Altura Airstream Shorts

Advantages: Will enhance riding confort and performance by untold amounts
Disadvantages: Quite expensive at c.£50

...Being an increasingly keen participant in cross country mountain biking, I decided to kit myself out with the necessary clothing to ease the pain of those long rides. Not being one who is easily conned by clever marketing, and of course being a lifelong sceptic, it was out of character for me to follow recommendations to buy the Endura MT500 short. These may initially seem expensive at around £50, but believe me, for the money you will not be able to find any better. Long climbs become suddenly more comfortable, and you don't get the chafe around the seams as you would with cheaper shorts. The kevlar seams are fully flatlocked, giving the short superb flexibility, and removes the embarrassing worry of the short giving way when the going gets a bit rough (see gorse grass and bramble attacks!). Further durability is provided by the dual... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Hard wearing, smart, practical
Disadvantages: very uncomfortable

...I have a pair of Polaris Nexus cycle shorts purchased in 1996 or there abouts, they are comfortable (I have removed the padding) smart and hard wearing. They have covered thousands of miles and are only just starting to show their age. I have another pair identical in all but colour purchased in 2005 which are so tight around the nuts as to be useable only for indoor games. This reflects the review of the other reviewer of these shorts and indicates a superb product ruined through lack of attention to detail (possibly during a change of manufacturer). The shorts seem to be cut for standing up not for cycling. I do not know if Polaris still exist as their Web Site is no longer available, if they do not still exist it is easy to see why not!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great quality, good price, excellent!
Disadvantages: Difficult to walk in

...Having not ridden a bike for just over 11 years, and, therefore being a 'born again' cyclist I nver realised the pain and agony that I would suffer. I have never been in to lycra. The skin tight look is very unflattering on me and there is no way that I can pull it off. I always thought that 'proper' cyclist clothing was just for show and served no real purpose. How wrong was I. My first ride out consisted of a 10 mile warm up. I went out in a normal pair of shorts and............... After the first 2 miles I was getting a numb rear. After 5 miles the chaffing set in, and after 7 miles I was in absolute agony. I could not sit down properly for 3 days and I was walking funny for 2. After this fiasco I went in to a local shop and decided to get some lycra shorts. I was told by the very helpful assistant that there were 'undershorts... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful