Here's the deal: if you are a cyclist, you realize the benefit of padded lycra shorts for riding. Enough so that you're probably willing to sacrifice dignity - in my case I write it off to "psh, I'm married already, they can eat their hearts out" - in the name of pure cycling comfort. However, if you are a big fella/lady your options can be a bit limited - that's where aerotech designs (DOT COM) comes in to play.
Three years ago shortly after I started cycling someone on the Internet turned me their way as I was seeking a way to ease my (somewhat extreme) discomfort. I ordered the "Pro Bike Short" in 5XL, and in the mail came the "Top Shelf Bike Short" as apparently at the time they were way backordered on the Pro but someone there forgot to take it off their website so they honored the order and sent me something that cost twice as much. You can see now this is going to be more of a love story than a review, right?
Anyway, here's the deal, I've ridden those shorts through everything for the past three years. For the past three years they are the only pair of cycling shorts I've owned that I've ridden more than 10 miles. I'll note, for the record, I did warn about TMI at the outset of this thing so kissamahass. See I'm one of those who likes to buy something quality, then use it up until the point it has nothing left to give. In this case, they still have something left, I just bought another pair because: a.) they're getting comically too big for me (yes, lycra CAN get "too big", not kidding), b.) I'd like to not have to do laundry every night.
There's my review. I've ridden one pair of cycling shorts on all kinds of bikes, over all kinds of terrain, and well over 10,000 miles in the past three years. Never once have they been a source of discomfort, in fact they alleviated some serious issues I was having with skivvies and gym shorts before switching. I've used them as a liner for pants/other shorts, and ridden them on their own. As long as you wash them after every use, they'll provide bacteria-free padded gloriousness. Pair them with a Brooks and you have cycling Nirvana. Seriously.
Anyway, can you see I can't say enough good? But in reality, here's the deal, being a bigger folk and riding a bicycle you are at a lack of.. everything. Clothing being a big (no pun intended.. kinda) one, and when you do find stuff it can be lacking in quality (I had a brief stint with some Nashbar shorts, never again. Ever.), or sized really really wrong (helloooo Pearl Izumi). These are neither of those, my only reccomendation on 'em is to pick the size that is about 4 inches smaller than your waist size. You'll be happy. I am. If they weren't 80 bones a pair (which in the grand scheme of cycling shorts isn't so bad), I'd probably have a dozen pair.
Or, you know, more than one.
:)
4 comments:
Ben,
Thanks for the info, I have been eyeing up their web site for a better part of a year, but just never wanted to shell out the money on a unknown.
I will confirm your comment on "Pearl" short. I would like to someday be the person that fits into their 2xl. Also, they should come with a warning label that if you have recently trimmed your, well you get the idea, and force your self into those 2xl (small) shorts that a chea-pet thing can result when you look down to get a water bottle for a friend..... I still have not lived that down.
That speaks volumes for those shorts. 10,000 plus miles and still going. I only own one pair of shorts too which is a pain to keep washing them but worth it.
Jason - Yup, their 2XL is more like a "Large, but we thought we'd make you feel like a fattie". And yeah, they're well worth it. Lots of money, but well worth it. I'm a bit mixed on their new leg grippers.. but that's a minor bitch :).
Mike J - Glad to hear I'm not the only one! :) I was going to attempt more out of those shorts - truth be told I'll probably still ride them for commuting - but for longer rides they are a bit uncomfortable due to the bacteria build up (I'm sure) on the pad. Don't ask :).
I own 3 jerseys and 2 pairs of shorts from Aerotech and love them all. Not the most fashionable bike clothing in the industry but they do the job and the fit real people (me 300+). Most recently got the Borah baggy touring shorts for use on my new Surly LHT and adore them.
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