Shouldn't Bike Shorts And Saddles Work Together?
#26
Clark W. Griswold
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I can't think of a lot of clothing manufacturers who are also doing saddles minus maybe Specialized or Trek/Bontrager. Pactimo, Primal, Gore, Pearl Izumi, Assos, Sugoi, Endura, Louis Garneau, Castelli, 7 Mesh, MAAP, Cadence...all don't make saddles. Also haven't really had any issues with cut outs and any of my bib shorts or back when I didn't wear bibs and just regular shorts haven't had a problem there either.
If you are having problems I would go see a fitter because it may not be your saddle, it may not be your shorts (though it sounds like maybe you have an issue of testicular placement within the shorts which can happen with those with those parts) it could just generally be your fit on the bike, your saddle could be slightly at the wrong angle or position on the seatpost and your seatpost could be at the wrong position, maybe there are other issues with reach and spindle length on your pedals, that is causing issues that is being attributed to shorts and saddle working together.
If you are having problems I would go see a fitter because it may not be your saddle, it may not be your shorts (though it sounds like maybe you have an issue of testicular placement within the shorts which can happen with those with those parts) it could just generally be your fit on the bike, your saddle could be slightly at the wrong angle or position on the seatpost and your seatpost could be at the wrong position, maybe there are other issues with reach and spindle length on your pedals, that is causing issues that is being attributed to shorts and saddle working together.
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Agreed. Now, put on cycling shorts with the typical padding in the crotch / genitals area and try sitting on your bike again. Isn't that padding, which is trapped between your genitals and the saddle, exerting pressure up against your genitals?
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Please don't post any photos ...
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Here's a typical design of a bike shorts pad. I don't have an issue with the upper half of the larger sit bones pads in the upper part of the pic. Call it the upper third of the raised padded areas. I'm saying that the narrower pads in the middle and lower part are right under the perineum and testicles, and also right in the area where the cutout would normally be in a saddle. Keep the larger part of the upper sit bones pads and remove the perineal and testicular ones and I'm happy. Keep the thin blue pad in those areas for modestly if desired, but no raised padding.
Last edited by bike eagle; 01-12-23 at 11:58 AM.
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I'm not saying that my testicles are contacting my saddle. I'm saying that the padding between my testicles and the saddle is filling that gap to the point where the padding is pressing against my testicles. The saddle presses up against the padding, which in turn presses up against my testicles. No padding, no pressure. Yes padding, yes pressure.
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To summarize: OP thinks all cycling shorts are presently designed wrong because he can't get comfortable wearing them, and the rest of us tolerate this discomfort because it makes our junk look bigger.
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#37
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If you think this is an argument for why there should be no padding in the perineum area, it isn't.
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Maybe I need to start my own line of shorts:
"Smart Pads! Padding where you need it, and none where you don't!
Saves weight!
Less restrictive for more power!"
Etc...
"Smart Pads! Padding where you need it, and none where you don't!
Saves weight!
Less restrictive for more power!"
Etc...
Last edited by bike eagle; 01-12-23 at 12:26 PM.
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I disagree. It is exactly why there shouldn't be padding in the perineum area in shorts. Padding inside shorts and padding inside a saddle (in the same area) are identical.
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It ought to be obvious that saddles are different that skin, and that having a saddle move against unpadded shorts increases skin irritation.
Edit: rydabent has entered the chat. It was only a matter of time.
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You should be happy -- you might have finally found someone you can convince to switch to a recumbent. If he does, you can call your crusade a success, toss your computer in the landfill, and never post your manifesto again.
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Saddles contact the outside of shorts. Shorts contact the skin.
It ought to be obvious that saddles are different that skin, and that having a saddle move against unpadded shorts increases skin irritation.
Edit: rydabent has entered the chat. It was only a matter of time.
It ought to be obvious that saddles are different that skin, and that having a saddle move against unpadded shorts increases skin irritation.
Edit: rydabent has entered the chat. It was only a matter of time.
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“Because we’ve always done it that way” is never a good answer.
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Zoot Core Mens 7-Inch Tri Shorts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TF8&th=1&psc=1
size up because they are snug, especially in the waist (if you have a 'Dad bod"). I buy size 38" waist pants, but prefer the XXL Zoot Shorts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TF8&th=1&psc=1
size up because they are snug, especially in the waist (if you have a 'Dad bod"). I buy size 38" waist pants, but prefer the XXL Zoot Shorts
Last edited by rumrunn6; 01-12-23 at 12:52 PM.
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How do you know it works for everyone? What about the millions of people who tried cycling and quit because they weren’t comfortable? Of course, they also don’t post in these forums, because they left cycling for other activities.
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Zoot Core Mens 7-Inch Tri Shorts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TF8&th=1&psc=1
size up because they are snug, especially in the waist (if you have a 'Dad bod"). I buy size 38" waist pants, but prefer the XXL Zoot Shorts
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...TF8&th=1&psc=1
size up because they are snug, especially in the waist (if you have a 'Dad bod"). I buy size 38" waist pants, but prefer the XXL Zoot Shorts
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