Shorts or Knicks

[syconate]

Quick question. For XC and freeride what are a good quality, comfortable knicks and or shorts with chamois?

Cheers

Nate

[Cúl-Báire]

Ok For XC- define XC- long hours in the saddle, working the but off... I personally use Assos bibs, they are hell comfortable, really well made and really the best money can buy- but they come with a huge price tag around $250 to $325 Aussie coin :(

Pearl Izumi are said to make great knicks also- I am going to try out some one day soon, seeing as I will be spending loads of my hours on the roadie in the next few months



Freeridey baggies with chamios- not really aware of any freeridey type shorts that come with a chamios- but check out N-ZO, Scody and the other one...whatw as it called? Bah! Loads of XC type shorts out there- but non with the length I'd call hu<kz0r@ crazy freeride shorts.

[RCOH]

Quick question. For XC and freeride what are a good quality, comfortable knicks and or shorts with chamois?

Cheers

Nate

I have some Fox SHorts with knicks & chamois connected underneath. The shorts are made from the 'parachute' type material & aare comfy, the knicks are only connected at waistband so you can tun the who short insideout for drying/airing out. The chamois is comfy & i have experience no chafing from seams or anything.

I have been riding at least 15km a day in them for 5-6 days a week for past 3 weeks & they seem fine, I have to get my self another pair because I don't think it is entirely hygenic to use only 1 pair of knicks a week:eek: :o

They were $90 a couple of years ago, but I am pretty sure there would be similar things available now. Highly recommended.

[M@DM!KE]

Cannibal 11 Panel nicks are the best knicks i've used for XC riding for the price anyway (under $100). I normally just throw a pair of fox shorts or a pair of boardies over the top if i go for a street ride (or something a little less XC than usual)
There are companies such as Fox that do baggy shorts with chamois/nicks attached inside: For example....
http://shop.foxracing.com/ecomm/ProductForward.do?forward=product.pagedef&proId=7410&cid=147&cname=Shorts&proNumber=26044&imgName=26044028F.jpg
These are another great option for a cruise down to the cafe on the weekends or if you are a bit too extreme on your XC/trail rides to just wear knicks.
It does pose the problem as posted above: if you do ride frequently, it isn't entirely hygenic to be sporting the same pair of shorts/knicks every day.
Check out your LBS. A good shop will have several options for you.

[scratchy]

I have been riding at least 15km a day in them for 5-6 days a week for past 3 weeks & they seem fine, I have to get my self another pair because I don't think it is entirely hygenic to use only 1 pair of knicks a week:eek: :o


Fark dude, you better be washing those puppies a couple of times a week otherwise you're going to have some big issues south of the border!

Avoid Netti, Made in Fiji now and they fall apart. Once you get used to knicks you don't bother with normal shorts. Like everything in cycling it's a compromise. The shorts comromise performance, knicks compromise looks. It depends what's important to you.

PS. Go Bib style knicks, you won't regret it!

[R33F]

If you are after a general trail short/ freeride short, try the N-Zo Dobies.

Here is another thread done on this. Hope it helps.


http://forums.farkin.net/showthread.php?t=39700

[Techno Destructo]

For knicks, Castelli is teh BOMB!!!

Awesome, awesome knicks. Cost about $120+ per pair though.

Netti, seems no matter what they make, sucks. Their top end knicks are the same.:confused: I own a pair, and seriously, I'll never buy them again. The backs fall down your butt-crack, they don't feel great, they feel sticky going on...

[alchemist]

I like my irule (http://www.irule.co.nz)knicks, most comfy I've warn. They're shorter in the legs than most which can look a bit strange if you have long legs (unlike me). You can also order them with little pockets on the legs which are great for gels etc, which is particularly handy if you are wearing a pack and can't easily access jersy pockets.

Alchemist

[Beena]

It's 2XU Elite knicks all the way for me, I've had Assos, Cannondale etc, but i reckon the 2XU ones are the best of the lot, even through my brief ownership of them, and cheaper to boot!
(they are an Aussie company born from the high flyers from Orca - that means no middle man!)

[ebuk]

It's 2XU Elite knicks all the way for me,

What did these cost?

[ebuk]

PS. Go Bib style knicks, you won't regret it!

Why? What are the benefits of Bib style knicks? As I am looking for new knicks at the moment perhaps I shall expand my search to bib knicks.

[Mr Pants]

iRule knicks put all others to shame, period! And for the quality are very resonably priced. Their jerseys are top notch too, though a bit racer-boy but wick away sweat amazingly well.

www.iRule.co.nz

This site also has heaps of info on nutrition, training and racing.

PI are good but oh so $$$$.

Pants.

[...jim]

Why? What are the benefits of Bib style knicks?

They don't sag at all. I find conventional knicks tend to move down and occationally snag my saddle if I'm moving around - bibs just stay stuck to your sack n' crack.

Other benefits are that they're a touch warmer - which might not be such a plus in high summer...they can have at your nipples somewhat as well.

[syconate]

Thanks for the info guys, appreciate it. :)

[bryce]

Freeridey baggies with chamios- not really aware of any freeridey type shorts that come with a chamios- but check out N-ZO, Scody and the other one...whatw as it called? Bah! Loads of XC type shorts out there- but non with the length I'd call hu<kz0r@ crazy freeride shorts.

i have a pair of netti shorts with chamios... very comfortable

[Bodin]

I use Cannibal knicks for racing and Kathmandu "Cranky Pants" for commuting. The Kathmandu pants have a pretty simple chamois, but are incredibly durable and are completely devoid of any graphics, which I prefer. I've had them for about 5 years now and I hope they still make them, as I'll be wanting another pair when these die.

[ScottD]

for general trail riding with everything else chucked in i use normal lycra bike shorts with chamoix and casual shorts ontop

[scratchy]

Why? What are the benefits of Bib style knicks? As I am looking for new knicks at the moment perhaps I shall expand my search to bib knicks.

Hmmm. I can't tell you, it's a secret, passed down from experienced cyclist and rarely stumbled apon by the newbie.

Looking at the Tour de France and blokes who are on their bikes for weeks at a time belting out thousands of k's they all seem to be wearing bibs, theres a clue.

I'll give you another.


C--------O--------M--------F-------O--------R--------T

Take a chance ebuk. You won't regret it. (and yes, you can name your firstborn Scratchy in hommage, once you realise how comfortable they are). :)

[craign]

I sometimes find Bib knicks a bit warm in summer. Comfortable though.

[ebuk]

(and yes, you can name your firstborn Scratchy in hommage, once you realise how comfortable they are). :)


But what if my first born is a girl?....oh wait, there's no difference

(just kidding)


Figured it was a comfort thing and already went out and bought a pair yesterday....

[Beena]

What did these cost?

They're $209. They do have a couple lower, at $139 and 99, but they don't have the fused chamois and the super-cool-watch-the-turbulent-air-around-my-thigh-as-i-pass-you fabrics.

[scratchy]

Figured it was a comfort thing and already went out and bought a pair yesterday....

Cool, post thoughs after a week or so to let the other punters know what you think of them.

[Oddjob]

I'm in fear of being arrested if I appear in public with knicks, so I use shorts exclusively. I'm a big fan of the Nike bike shorts with built in webbing and chamois but I have to say my favourites at the moment are Scody Hazards, really comfortable and very cool, but they have stuff all in terms of pockets which is a pain.

[dilemma]

I've just been given a pair of Ground Effect Jitterbugs knicks (new, not 2nd hand ;) ), they are really comfy and they don't have elastic grippers on the legs. (NB these are women's specific knicks, but they have men's versions as well). Plus the lycra is not shiny, which is much more preferable for mtb. (I am part roadie as well!)

Other favourites in my collection are N-Zo MX shorts and Kombies, both word with Cruiseliner Deluxe knicks/liners underneath. They look good and are functional, but can be a bit hot with the 2 layers.

I usually wear knicks for off road riding, I guess that's coming from the roadie in me, but I like shorts as well. I guess it depends on the type of ride.

[Al_D]

I've used a range of shorts and knicks over the years. The N-ZO MX and Kombies are great trail shorts worn with knicks or 'crusieliner-deluxe' underneath (although the cruiseliners can chafe on long rides). I've also tried integrated ones - fox and netti but they aren't as comfortable as seperate knicks. My favorite so far are Lab-gear knicks, cheap, well made and comfortable. I'm going to try their bib style ones next (and maybe some perl-izumi if on special...)

May your riding be long and chafe free:)

[syconate]

Chafe is not funny!!!! Makes you walk like a cowboy!

[aaron01]

I'm using the cannibal bibs for roadie stuff & just throw a pair of shorts over them for the enduros & xc gear, modesty is the best policy I believe. been doing this for around 10+ years without chaffing, personally though I'd always use bib shorts as I find them more secure and tend not to ride up/down which is a good thing on the long climbs.

[ebuk]

Cool, post thoughs after a week or so to let the other punters know what you think of them.

A hearty two thumbs up for the bib knicks. I won't go back to normal style knicks I reckon. A few hours (continuous) riding at manly dam and they are perfect. Didn't move round and kept everything snug and tight.

I bought UNO Clothing bibs.

[swinna]

Pearl Izumi 3D knicks are the way to go mate. ;)

[maketrails]

Try the N-Zo cruiseliners. Just wear them underneath any lightweight shorts.
I actually just buy cheap simple shorts from target ($15-$20) and wear N-Zo's underneath. The shorts are still good quality, last for ages and when you tear the hip open after a stack you don't feel any emotional pain (physical yes) because you just tore your 'fox's', or 'castelli's' or yada yada's.

The reality these days is that the cheap shorts you buy from target aren't that far off the expensive brand name ones you buy. There both made in the same countries, using the same materials and sometimes in the same factories.

What did these cost?

[Shrekmeister]

bib and brace are also good in winter...

the gap at the back between shirt and pants dosent exist, and hence we dont get as cold....

[lance]

I highly support the comments wrt bibs - best way to go to avoid chafing and moving knicks on longer rides. Make hanging a piss an issue, but not impossible - there are a few alternatives as to how to get around it...

The more expensive the bibs generally mean the more comfy they are, but can also mean the more fragile they (materials and construction) are.

I've been trying some http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C7384 recently, and for the price (delivered) i can't fault them. The cut isn't a good as some other euro knicks i have had, and the Chamois is a thin, but comfort and performance wise, for long rides and short, they work a treat.

One other thing - wrt to maintenance and washing, many brands say to hand wash their knicks - I think this is because the washing mashine is quite rough with them (pushing, pulling and stretching them) so just buy a washing bag (from lingerie shops etc) and whack them in that, and then dry the knicks out of the sun - the UV does nasty stuff to the fabric.

Lastly, and most importantly IMHO, use a chamois cream or crotch lube - there are some exxy Assos type stuff out there, but also savlon etc - something that can be washed out! - that means not vaseline! - it'll soak into the knicks and stay for ever... unless you like that kind of thing.

Lance.