The long and the short of bike shorts

3. Size your shorts carefully
The worst thing a cyclist can do is rush when trying on bike shorts. If you plan on spending more than a few hours in the saddle every week, your cycling shorts are key to your long-term comfort. Ignore the sizing information (remember, this is Lycra we're talking about), especially if the shorts are European (designations like“Large” or “size-2” are little more than vague guidelines). Keep in mind - as with swimsuits, you'll be trying on the shorts with underwear, but riding without. If the shorts feel a little snug, and if there's the merest hint of traction, you're in for trouble. Size up or down accordingly.

4. Try Bibs
If you don't thinks of yourself as the suspenders type, maybe it's time to reconsider. Most cycling apparel companies offer a bib-short product in addition to their traditional waistband shorts. The advantage of bibs is that they hold everything in place - especially the padding -- so when you're energetically hopping up and out of the saddle climbing those steep hills, the shorts don't slide around as you take a seated position.

5. Leave the undies off
Cycling shorts are designed so that you don't need to wear underwear. In fact, they're a combination of underwear and overwear. The more fabric you put between you and the padding, the more likely you are to incur grief. It may seem a little strange at first, but leave the undies off.

In, ahem, short, so long as you keep those five tips in mind, you're in for a pleasant summer on the bike. These tips also apply to those of us who spend our winters spinning at the local gym. Cycling needn't be such a pain in the butt. Make sure your shorts are the right ones for you.

Click here for safety tips in spinning classes.

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