Do we have bikers here? Question about bike pants!

[new2010]

do we've bikers here? I want to start use bike as my primarily means of locomotion. Even I want to do some longer trips. Since aerodynamic sitting position is important to not waste any energy the clothing may be a part of that too. May will recommend bike pants for that kind of adventure. However, these pants do really like weird not to say, disgusting. Especially your private parts are noticeable. So I probably would be ashamed to wear such. Are there alternatives?

Even not, when we have bikers here please get in touch here, so we can discuss about it. It's quite fascinating to be able to travel for thousands of miles with your own power and without harming the environment. And the best: It's FREE :shade:

 

[*charisma*]

Walaikum Asalaam

lool yes, they are gross.

I don't bike, but there are shorts called "remote shorts" which are baggier. You can also buy the bike shorts and wear light, baggier shorts over them..something like swimming trunks maybe?

 

[ardianto]

do we've bikers here?

Now I rarely ride bicycle. But I've ever raced on BMX race when I was kid, and after retired sometime I rode on cross-country bicycling.

Since aerodynamic sitting position is important to not waste any energy the clothing may be a part of that too.

The aerodynamic sitting position that you mean actually is only for road racing or velodrome track racing which the riders also need 'aerodynamic' tight clothes. But for other purpose of riding which aerodynamic is not significant factor, like fun riding, BMX, or cross-country, you don't need to sit in aerodynamic position like that. And you also don't need to wear tight pant, but you can wear loose model bicycle pant that more suitable for traveling, like this one

http://cdn.elevenia.co.id/g/5/3/1/0/6/9/18531069_B.jpg

 

[Eric H]

Just over fifty years ago, I remember cycling a fairly hilly thousand miles through Wales and Ireland. I wore ordinary shorts and tracksuit bottoms. The one thing I would say is look for fairly thin underwear with the thinnest seams, it is the seams or elastic rubbing that causes discomfort.

You can buy cycle touring shorts, which are like any regular shorts to look at, but they have shammy leather inside, you may need to put a skin cream on. The idea is that the cream helps the shammy to stick to you, it does not rub, and it is much more comfortable to ride regular long distances.

Back in 1983, I rode the Paris Brest Paris ride, this was 750 miles in 84 hours. Over two thousand people from all over the world took part, I was the only person to ride it on a single speed fixed wheel bike. This meant there was no free wheel downhill, and I had to turn the peddles round a mere 225,000 times. On top of that we rode about 150 miles to the event and back again after, so I notched up around 300, 000 peddle revolutions, roughly one every five meters. Going downhill was fun, I could reach around 230 peddle rpm, normal touring rates are around 80 - 90 rpm for most people.

Once you learn how to breathe properly, and learn the skills of peddling, then long distances are not that difficult.

 

[new2010]

Hi Eric,

that sounds cool. I want to do the same. Long distance. That must had been so cool. You're seeing everything and it's so cheap and environmental friendly. What kind of bike had you used for that? I considering buying a Crossbike but a Trekkingbike would be more suitable I guess, because it's invented for long distance tours with luggage. However, I do like Crossbikes because I think you can drive easer fast with them. And they look I bit sportier. That should not be an argument actually, but is it comfortable to to long distance with a Trekkingbike? I also want to use in the City, coming from A to B with own manpower.

 

[Eric H]

Hi new2010;

I am not the best person to advise you on choosing a bike, this is what I ended up with.



I can tell you that it does not hurt when you go flying over the handle bars, it only hurts when you hit the road.

This is a cartoon of me that ended up in a cycling magazine after the Paris ride. This is a fair impression of peddling speed, and it was drawn by racing cyclists.



I only bought second hand bikes, I paid £15 for a 1950 Freddy Grub frame, the only new bits were the tyres and saddle. The whole bike cost about £100, which was cheap even in the 1980's. People seem to buy bikes with good intentions, but give up fairly quickly, the bikes are left in the garage for ages and sold off cheap.

There is a skill in learning how to peddle, it should not feel as if you are putting a lot of effort into it, learning how to breathe is important too.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.