Bib Shorts
Once you cross the line - as arbitrary as it is - between a "casual" cyclist, and a "recreational" cyclist, there are some mental barriers to cross.
One of these is the decision to shave one's legs - the hallmark of the true roadie.
The other is Spandex clothing.
Spandex, being absolutely form fitting, leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to your body. Every bulge, bump, and wrinkle will be outlined. Some of this can be mitigated with careful color choices (bright colors on the chest and shoulders, black around the gut) but there's no getting around the fact that Spandex flatters the fit and does the opposite to those earlier on their fitness development curve.
So then, is it worth it?
Hell yes.
A good set of bib shorts is probably the single biggest improvement in ride comfort that I've ever made, with a proper saddle placing a close second.
Here's why:
- Bib shorts are held up by the integrated suspenders, rather than your waist. This means there is no pinching or crimping as you bend forward over the bars. As they are cut high in back, they also categorically cannot fall down, which means "plumber's crack" is impossible.
- They have integrated padding in the crotch, which fits under your sit bones and beneath your perineum. This padding is always there, which means that you aren't solely dependant on the padding on the saddle to absorb shock. This means you can shift around on the saddle without needing to worry about where the saddle padding is - which in turn means that you don't need much padding on the saddle, which means that your position on the bike stays the same throughout the ride (a soft, squishy saddle slowly settles during a ride and changes your position)
- Spandex wicks sweat almost instantly, which means you stay cool and dry through the whole ride.
- As it doesn't flap around in the wind, there is less aero drag, and you cannot get clothing caught in the whirly bits.
Really, if you are spending any amount of time on the bike, a good set of bibs makes a night and day comfort difference.
They can be a bit pricey, but they tend to last a long time if properly cared for. A couple of pairs of bibs will last several seasons.
Get a couple of different brands: the chamois (the crotch pad, called a "chamois" because that's what they were made out of in the Old Timey Days) will be subtly different across brands, and so will press slightly differently on your tender bits. This moves the "wear spots" around somewhat and prevents hot spots and chafing.
I have a pair of the higher end Sugoi, Louis Garneau, and Voler shorts, and they all work great. The ne plus ultra are supposedly the Assos, but those are super expensive - a $200 set of bib shorts works perfectly well and will see seasons of use.
And a nice side effect, if you have a slightly less Spandex-friendly physique, is that the increased ride comfort will lead to increased riding - and that has a way of making your physique more Spandex-appropriate. Think of it as motivation.
Bottom line - get a couple of pairs of bibs, and you'll be a lot more comfortable.