Mikie
Admin/iMTB Hooligan
I started riding in the very early 90’s. There was no such thing as “Baggies”. My cycling channeled through racing so Lycra was the shorts. I think Pearl Izumi was the pants of choice. Form fitting, cool in hot weather, padded for hours of seated cycling. Very efficient clothing for cycling and racing.
So when the Baggies came on the scene they made no sense to me. It was fashion before function in my eyes. I stuck with Pearl Izumi. Fun jesting from my compadres sticking to Lycra, I tried a couple of pairs but found them hot or bulky, catching on the nose of my saddle, so I shunned Baggies.
@mtbMike threw out there in a post some Costco shorts for $12 bucks that worked pretty well as riding shorts. I bought a pair and was surprised I liked them. And I went back and bought several pair. So I wore my P.I.’s under them for the pads, but often taking the shorts back off when I got too hot while riding.
ENTER THE FOX RANGER CYCLING SHORTS
@SnakeCharmer bought some Fox Ranger shorts and said they were the wrong size (36). I said I was interested and he brought them to a ride. I took them home and tried them on. Wow! Perfect fit!
So yesterday, I tried them on a ride and I have to say, I was very impressed. To be honest, some things you want to notice, others you don’t. For example, I DON’T want to “think” about my shorts on a ride. Once on the bike and about 50 pedal strokes into the ride, I was already on to other things which is exactly how it should be!
The Fox Ranger seems long legged but it was not at all noticeable while riding. The material is extremely lightweight. This pair had two front pockets with the actual pockets made of a mesh material. There is no zipper in the front, instead it is sewn half way up and has two snaps to close the pants. Didn’t even notice until afterwards. They come with an undergarment pad which is super light. The pad worked great. Completely forgot about my saddle. What was interesting was the padded underpants were sewen together with instructions to cut them apart upon purchase. I left them attached for the first ride, but cut them apart for washing.
What was nice is the crotch is tailored well so I found they did not catch on the saddle nose. That’s a big one for me. The last thing I want is to be bombing some technical section and be focused on uncatching my shorts from my saddle trying to get my weight back and going over the bars into boulders of death! Although I didn’t ride any technical yesterday, getting on and off the saddle was effortless.
Baggy enough to ping the @herzalot fashion meter, yet clingy enough to meet my function meter, these shorts were a win win in both camps.
I would consider these shorts summer riding gear. You would need to add to them for warmth in cold winter.
PROS:
My first positive experience wearing Baggies/Shorts that gave me hope that you can have function and fashion in the same shorts. With an added rear pocket for before and after ride activity, these were a winner winner chicken dinner pair of pantelones!
So when the Baggies came on the scene they made no sense to me. It was fashion before function in my eyes. I stuck with Pearl Izumi. Fun jesting from my compadres sticking to Lycra, I tried a couple of pairs but found them hot or bulky, catching on the nose of my saddle, so I shunned Baggies.
@mtbMike threw out there in a post some Costco shorts for $12 bucks that worked pretty well as riding shorts. I bought a pair and was surprised I liked them. And I went back and bought several pair. So I wore my P.I.’s under them for the pads, but often taking the shorts back off when I got too hot while riding.
ENTER THE FOX RANGER CYCLING SHORTS
@SnakeCharmer bought some Fox Ranger shorts and said they were the wrong size (36). I said I was interested and he brought them to a ride. I took them home and tried them on. Wow! Perfect fit!
So yesterday, I tried them on a ride and I have to say, I was very impressed. To be honest, some things you want to notice, others you don’t. For example, I DON’T want to “think” about my shorts on a ride. Once on the bike and about 50 pedal strokes into the ride, I was already on to other things which is exactly how it should be!
The Fox Ranger seems long legged but it was not at all noticeable while riding. The material is extremely lightweight. This pair had two front pockets with the actual pockets made of a mesh material. There is no zipper in the front, instead it is sewn half way up and has two snaps to close the pants. Didn’t even notice until afterwards. They come with an undergarment pad which is super light. The pad worked great. Completely forgot about my saddle. What was interesting was the padded underpants were sewen together with instructions to cut them apart upon purchase. I left them attached for the first ride, but cut them apart for washing.
What was nice is the crotch is tailored well so I found they did not catch on the saddle nose. That’s a big one for me. The last thing I want is to be bombing some technical section and be focused on uncatching my shorts from my saddle trying to get my weight back and going over the bars into boulders of death! Although I didn’t ride any technical yesterday, getting on and off the saddle was effortless.
Baggy enough to ping the @herzalot fashion meter, yet clingy enough to meet my function meter, these shorts were a win win in both camps.
I would consider these shorts summer riding gear. You would need to add to them for warmth in cold winter.
PROS:
- Light breathable material form fitting enough to do their job of NOT being noticeable when riding
- Do not appear to catch on saddle
- Pad works well
- Meets @herzalot fashion standards
- Pockets seem pointless as the shorts are so slim that keys or phone would feel bulky while riding
- No rear pocket for “after ride” wallet. What’s the point of fashion if you gotta toss your wallet in your front pocket to get fish tacos and beer afterward?
My first positive experience wearing Baggies/Shorts that gave me hope that you can have function and fashion in the same shorts. With an added rear pocket for before and after ride activity, these were a winner winner chicken dinner pair of pantelones!
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Too many changes
