tomato coupe

I might be stating the obvious, but bike short design and manufacturing is driven by Big Pad.

rumrunn6

that might look like "padding" but it isn't. it's just a layer of absorbant fabric, that's all

Kontact

I'm a saddle maker and fitter. I ran into this issue before, but that gentleman was open minded enough to STOP SITTING ON HIS BALLS. Problem solved.

That said, I have owned one (1) pair of shorts where the pad was so stiff that it put pressure on my correctly located testicles. Also not a common problem.



Ever notice how forums are full of relatively new folks to the hobby that are convinced they know better than all the long time people? Why do they know better?

epnnf

FWIW, OP- I understand your problem. However I dont have the answer. I just find some cheap saddle that works for me. Shorts are all the same. I position my junk resting on top of saddle, not under my body getting crushed. YMMV

genejockey 

Your shorts should be snug enough that, once you have them on, they stay where you put 'em, which should be up out of the way. If yours aren't, U R doin' it wrong.

rsbob 

I would be interested in a show or hands where this is an issue. Mr Eagle counts as 1.

tomato coupe

I know a guy, who knows a guy, whose cousin says he's heard of someone that has this issue.

PeteHski

This guy has the same problem:-

philbob57

I have problems with thickly padded shorts, so I buy shorts with thin pads. I accept the proposition that the pads wick moisture away, which is a Good Thing, so I'm good with triathlon shorts, Boures, even Voler. I'm sure there are other manufacturers who use thinner pads, but I stop looking when I find something that works - I don't like shopping.

Shorts haven't always been this way. Cyclists used to wear wool shorts with real chamois. The wool was thick, but the chamois was thinner than the pad of any modern shorts I've seen. (Chamois and wool have numerous pluses and minuses when compared to modern shorts, but that's not the topic of this thread.) The chamois didn't wick moisture away; rather, I believe, moisture on the chamois reduced the leg and groin friction of pedaling.

rollagain

Reading this whole thread, I can't help thinking you might be onto something.

Back in about 1969 I bought my first derailleur bike, a new Raleigh Super-Course with a Brooks B-17 saddle on it. I had hitchhiked up to the bike shop, bought the thing, and rode it 20 miles home, learning how to shift as I went.

Back then, about the only thing I ever wore below the waist was close-fitting jeans over tighty-whities.

I remember the dealer saying something ominous as I rolled it out the door, to the effect of how I'd like it once the saddle broke in "... or your ass breaks."

I never did figure out what he was talking about; I got many consecutive hours of enjoyment out of that bike and never once suffered any crotch damage or even discomfort worth mentioning.

genejockey 

Cyclists wore wool shorts with real chamois because that's what there was. When something better came along, the dropped them like a hot rock.

I thought I had problems with thickly padded shorts, but it turns out the real problem wasn't the thickness of the pad, but rather the design. The thick pads I'd experienced put too much directly under the sit bones, which accentuated rather than mitigated the pressure there. I also found that I'd move around on the saddle, usually sliding forward and the having to push myself back. So I stuck with less expensive, less thickly padded shorts. Then I saw a sale on LeCol's 'Hors Categorie' bib shorts - half price! I bought two pair, figuring if I didn't like 'em I could send back the unused one. Oh. My. God. They are SO comfortable! The padding is thick, but well designed. No pressure where I don't want it, no focus of pressure on the sit bones, no sliding around the saddle.

I'm waiting for them to go on sale again, so I can replace all my old Louis Garneaus.

bike eagle

Ever notice that my join date was before yours?

Also, I'm 62 years old, and I've been cycling for 55 years. Does that make me "new to the hobby?"

Just because someone doesn't have as high a post count as you, doesn't make them "new to the hobby." It might just mean that they're out riding more than you are and spending less time on this forum.

Kontact

Ive been wearing bike shorts successfully for 35 years and have had many opportunities to discuss their fit with other cyclists. Your comments suggest you have not.

As many of us have stated, you are essentially wearing your shorts wrong and sitting on your testicles. I have no idea why that seems to be controversial to you - which is why I opined that you must be new to cycling

Please stop sitting on your balls.

holytrousers

There is one problem that needs to be clarified, and hopefully point you to the right direction : if there is a cutout in that area of the saddle, then there should be no pressure from the padding. padding by itself can't exert any pressure. pressure comes from your body weight pressing against the saddle. Padding only comes in-between.

Inusuit

[QUOTE=bike eagle;22771734]Ever notice that my join date was before yours? Also, I'm 62 years old, and I've been cycling for 55 years. Does that make me "new to the hobby?" /QUOTE]

I can't imagine sitting on my testicles for 55 years and only now asking what to do about the discomfort. "Millions" left cycling? I doubt your statistics.

It's also amazing how many people, newcomers or long-time members, come to the forum asking for advice or input and reject every comment that doesn't agree with what they already believe.

Bald Paul

Find some old school real chamois lined shorts.

MooneyBloke

I think the biggest not-work-together thing was embroidered saddles. Great for trashing expensive bibs. Conspiracy? You be the judge.