Re: Cycling editorial

On Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:45:48 -0400, Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
wrote:

On 4/17/2024 9:54 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:

On 4/12/2024 2:56 PM, AMuzi wrote:

>
Padding in cycling shorts mostly helps by not having a central seam
(although some models are quite thick with padding). They will not
cover for riding position problems or medical anomalies but are
generally more comfortable than seamed shorts to most riders.

 
I've long suspected that the thick liner in cycling shorts isn't so much
to add cushioning. If that were true, an extra 1/8" padding on the
saddle would work as well.
 
I think a big part of its function is to prevent the fabric from
wrinkling under one's pressure points. That would have you sitting on
the relatively hard folded edges of the wrinkles.
 
I think the tight stretch of lycra has the same function: Keeping the
fabric flat where it matters.
 

>
It's more than just minimizing seams/wrinkles. Fabric that doesn't stay
in place will chafe. A snug fit of the material protects by moving with
the skin underneath. IOW, loose- fitting lycra shorts will chafe just
like any other non "performance" material since it will allow the skin
to move against the fabric.
>
Another important feature of the chamois is moisture absorption. It will
help 'wick' away sweat which - if allowed to wick through the lycra onto
the saddle - can cause the lycra to 'grip' and will lead to chafing as
well. As someone who has spent countless hours on indoor trainers and
has ridden with unpadded lycra while doing it, I can relate this
experience first hand.
>
All the 'padding' and 'anatomically designed' marketing hype is mostly
that, though I can relate that I have a pair of Garneau shorts with a
very thick chamois (advertised at 10mm, I won them as a prime in a crit)
that are more comfortable on very long MTB excursions.
>
If you're not riding a bike that jams a seat between your thighs (e.g.
recumbent) these issues don't really matter, except that a good wicking
materiel would likely keep you much more comfortable much longer.

In the late 1980's, I did some computer work and sewing machine repair
for a local company, Chi Pants in Santa Cruz.  They made "gusseted"
pants designed for comfort in a factory on the main downtown mall. 
<https://calisphere.org/item/9b454340f650b62c0f5d225d9bc6d2b4/>
<https://calisphere.org/item/7c400e2b7386d3e90543f9c0b5eb2d0b/>
As I recall, total sales was about 800,000 pants.  I'm not sure what
happened but apparently the name has been resurrected:
<https://www.dashhemp.com/product/chi-gusseted-hemp-jean/>
Hmmm... That's not a crotch gusset and appears to be a different
design.  This is the only sketch I could find showing of the original
crotch gusset design:
<https://www.reddit.com/r/santacruz/comments/wjo9up/who_remembers_chi_pants/>
At the time, I didn't think gussets were much of an improvement for
everyday wear, but they were more comfortable when I was riding a
bicycle.  Not sitting on lumpy "speed bump" seams was a big
improvement.



--
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558