I've already ruled out DHB as in the pair I have the pad is way too wide so bunches up and chafes my delicate manly thighs.

I'd be worried about leaving used shorts around for days on end – washing them at low temperature might not get all the stuff that's been growing in them out/dead.

Tesco were doing padded lycra shorts for £8.99

I got a couple of pair to wear under baggies on long rides. They're not too flattering but not bad price

Decathlon for me. Just bought another pair of their middle ranking (red pad) range (bibs, natch). do the commuting job fine.

I used to use a pair of shorts for a couple of days, but the warmth of summer means that I'm soaked with sweat when I arrive, and they don't dry enough during the day to avoid undercarriage-unpleasantness.

Got out an old pair of Assos today. Comfy..! 😀

Second Decathlon, their shorts are very good for the money.

DHB bib short are fantastic – look on wiggle

I wouldn't buy rubbish for riding that amount of time in the saddle. No way would I not be washing them daily.

I'm disgusting, I will wear the same shorts for every commuting day of the week, and I also do 36+ mile round trip.
I wouldn't be scrimping on shorts to be honest. I would rather scrimp elsewhere. In fact, if you are serious about commuting and do it in all weathers you shouldn't scrimp much on any of your clothes.

Obviously cheap jerseys etc from lidl are fine. But in the winter i mean, you need good tights and a good layering system.

And for comfort I would alwyas go for a bibbed short

If you can, try not to skimp on Lycra shorts man as they are a vital contact part of the bike.

Voila:

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C1232

as not commuting in my good stuff.

Why not? Life's too short! I rode in this morning in Assos FI.13 shorts, what's the point in having nice kit if you don't use it!

You're doing a decent ride, why use cheap kit?

I was going to sugest DHB if you hadn't already rulled them out.
I find them a lot more comfortable than a lot of more expensive brands.

My lycra is either Aldi or Halfords. I'd take the opposite POV in that I'm not sure why you need to spend loads. The Halfords ones are a better fit for me. 36 miles is not really a long road ride, is it?

Did anyone say it was? I said a decent ride.

More expensive stuff is more comfy IME, with some clear exceptions. I've never had cheap shorts that I've thought to be much cop personally! My favourites these days are Gore Ozon, which are quite mid-range though. Assos have gone down in quality whilst the prices are now ridiculous.

Agree with njee about the Ozons, super comfy.

But you certainly do get more when you spend more on cycling shorts.
Look out for the elastic interface seat inserts (used by GORE BIKE WEAR, Assos etc) made by Cyctech.
The more expensive shorts have more technology and therefore costs in the inserts. Simple.

When I am on my bike I want to be as comfy as possible. So I buy a nice saddle and I get the best shorts.

36 miles is not really a long road ride, is it?

Did anyone say it was? I said a decent ride.

er, yes. Cynic-al:

I wouldn't buy rubbish for riding that amount of time in the saddle

I use Aldi lycra shorts for all my riding, I have half a dozen pairs. Not had any assos or whaetever to compare them against but they seem alright to me 😉

My Assos F1 Uno shorts were one of the most disappointing purchases since I started cycling.

Yes, agree they're rubbish, the pad's too bulky and in the wrong place, the FI.Mille and FI.13 (the older ones at least) are far far better.

I rode my old F1 Milles today. Apart from the pad, they are supremely comfortable. The trouble with the pad is that it folds lengthways along the middle (i.e. up my arris), which isn't altogether pleasant.

I'm using dhb, and Endura.

Can I recommend these guys.
http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/
Fast delivery, good quality at good (sometimes great) prices.

http://www.shuttvr.com/

How about the entry level Shutt VR shorts?

£29 for full bibs, they look pretty damn good.

No personal experience yet but I will be ordering some shortly.

oops didn't read non bib. my bad.

But still I'd go for something a little upmarket, my commute is about the same and 4 days riding would save around £20+ in petrol.

I rode my old F1 Milles today

One of my pairs of Milles are now so old they're only fit to be worn under tights, virtually see through in places!

Why non-bib, out of interest? I can't imagine going back!

i bought some More Miles padded lycra shorts for £13 a pair, very good fitting, comfy and appear well made

They're from Start Fitness in newcastle i think they have website worth looking at

cheers
nick

+1 for tesco, they're ok as my spare pair.

Top commuting or short ride tip; rub a good handful of moisturising lotion on your perineum and bits, keeps you chafe free and fresh smelling when you get there…