(real) chamois replacement...?
 

Kucharic used to do it, but they've closed up shop.... Anyone know if there's anyone anywhere who does replacement real chamois pads in shorts?

And yeah, yeah, yeah- I'm really not interested in hearing about how much better lycra/synthetics/etc are, thx.

I've got a local seamstress that does it for me, I provide the chamois (from an auto parts store) and she cuts it to fit and sews it in. Done it with two pair of vintage wool shorts and all seem to be holding up fine. Not sure if she'd be able to handle spandex type shorts.

Plus 1 on the above process. Smiles, MH

Doh, of course! That’s a great idea- though now to find such a seamstress local to me….

I had a seamstress fix a seam on a lycra jersey. I thought it would be tricky, but it took a minute. Sewing in a chamois won't be as quick, but it would probably not be tricky for a good seamstress.

I guess I'm surprised the shorts last longer than the chamois. Or does it degrade quickly due to chamois cream?

Yep, mine has one of those small "alterations" shops on a corner and I imagine usually takes up pants and hems dresses, but she always seems willing to work on my weird projects. She's tightened the legs on spandex bibs, fixed jersey zippers and fixed many a hole in my old wool jerseys. :) If I remember correctly, she charged me $17.00 to cut and sew in a chamois.

The chamois pad in these shorts (2Velo 'vintage style cycling shorts') is three pieces sewn together with really fine stitching- it's the stitching that has pulled apart. To be fair, these are pretty cheap shorts (about $65), and I've worn them for nearly all my riding over the past 3 years. But I really like them, and unfortunately they've been 'out of stock', and if I can get more life out of 'em, why not. I've got a lead on a seamstress now, so we'll see!

Fabric is a knit construction, allowing it to expand and contract during sewing and when in use. Chamois doesn’t have that built in stretch. Sewing pokes it full of holes, which get bigger over time, leading to tears.Plus a real chamois will have thicker and thinner spots which will lead to faster wear in the thin spots. Chamois cream probably doesn’t help the pad, only the user.