Best shorts for the "lady business"

[indysteel]

I'm curious. For those of you who experience chafing in the front, do you use a saddle with a cut out or not?

Just to share my own recent experience for what it's worth. When I bought my road bike, I immediately switched the Bianchi saddle out for a Terry Butterly Tri-Gel, which has a cut out and a bit of extra padding in the rear of the saddle. I exclusively wore 3 pairs of PI Ultrasensors, all of which were from 2006 and purchased at roughly the same time. All was well and I rarely had any serious discomfort, minus a hilly century that I did in May.

Beginning in late June, after getting caught in the rain during a ride, I started to experience some discomfort up front and decided after a number of weeks of that to begin the quest for some new shorts with the idea that my PIs had probably seen better days.

I tried the Sheebeest Ultra Ds and thought that the chamois was too thick for my taste, especially in the back. I also didn't like the way the fit my leg. I also tried the Hincapie Powershort. I liked them better and riskily rode them on a really long ride. The chamois worked well enough--not too think or too thin, but the leg grippers didn't hold the legs on my thigh very well (after a few washings, they are working better now). I also ordered the Craft Master short, a new pair of PI Ultras as well as the PI Micros. I sent the Craft short back because the rise wasn't high enough for me. The Ultras went back because the wider chamois for 2007 was not to my liking. I kept the Micros. The chamois is very similar to the Hincapies, but the leg grippers hold better and I like the ventilation in the back.

However, even with all these new shorts, I was still experiencing some discomfort up front. I then took a look at my saddle and realized that the foam around the cut out was not as firm as it once was. I finally called TE and talked to Susan. We both agreed that it was likely time to replace the saddle. In comparing the new one to the old, I could really tell a difference. The padding had just become too soft over time.

In the meantime, I ordered a pair of Sugoi FS Flex shorts at Susan's suggestion and wore them last weekend with great success. My new saddle is on my bike but I haven't ridden on it yet. I'm hopeful that the combination of the Sugoi shorts and a new saddle will be just the ticket. What impressed me most about the shorts is that I really felt like my leg muscles were supported. I've seen lots of shorts claim to do that, but this was the first pair that actually delivered.

In the end, it seems that you have to--if you're lucky--find the right combination of shorts and saddle--and hope that the respective manufactures don't change the design any time soon.

K-

[Grog]

Interesting story Indy, thanks!

[indysteel]

Rode for the first time last night with both the new saddle and new Sugoi shorts. It felt "back to normal," meaning I didn't feel any discomfort fore or aft.

[quint41]

Thanks Liza.

Indy - I just got my bike in Sept. - LeMond Etape WSD with some alterations made by the shop. I hadn't really given much thought to the seat ... it does have a cutout. It's a Bontrager Select CRZ+. I believe it's women's specific.



I have hesitated to mess around with the saddle because I've ready so many stories about women spending $$$$$$ on saddles that hurt, didn't fit, took way too long to "break in." Gosh, if I have to worry about pain from breaking in my bike saddle, I'll just cry! I just want to get on my bike and ride!

I just got the Castelli Kiss Donna shorts from SAC thinking that they are going to CHANGE MY LIFE!

So, I guess instead of spending $$$$$$$$ on saddles that don't make a difference, I'm spending $$$$$$$$ on shorts that don't make a difference!