Padding in shorts. Why not in the saddle?
05-02-17, 10:28 AM
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Here is my personal info to ponder. I am a runner as well as a cyclist and do the occasional tri. I have old touring saddles on all of my bikes. Avocet touring saddles are hard to beat. I agree with the taking shorter rides at the start of the season to toughen up the backside. I have 2 types of running shorts, cycling shorts and tri shorts.
Running shorts with regular brief liner -Good for 6-7 miles of running without friction control. Good on the bike for about 40 miles without friction control. Beyond that major chafing begins because of the elastic seams in the liner. The butt/saddle connection starts getting sore at this point on the bike. With friction lube, can easily go close to marathon distance(running) or 60+ miles on the bike. Butt is hurting though.
Running shorts with compression liner the length of the shorts - No friction problems like above, but same butt hurt. Still use the friction lube when running in double digits, but not on the bike.
Distance cycling shorts with lesser pad - Never have had a need for friction lube. I have went around 150 miles in a day, in VA, in August heat /humidity with no real friction problems. Butt was starting to get sore.
Tri shorts - A little better on the bike than the running shorts. They suck for running compared to running shorts. They don't seem to breathe or dissipate heat as well. The form conforming of the cycling/tri shorts don't have as good of air flow as the running shorts.
As for the high tech moisture wicking fabrics, they are worth their weight in gold. I am one that gets Prickly Heat Rash. On any kind of extended trek where I will be sweating, I will gladly take the cheapest tech moisture wicking garment over anything cotton, period. There is that much of a difference to me.
As others have said, I think the padding is there for heat/sweat dissipation and to prevent material bunching.
Running shorts with regular brief liner -Good for 6-7 miles of running without friction control. Good on the bike for about 40 miles without friction control. Beyond that major chafing begins because of the elastic seams in the liner. The butt/saddle connection starts getting sore at this point on the bike. With friction lube, can easily go close to marathon distance(running) or 60+ miles on the bike. Butt is hurting though.
Running shorts with compression liner the length of the shorts - No friction problems like above, but same butt hurt. Still use the friction lube when running in double digits, but not on the bike.
Distance cycling shorts with lesser pad - Never have had a need for friction lube. I have went around 150 miles in a day, in VA, in August heat /humidity with no real friction problems. Butt was starting to get sore.
Tri shorts - A little better on the bike than the running shorts. They suck for running compared to running shorts. They don't seem to breathe or dissipate heat as well. The form conforming of the cycling/tri shorts don't have as good of air flow as the running shorts.
As for the high tech moisture wicking fabrics, they are worth their weight in gold. I am one that gets Prickly Heat Rash. On any kind of extended trek where I will be sweating, I will gladly take the cheapest tech moisture wicking garment over anything cotton, period. There is that much of a difference to me.
As others have said, I think the padding is there for heat/sweat dissipation and to prevent material bunching.
05-02-17, 10:28 AM
#53
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05-02-17, 10:31 AM
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If I may be serious for a moment...
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
05-02-17, 11:09 AM
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05-02-17, 11:18 AM
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years ago I made the mistake of buying some "mountain biking" shorts with a built-in padded liner (remember old swimsuits???). anyway, I wore the shorts a grand total of about 200 yards, turned around, came right back home and into the trash they went. it was like (I imagine!) wearing a diaper with a full load.
05-02-17, 11:26 AM
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Jeez, touchy subject. Or some people just like to be confrontational. OP merely asked for reasonable explanations (of which there have been very few - "because it works" is not an explanation), he didn't say your children are losers because you wear padded shorts...
I wear both padded and unpadded. Padded conforms better to my personal anatomy and makes for a more comfortable ride on the rough roads around here.
I wear both padded and unpadded. Padded conforms better to my personal anatomy and makes for a more comfortable ride on the rough roads around here.
05-02-17, 11:30 AM
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If I may be serious for a moment...
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
Spot on.
05-02-17, 02:00 PM
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When I first started road cycling, I bought this and to my surprise, it worked out great. Centuries, 200k's, etc.. Goes against the logic that I should be uncomfortable with the padding, but it's quite good.
05-02-17, 02:20 PM
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I like minimal padding on both my saddles and shorts. The old chamois leather shorts worked well for me. Shorts with thick chamois stay on the store racks. I like the Segoi shorts as they are not too thick and hold up well as I ride them into thinner, although my last pair was a little thicker than I wanted.
That said, the first Specialized saddle I purchased for its gull length groove 17 years ago went from being a life saver on my best bike to the workhorse on my rain/winter/city fix gear for the next decade. Replaced it because the cover had ripped and the foam would collect water in the rain. Sitting on soggy seats gets old.
I have no trouble riding any of my bikes with no shorts padding. Chafe and hygiene are my driving reasons.
Ben
That said, the first Specialized saddle I purchased for its gull length groove 17 years ago went from being a life saver on my best bike to the workhorse on my rain/winter/city fix gear for the next decade. Replaced it because the cover had ripped and the foam would collect water in the rain. Sitting on soggy seats gets old.
I have no trouble riding any of my bikes with no shorts padding. Chafe and hygiene are my driving reasons.
Ben
05-02-17, 02:29 PM
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So, you moved. Are you closer to the river/downtown or out in the Henrico suburbs? A picture you posted looks like somewhere on Riverside, maybe the upper part close to the railroad bridge? Lucks Lane is being widened to 2 lanes each side, so one of the main bike arteries on the Southside will get some extra room.
05-02-17, 02:31 PM
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So, you moved. Are you closer to the river/downtown or out in the Henrico suburbs? A picture you posted looks like somewhere on Riverside, maybe the upper part close to the railroad bridge? Lucks Lane is being widened to 2 lanes each side, so one of the main bike arteries on the Southside will get some extra room.
The best riding route from the new place is basically the riverside loop, plus some futzing in the UR area. Favorite roads in the city, just have to deal with morning rush hour and school traffic at the times I'm usually riding.
Old house (Lakeside) meant I just rode to Ashland all. the. time. Nice to have a bit of variety.
05-02-17, 02:46 PM
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We're actually "near west end"-ish, not far from St. Mary's hospital, few blocks off Libbie.
The best riding route from the new place is basically the riverside loop, plus some futzing in the UR area. Favorite roads in the city, just have to deal with morning rush hour and school traffic at the times I'm usually riding.
Old house (Lakeside) meant I just rode to Ashland all. the. time. Nice to have a bit of variety.
The best riding route from the new place is basically the riverside loop, plus some futzing in the UR area. Favorite roads in the city, just have to deal with morning rush hour and school traffic at the times I'm usually riding.
Old house (Lakeside) meant I just rode to Ashland all. the. time. Nice to have a bit of variety.
05-02-17, 03:16 PM
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Take it to addiction you two. This thread is for beating a dead horse.
05-02-17, 03:26 PM
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I did get a new pair of cycling shorts in the mail today. Padded, of course. Speaking of cycling shorts, Aerotech Designs bike shorts sale started today. 20% off. Maybe not the top choice brand for serious cyclists, but good products, and on sale.
Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bike Jerseys by Aero Tech Designs
I also got in a vintage Avocet women's saddle for a vintage Mixte I am fixing up for my daughter. I will ask her opinion on this thread topic.
Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bike Jerseys by Aero Tech Designs
I also got in a vintage Avocet women's saddle for a vintage Mixte I am fixing up for my daughter. I will ask her opinion on this thread topic.
05-02-17, 03:39 PM
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05-02-17, 05:27 PM
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If I may be serious for a moment...
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
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05-02-17, 05:53 PM
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If I may be serious for a moment...
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
I wish people on this forum could try a bunch of different options and stick with the one that works best for them (in regards to saddles/clothing, but also applies to bikes, fit, tires, wheels, etc).
Once they've picked the one that works best, they should probably come to terms with the fact that what works for them does not necessarily work for others, and it's better to assume that someone with a different solution has come to that determination after their own process of research and trial/error.
It's annoying to hear people call riders in spandex with chamois "freds" that bought the marketing hype and/or are sheeple. I've ridden in regular shorts on padded saddles and it doesn't work for me. A thin, hard saddle plus nice bibs with chamois does. That should be all the justification I need to wear "kit". It's not about buying the hype and trying to appear a certain way, it's about using what is best for my purposes.
05-02-17, 06:10 PM
#73
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05-02-17, 06:12 PM
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This would make sense, if it made sense.
Imagine riding in a jersey entirely made of chamois pad- foam rubber- and claiming that it's purpose is to mitigate moisture.
I agree with the OP, not necessarily about the saddle padding, but that we tend to accept dogma with little question.
Imagine riding in a jersey entirely made of chamois pad- foam rubber- and claiming that it's purpose is to mitigate moisture.
I agree with the OP, not necessarily about the saddle padding, but that we tend to accept dogma with little question.
There's a difference between questioning and dismissive skepticism.
Seems to me the reason padded shorts are typical is because unpadded leather saddles are not.
05-02-17, 06:26 PM
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