I bought a pair of '04 new Ultrasensors on eBay, and I've ridden them about 5 times. I have to say that I'm really disappointed in the comfort of these expensive shorts. These retail for about $79.99, for that much, the shorts should be better than my $25 REI shorts! Unfortunately, I can barely stand to wear them because the chamois feels like a diaper and the stitching irritates my skin - they are VERY uncomfortable shorts. Pretty much the only good thing I can say about them is the quality of the black lyrcra seems pretty good.

What should I do? Does Pearl Izumi stand behind their products? Has anyone else here tried the Ultrasensors and share my frustration?

I bought a pair of Pearl's a few years back & recall feeling about the same way that you do. I know there are a lot of people that really dig Pearl's & personal preference is king when it comes to shorts. After trying many different kinds, I settled on Nike Dri-Fit's. I don't recall which type of Dri-Fit's, but I know that they are the most expensive ones (of course) . I really don't like to ride with the "swoosh" but for me , nothing has yet been able to equal the comfort of the Nike's. I picked up a pair of the Campy's recently & like those as well, but still seem to prefer the Nike's . Go figure....

My only advice would be to buy a few pairs when you do find that elusive short that you like.

I jsut got them 2 weeks ago and they're not as comfortable as the lower-end PI shorts I've had. More expensive isn't necessarily better. I'm already a skinny guy but the Ultrasensors bind and chafe like crazy. Too bad I can't return them, just have to live and learn.

I have the same shorts and really like the pad but the edges rub all the skin off my back side. I am thinking of getting a pair of shorts with no pad to wear under the pearls. Safe to say I have bought my last pair of pearls I will start trying other brands.

I've used 2 pair of Ultrasensor shorts and 1 bib for a few years, and only have irritation from the pad (along the leg where it meets the body, um, near the berries) if I forget to use some Chamois Butt'r. I don't have any other complaint with them. I guess a really good short doesn't need the lube, but as long as it is used, I have no problem with these. They are better overall than the Louis Garneau's, and the pad fits better than the top end Giordana's. The best short or bibs I've ever worn are the Voler's from http://www.velowear.com.

I think you shouldn't have to lube your jewels for shorts to be comfortable....IMO.

PI Ultrasensor are my favorite shorts. I find the pad and the fabric to be very comfortable. The fabric is very durable. Different shorts fit different people differently.

I have been wearing volers for the past 3 years. For a recent gift I was given a new pait of PI ultasensor. I am finding them not that bad. Not volers but no damn bad.

I went for many years putting up with saddle sores due to saddle / short combo. I have found that the more cushy the saddle the thinner the pad you need in the short. Too much padding can cause more problems than not having enough. Chamois cream on todays synthetic pads usually doesn't work, the pad just soaks up the moisture and you have a sticky mess that is uncomfortable. I was able to get some of the older PI shorts with the leatherlike pad. I can use chamois cream for longer rides if I need with this pad. I think it would be a smart idea if we had a choice of pad thicknesses and even ones that were made to be used with cream. It's all trial and error. Unfortunately cycling gear is so expensive. If they don't work, just e-bay them. PI has a supper name for quality and value but they may not be right for YOU.

Work fine for me. I just got a pair of PI bibs, not as comfy as my Castelli, but not bad either, and just over half the price. Goes to show: all arse's are not created equal.

Worst short experience: Voler. Left me with raw chafing spots on me nether parts. Had to toss em in the round file.

I guess I'm a slow learner because I have a couple pair but I like my Volers and even my Garneau bibs better. The PI shorts have too much padding.

I haven't tried the Ultrasensors, but had some PI Attack shorts that I ended up returning to Performance because of chafing. They were my only shorts that caused the problem.

I've been using Voler bibs now for about 3 years with no complaints. They are less expensive than almost any other brand and very comfortable for me. Also tried Santini CX and Louis Garneau, but neither were as comfy as Voler.

I bought as pair on sale in the winter. They fit me perfect. The pad is thick, but I ride on alot of rough rodes so it softens the ride. I just got another pair on ebay.

I bought a seccond pair not long ago.

I bought a pair of '04 new Ultrasensors on eBay, and I've ridden them about 5 times. I have to say that I'm really disappointed in the comfort of these expensive shorts. These retail for about $79.99, for that much, the shorts should be better than my $25 REI shorts! Unfortunately, I can barely stand to wear them because the chamois feels like a diaper and the stitching irritates my skin - they are VERY uncomfortable shorts. Pretty much the only good thing I can say about them is the quality of the black lyrcra seems pretty good.

What should I do? Does Pearl Izumi stand behind their products? Has anyone else here tried the Ultrasensors and share my frustration?

I agree that the chamois is pretty bad and might irritate some people - but I haven't had that problem. I simply find them uncomfortable. When I put on my first pair I thought they were designed for women with a tight crotch (Like a cheap hotel - no ballroom) and an extra high waist that would cover a woman's hips but on me it puts my waistband somewhere below my shoulder blades. Geez - I thought a bought a woman's short until I went back to the LBS and checked. Dang, Ultrasensors just fit really strange.
To each his own, I guess.

PI Ultrasensor are my favorite shorts. I find the pad and the fabric to be very comfortable. The fabric is very durable. Different shorts fit different people differently.


I side with this guy.I have been using Nike shorts for a while and liked them.

However,I picked up a set of ultrasensors about two months ago and have no complaints at all.