Designing Women's Cycling Apparel

[Tand-Rand]

You may not be getting into chamois design but I have become very frustrated with the available options. I have a cut-out down the center of my saddle for a reason: I don't want pressure down the center of my crotch! But all the chamois for women seem to be designed so that there is a wad of padding right down the middle. This completely defeats the purpose of my cut-out. Some of the men's are minimized there but even the smallest sizes are too big for me. I've even tried modifying my chamois with scissors but that has created new problems because now they shift while I'm riding and trap sensitive tissues between the edges of the new openings and my saddle. Ouch! So if you get an opportunity to work on chamois design, take this into consideration.

BTW, if anyone knows of a chamois that meets my criterion, would you let me know? I am riding randonneurs so I spend many many hours in my saddle at once. I would love some relief. THANKS!

[kamkam]

First of all, this forum is wonderful - very insightful! Thank you!

Tand-Rand: Completely in agreement about chamois, not working on them now but that may be in the future!

After analyzing feedback from female riders, bike shop personnel, women on my weekly ride, and online forums, I have come up with the first piece of clothing/gear. It is a skirt that folds up into its own pocket (similar to those reusable grocery bags that fold up into a smaller bag) so it can be easily taken everywhere and stored in a jersey pocket. Originally it was going to be a pair of shorts with a zip-in skirt (like a zip-in hood on a jacket) but this way it can be used with all shorts if desired. It is very lightweight and compact.

The information I was able to collect was very surprising. Obviously women want to feel and look their best when cycling, and I learned that many do not feel comfortable walking around in lycra shorts when not on their bikes. This skirt is designed to be worn when going into restaurants or coffee shops and can also be used as a shield to change under after rides. The material is a lightweight water-resistant nylon. I also made versions in lycra and jersey but they were more bulky.

There is tons of potential for more fun and interesting cycling clothing for women! I love the idea of fishnet arm warmers. And better colors are also a must.

Any thoughts, comments, and recommendations would be awesome. a

More soon..

[Becky]

BTW, if anyone knows of a chamois that meets my criterion, would you let me know? I am riding randonneurs so I spend many many hours in my saddle at once. I would love some relief. THANKS!

I've never seen a cutout chamois. I prefer a pretty minimal chamois (but not tri chamois minimal!). For me, the pink Terry FlexAir works pretty well. Thinner than many that I've tried. I've also heard that Boure uses a thinner chamois in their shorts.

[Thorn]

I've also heard that Boure uses a thinner chamois

Boure's chamois is very thin (I ride the Elite). Nothing fancy. Just a thin layer to get rid of the sweat.

I'm particularly fond of it since I have wide sit-bones. Most women's chamois fit so that my sit bones are directly over the edge seams. Ouch. I either have to ride a tri-short so that I sit outside the chamois (fine, it isn't there to cushion, it is there to absorb sweat) or find a wide chamois.

I ride Boure for the width, the high rise (yes, Zen, it covers my iliac crest and I'm very high waisted), and because they'll make me a short with a longer inseam.

Shorts solved, I still have a hard time finding great fitting jerseys. The best yet has been SmartWool's cut, at least on the long-sleeved jersey sold last winter by TE.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Just floating around the net and found this UK site

http://www.ananichoola.co.uk/index.html

I must admit their cycling jackets and capes are very hip and I love the idea of a chain wrap so you can wear your bike chain around your waist. The red garter trouser clips look stunning as well.

The really out there things is the spd high heels (wedges). Apparently they are talking to a shoe manufacturer to see if they can be made.