Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Chaffing on one side only?

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Chaffing on one side only?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-01-17 | 02:38 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
Chaffing on one side only?

So I looked at my bibshorts the other day and noticed that i'm getting rubbing/fraying on the material on 1 side only.

what can be the cause of this? Saddle too high? I've tried lowering it in the past but really didnt like how it felt.
grn.eyed.bandit is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 02:40 PM
  #2  
Gladius's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 210
Likes: 3
From: Erie, CO

Bikes: '86 Centurion Elite RS '17 Trek Domane SLR6 Disc '16 Trek Boone 5 '15 Trek Fuel EX 9 '20 Trek Checkpoint SL6

I had this at one point and discovered that my saddle rails were slightly bent, causing one side of my sit bones to be slightly higher than the other. Also check that your cleats are equally positioned - unless one leg is longer than another
Gladius is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,400
Likes: 106
From: SF Bay Area

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)

Also check to make sure that you're not rubbing on a flap for a seat bag.
gsa103 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 03:19 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,687
Likes: 297
Originally Posted by gsa103
Also check to make sure that you're not rubbing on a flap for a seat bag.
+1

I have a stupidly designed Vaude saddle bag with the sharp side of the velcro on the seat post strap facing out.
It gnawed a hole in two tights before I'd figured out what was going on.
dabac is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 03:22 PM
  #5  
Dopefish905's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton Ontario

Bikes: Cervelo S3

I had a seat cradle, that shredded a pair of shorts before I figured out what it was, when the factory paint rubbed away it left a metal burr exposed. I water sanded the front to a mirror finish and no problems since. Aero seat cradle btw
Dopefish905 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 04:22 PM
  #6  
kingston's Avatar
Jedi Master
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 501
From: Lake Forest, IL

Bikes: https://stinkston.blogspot.com/p/my-bikes.html

My saddles wear more on the left side than the right. I always just assumed that my legs were not symmetrical and never really worried too much about it. I haven't noticed that my shorts wear any differently on either side.
kingston is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 04:30 PM
  #7  
79pmooney's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 5,287
From: Portland, OR

Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder

Originally Posted by kingston
My saddles wear more on the left side than the right. I always just assumed that my legs were not symmetrical and never really worried too much about it. I haven't noticed that my shorts wear any differently on either side.
You might look into a leg length discrepancy. I rode forever in ignorance, always aware I could not sight down the center of my bike when i looked down but just figured that was what it was. Went to a PT for a different issue entirely. First thing she had me do was walk the length of the room away from her, turn and walk back. Her first words were that my right leg was shorter. Sent me home from that session with 1/2" lifts to put in my right shoes. She had me shim my right cleats out 1/2 the distance, 1/4"

Both were revelations. I stand straight now. I look down and the top tube blocks out the down tube. I sight down the center of the front wheel. Who knew?

Ben
79pmooney is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 04:38 PM
  #8  
cellery's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 816
Likes: 31
I've had this happen with a couple pairs of shorts due to seat bag rubbing.

leg length discrepancy is another good one (I got this too and it's causing me knee issues). If one side chaffing is comorbid with one side knee pain then this might be a good place to look into.
cellery is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 05:11 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 4
From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca

Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike

most people's bodies are woefully asymmetrical. unless it's causing you pain or discomfort, i wouldn't worry about it, they are just shorts. they don't care.
hueyhoolihan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 05:56 PM
  #10  
Scarbo's Avatar
Erik the Inveigler
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 4
From: The California Alps
A lot of great suggestions, above (leg length discrepancy, which is not uncommon; saddle wear, etc.), so I'll try to come up with something new. By any chance is the extra wear on the side of your dominant leg? If so, could be your pedal stroke is uneven. Just a thought.
Scarbo is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 06:17 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 4
From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca

Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike

Originally Posted by Scarbo
A lot of great suggestions, above (leg length discrepancy, which is not uncommon; saddle wear, etc.), so I'll try to come up with something new. By any chance is the extra wear on the side of your dominant leg? If so, could be your pedal stroke is uneven. Just a thought.
really, i can't even beat an egg left-handed.
hueyhoolihan is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 07:26 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 16
Originally Posted by dabac
I have a stupidly designed Vaude saddle bag with the sharp side of the velcro on the seat post strap facing out.
It gnawed a hole in two tights before I'd figured out what was going on.
I removed the velcro seat post loop from mine. It didn't do anything useful, and the exposed velcro was not good for the legs. The bag stays in place just fine thanks to the rails attachment.
Athens80 is offline  
Reply
Old 06-01-17 | 11:05 PM
  #13  
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Willamette Valley

Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, 2011 and 2017

Seat/saddle bag velcro is the natural enemy of bib shorts. It is the only known natural bib short predator. It is a menace, and should be put down whenever encountered.

I have nothing against saddle bags. Because when I do, it's usually my shorts, and that's not good for them.
Masque is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vandarye
Road Cycling
7
08-19-12 11:51 PM
blargman
Road Cycling
2
07-20-12 01:35 PM
cradduck
Commuting
3
01-18-11 09:31 PM
tellyho
Bicycle Mechanics
3
12-07-09 03:04 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.