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#1
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100
rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? |
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#2
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
Colin Campbell wrote:
I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? Too much playing with yoursel--- er, "adjusting". John "no personal experience" Doe |
#3
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
On Jan 24, 2:40 pm, Colin Campbell wrote: I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? Sounds like a classic case of 'thunder thighs' to me. DL (NO BS) |
#4
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
Maybe try a Mens US Large.
I often get a size larger pants than normally need because my thighs have always been disproportionatly large even when running up to 10 miles per day in US Army: football legs. And read actual pant product surveys on Performance's Site, which are some indication of short quality and problems. The cheap ones may cost less for a reason, but not necessarily. And wearing the same size stretched out shorts is not a fixed gage. Colin Campbell wrote: I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? |
#5
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
On Jan 24, 5:40 pm, Colin Campbell wrote: I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? For a time, I had a similar problem and I had no change in body "dimensions". What I found the problem to be was the seat I was riding. I had gotten a Cannondale RT3000 tandem and rode the stock saddle for a while. It was a Flite "copy" made by Cannondale and it seemed comfortable enough. After a couple of months, I noticed my shorts getting thin in the area on the insides of upper thighs. The way the seat was made, there was a seam that ran the length of the saddle on either side across the top where it begins to slope down the side. I surmized that this was causing more friction in a localized area, so I swapped out the saddle and the problem went away. New saddle recently? Try a different one anyway? I dunno...just a thought. I would second the other poster to buy shorts as large as you can. You don't want them to be loose or not fitting enough that the pad moves around under you (that's a whole 'nuther problem). By buying a larger short, the material won't be stretched as much, thus leaving more material. Hope that helps. Greg |
#6
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
On Jan 24, 4:40 pm, Colin Campbell wrote:
I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? Can't comment on why your shorts are wearing out in front. Mine always become see through in the back. Two spots at the top of the cheeks. Might be this is the point the material is stretched the most and also sees a fair amount of movement of the muscles. But in comment to those who suggest buying possibly a too large short. Don't. Over long distances the looseness of the fabric will move enough to rub and chafe your skin. Had this happen on a 1200k. Second day of 200 miles with a pair of Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor shorts, size large. I've used them comfortably for 200k and less. But they were not tight enough so the fabric in back towards the top rubbed my backside a bit raw by the end of the day. This was not the portion of the shorts actually touching the saddle. Fabric was just touching my skin and the air. But too loose. I've lost a fair amount of weight over the past year so I know why the shorts were too loose. |
#7
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
On Jan 24, 5:40 pm, Colin Campbell wrote: I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100 rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? First is the weight of the fabric. Some companies list that in their ads, others do not. The heavier the material, the more wear you will get out of it. The other thing is what are your thighs rubbing against? You might want to make sure you are not hitting anything that is rough. -------------- Alex |
#8
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
I've been wearing out my shorts in a couple of years (around 70 - 100
rides). The wear occurs on the front of the shorts, at the top of my thighs. The lycra thins out and weakens there, eventually becoming almost see-through. I'm trying to figure out why this is happening. While I hate to admit it, I'm a bit larger than I used to be, but I'm still wearing the same size shorts (US Men's Medium). Could I be stretching the material too tightly? Most likely caused by the seat. Could be wearing out, or perhaps you're using a different one. Or could be that your being "a bit larger" than you used to is causing them to abrade in a way they previously didn't. Could be that a larger short would work better, but in general, a bit too tight is better than a bit too loose, because loose shorts don't stretch with your movement as well and can cause chaffing. Also, if it's towards the center more than the front, could be abrasion against the seat bag. Seat bags destroy a LOT of shorts. Sometimes just the straps are enough to do serious damage. --Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReactionBicycles.com |
#9
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
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#10
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What factors determine wear on bicycle shorts?
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