Source: Tanya Crocker
What women want...how hard is it to make a decent bike short?
I've spent a number of years trying to find some shorts, preferably women's that fit well and are comfortable to ride in. I honestly can't believe how hard it is. I swear some companies tend to think most female riders are five feet tall and a size two. Don't misinterpret me on that, there is nothing wrong with being tiny, this is why they make small or extra small sizes. I'm just saying there are actually more of us who are a size eight or more. Girls whose body types tend to generate more muscle in the bum/thigh/calves who need shorts to fit as well.
This isn't a new issue I know. I've read numerous message boards and heard many complaints from the women I ride with on a regular basis. I've played rugby, lacrosse, field hockey, snowboard, wakeboard and run. I eat right (usually, a girl has to have her wine and cheese every so often) and am a normal (body wise) healthy female. But when it comes to finding women's bike shorts I still have a problem. For some reason a medium is a little too tight and the large looks like I am trying on my older brother's shorts. I do believe things are getting better however. This summer I tried on a pair of Dakine women's Mode shorts (medium) and they fit! I was amazed. I've been wearing them now for the past few months in all sorts of weather and the Modes have become one of my favourites.
I am a techie girl. I love gear that is well made and provides the user with the options of vents/pockets/pass holders. Dakine doesn't disappoint. Made with a 400D plain weave nylon, the material has stood up to multiple washes, and they still maintain their shape with no shrinking of the inner material which usually leads to bunching of the outer material above the knees. The mesh lining, side waist adjustments and zippered inner leg vents are all there which now seem to be standard in most DH/Freeride shorts.
The pockets are great, however the only one with a zipper is a side pocket down the leg. Just big enough to hold my cell phone or car keys and credit card. The two back pockets have a corner with a snap and a corner with velcro. The two front pockets are open. I have to say though that I spent a few days riding in the Whistler Bike Park with change in my pocket and not once did I lose any coins. I still would not put my I.D. in them.
I really like the idea of the pass pocket but the short elastic string is not long enough to pull out and have your pass scanned. It is meant to be removable, however when you have the shorts on and are wearing gloves it is a little awkward. I found it worked great though for holding money and by debit card.
Features
-Removable recoil pass pocket
-Crotch gusset increases range of motion
-Zippered inner leg vents
-Side waist tab adjustments
-Heavyweight rib knit back stretch panel
-Ventilated mesh lining
-Freeride fit-13.75 inseam
Materials
-400D plain weave nylon
-Polyester birdseye waistband
Sizes
-S,M,L,XL
