I have loved the Shebeest SSS shorts. I wore them through many miles last year. I own 2 mediums that were used over and over again. I have had a lot of saddle problems in many areas but one area that I can't seem to solve are the sides.

I wonder if the chamois is the problem. I love the density of the chamois, not too thick. I can't stand PI shorts (diaper short) and I love Shebeest due to the thicker material holding in the tummy, more compression, and you can't see through them. The GIRDLE effect was the MAIN reason for keeping them before I had even tested them on the road. The fabric is awesome and lasts forever! But I am concerned.... (I have lost over 100lbs and kept off for many years but the side effect of that loss and haven been large for so long is stretched out skin. A lot of skin that makes me look "fat" even though it's not fat. )

Has anyone had a problem with the chamois? The outermost layer is a bit rough. It doesn't mold into the rest of the chamois. It seems as though it might be cutting the crease of my leg. If you feel it is pretty sharp compared to other chamois out there. Also the new 2007 chamois has this new crease line cut in the front soft tissue. Why would they add that line? I have had other chamois like that and it only ends up pinching the area you DON'T want pinched. To top it off I can't imagine what the visual on the outside of the short would be. If you get my drift.

I get a lot of chafing and pain in the crease of my leg even with use of wonderful Assos chamois cream. I have used bag balm and chamois butter but have found Assos to be the best.

Now onto the new Elite replacement, the SB Ultra D Short. I noticed the material is not the Dryline and the Dryline material is what give the girdle effect, but it appears as though the Ultra D Short might have thicker than most shorts out there. Has anyone noticed this?

How does the Ultra D Short compare to the SSS? Does it still have that sharp edge (the outermost most edge)? Is it a lot thicker than the SSS chamois? How is the material different? I know they are longer and I particularly like the shorter.

One final problem. I really wanted to get 2 more 2006 models of SSS and had a really hard time finding them. They sold fast but I eventually found some. I have NOT gained weight, actually I have lost weight since my first purchases of the SSS. I got these new 2 shorts and they both are horribly small. The leg opening is really embarrassing with the wonderful sausage effect. Why would these 2 new shorts fit so differently than the 2 shorts I bought last year? I would have NEVER purchased shorts that looked like this last year. I rather dislike my thighs in the first place so making them look worse just won't cut it. Knowing last year they fit perfectly and this year I am smaller, why are they so small?

Has anyone also had this problem? Having sizing discrepancies within the same model and size?

Sorry for such a long post but I really am needing some help here. I am training for a very big even and I do like to do long distance riding. I don't want to be uncomfortable on the bike physically and mentally.

Thanks
Tiff