DoubleTap

I'm curious whether anybody else has experienced this. Upon returning home today from a 30 mile ride, my wife noticed I had a hole in my bibs, and upon further inspection it turns out to be a spot worn through by my saddle. So we pulled out my other bibs and shorts and found similar worn spots in the same spot, although the others are not worn through.

I'm riding a Specialized Alias. It does have quite a bit of texture, but I can't believe it's rubbing through my shorts. Any ideas? Is it the saddle or maybe my position? I've had a professional fit, and I'm comfortable on the bike and the saddle.

rschleicher

I have heard of similar complaints (from others) with the saddle that I have, which is a Sella Italia ProLink. Not from the saddle texture (the leather cover is pretty smooth), but from either the nylon stitching in the nose, or in some cases, from sharp edges of some plastic (or some such material) "braces" that are under the nose.

But so far I haven't seen any evidence of premature wear in my own shorts.

You might want to check for anything rough or scratchy on the lower edges of the saddle, especially around the nose. Perhaps it is not really the texture.

If the base/rear of the saddle isn't quite wide enough, perhaps you are putting a lot of pressure on the nose of the saddle. But if you had a good fitting for the saddle (Specialized's saddle fitting system seems good), then presumably your saddle is the proper width.

Wylde06

Do you use a saddle bag? The velcro on the strap around the seat post started to wear my 2 pair of shorts. Luckily I caught it and since have bought a new saddle bag.

CACycling

+1

Mr. Beanz

How many miles on the shorts? A few thousand, nothing out of the norm. 50 miles, brand new, I'll make sure to never buy that brand!

DoubleTap

It has nothing to do with the shorts. Something is rubbing the heck out of them; it's happened to two different brands. I think it's the seatbag velcro, so thanks to the guys who made that suggestion. I'll get a new bag this weekend.

Wylde06

this is what I just bought

https://topeak.com/products/Bags/ProPackSmall

and after 2 or 3 rides, im glad I switched

Mr. Beanz

Well I'm pretty sure that's why I asked the age of the shorts. I can't guess the age by the info you posted. If the bibs are old, then yes it could have been an accumulatiion of age and wear but you did not post the info so excuse me for trying to help.

Wogster

Beanz does have a point, shorts do have a life span, the material does wear some with use, other times the pad doesn't work as well. Most saddles, even those with a texture shouldn't increase the wear by much. I gave two pairs of shorts, one pair is fairly new and can easily be worn on their own, without creating issues, the other pair are older, and no longer suitable for public use, and are used as under shorts, combined with other shorts or pants. I need to get a couple more pair though....

DoubleTap

Relax there, slick, I was just trying to clarify that this issue isn't related to the shorts; it has happened to several pair, all of different ages, sizes, weights, and colors. My response wasn't intended to be snippy.

DoubleTap

Good idea. I think I need something a bit larger, so I might try this one.

https://topeak.com/products/Bags/Aero...ck_large_Quick

Thanks for the lead.

DoubleTap

Yeah, that makes good sense. My wear situation is a hole about the size of a quarter, right on the inside of my leg, just down from the pad. It's not just a thin spot, but rather a spot that is clearly being severely abraded by something. After the suggestions about the velcro on my seat bag doing it, I hopped up on my bike on the trainer and the wife did some inspection. The wear spot lines up perfectly with the velcro strap on my seat bag that wraps the seat post. That had never crossed my mind, but upon further inspection we found that the wear spots are all in the same spot and only on the right leg of each pair of shorts. So, I'm now convinced that it's the seat bag strap.

Time for a new seat bag or some duct tape. I'm glad it's not the saddle; I've just settled into a happy relationship with this one.

CACycling

I went with a regular Topeak wedge bag that clips on (the largest one without a seat post strap) but replaced the stock "fixer" (the part that mounts to the seat) with the F22 fixer. Puts the bag a little further back and at an angle where it keeps it completely out of the way even with a narrow saddle.

chasmm

That's a great idea...thanks for the suggestion. My Topeak Aero Survival Wedge doesn't rub, but it's got about 1.5 inches of extra strap on the velcro...maybe this will help.

Charles