Pearl Izumi Microsensor Short

Price Paid:  $15.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
Trek 1500

Bike Setup:
RinkyDink steel frame. Nothing to write home about.

Summary:
As I can only compare these shorts to my Reebok HydroMove gel padded shorts, I was amazed at the stitching that went into the foam chamois pad. The lycra was very thin, and let sweat just seep out. They were firm, but not tight. The rubber leg holders were not noticable, and the waist strap wasn't either. Pad held up well during my 25 mile ride, and I could notice a difference in comfort compared to just wearing Joe-Schmoe clothes on the ride.

Strengths:
Thin, comfortable, barely noticable on the legs and waist.

Weaknesses:
If they were new, the price would have killed me.

Similar Products Used:
Reebok HydroMove Gel.

Price Paid:  $80.00 at Performance, REI

Favorite Ride:
Anywhere in Canada

Bike Setup:
Co-Motion Tour, Brooks B-17 saddle, speedplay off road pedals

Summary:
PI has soo many different shorts, hard to say what is being discussed. However, in the past 6 mos I bought 3 ultrasensor, than 1 with a pad named, 3D race, and another 3D tour. The ultrasensor pad I found to be an absolute killer - wound up with blood on my body (30 mile ride)

The other 2 (3D tour, race) have thicker pads and worked out just fine. They are,I might add the more expensive of the 3 PI line.

Make sure they fit well.

Strengths:
All are durable, as I've owned PI before. The top of the line are more comfortable that the Ultrasensors.

Weaknesses:
The pad on the ultrasensor is inadaquate.

Similar Products Used:
Former PI shorts - different pads, thicker.

Price Paid:  $89.00 at E-bay

Favorite Ride:
Any ribbon of aspalt

Bike Setup:
Lemond B-A with Syntace C-2 aerobars, ultegra/DA drive train, easton carbon fiber seatpost, Bontrager Race X Lite wheels.

Summary:
In my 4 years of cycling I have learned an important lesson: You get what you pay for...These are the most expensive of the 4 pr of shorts that I have and they have spoiled me to the point that my cheaper P-I shorts no longer fit the bill.

Strengths:
I did not even notice that I had them on. Padding was great, good compression without choking my legs, look very nice.

Weaknesses:
Seems like the inseam may be longer than any other short that I own. I'd like to have some that are about 1" shorter than these with all of the benefits of the P-I shorts.

Similar Products Used:
(in order of price)Some no name shorts, Trek club shorts, Pearl Ultrasensor.

Price Paid:  $139.00 at Performance

Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar 2, Marzocci MSR 100mm fork

Summary:
New chamois is too thick. Feels like there is something in my pants

Strengths:
fit

Weaknesses:
Thick chamois

Similar Products Used:
PI ultrasensor bib short

Price Paid:  $90.00 at lbs

Favorite Ride:
The one without maniac drivers

Bike Setup:
Look KG361, campy record, zeros, bontrager racelite.

Summary:
These rock, either the first guy has grapefruit in the front or somethings really wrong with his shorts (im guessing the later). The fit is next to perfect, after riding hard all day your dry, and without the distraction of the shorts. Im a huge fan of everything from pi, other then the cost (and we all know the general rule - you get what you pay for).

Strengths:
The fit - and quality

Weaknesses:
none.

Similar Products Used:
Pearl Izumi all the way.