Cycling on Trainer - Bike Shorts or Bust?

You may not believe it, but wearing your bike shorts is important for more than just comfort.  Your bike should be fitted to you well enough that removing the extra ~2mm from the chamois in your bike shorts will screw up your leg angle and pedal stroke.  You'll still be ablet to ride, but it won't be in your normal optimized position. 

I a?lways wear the bike short??s? ?a?n?d? ??a?l?m?o?s?t? n?e?v?e?r? ?r?i?d?e? ?o?v?e?r? ?6?0? ?m?i?n?u?t?e?s? ?o?n? ?t?h?e? ?t?r?a?i?n?e?r??!

Bike shorts.  For the same reason I wear them when riding outside.

Most times, my trainer rides are +/- 1hr.  But I've done some longer ones, too.

Why wouldn't anyone who wears cycling/tri shorts on the road not wear them on the trainer?  I don't even see why this question needs to be ask.  Am I missing something?

I'm not sure I even want to imagine doing a 2 hour trainer ride in mesh shorts.

Your bike is set up for you to wear tri shorts or bike shorts on. Why would you do anything else? Do you just use sneakers instead of clipless pedals as well?

So we're clear, I asked the question because I only own one pair of cycling shorts and if I want to get on the trainer 5x a week, well...that's washes for those shorts...maybe 3 if I wanna re-use them but that is kinda gnarly.  

And to answer the other question, no...i don't use sneakers. 

I put on the bike shorts or the tri shorts since I've been used to wearing them on the bike.

I'm in the same boat as you, one pair of cycling shorts.  I know, I know, buy some more, but I don't need to in my mind.  I wear mesh shorts on all my trainer rides, I ride for +/- 60 mins 4-5 mornings each week.  I'll wear my bike shorts on the trainer when I do a trainer ride before my long ride to get some extra miles in before the sun comes up but that's the only time.  I don't want to wash these bad boys 4-6 times each week so I'll do mesh shorts until I'm able to score a 2nd pair.  Hopefully Santa is reading this.

When I first started riding all I had was mesh shorts and a bike that a buddy let me borrow.  I did just fine riding mesh shorts on a borrowed bike with tennis shoes.  Sure, there are better ways, but the mesh shorts serve their purpose for me in the mornings.  If it's all you got, it's all you got.  When I get additional pairs I'll likely ride using bike shorts instead of mesh shorts as I prefer it.

Hop in the shower in yoru shorts. Shampoo em out, hang dry.

Bike shorts, jersey and aero helmet on the trainer. Train like you race!

I haven't used my trainer since moving to AZ, but I wear bike shorts. Like everyone else said, they are for more than just looks.

actually some days I'll wear my running shorts (mesh) some days bike shorts,, some days tri shorts.   I haven't really noticed any difference in discomfort.  Not sure if if makes a difference but I'm on rollers where I can stand up a bit on the pedels

It really depends on the laundry cycle, what's clean or not. 

it's really to practice my blazing fast transition that's why I'm in running shorts

Do you own tri shorts in addition to your bike shorts?  You could use those.  If not, I'd say it's DEFINITELY time to go shopping. 

I bike about 4x/week between spin class, trainer & outdoor rides.  I wear (a clean pair) of bike shorts for each.  I also have enough between bike shorts & tri shorts to go two weeks between laundry, cuz hey, weekends are busy.

Is that a new brand?

Are you saying wearing tri shorts versus thickly padded bike shorts (like the long distance padded ones) would change the angles enough to matter?

Interesting...  I just might have to try that.

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Buy more shorts! Ride 5 days a week? you need 5 pairs of shorts.

Wouldn't the better question be...How many times do you ride the trainer before washing your shorts?

you clearly need more shorts, and maybe a few bibs.

I ride on the trainer 3 to 5 times per week.  My rides range from 45 minutes to an hour or longer.  I wear bike or tri shorts every ride, sleeveles jersey (until I get too warm), and bike shoes.

Might want to get a few more pairs of shorts.