Saddle rails rubbing bibs
12-10-20, 04:25 PM
#1
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Saddle rails rubbing bibs
From a time ago I noticed that all my cycling bibs padding sewing were breaking at the same place.
The last couple of years I gained a bit of weight. I'm not overweight, as I'm at 75kg and I'm 1.78m tall, but it seems this causes my legs to widen slightly and they rub on the saddle rails, breaking the threads that hold the bib padding. It's happening on both sides.
It's a really slight rub, as I can't feel it when pedalling, and it doesn't cause any issues even on long rides, but it's enough to break the threads, wear the black coating on the rails, and eventually, wear the lycra causing a hole.
I have several bikes and used several saddles and have the same issue on all of them. Currently, my most used bike, which has a Fizik Antares R3 Large saddle has the black coating of the rails partially worn. My old MTB, with a cheap selle Italia had the rails totally polished. My current MTB, with a Canyon saddle doesn't show wear yet as it's quite new, but I can see the rubbing is there.
I'm not worried about the rails finish, as that's purely cosmetic, but I'd like to avoid breaking all my bibs in a short time as they're quite expensive.
Has anyone encountered a similar issue?
The last couple of years I gained a bit of weight. I'm not overweight, as I'm at 75kg and I'm 1.78m tall, but it seems this causes my legs to widen slightly and they rub on the saddle rails, breaking the threads that hold the bib padding. It's happening on both sides.
It's a really slight rub, as I can't feel it when pedalling, and it doesn't cause any issues even on long rides, but it's enough to break the threads, wear the black coating on the rails, and eventually, wear the lycra causing a hole.
I have several bikes and used several saddles and have the same issue on all of them. Currently, my most used bike, which has a Fizik Antares R3 Large saddle has the black coating of the rails partially worn. My old MTB, with a cheap selle Italia had the rails totally polished. My current MTB, with a Canyon saddle doesn't show wear yet as it's quite new, but I can see the rubbing is there.
I'm not worried about the rails finish, as that's purely cosmetic, but I'd like to avoid breaking all my bibs in a short time as they're quite expensive.
Has anyone encountered a similar issue?
Last edited by Amt0571; 12-10-20 at 05:04 PM.
12-10-20, 04:38 PM
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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Huh? Your saddle rails are destroying your bibs? How are you doing that?
The saddle rails shouldn't be able to get near your bibs unless you have your saddles upside down or are intentionally doing it.
Maybe take pictures of your saddles?
The saddle rails shouldn't be able to get near your bibs unless you have your saddles upside down or are intentionally doing it.
Maybe take pictures of your saddles?
12-10-20, 04:48 PM
#3
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Not on saddle rails, but the velcro strap on my small saddle bag that lashes it to my seat post, can catch the inner thigh of my bibs. I've trimmed the end a bit, and loosened it off so the end (hook half) is fully in contact with the strap (loop half) which has solved the issue.
12-10-20, 05:02 PM
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I'm having some difficulty visualizing this.
12-10-20, 05:03 PM
#5
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This is my fizik antares r3 large saddle. Probably the worst offender.
The part where you can see the light reflection on the rail, just left of the sewing, rubs on my inner thighs.
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12-10-20, 05:14 PM
#6
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I have the same issues with other saddles that have no stitching.
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12-10-20, 05:23 PM
#7
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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I'm wondering whether there's some anomaly of your pedal stroke that is causing the rubbing. When you're pedaling, do your knees move straight up and down or do they maybe swing inwards a bit at the top of the stroke?
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12-10-20, 05:29 PM
#8
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They move straight as far as I can see. It seems my tights slightly widen inwards just below the saddle, and the rails are approximately the same width as the saddle nose.
12-10-20, 05:31 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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12-11-20, 12:02 PM
#10
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Do you rub the rails while pedaling? You might try these pedal extenders, they helped my riding.
12-11-20, 12:31 PM
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12-11-20, 01:21 PM
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How far forward are you sitting on that saddle? I'm having difficulty visualizing how contact would be made as well.
12-11-20, 03:33 PM
#13
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I don't understand why this is difficult to imagine. I'd find it difficult to imagine the wear on the bibs being in between his shoulder blades - but not on the part of the body that is closest to this part of the bike.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
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12-11-20, 04:48 PM
#14
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I don't understand why this is difficult to imagine. I'd find it difficult to imagine the wear on the bibs being in between his shoulder blades - but not on the part of the body that is closest to this part of the bike.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
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12-11-20, 05:06 PM
#15
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I had the same problem when I move indoors with some of my bibs. I tried wrapping electrical tap to smooth out the clap and move the saddle forward a bit. It helps but not a perfect solution. The only thing that work was when I went with an old school saddle like Selle San Marco Rolls where the sides cover the clamping mechanism. I wish I kept the saddle and didn't donate them when I got rid of my old fleet.
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12-13-20, 09:44 AM
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I don't understand why this is difficult to imagine. I'd find it difficult to imagine the wear on the bibs being in between his shoulder blades - but not on the part of the body that is closest to this part of the bike.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
His thigh gap is small. Does that help you guys?
So there's friction.
Try not to get excited.
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12-14-20, 06:40 AM
#19
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12-14-20, 08:14 AM
#20
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Use compression shorts to squeeze the thighs a bit? This is a serious input, no sarcasm. I find that compression shorts help with most athletic things, giving the muscles a bit of pre-squeeze support, too. Major sport athletes already know this.
12-14-20, 12:45 PM
#21
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I can try it. But it's not like I have loose flesh there.
12-14-20, 12:52 PM
#22
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
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I'd say try a saddle with a wider nose, but since I myself chose the saddle I ride for its narrow nose, I realize that's not optimal, and it just moves the wear onto the saddle. And I wear the logo off the sides of the saddle nose anyway.
Since your saddle is fairly far back in the cradle, perhaps a saddle with shorter rails?
Since your saddle is fairly far back in the cradle, perhaps a saddle with shorter rails?
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12-15-20, 11:47 AM
#23
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Sorry, only practical solution is radical scrotumectomy. But you'll love the improved bike fit, which is much more important.
12-15-20, 03:57 PM
#24
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I hear what you are saying. Just don't know a solution. Sorry.