miles/chamois ?

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10-12-2010, 02:03 PM
zoom-zoom

miles/chamois ?

I did a search, but didn't really see a thread that addressed this.

Is there sort of a ballpark mileage window where a chamois is likely to be ready for retirement? Today my sit bones were done by about 24 miles into a 30 miler. The shorts I was wearing are the same pair I wore for a century ride back in July. My butt was about the only part of me not sore by the end of that ride.

I have 3 pair of shorts that I rotate. All have probably 800-900 miles on them. That doesn't seem like a ton of miles, but what do I know. :p
10-12-2010, 02:07 PM
maillotpois

It likely depends on the quality of the shorts to begin with. I suspect you get what you pay for. I have shorts that are 8 or so years old and I am still wearing them. I average between 3000 - 6000 miles a year (not on the same pair of shorts, but rotating among probably 5 pairs).
10-12-2010, 02:08 PM
tulip

The lycra and elastic of my shorts wear out before the chamois. I retire my shorts from "exposed" riding at that point, although I still use them under tights.

I've never had chamois wear out before. I wear Pearl Izumi Elite shorts and Sugoi RS.
10-12-2010, 02:59 PM
zoom-zoom

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulip

The lycra and elastic of my shorts wear out before the chamois. I retire my shorts from "exposed" riding at that point, although I still use them under tights.

I've never had chamois wear out before. I wear Pearl Izumi Elite shorts and Sugoi RS.

Hmmm...must be my butt, then. These are all PI Symphony or Symphony Cut shorts with the Elite 3D chamois.

Could it be that I've lost some weight and the shorts are maybe not snug enough?
10-12-2010, 03:19 PM
Catrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Hmmm...must be my butt, then. These are all PI Symphony or Symphony Cut shorts with the Elite 3D chamois.

Could it be that I've lost some weight and the shorts are maybe not snug enough?

This does happen, it happened to my first pair of shorts pretty quickly. Seems to me that even if you haven't lost any real weight but if things have been tightening up that the same thing would occur.
10-12-2010, 03:20 PM
zoom-zoom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catrin

This does happen, it happened to my first pair of shorts pretty quickly. Seems to me that even if you haven't lost any real weight but if things have been tightening up that the same thing would occur.

Heh, actually, I haven't lost "weight," but I have lost body-fat and inches. Yay for muscle! :D
10-12-2010, 03:21 PM
Catrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

Heh, actually, I haven't lost "weight," but I have lost body-fat and inches. Yay for muscle! :D

I feel the same way :) I bet this is what happened - all that tightening up don't you know ;)
10-12-2010, 03:53 PM
GLC1968

Yep, weight/fat loss can definitely make a difference. So can body conditioning - I'm finding that as I get in better shape, I actually sit on my saddle slightly differently. This causes rubbing in new areas!

Your saddle can also breakdown, too but unless you have a really cushy saddle, 800 - 900 miles shouldn't do it (I wouldn't think).
10-12-2010, 04:15 PM
zoom-zoom

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLC1968

Your saddle can also breakdown, too but unless you have a really cushy saddle, 800 - 900 miles shouldn't do it (I wouldn't think).

I think my saddle (Jett) has probably around 2800 miles on it, but I can't imagine that it would be anywhere near dead, yet. At least I hope not. Man, this stuff gets expensive! :eek:
10-12-2010, 04:48 PM
OakLeaf

I've got just over 3,000 on my Jett and I don't think it's anywhere near wearing out. More's the pity, I want to try a Turbomatic but can't justify it until the Jett wears out. :p
10-12-2010, 04:52 PM
malkin

I think it depends on what the padding is made of and how many times it has been laundered.

I know my preferences change and I end up having one or two favorites.