Back of Cycling Shorts Chamois Catches on the Saddle

[kajero]

I started riding a road bike. The saddle is longer. When I get on the bike, sometimes the back of the chamois in the cycling shorts catch on the seat. (This happened occassionly with my hybrid.) This obviously is not safe. What do I do? It doesn't seem to matter which shorts I wear.

[maillotpois]

Are the shorts too big? Not pulled up enough? This happens sometimes to me, but it's not frequent, and not really a big deal. I just adjust and move on. If it's a chronic problem, you might want to try a different short/saddle combo.

[Owlie]

Your shorts may be too big or aren't pulled up far enough.

[kajero]

I don't know how often I have worn them. In the winter it was to spin classes, but I have five pairs and rotate them. I think a few of the pairs could be 2-3 years old. I know the ones I wore today were purchased last year. All the shorts/capris have aways been washed on gentle in cool water and have NEVER seen the inside of a dryer. I wait until I have several pairs before washing them. Does the sweat affect them? Oh, that's right, women "perspire."

Do you know if you buy them REI and bring them back (it doesn't matter how old they are) and say the stretch is out them they will replace them? I won't do that because I can't abuse a retailer and feel good about it! It's normal wear and tear. I was wearing a pair of capris in there one day and bought something at the register. I told the clerk I just loved the capris but was disappointed that the grippers weren't as tight as when I bought them two years ago. She told me to return them!

[Owlie]

Perhaps you've lost weight?

[goldfinch]

Does it happen on the spin bike too?

[Zen]

They're too big, period.
Sometimes we have a mental body image that is larger than we really are, happens to me a lot.

[kajero]

It happens more often in the spin class.

[OakLeaf]

I agree too big. But I've tried on (and sent back) shorts that had chamois that was like a board. It's possible that the lycra just isn't compressive enough to pull the chamois tight against your body, even if the shorts fit?

[goldfinch]

It happens more often in the spin class.

Spin class and on the road bike and with most all your shorts--I think your shorts are too big.

[Reesha]

This happens to me occasionally in my pearl izumi shorts or my castelli shorts... both fit me perfectly, but the lycra is fairly loosey goosey and if I'm not careful to clear the saddle fully when I move back to sit on the saddle, it can catch. I would make sure they're pulled up all the way, but also practice going up and over more when you sit down.

[Zen]

...but also practice going up and over more when you sit down.

yes to that

[smittykitty]

Jeez Zen, welcome back!

[PamNY]

That happens to me because the shorts (actually capris) are a little too big. It seems manageable, though.

[malkin]

This used to happen to me quite often on our old tandem because the stoker compartment was too small for me.

I'd go with shorts too big as a likely cause, but check out bike fit too: not enough space between handle bars and saddle nose.

[kajero]

How do I know if there is not enough space between the handle bars and saddle nose? The bike was fitted when I bought it -- not the real expensive fit, but the one that comes with the bike. The bike is extremely comfortable to ride and I couldn't imagine putting more space between the handle bar and the saddle. Maybe I just need a shorter saddle????

[jessmarimba]

That used to happen to me with one pair of shorts that were really tight in the legs but too big in the butt. So not only was the chamois not snug against me to begin with, the shorts would pull themselves down as I rode and the chamois would get looser and looser and more likely to catch. My chunky thighs are only happy in Shebeest now.

[malkin]

How do I know if there is not enough space between the handle bars and saddle nose?

When my stoker compartment was too small, there was no mysery; it was obviously just too small. I was pretty crammed in there, knees and elbows overlapping.

Try changing one thing, and if it doesn't help then change something else.

[kajero]

jessmarimba . . . If I can find some Shebeest shorts I will try them.

What's really strange is I went cycling in street clothes and the seat didn't even bother me. Of course, I wasn't sweating and we only went 4 miles.

[malkin]

What's really strange is I went cycling in street clothes and the seat didn't even bother me. Of course, I wasn't sweating and we only went 4 miles.


This really implicates your shorts.