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From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Cycling editorial
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:39:51 -0700
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On Thu, 18 Apr 2024 07:45:48 -0400, Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>On 4/17/2024 9:54 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
>> On 4/12/2024 2:56 PM, AMuzi wrote:
>>>
>>> Padding in cycling shorts mostly helps by not having a central seam 
>>> (although some models are quite thick with padding). They will not 
>>> cover for riding position problems or medical anomalies but are 
>>> generally more comfortable than seamed shorts to most riders.
>> 
>> I've long suspected that the thick liner in cycling shorts isn't so much 
>> to add cushioning. If that were true, an extra 1/8" padding on the 
>> saddle would work as well.
>> 
>> I think a big part of its function is to prevent the fabric from 
>> wrinkling under one's pressure points. That would have you sitting on 
>> the relatively hard folded edges of the wrinkles.
>> 
>> I think the tight stretch of lycra has the same function: Keeping the 
>> fabric flat where it matters.
>> 
>
>It's more than just minimizing seams/wrinkles. Fabric that doesn't stay 
>in place will chafe. A snug fit of the material protects by moving with 
>the skin underneath. IOW, loose- fitting lycra shorts will chafe just 
>like any other non "performance" material since it will allow the skin 
>to move against the fabric.
>
>Another important feature of the chamois is moisture absorption. It will 
>help 'wick' away sweat which - if allowed to wick through the lycra onto 
>the saddle - can cause the lycra to 'grip' and will lead to chafing as 
>well. As someone who has spent countless hours on indoor trainers and 
>has ridden with unpadded lycra while doing it, I can relate this 
>experience first hand.
>
>All the 'padding' and 'anatomically designed' marketing hype is mostly 
>that, though I can relate that I have a pair of Garneau shorts with a 
>very thick chamois (advertised at 10mm, I won them as a prime in a crit) 
>that are more comfortable on very long MTB excursions.
>
>If you're not riding a bike that jams a seat between your thighs (e.g. 
>recumbent) these issues don't really matter, except that a good wicking 
>materiel would likely keep you much more comfortable much longer.

In the late 1980's, I did some computer work and sewing machine repair
for a local company, Chi Pants in Santa Cruz.  They made "gusseted"
pants designed for comfort in a factory on the main downtown mall.  
<https://calisphere.org/item/9b454340f650b62c0f5d225d9bc6d2b4/>
<https://calisphere.org/item/7c400e2b7386d3e90543f9c0b5eb2d0b/>
As I recall, total sales was about 800,000 pants.  I'm not sure what
happened but apparently the name has been resurrected:
<https://www.dashhemp.com/product/chi-gusseted-hemp-jean/>
Hmmm... That's not a crotch gusset and appears to be a different
design.  This is the only sketch I could find showing of the original
crotch gusset design:
<https://www.reddit.com/r/santacruz/comments/wjo9up/who_remembers_chi_pants/>
At the time, I didn't think gussets were much of an improvement for
everyday wear, but they were more comfortable when I was riding a
bicycle.  Not sitting on lumpy "speed bump" seams was a big
improvement.



-- 
Jeff Liebermann                 jeffl@cruzio.com
PO Box 272      http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Ben Lomond CA 95005-0272
Skype: JeffLiebermann      AE6KS    831-336-2558