Cycling shorts padding - what am I getting wrong?

[almostvegancyclist]

Here's a typical bib shorts pad. Normally the area in the green circle has the most substantial padding. But I always feel the weight on the blue circled area which has less padding, either in surface area or density or both. For me there's almost no weight on the green area. Why are they designed in this way? Do you sit on the green area? I can't see how I can sit on green unless I was sitting very upright.

 

[presta]

The general idea is that you're supposed to be carrying your weight on your sit-bones (ischial tuberosity) rather than your perineum.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

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Here's a typical bib shorts pad. Normally the area in the green circle has the most substantial padding. But I always feel the weight on the blue circled area which has less padding, either in surface area or density or both. For me there's almost no weight on the green area. Why are they designed in this way? Do you sit on the green area? I can't see how I can sit on green unless I was sitting very upright.

You are absolutely right. the green area padding is just about superflous. The green area is also not where the sitbones sit. They live in the blue area. Padding under your flexed glutes just contribute to the nappy feel.

 

[almostvegancyclist]

The general idea is that you're supposed to be carrying your weight on your sit-bones (ischial tuberosity) rather than your perineum.

Yes, and I have no issues relating to perineal pressure. My sit bones and skin around them make contact with the saddle in the blue circle rather than green where most padding is. I wondered if other people sit differently.

 

[almostvegancyclist]

You are absolutely right. the green area padding is just about superflous. The green area is also not where the sitbones sit. They live in the blue area. Padding under your flexed glutes just contribute to the nappy feel.

Exactly, so why is most padding in the green area? Seems rather strange.

 

[Jameshow]

Not all ate that shape buy some with a more bone shaped padding??

 

[almostvegancyclist]

Not all ate that shape buy some with a more bone shaped padding??

Any recommendations?

 

[raleighnut]

Any recommendations?

Yep, get a Brooks then after a few miles/years (delete as applicable) it will be as comfy as an armchair

 

[almostvegancyclist]

Yep, get a Brooks then after a few miles/years (delete as applicable) it will be as comfy as an armchair

I'd still wear bib shorts though, and have the same problem no?

 

[Slick]

I'd still wear bib shorts though, and have the same problem no?

I think the theory is if you get the correct saddle, you wouldn't need padding.

 

[biggs682]

I don't use padded shorts just a comfortable SMP saddle

 

[cyberknight]

i find planet x shorts have a thick pad

 

[postman]

Yep, get a Brooks then after a few miles/years (delete as applicable) it will be as comfy as an armchair

I have joined a new church house group.And told them my Brooks b17 narrow was older than them.I bought it from Halfords November 1987 in a pre xmas sale.She said she was only four MONTHS old in Nov 1987.And yes it is a thing of beauty if slightly scuffed after leaning it against many a cafe wall.

 

[craigwend]

Maybe a 'cut a way' saddle / in the perineum area?
Saddles like shoes / bibshorts are a personal thing. I remember lots of people a few years back raving about certain Giordana shorts, I got a pair and my least favourite ever.
Luckily I suit Brooks saddles, but also day 1, suited a Fizik Arione. Other saddles not.

So trial and error unfortunately, though if the pressure is around the perineum area, I'd be trying different saddles and probably not a Brooks...

 

[raleighnut]

I have joined a new church house group.The lady of the ho on my photos in the phone.And told them my Brooks b17 narrow was older than them.I bought it from Halfords November 1987 in a pre xmas sale.She said she was only four MONTHS old in Nov 1987.And yes it is a thing of beauty if slightly scuffed after leaning it against many a cafe wall.

My B17n is my favourite Brooks but I have one of it's predecessors a B5n dating from the 60's and given to me by John, proprietor of Bob Warner Cycles in Leicester. The narrow version of the B17 was produced when the B5n went out of production they're the same shape but the B5n has a 'dimpled' top and a row of lacing holes on each side