A couple of months ago the folks at eCyclingstore.com sent me two pieces of cycling wear for review. Last month I reviewed their Criterium Cycling Jersey and I still think it is one of the best buys in a cycling jersey you will find anywhere. Today I am going to review another great buy—their eCycle Millennium 8-Panel Lycra Short. These are men’s cycling shorts, but eCyclingstore.com has similar shorts for women.
eCycle Millennium 8-Panel Lycra Short
The eCycle Men’s Millennium 8-Panel Lycra Short is made from 82% nylon and 18% Lycra with 8-panel construction for a great fit. These shorts have a 9.5″ inseam and an elastic gripper cuff on the hem to keep the shorts in place. Since these shorts look like nearly every other pair of cycling shorts on the market I decided not to show the traditional photo of the shorts. Instead, I’d like to call attention to the chamois since this is what really matters to most of us.
When the package containing these shorts arrived at my house my wife was in my office when I opened it. She took one look at the chamois on these shorts and said, “I bet you are going to hate these shorts.” My lovely wife is not a cyclist, but she is a marvelous soigneur—she graciously washes all of my cycling clothing and is very familiar with cycling gear (am I a lucky guy or what?). The reason my wife thought I wouldn’t like these shorts is because the chamois is fairly thin. In fact, when I saw the chamois for the first time I thought the same thing she did. However, looks can be very deceiving!
The Millennium Short has a four-piece Italian made anti-bacterial chamois. As you can see in the photograph above, this multi-level chamois puts extra padding in the areas where you need it the most—your sit-bones. When I try out new cycling shorts I always start by going on a short ride (25 to 30 miles) just to make sure the chamois is not going to give me any trouble. These shorts passed my first test, so on the second ride with them I went out for 62 miles and they functioned flawlessly. In fact, the best thing I can tell you about them is that I forgot I was riding in new shorts! This chamois far exceeded my expectations. In the sense of full disclosure I need to point out two things: I didn’t have a chance to try these shorts out on a Century ride (100 miles), nor was I able to use them when the temperature was over 90 degrees (but I have no reason to doubt that they would hold up well).
The eCycle Millennium 8-Panel Lycra Short is true to advertised size, but not all sizes are always available on the eCyclingstore Website. Since not all manufacturers define their sizes the same way, it is important that you consult the eCyclingstore sizing guide before placing your order. These cycling shorts retail for $60, but they are currently on sale for only $25 (an incredible deal).
These cycling shorts, along with many of other styles, are available from the eCyclingstore.com Website. These folks have a large selection of cycling shorts, jerseys, shoes and accessories and many of them are offered at discount prices. They offer a “100% Satisfaction Guarantee” that you won’t find at most other places (“If you are unhappy with any purchase from eCyclingstore.com, just let us know within 30 days of your purchase and we’ll refund, exchange, or credit your purchase.”). They also offer free shipping on orders over $50.
tri-grandma-try
October 19, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Great review…I don’t like my current cycling shorts…got them at Dick’s for $35, they are constantly giving me a wedgie…sorry for the TMI…The padding is stiff and does not conform well, I end up wearing my Tri shorts, which just have a single layer of chamois. Thanks for the recommendation.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 19, 2012 at 10:18 AM
I need more padding than is found in the typical Tri short — but I don’t like those shorts that look (and feel) like you are wearing a diaper. This product seemed to strike a happy medium between the other choices.
toshmund
October 19, 2012 at 1:26 PM
I am trying to “break in” a Brooks saddle at the moment. In conjunction with that and wearing a pair of shorts, which with the benefit of hindsight do not seem up to the task. Been an uncomfortable passing of time recently. Good inserts, are a great find – especially if they are not with an Assos/Castelli price tag!
All Seasons Cyclist
October 19, 2012 at 1:54 PM
I’ve heard some cyclists say that you don’t really “break in” a Brooks saddle — it just makes your backside conform to it! Good luck!
irishkatie
October 20, 2012 at 5:11 PM
Haha on the Brooks saddle and making you conform to it…when I was looking for a good saddle (and I finally found one!!!) …I was looking at the Brooks…and was pretty much told it takes about a year to break in…but once you do…it is awesome.
All Seasons Cyclist
October 20, 2012 at 10:33 PM
I don’t think my posterior could take a year on a hard saddle. I also wonder how a leather saddle holds up in the rain (I seem to spend a lot of time riding in very wet weather)
irishkatie
October 20, 2012 at 10:51 PM
It must do well … I hear horrors stories from some (but it seems to be from ones that have not broken them in yet) … and raves from others (the one’s who have done a year + on them?) Again, i don’t know for sure myself though.
irishkatie
October 20, 2012 at 5:15 PM
I have 3 biking shorts (well, only 2 now really, as the first one I bought I had done so just to get extra padding …. but after researching some and riding for a bit I found out that padding isn’t everything. So that first one tends to go unused now, unless I am riding for very short rides.)
The other two are Bontraeggers…and I like them a lot … the chamois works well for chaffing and stuffs … and in hot weather these biking shorts do seem to breath better (I think….that is what the literature said ….and I think I am easily swayed to think it is working haha.)
All Seasons Cyclist
October 20, 2012 at 10:36 PM
I’ve not tried the Bontrager shorts, but their jerseys are not bad at all. Even a middle-of-the-road chamois can be made a lot better with a good chamois cream (I like Blue Steel Chamois Cream — reviewed it last year).
irishkatie
October 20, 2012 at 10:52 PM
By the way, sadly, I have had to cut back on my bike riding…just when I got my helmet light!!! (The back is still giving me problems….but soon…hopefully soon.)
All Seasons Cyclist
October 20, 2012 at 11:22 PM
I really hope your back improves — anytime I’m off the bike for a couple of days I go stir crazy (I think I have adult ADHD)
melissakoski
October 20, 2012 at 10:05 PM
We’re a little short on toasty days lately aren’t we. (:
All Seasons Cyclist
October 20, 2012 at 10:39 PM
I don’t mind cooler days — I actually ride a lot better when the temp is in the 50′s. The only thing that bothers me now is how short the days are getting — I doubt if I do another Century ride till next March.