My kingdom for seams that aren't destroyed almost instantly by my thunder thighs!!

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Not comfortable for a road ride, you ride off-road a lot, right?

Only if gravel is off-road. I actually sold my mountain bike a while back...since I've not really ridden it in >3 years (since busting my wrist). I ride ~3500 miles/year, almost entirely on pavement or gravel.

I think I'm probably stuck with my issue as long as I am on my favorite saddle. I went through over a dozen saddles that caused various issues before trying the SMP.

[ny biker]

To me, a seamless chamois is a chamois that is all one piece, so the only stitches are the ones around the edges to attach it to the shorts. I think most are like this now. Years ago I had some PI shorts with a chamois that was multiple sections sewn together, and then sewn to the shorts around the edges. So you ended up with seams between you and the saddle, sometimes in high-chafe areas -- very uncomfortable.

[rebeccaC]

Because of the good research into chamois design we now have seamless, flat-lock stitched around the outside edge, quality perforated mono/multi high-density memory foam and antibacterial stretchable microfiber covered chamois’ with designs for different kinds of riding. It’s well worth my comfort to spend the money needed to get a quality constructed pair of shorts with a chamois designed for the kind of riding I’m doing whether for long distance and climbing, just a days causal ride around the city or commuting etc.

Chamois' are really a personal and type of riding choice much like saddles, which are also an important part of this. Probably lots of good info on the net for chamois design to look through. Louis Garneau is my current favorite for long rides and for construction, the chamois design, fit and the way it’s cut a little higher in the back and lower in the front. I bought two more after three long hard rides to have for replacement. Garneau also do custom made shorts where you can pick the graphics, color, fabrics and chamois.

Thinking business bottom liners can sometimes have the influences on fabric/stitching/construction of a new version that can cause problems with reliability for that particular one…or perhaps just a manufacturing problem. Something like REI’s return policy when needed ftw

chamois cream on long rides ftw…..

ny...terry has some good photos of their different chamois designs on their site

muirenn...a good seamless chamois will have a stretchable fabric that will help in dealing with pulling….and good stitching like flat-lock helps too.

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Yeah, the stitching issue I have is flat-lock stitching that is making direct contact with my saddle. The sides of the nose and pressure from my generous thighs are just too much for those seams. I wonder if the zig-zag stitching would actually hold up better than the flatlock, which is quite a bit more raised atop the surface of the lycra shorts. Problem is, I really LOVE the FXE chamois in my Sugoi shorts. It may be a real catch-22. There are so few chamois that don't bug me. The FXE is perfect for my needs -- really dense gel foam under my sitbones, but minimal padding up front.

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You could remove the FXEchamois, and sew it into a different pair of shorts.

Well, I couldn't...I can barely sew on a button, but that's an intriguing idea. I really love the shorts, so it would be interesting to contemplate having someone simply re-attach the chamois using a different method. The seams are really the deal-breaker with these shorts.

[rebeccaC]

You might want to look at the Assos S7 chamois for a different way of attaching the chamois. They are only using it in their high-end women’s bib and short though. A sometime riding companion luv's hers. 7 Mesh out of British Columbia have just a short (WK1). They have their chamois attached in a way that eliminates chamois side stitching too. Alex has a 7 Mesh windshell that is very well made and useable. I called the Pasadena store (not a lot of stores in the U.S. carrying 7 Mesh yet) where Alex got her windshell and they have the shorts in stock so I’ll go and see how well made they are, how they are constructed and how they fit me. Looks like something I might like.

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You might want to look at the Assos S7 chamois for a different way of attaching the chamois. They are only using it in their high-end women’s bib and short though. A sometime riding companion luv's hers. 7 Mesh out of British Columbia have just a short (WK1). They have their chamois attached in a way that eliminates chamois side stitching too. Alex has a 7 Mesh windshell that is very well made and useable. I called the Pasadena store (not a lot of stores in the U.S. carrying 7 Mesh yet) where Alex got her windshell and they have the shorts in stock so I’ll go and see how well made they are, how they are constructed and how they fit me. Looks like something I might like.

Those 7 Mesh shorts look perfect...if only they made a women's bib. The Assos have weird stitching...looks like the chamois is attached at the top, then there is a gap with no stitching, but it appears to resume in the inner thigh area, where I trash seams. If they could figure out a way to eliminate those seams, I'd totally try. I've always heard rave reviews of Assos stuff.

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Attaching the chamois with something other than traditional thread would be really intriguing. Cycling apparel seems like an obvious area where that would be really an improvement.