Chafing due to shorts over my bibs

Training
1

I always wear bibs on both the trainer and outside rides and rarely have chafing. But I’m doing a bike camping trip this fall and wanted to wear shorts over them for our frequent stops at breweries/restaurants etc. So today I did a 2 hr ride with my normal bibs with some cycling shorts over them to test the new shorts. By the end of the ride I had some pretty good chafing going on. I took the shorts off the last few miles and noticed how much cooler I was.

I plan to do another test ride next week but I’m thinking that the shorts were creating a hot/moist environment which was causing the chafing. Does this sounds right?

2

Ride in just the bibshorts, throw the other shorts on at the stops if you are worried about the bibshorts-only look?

4 Likes
3

Try some different shorts.
I often wear shorts on my MTB rides and find most of the offerings are pretty uncomfortable.

The Troy Lee Designs Ace shorts are pretty comfortable IME.

4

If you can get them where you are Endura Humvee’s are mtb baggy shorts with a lycra insert. That might be the sort of thing you’re looking for.

5

Yeah there’s a lot of lighter options too, not sure what you’re using already but I’m having really good luck with my Gore baggies this year. They’re pretty short but do offer a little more protection (I’m off road mainly) and they’re super light and very breathable. On pure XC or road rides I still just wear bibs but I’ve found that over the years I do like a minimal baggy in place for trail riding and for situations like the one you’re in.

I do remember having to get used to baggies in general again once I started wearing them after a long break from them. So there’s that too, also consider using a little anti-chafe cream in the trouble spot or like someone else suggested just pack the shorts with you and throw them on before pit stops.

1 Like
6

I second this. You could roll up a pair of athletic shorts tightly and stick in your back pocket if you don’t have some bag on your bike

7

I buy Prana stretch zion shorts when I can get them on sale. No need for a belt; they stay up even worn over slick bike bibs because they have a built-in strap that lets you adjust the waist tightness. Stretchy fabric and a nice zippered pocket on the leg.