6 Affordable Bike Shorts

“Greg
Written by
These budget-friendly bike shorts
 will have you cycling in style—and comfort—so you won't feel the need to forego a month of in-ride coffee stops to afford them.
Pearl Izumi W Select Escape Short
$70
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The Pearl Izumi Women's Select Escape shorts are as durable as they are comfortable. These cycling shorts offer like-new comfort and still hold their shape after miles and miles in the saddle—and wash after wash.
Castelli Evoluzione 2 Bibshort
$89
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The Castelli Evoluzione 2 bib shorts—the same brand worn by Team Sky in the Tour de France—look as pro as they feel. The stretchy straps kept the shorts tucked against your body, which also helps to keep the ample chamois in place. We never chafed, even when cycling without applying chamois cream. This Castelli short is also available in a form-fitting race fit.
Castelli Vista Women's Short
$89
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Providing our testers a comfortable, over-the-hip fit thanks to the yoga waistband, the Castelli Vista Women's Short is a great option for those who don't want to bother with bib short straps. Coverage provided by the back of these cycling shorts was excellent, and the below-the-navel cut in front made the waistband feel like it wasn't even there. The compressive leg panels of these Italian-designed shorts are snug, so size up if in doubt.
Specialized RBX Sport Bibshort
$70
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The Specialized RBX Sport bib shorts—with a compressive 9-inch inseam, printed silicone leg grippers and panels cut to fit while you're riding in the drops—were designed for virtually any type of riding over any distance. Specialized fit is consistent and true-to-size across all models, so if you already have shorts from this California-based brand, you already know what size you need.
Bontrager Anara Women's Cycling Short
$79
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The Bontrager Anara Women's Cycling Short is much more stylish and functional than standard Lycra shorts. The cut of these affordable bottoms flatters while the lightly-compressive fabric panels are designed to fight fatigue on the bike. Plus, minimal-but-effective leg grippers at the end of the 7.5-inch inseam won't cause "sausage-leg".
Performance Bike Ultra Short
$99
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Available in sizes small to XXXL with many of the same features found in pro-level, custom-fit cycling kits—flatlock seams, variable-density chamois, printed leg grippers—the Performance Bike Ultra Short can be bought online or in person at any Performance Bike shop.
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