Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Chamois compressibility?

I've been having a problem tearing up the padding inside my (admittedly cheap) chamoises. In looking for an alternative it occurs to me: various forms of foam have different densities and compressibilities. 100 lbs sitting on it might not compress it fully, while 200 lbs bottomed out long ago and is essentially riding a rock.

Yet I've never seen padding - especially in the form of a chamois - rated for rider weight.

Anyone?

If you use some kind of cream, you should be sliding not compressing.

I have never used any cream, but my longest days have been 100 miles. I haven't had any problems with any chamois either. The cheap-***** bicycle shorts from aerotechdesigns that was the biggest waste of money.

It might be the quality of bicycle short.

Sounds like you are getting what you pay for. FYI Probikekit has a pair of XXL Descente bibs for 27 bucks, that I love. They are a tad longer than I like but the chamois is great IMO. No pain or chafing at all.

It could be that the chamois is degrading in the wash especially if you use hot water, bleach/harsh detergent or machine drying them until hot. Check the laundering instructions? You'll need a balance between prolonging fabric life VS making the shorts germ-free so you don't have skin infections. Also, wearing the shorts several times between laundering will be rougher on the fabric (and the rider) too. The salt in sweat can be abrasive.

cold water
handwash/intermittent cycle
mild detergent (Woolite)
hang to dry

I've been wearing the same pair of PI Gavia Plus bib tights all winter, and the chamois is fine even after washing 2x week. (sometimes 3x) Same with my Performance Ultra bib shorts; no degredation or compression and I'm 250 pounds.

I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs and tried several brands of shorts. I fell in love with the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. They're not cheap, but your butt will thank you. The Fizik Aliante saddle gets a lot of the credit too.

At 235, I have yet to have a chamois fail on me, even in my shorts that are 4 and 5 years old, even with heavy machine washings. This being said, you definitely get what you pay for. My first pair of shorts were a cheap pair, and the chamois didn't help much. I broke down and bought a pair of PI Attack shorts off the sale rack at the end of the season one year, and vowed to never by another pair of cheap shorts again. The LG Bibs that I have now are about 3 years old, and they are still very comfortable.

D

If you use some kind of cream, you should be sliding not compressing.

If that were true who would ever need a chamois?

Besides, there isn't enough cream in the world to keep me sliding for 100 miles.

cold water
handwash/intermittent cycle
mild detergent (Woolite)
hang to dry


Pardon me, but Duh! :p


Anyone care to address the question? (Or perhaps the lack of answers is an answer.)

Pardon me, but Duh! :p


Anyone care to address the question? (Or perhaps the lack of answers is an answer.)...

...Besides, there isn't enough cream in the world to keep me sliding for 100 miles.

Dude, everyone has addressed the question, just from a different angle:

- maybe you just got what you paid for, and cheap shorts are just that: Cheap.
- maybe you should try using chamois cream to enhance the comfort of your shorts
- maybe the shorts are falling apart in the wash (hence my laundering suggestions)

Just because you're not getting the answer you want doesn't mean there aren't plenty of valid suggestions.

As for the 100mi rides, I bring a small squeeze bottle with extra chamois cream. I'll usually go 60 - 70 miles before needing to re-apply. Heaven knows that on my double last year in the 95 degree heat I wouldn't have fared well on only 1 coating at the start line.

If you're spending a lot of time in the saddle doing century rides and longer then the best suggestion I've got is pony up the dough for a really really good pair of shorts. Castelli Endurance or Free bibs, Assos FI.Mille or FI.13 bibs, PI P.R.O. or P.R.O. Octanes. Trust me, your butt will thank you for the investment.

BTW don't ride with sandpaper in your shorts that will always eat away the chamois.

I've been having a problem tearing up the padding inside my (admittedly cheap) chamoises. In looking for an alternative it occurs to me: various forms of foam have different densities and compressibilities. 100 lbs sitting on it might not compress it fully, while 200 lbs bottomed out long ago and is essentially riding a rock.

Yet I've never seen padding - especially in the form of a chamois - rated for rider weight.

Anyone?

Nope


Pardon me, but Duh! :p


Anyone care to address the question? (Or perhaps the lack of answers is an answer.)

See above

No telling what type of foam has been used in your (admittedly cheap) shorts either. Different types of rubber have different lives when subjected to oils, creams, well, any foreign substance. Urethane foams have very poor oil resistance while nitrile and neoprene fare much better.

I have never seen a rider weight rating nor have I seen problems with compression on a chamois. My cycling shorts chamois seem to be holding up OK.

Some folks don't pay close attention to the laundry care instructions tag in clothes, myself included.

THANK YOU zoste and nkfrench for answering the actual question. :love:

I was not suggesting that my problem with flimsy chamoises (chamoix?) is due to compression or whatever most of y'all have interpreted the issue to be. They're simply cheap chamoix (Performance Ultra FYI). I know I'm going to have to pony up for better gear - I was simply evaluating the better stuff out there. (The other issue I have is what will fit? At least at Performance I can try them on.)

I still think padding should be rated by rider weight. Too bad it's not.

They're simply cheap chamoix (Performance Ultra FYI).

I've got 2 pairs of Ultras and I routinely ride centuries and double metrics in them. I weigh 250 pounds, and I've never had a problem with them.

I've got 2 pairs of Ultras and I routinely ride centuries and double metrics in them. I weigh 250 pounds, and I've never had a problem with them.

+1

I have a pair of the Ultra bibs and they're awesome. They get pretty good reviews other than some stitching problems. Mine were $35 and I wish I bought a few more pairs.

+1

I have a pair of the Ultra bibs and they're awesome. They get pretty good reviews other than some stitching problems. Mine were $35 and I wish I bought a few more pairs.

I did notice the stitching issue, but it could be (partly) a "me" issue, too. I don't think the Ultras or the PI Gavia Plus are meant for guys my size, and most people don't lace their B-17 saddles with 2mm accessory cord from the climbing shop. I might be putting some undue stress on the stitching that holds the chamois in place along the inseam panels.

Meh, for $50 on sale I'm not going to complain that my "everyday" shorts have that minor an issue.