seen some rapha "touring" shorts and thought they would be a good idea for a larger lad on a road bike through spring summer. is there anything similar but not £70?
Only thing that springs to mind is the Surface shorts, may be a bit warm for summer and quite hard to find now
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/m6b289s56p7028/SURFACE_Liquistretch_Shorts_-_Grey/RS_GB/17668
I've taken some decent chino style work trousers before and had them altered, (there is usually someone advertising in a shop window to do alteration cheaply if you don't know anyone) in to long shorts. Worked well for me. I'm fine up to about 50 or so mile sans padded shorts but you can always stick some one underneath.
seen some rapha "touring" shorts and thought they would be a good idea for a larger lad
Rapha sizing comes up rather snug in general and in the touring shorts in particular. Would also recommend the surface ones, and shouldn't imagine they'd be over warm - they're quite a thin stretchy material, but think they may be discontinued, bargaintastic if you can find any in stock. Evans were selling them for buttons.
If you ever come across a lululemon shop - mainly in canada
Grab some chief shorts - they are the absolute bollocks for what you need
theres even a facebook page for them 8)
Endura Singletrack shorts. Awesome.
the outer of the gore countdown shorts are nice, the inner is ok but may not suit everyone.
I'm also looking for some smart new "touring" style shorts for city riding.
Have been using one ragged old pair of Endura Humvees for years, but they're really too baggy, not waterproof, and too many pockets etc.