Baggy Shorts and Jerseys
By James Sharp and Jon Sharp

Summer is upon us and so it is prime riding weather, though in some parts of the country it might not seem like it. Whether you race mountain bikes, or just enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, it's time to go through your cycling wardrobe and add to it, or replace items that you beat to death last season. Did you take one too many diggers? Are your jerseys in tatters? Does your chamois not have the cushion that it used to? Is the elastic stretched beyond capacity? We rounded up a bunch of baggy shorts – and jerseys to go with them – to see which are the most comfortable, the best looking, and the best value out there.

A few comments before I dig into the meat of the review. Baggy shorts have come a long way in the past few years. In the past, buying a baggy meant making do with a sub-par chamois, overheating in the summer and snagging your saddle in technical maneuvers. No longer is this the case. Fit is improved across the board. Chamois' are now similar to those found in lycra shorts. More and more shorts are featuring ventilation to help keep the wearer cool. 2005 is a good year for baggies.

View Chart of Features

Pearl Izumi
Nema
GoLite
Specialized
Hoss
Biemme
Northwave
Bellwether
Zoic
Cannondale
Conclusion

Pearl Izumi

Titan Short
Pearl Izumi has long been counted among the better short manufacturers, especially for their road offerings. In fact, my most comfortable bib shorts are an older pair of Pearl MicroSensor Bibs. Pearl Izumi's Titan short is their top-of-the-line short. It features Pearl Izumi's latest 3D chamois in a floating liner. The outer is made of a stretchy woven fabric and has one neoprene pocket in the back, near the belt in the center, and two front pockets. There is also a cargo pocket on each leg. The floating liner is a mesh weave and is connected only at two points near the waistband. The waist is belted and has a zippered fly.

I found the outer of the Titan to be comfortable, durable, well made and great looking on or off the bike. The pockets are easy to use both on and off the bike as well. The floating liner gave me some problems at first. When I had the outer where I wanted it, the liner was sitting too, er… snug. That was solved with some short work with a pair of scissors. Two snips and the liner was free. Once separated, I found that the liner stayed put better. The shorts weren't too warm even on muggy days. The zippers on the cargo pockets were easy to use one handed, making them a great place to store an energy gel, or sunglasses. The rear neoprene pocket is a great place for keys.

On paper, the 3D chamois looks great! Pearl Izumi has placed padding where you want it and plenty thick too. Unfortunately, this is a case of more is not better. The chamois is thick enough and stiff enough to bunch up and crease, causing discomfort on longer rides. The chamois did break in some, lessening the effect, but not eliminating it. Perhaps a longer break in time is needed. I found myself shifting around in the saddle a lot, trying to get comfortable. The liner is a shame, really, as the outers are so nice. The shorts would be better with the less expensive PRT chamois.

Podium Jersey
Pearl Izumi's Podium jersey is made of their Ultrasensor fabric. The jersey is semi-fitted, meaning it is a little looser than a traditional racing jersey, a big plus in my book. The waist and sleeves have elastic in them. There are three back pockets. The front zipper is of the ¾ length variety.

The Podium jersey is a great match for the Titan short. Both breathe well and are cut roomy. The ¾ zipper is nice when the trail or road turns up and the heat is high. The zipper never snagged and was easy to use one handed. The pockets are located for easy access and have elastic tops to keep your stuff from bouncing out.

Gripes? Only a couple of minor ones. Though the fit is somewhat loose, the elastic on the arms and waist are tight. OK, the waist might be my need to lose a few pounds, but the sleeves? I don't exactly have huge guns here. If Pearl Izumi loosened up the sleeves just a tad the fit would be spot on.

www.pearlizumi.com
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Nema

Crown Jewel Short
Nema's Crown Jewel is their premier race baggy. While that might sound like a bit of a misnomer, it has their best chamois, the M1, and a sleeker appearance than in years past. No more bulky cargo pockets, though there are still three pockets in the shorts. They are more integrated and hidden. The front is ventilated and contains two main pockets, accessed via hidden zippers. There is a third smaller pocket located low on the left leg. It has a hook-and-loop closure. The Crown Jewel features a shock cord drawstring that is accessed on either side with toggles to hold the tension. The drawstring is single-handed adjustable.

I've been a fan of the Crown Jewel for a while now, so I was anxious to see how the new short would stack up. For '05, the Crown Jewel sports a thicker, perforated chamois. Some might not like the “loaded diaper” feel that a thick chamois gives when off the bike; I don't really care as long as it feels great on the bike. After all, these are riding shorts. I found that Nema placed the chamois well, covering the entire saddle while allowing enough freedom of movement to not bind.

The liner in the Crown Jewels is attached to the outer at the waist and at the legs, forming a more complete unit. The Nema Gaitor system helps to keep the shorts from getting in the way during technical riding and also helps to keep the outer from flopping around when the pockets are loaded. It also reduces airflow, making the Nema's a little warmer than other shorts in this review. The ventilation on the front helps reduce this increase in temperature, but doesn't alleviate it completely. The zippered pockets were difficult to open one handed, but were stable when loaded with energy bars and gels. Fix the zippers and increase airflow and this would be a home run.

Stone Short
Like the Crown Jewel, the Stone outer short is attached to the liner at both the waist and leg openings. Because of this, while riding, the two shorts feel somewhat similar. There are four pockets on the Stone. Two zippered cargo pockets that sit quite high on the hips and two lower Velcro-closure pockets. The two lower pockets are not very large, but plenty big for an energy gel or two. There are two zippered vents on the sides of the fly, helping greatly with ventilation.

I really liked how high the zippered cargo pockets are placed. The high placement meant less movement when pedaling--this was especially appreciated when those pockets were stuffed full. The chamois is comfortable, but a bit wider than it needed to be. This contributed to the "diaper" feel off the bike, though there wasn't much drawback to this while on the bike.

Overall, the stone is a great short--comfortable with many great features. As with most of Nema's shorts, the Stone is built well and built to last.

Guide Jersey
Nema's Guide jersey is unique among the jerseys in this review. While there are other t-shirt-like jerseys out there; it is made of Nema's Translink Motion fabric and features a mesh panel right where a hydration pack would sit. According to Nema, this is the only jersey out there that is designed for a hydration pack. The Guide also features ventilation under the arms and has a 12-inch front zipper. The Guide has no pockets.

The appeal of the Guide is a no brainer for anyone who uses a hydration pack. Many hydration pack manufacturers are now adding channels, mesh supports and other means to try to reduce the buildup of sweat on the wearer. Nema takes these systems one step farther by making the Guide work with the hydration pack to keep your back cooler and dryer.

I like the fact that the Guide has no elastic on the sleeves or waist. The cut is looser and the fabric breathes well, adding to the excellent breathability afforded by the ventilation panels. All in all, a great jersey if you don't need pockets.

Apeks Jersey
Nema's Apeks jersey is also made of Translink Motion fabric. This is a 100% polyester weave to help transfer moisture away from your skin. To further aid cooling, the Apeks features vented panels on the sides. The front zipper is the ¾ length variety. The rear of the jersey features 4 pockets; two regular and two zip pockets. One zip pocket opens along the top, while the other opens on one side. The waist of the Apeks is elasticized, but the sleeves are not; a configuration that I find very comfortable.

The standout feature of the Apeks has to be the pocket orientation. The two main pockets are large enough for the usual suspects… tube, tools, energy bar, arm warmers, CO2 cartridges, etc. The smaller zipped pockets are a great place to keep small items like keys and money. By separating small items from bigger items you won't lose the smaller items when digging through the main pockets.

The Apeks was very comfortable and fit well in the shoulders and midsection, but I found it to be a little on the short side. This wasn't a problem when wearing bib shorts, but this review isn't about bib shorts. When paired with baggy shorts, I was self conscious about having “plumber's crack”. I would stuff the pockets with tools and food to keep the back down. We did have an issue with the durability of the Apeks; after repeated washings the seams on one sleeve hem came unraveled.

www.nema-usa.com
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GoLite

Crank Short
A few months ago we reviewed the Crank baggy shorts by GoLite. (Click here for the full review.) Here's a re-cap on what we found:

The chamois is a great four-way stretch chamois with plenty of padding. The surface of the chamois is C-Thru Endurance fabric to help wick sweat and breathe. The inner short shares the waist with the outer short, but isn't connected at the legs. The outer short is fairly short--making it less attractive off the bike, but very comfortable while riding. The crotch and lumbar region is made of Cordura Nylon with Lycra which makes these areas stretchy but durable. There are two cargo pockets and two patch pockets.

These shorts are light (fitting, I know) and comfortable. Off the bike, I always wished they were longer, but this is less important than the feel on the bike--which was great. They are comfortable, well constructed, and functional.

Cadence Jersey
The Cadence jersey is a lightweight semi-fitted jersey constructed of GoLite's patented Lite-Weight C-Thru fabric. At the heart of C-Thru are fibers that are not only hollow, but have a channel that runs the length of the fiber (thus a C-shaped fiber). This not only helps to wick the sweat away from your body, but also provides greater surface area for evaporation. GoLite claims this leads to less odor, but it still stunk after a long sweaty ride. The weave is loose, and the Cadence felt very light and airy.

As mentioned, the cut is semi-fitted, or a little bit looser than a traditional jersey. There is a 10" front zipper, three rear pockets and an embroidered logo. Neither the sleeves nor the pockets are elasticized. I certainly prefer non-elasticized sleeves to ones that fit tightly around my arms. I was worried about the pockets dumping their contents on rough descents, but I never lost a single item.

The Cadence is a light-weight, somewhat loose fitting jersey that is very comfortable. I'm not sure how well the C-Thru fabric breathes compared to other wicking polyester fabrics, but I felt it breathed well. Although it probably isn't the most attractive jersey in the review, I didn't have any complaints with the Cadence.

www.golite.com
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Specialized

Enduro Short
The Enduro short is Specialized's top baggy. This short typifies the main reason why people wear baggies: this is a good looking short. I mean, I wish I had normal shorts that look this good. However, there is more to this short than just good looks.

The shell is made of a stretch Nylon that is both durable and quite comfortable. The chamois is the Body Geometry Comp Chamois. This isn't their best chamois, but is still a very comfortable offering. It isn't as thick as others, but it is shaped well--and that makes a large difference. There are two zippered cargo pockets and two zippered vents in the front of the legs. I would've liked to see the vents higher up, as I didn't notice very much difference between being opened or closed. There is a zip fly with a Velcro outside flap.

The liner is attached to the outer short only at the hips. The waistline is not adjustable (either by drawcords, elastic, or webbing). Because of this combination of a minimal connection between liner and outer and the nonadjustable waist, the outer short was always trying to ride low and usually succeeded in pulling the liner with it (starting at the hips). Although the chamois is great and the shorts attractive, while riding I was constantly annoyed by my shorts trying to fall off. Although this advice goes for all shorts, I'd recommend, in particular, trying these on before buying them (or, at least verifying a good return policy). Price: $110.

Pro Jersey
Specialized's Pro jersey is the epitome of cycling jerseys. The polyester jersey has three rear pockets, a long ¾ length front zip and elasticized sleeves and waist. The graphics are sublimated to last long, and the front zipper is the hidden kind. The side panels are made of mesh to further aid cooling.

Normally I would take this space to inform you about my dislike for hidden zippers. But on the Pro jersey, the zipper worked quite well. The fit was snug without feeling like I was wearing a jersey two sizes too small, and the length was long enough to eliminate any gap between shorts and jersey, but not too long. The long front zipper is really nice on hot days.

The Pro jersey works just like it should. It is sufficiently cool and the pockets have elastic tops to keep your stuff from flying out. The form fit also prevents the jersey from flapping in the breeze and catching tree limbs or other trailside hazards.

www.specialized.com
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Hoss

Ponderosa Short
Hoss is a newcomer to the world of mountain bike apparel. My first introduction to them was at Sea Otter. I was walking by the booth and they had a sign out that said "Ponderosa Shorts: $45." I had to stop and see what they were selling. I asked if that was an intro or sale price, they said, "Nope, that is our normal price." I needed to try them.

The Ponderosa short is made of an eight panel polyester outer shell and a six-panel spandex and Coolmax liner. The liner is connected at the waist and at the legs similar to the Nema shorts. At the waist is an adjustable belt to cinch things up. The outer features seven pockets; two cargo pockets, two zipper pockets, two side hip pockets and one rear pocket. The rear of the short extends a bit above the beltline to try and eliminate exposure and also has a stretch panel. The chamois features Coolmax to help manage moisture.

I found the Ponderosa short to be comfortable, though the chamois isn't the most exotic out there. It is a bit bulky, but doesn't get in the way while riding. The outer has a brushed feel and is proving to be durable. The nylon belt does a fine job of cinching up the shorts, but needs more adjustment. If the shorts are almost tight enough, it'll take up the slack, if not, you'll run out of adjustment.

Attaching the liner to the legs is a mixed bag. While it keeps the outer in line, especially when you are using the pockets for more than an energy gel, the mesh used to link the two does cut down on airflow. There is no way around this that allows the outer and liner to remain attached at the leg. These shorts were slightly warmer than the Nema's and warmer than the rest of the shorts in this review.

Rustler Jersey
Like the Ponderosa short, the Rustler jersey's name come right out of the Wild West and is a bargain price at $28. It's not a flashy jersey by any means, but it is functional. There are no pockets, but there is a 7” zipper in front. The collar also features a Zipflap to keep the zipper body from digging into your chin and neck. It's a nice touch. The fabric itself is polyester and wicks reasonably well.

The Rustler is cut loose, similar to a t-shirt, without elastic in either the sleeves or arms. But the jersey isn't too baggy, either. What it is though, is too long. Now, I'm only in the average height category, so I handed the jersey off to another tester who is at least a 6-footer. He reported the same thing, fits great in the shoulders and chest, but is a bit long. No need to worry about plumbers crack with this jersey!

The Rustler is a great bargain. The fabric does its job, but is on the thick side. This makes the jersey great for early spring/late fall rides, or any time the temperature dips into the 60's. In the dog days of August, though, this wouldn't be my first choice.

Hoss
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Biemme

Bermuda Yrus Short
Biemme isn't a name usually associated with baggy clothes. They do have a history of making quality cycling clothes though, so we thought we'd see how they fare against some of the "old guard." The Yrus actually comes in two flavors. First as a short, tested here, and as a ¾ pant. Both feature the same construction and liners, with the outer differing only in length.

The Yrus outer is made of a cotton/polyester fabric and features four leg pockets—two with Velcro closures and two with zipper closures—and one rear zippered pocket. The rear pocket is dead center, right at the waist. It is big enough for a small multi-tool and keys. Also a great spot for some money and ID.

The removable mesh liner is the briefest of all the liners in this test. It really is short. Consequently this is the airiest short of the bunch. Don't use theYrus if it's chilly out, but do use them if it is sweltering. The chamois is Biemme's best, the FX Pro. The upper layer of this dual layer chamois is made of an antibacterially treated Coolmax layer to move moisture over a lower bump-absorbing layer. This is a thinner chamois, great if you don't like the loaded diaper feeling.

Overall the fit of the Yrus is really good. They are light and the minimalist liner and chamois doesn't get in the way. The lack of serious padding might be a turn off for all day rides, but otherwise they are comfortable and wear well.

Canu Jersey
The Canu jersey, by Biemme, is a sleeveless jersey designed with cooling the rider as the main priority. It is constructed mainly of Coolmax®, but has mesh on the shoulders and in select places on the front. There is a 32 cm zipper on the front and three rear elastic pockets.

The fit of the Canu is small. Although normally I wear a large, I felt that with the Canu, I'd prefer an extra large. Another complaint was with the piping used as accents on the front. Though they look good, when combined with the snug fit, I found them a little irritating. I found myself wishing the design was sublimated and not multiple pieces of different fabric sewn together.

Although I didn't like the fit and feel of the jersey while trying it on in the privacy of my bedroom, on the trail I wasn't bothered much by either. The Canu definitely shines where it is supposed to: it cools exceptionally well. The Coolmax does what it is supposed to as well, and the mesh accents make it just that much cooler.

Nexus Jersey
Biemme's Nexus jersey is their top-of-the-line jersey, and has a price tag to match. The jersey is made of Biemme's Moovix and Meryl fabrics. The rear and sides have mesh panels. There are three rear pockets – no surprise there – and a full length zipper, the only jersey in this review with such a zipper. The Nexus also has more panels than any other jersey in this review. This makes for a nice form fit, without binding anywhere.

Airflow is the name of the game with the Nexus jersey. Combine the mesh panels with a full front zipper and you move a ton of air. The zipper pull is on the large side, making it easy to use, even when wearing full finger gloves. The arms and waist are elastic.

The Nexus is not made for fat guys. The fit is trim; definitely made for a racer's body. Since I don't have a racer's body, this made it a bit snug for me, but it was still comfortable. I thought that the length was a little on the short side and felt I needed to stuff the pockets to keep the back down. Like a good pair of lycra shorts, the many different panels do make a difference in fit and give the jersey a feel of quality.

www.trialtir-usa.com
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Northwave

Competition Jersey
Northwave's Competition Jersey is a high-performance jersey constructed of Polartec® Powerdry Fabric. The front zipper is 20 cm and, like many jerseys in this review it has three rear pockets. The fit is quite trim and the sleeves and waist are elastic. There is a reflective "Northwave" across the rear pockets.

Although I'm not a fan of elastic sleeves, when combined with the trim fit of the rest of the jersey, it isn't so distracting. If all things were equal, however, I'd choose a looser jersey with non-elastic sleeves. Although 20 cm is usually adequate, on especially hot climbs a longer zipper does a better cooling job.

The Competition jersey did a fantastic job of keeping me dry while I huffed up the trail. The Powerdry fabric is light and comfortable and there are few seams to chaff. One of the nicer features is found in the rear pockets. The two side pockets are angled outwards. This made getting in and out of the pockets much easier. The downside is that these two pockets aren't as deep. However, I'd gladly give up the size of the pockets for the angled entry.

Fly Jersey
Northwave's Fly jersey is not at all like the Competition reviewed above. It does not feature a trim fit, nor does it have a zipper in front. Rather it is cut more like a t-shirt – Northwave calls it Sport Fit – and has two angled entry, but adequately deep, rear pockets. The Fly features Northwave's Multilight synthetic fabric and has flat stitching throughout.

This is one of the more comfortable jerseys out there, both on and off the bike. The loose cut never binds or chafes and the flat seams are also unobtrusive. I was concerned about the slanted openings of rear pockets not being adequate enough keep cargo in, but they weren't a problem. A bonus of the slanted entry is that the pockets are still accessible when wearing a hydration pack.

The only real drawback to the Fly jersey is the lack of a front zipper. There is no way to regulate temperature on hot days. Other than that, the jersey does what jerseys are supposed to do, namely, cover the rider, move moisture away from the wearer, not snag on anything and not show wear.

www.trialtir-usa.com
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Bellwether

Backbone Short
Bellwether's Backbone short is billed as a short for “any epic adventure in the back country.” The outer is made of polyester—no funky marketing name here, just good ol' reliable polyester. The outer features three pockets; two cargo pockets with a flap closure and one zippered leg pocket. There is stretch yoke across the back to help the short move with the wearer. The six-panel liner is attached to the outer at the waist only and is made of a mesh lycra. The chamois is Bellwether's WY2 chamois—a well placed single layer item that does the job with a minimum of hullabaloo. The waist is adjustable via a drawstring.

Like other shorts in this review, by having the liner attached only at the waist allowed for a fair bit of air movement. The downside is that if you put anything remotely heavy in the leg pockets it'll move around a bit—the exception to this is the zippered pocket. That pocket is located high enough on the leg to not really affect pedaling motion, even when stuffed, and it is easy to access. The upside to not having the legs attached is that you don't over heat on the hottest of days. The polyester outer has proved quite durable and doesn't show any sign of wear. Its somewhat slippery surface made getting off and on the saddle child's play.

Bellwether's Backbone short really only has one serious drawback—the drawstring waist. This is an old-school shoestring-like tie that doesn't give at all. Snug it up at the beginning of the ride and down the road you'll feel it cutting into your skin. Had the drawstring been an elastic material I don't think that I would have felt the waist digging like I did. It's a shame too, since the rest of the short is no-nonsense form-follows-function design—solid, without flash.

Escape Short
Bellwether's Escape short is similar in many ways to the higher priced Backbone. The outer is made of the same polyester and has the same drawstring waist. The liner is attached to the waist, but not the leg. There are two cargo pockets, both close with a Velcro flap. The back yoke is made of stretch Cordura. The liner has six panels and features Bellwether's Y-Pro chamois; the chamois is similar is shape to the WY2 in the Backbone, but is thinner and offers less shock absorption.

Overall, what makes the Backbone comfortable makes the Escape comfortable. The mesh, six panel liner does a nice job of keeping the wearer cool and the fit is about as good as can be. The outer is tough and should withstand quite a lot of abuse. Again, like the Backbone, the slick polyester outer made using a little body english in the saddle a simple matter.

The problems with the Escape are largely the same as the Backbone, too. The drawstring waist leaves a bit to be desired. Also, where the Backbone has a chamois that does a nice job, while not being too thick, the Y-Pro chamois on the Escape doesn't do a nice job. I found it too thin—not really up to the task of longer rides at all. It's fine for rides less than an hour, but after that I could not find a comfortable position on my saddle.

Assault Jersey
The Assault jersey by Bellwether is an excellent example of how to make a jersey without elastic. It doesn't have an elastic waist, or sleeves. It does have a semi-fitted cut and is made out of Transpor. Transpor is a synthetic fabric that helps move moisture from your skin to the surface where it can evaporate. The front zipper is twelve inches long and feature a ‘cam-lock' pull. There is one small zippered pocket in the back.

The cut of the Assault jersey is about perfect. It is comfortable without flapping in the breeze or making you feel like you need to suck your gut in. The ‘cam-lock' pull on the front zipper makes unzipping the jersey a breeze. I am more ho-hum about the rear pocket. It isn't very big, so you couldn't/wouldn't use it to carry tools, food, tube and a patch kit. It would be fine for some money, a cell phone, your keys and the like. If you use your rear pockets like a road biker, this isn't your jersey.

Bellwether made the Assault jersey long enough to prevent feeling exposed while riding. The raglan sleeves are comfortable. In fact, “comfortable” is the best way to describe this jersey. Whether on a short ride, or a long tour, this jersey will cover your back . . . literally.

www.bellwetherclothing.com
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Zoic

Downieville Short
Zoic's Downieville short has been around for a while in various iterations. The latest isn't at all like the other baggies in this review. For one thing, it isn't baggy. At all. Think of it like a hearty lycra short. A short for someone who likes the performance of a tight short, but needs a bit more protection. There are no pockets in the Downieville and the waist features a zippered fly. The liner is removable and features Zoic's Greatest ASSit chamois.

The Greatest ASSit chamois is one of the best things going for this short. It's just thick enough without being too thick. There are inserts at the waist, body and crotch gusset to allow for greater mobility. The semi-fitted aspect of the short makes it less functional off the bike, but more so on the bike. I did actually miss having pockets, though. One reason I use baggy shorts is to have access to small items without having to dig through my hydration pack.

The Downieville shorts are comfortable enough for all day epics and thick enough to provide more crash protection than a traditional lycra short. They don't have pockets and aren't very loose, making them something of an enigma among baggies.

Headlands Jersey
The Downieville shorts are comfortable enough for all day epics and thick enough to provide more crash protection than a traditional lycra short. They don't have pockets and aren't very loose, making them something of an enigma among baggies.

Zoic claims, among the usual moisture wicking stuff, that the fabric feels drier to the touch, less clammy. This certainly held true in practice. While not the lightest weight fabric, it does a nice job of keeping the wearer cool and dry. The stand-up collar is a nice touch when the weather is a little chilly.

I did find the jersey to be just a little itchy. I am not sure if this was my imagination, though, since Merino wool isn't the itchy sort. The rear pocket is nice, but not big enough if you use the normal three pockets most jerseys have. However, if you are a habitual hydration pack user, like me, it is a nice place to keep keys and other items you might not want to dig through your pack for. Keep in mind, though, that any bulky items will be sandwiched between your pack and back, so keep them small.

www.zoic.com
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Cannondale

Nebula Short
The Nebula shorts are definitely made to be good-looking as well as functional. The outer short is constructed of nylon ripstop fabric with thick stretch crotch. There is a zip fly with snap closure and an adjustable webbing belt. There are two zippered cargo pockets (with reflective accents), two patch pockets, and two Velcro rear pockets. The liner has a wide elastic waist and connects to the outer via two plastic snaps on each hip. The chamois is Cannondale's Velocity2 chamois. This is a 4-way stretch molded chamois with silver ions (which are naturally anti-microbial).

My first impression when putting the Nebula on: wow, these shorts are long. I mean, below-the-knee long. I wondered how shorts this long could ever be functional on the trail. I assumed they'd just be a nuisance. As it turns out, Cannondale actually has a solution to this. They call it their Yank This system. Basically, they have incorporated two webbing straps that run from inside the two front patch pockets to the front of the crotch at the top of the legs. When these straps are cinched up snug, everything is where it should be and they feel like much smaller shorts.

While riding, I didn't ever have any problems with the Nebula hanging up on my saddle, or the long legs getting in the way. In fact, the legs aren't very long when the Yank This system is fully tightened. As soon as any ride was over, I loosened the straps and felt like I was wearing comfortable street shorts. The Velocity2 chamois was very comfortable and the silver ions really kept odor at bay between washings.

There were only a few things that bothered me with the Nebula. For one, the fabric (including the stretch panels) is so thick, I found these to be quite warm. The other gripe I have is with the placement of the side cargo pockets. They are so low on the leg, that even light items such as keys really felt obnoxious. If you get them, don't plan on using the pockets while riding--unless you stick to really light items like lip balm or energy gel.

Pyrite Jersey
If Cannondale's goal when they designed the Pyrite jersey, was to build a high-performance racing jersey, then they missed the mark. If, however, they wanted to make a good-looking shirt that was technical enough to keep you cool and dry, they achieved it in the Pyrite.

There are no pockets on the Pyrite. None. There is, however, a collar. You should know that by collar I don't mean the small addition that most jerseys have. No, this is a real fold-over normal-shirt collar. There is also a short zipper. The fit is that of a casual "street" shirt. The fabric is Earthen Wear—a very soft and light fabric with more of a texture to it than traditional jerseys.

This is a comfortable jersey that truly doesn't look like a jersey at all. I would feel as comfortable wearing this around the town as I would on the trail. The fabric feels wonderfully soft, and it transports moisture well. For myself, I'd rather have a pocket or two on a jersey and sacrifice off-the-bike looks. For that, however, you'll have to look to one of Cannondale's other jerseys.

www.cannondale.com
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Conclusion

The hardest part of any review is summing up the overall feel or benefit derived from the reviewed product or products. This particular review is more than twice as hard. Why? Every short and jersey reviewed has strengths and weaknesses. They are all good performers, though they all fit differently. It, mostly, comes down to fit. However, it's my job to pass judgment on the clothes reviewed above, so I'll break it down to the best in the following categories: Best Value, Best Looking and Most Comfortable. The last two are a little subjective and will vary from rider to rider, but we rode these clothes in everything from daily commutes to short difficult off road rides to all day backcountry adventures.

Shorts, Best Value
Without a doubt, this goes to Hoss. Nowhere else can you get the level of construction, features and chamois for $45. If you are shopping for a pair of shorts, but have a limited budget, you owe it to yourself to check them out. The Ponderosa short isn't flashy, doesn't come in bright colors, but is made of quality construction and has a host of pockets. The only drawback is they are available only through the website, so you can't try them on first.

Jersey, Best Value
There's no surprise here, given the winner for the best value in the shorts. The Rustler jersey is only $28. I've seen t-shirts for more. Sure the fabric is a little thick for mid-summer wear, but the fit is good and the fabric, while thick, is tough and well made. The little flap over the zipper is a nice touch, as is the stand-up collar.

Shorts, Best Looking
This one is a toss up between two shorts. The first nod goes to the Pearl Izumi Titan. They look great on and off the bike. There is no denying the appeal of shorts that look like shorts when you have to go in a store or restaurant. These are shorts that I'd wear without the liner. They look that good. The second nod goes to the Specialized Enduro short for the same reasons. Both of these shorts look normal. No bike geekiness here, Just usable pockets and decent fit. If you are looking for shorts that'll help you blend in when off the bike, these are two you should take a close look at.

Jersey, Best Looking
I have to give this one to Northwave's Fly jersey. It looks great, fits good, and still has usable pockets like a good jersey should. It is a t-shirt like jersey, but goes one step further by adding the pockets. I have actually worn this jersey off the bike in a pinch. The runner up for best looking is Biemme's Nexus jersey for entirely different reasons. Made up of different panels, this jersey screams Pro Rider! It is cut trimmer than most, but the Nexus is about as cool as a traditional jersey gets.

Shorts, Most Comfortable
This could easily be titled, Best All Around short, since that is what the most comfortable short is. Unfortunately ask two people and you'll get two answers so we'll give two shorts the nod here. First, Nema's Crown Jewels; they aren't as airy as some others, but they were always the first one's I'd grab for a ride, whether short or long. They seemed to be in the wash more than the others. They have enough pockets, if you like that sort of thing, and the pockets are well placed to prevent their contents from swinging around while pedaling. The second nod goes to Go-Lite's Crank short. This was one of only three shorts in the review to have a stretch chamois. This is something I'd like to see more baggy shorts feature. The popularity of stretchy chamois' among the high-end lycra crowd attests to its comfort. This short also features plenty of pockets and its lighter weight construction helps with the comfort on longer rides. The shorter inseam never was a problem on the bike.

Jersey, Most Comfortable
We mountain bikers are a hydration-pack-wearing bunch. The only jersey designed for this in this review is Nema's Guide jersey. The mesh panel on the back of the jersey really does the job. Combine the jersey with a mesh backed hydration pack like Deuter's Race X Air, or a pack with air channels like CamelBak's Mule, and you have a near sweat free back. Does the jersey have pockets? No, but it doesn't need them, either. You can't really access pockets well with a hydration pack on anyway.

The runner up jersey is the Assault jersey by Bellwether. The Assault jersey just fits well. It isn't too baggy, nor is it too tight. The cut is trim without being snug. The fabric wicks well, but it is a warmer jersey than the Guide.

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James Sharp and Jon Sharp share cycling shorts, but it's okay because they're brothers.