donrhummy

It's very, very hard to find bibs or shorts that don't have a raised seam attaching the pad to the shorts. The raised seam always irritates my skin from the movement. Does anyone know of some good bibs/shorts that don't have any seam on the pads?

To see what I mean, look at the right hand side of the blue pad and you'll see the threads which are sitting on top of the pad's edge.

https://bikehugger.com/P1290517.JPG

roadwarrior

Ever try chamois cream or something like that?

nhluhr

It sounds like you are probably wearing poorly fitting bibs. That pad shouldn't be moving significantly against your skin. Try the next size down or a different brand.

Carbonfiberboy 

IME it's a saddle/pad interface problem. Some shorts work better with some saddles and vice versa. One approach is that one may have to try a few shorts to find a pad that feels right. Many of us have a whole drawer full of 1 hour shorts.

The other approach is that one may have to try a few saddles to find one that works with one's shorts and body. Many of us have a whole box full of saddles that weren't quite right.

But the answer is that there is a shorts/saddle combination that works for everyone. It's just different for everyone. My guess is that your saddle doesn't neck down quickly enough in front of the sit bones part in the back. IOW the saddle should be narrower in front and get narrow more quickly. Then those seams won't be caught between your thighs and the saddle. That said, I have used shorts where the pad was simply too small and the seam chafed my butt, but those are rare and easily fixed with a larger pad. I've also used shorts where the pad was too large and came down my thighs, chafing them.

bikerjp

+1

I had a pair that were too big and caused issues. Even a little loose can be too loose. Chamois cream can help if the right size ones still chafe. As for no seams I don't that's possible. They have to sew it on somehow and glue likely wouldn't last. Good bibs/shorts will have flat seams at least.

Looigi

Yep. Too big is the first thing that comes to my mind. If they fit correctly, they generally move with you and not rub.

sci_femme

These are stitched with zigzag seam, and pad does not look all that soft either around the edges. What you need is flat seam. It is harder to execute and garments usually cost more.

donrhummy

of course. I use it everything, but it's not enough.

Makel

The pad shouldn't move.

Makel

You could try tri shorts, but the pads on those are usually less of a pad.

surgeonstone

you may need corrective surgery, suggest looking into a scrotal lift-problem solved.

uncrx2003

De soto 400 has very minimal raised pad if I remember correctly.

donrhummy

thanks! I'll look into those.

roadwarrior

This made me chuckle...the reason is I have helped, literally thousands of customers with bike shorts. There are two things that always crack me up...the lack of knowledge about bib shorts, and the existance of chamois creme. When I show them this stuff, they look at me like this is the most amazing thing ever.

Thus, my comment....I've been on this forum for a pretty long while. It's not different than being in the store.

I guess I am lucky in that I can wear anything and it never causes me difficulty. What I will say is that looks like a Pearl Izumi pad and I have never had a complaint like this. FWIW...that's why, since it sounded like chafing I made that suggestion.

robbyville

Well I learned something new; I always thought chamois cream was only for the old style pads and not for the newer ones like PI select, etc but you're saying that its good for any of them?
Thanks!

flatlander_48

Sugoi used a welding process to secure the chamois to the cloth. The last pair I bought was a couple of years ago and they were still using it then, but I haven't looked at the latest ones. It has 3 different layers to the chamois with different sizes and densities. Each layer is covered by a very thin material and is bonded to build up the chamois.

brian669

1 - if they're the wrong size, adding cream will be like adding cutting fluid to metal - it'll soften up your skin and make things worse.

2 - suck it up and try some properly fitting castelli/craft/assos bibs. they're not cheap but you will not regret the money you spend.

donrhummy

They are properly fit. Ever think maybe some people have thin skin and actual reasons why they need something different than what works perfectly for you?

Carbonfiberboy 

I took another look at your photo and dug through my shorts drawer. I have 11 pair of wearable shorts from several different manufacturers and none of them have a pad seam that bad. I think the smoothest seams I saw were Forza Pro Voler and Elite PI. The Volers aren't that expensive. The Voler Elite FS has a smaller pad than the Forza Pro. Sometimes one can find a good deal on PI on Amazon. Good shorts cost money, but they are so worth it.

I use Bag Balm for chamois cream. Many chamois creams are so water soluble they go right away. Although I've got my saddle/shorts interface to where I only use Bag Balm in the rain now.

Parson

Speaking of seams and bike shorts/bibs, I don't understand why the crotch exterior is stitched the way it is. The stitches cross and increase pressure right in the perineal area where pressure is supposed to be minimized. Lots of climbing pants have a gussted crotch so that there are no seams in the seat/crotch area. I don't know why cycling short companies don't use the same thing.

here is an example of what I mean https://www.miniurl.com/s/2HV

blacksquid

I normally don't have any problems with the seams on the outside of the pads and I just went to check my shorts collection. My Rapha bib shorts have the best feel at the pad edge with my PI Micro Senser a close second. The Gore, Garneau, and Performance pad stitching are all similar and a definite step down from Rapha and PI.