Cycle pants

[Widgeon]

Quick question - does anyone ride in cycle pants / shorts? I have always suffered from a very sore crotch on longer rides (2 hrs +) - since I was a teenager. So multiple horses and saddles - it's obviously me. While I accept that it may be to do with my sub-par riding I've got to the point where I just need a quick fix. Does anyone use a particular pair? Ideally something I can buy today from Amazon for a tenner. Then if it helps I can buy something a bit better.

Any recommendations for specific brands, including sizing, would be great. I'm a fairly standard size 14. Obviously the padded bum is not the key thing - it's the front bit, so to speak!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I always use didoo cycle shorts or leggings, the padding is excellent and no need for extra padding on the foo foo ?

 

[ester]

I do sometimes they were a fiver in hump’s sale ?. I wouldn’t use any of my full shorts as they’d be too bulky . but also depending on the exact issue I’d also recommend using a cycling lube/cream. (I use paceline butt’r her)

mine is v saddle dependent fine on my own saddles not always great on other peoples

 

[Tiddlypom]

Rather more than a tenner at £42 (but I get mine in the sale) but for me Velovixen padded cycling knickers have been a revelation, and they last and wash well.

Alternatively, something without a seam in the delicate area. Equetech bikini briefs come in various degrees of padding, I ride horses in the £10.95 unpadded ones.

https://www.onlineforequine.co.uk/e...5=1164&187=935&adGroupId=68805609534&device=c

A saddle that fits your anatomy is also key. For me, it's the Brooks C19 Cambium all weather saddles.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com...iCFdKxcDorwyXNfySrxoCl1gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Widgeon]

I always use didoo cycle shorts or leggings, the padding is excellent and no need for extra padding on the foo foo ?

Thank you!! Would you mind telling me what size you are? Amazon currently only has XL and upwards, although from what I've read about the sizing of cycling shorts I might well need an XL

 

[Widgeon]

A saddle that fits your anatomy is also key. For me, it's the Brooks C19 Cambium all weather saddles.

Duh - my fault for posting in a hurry - I should've specified, this is for riding a HORSE, not a bike! But I always had the same problem on a bike, just even worse. I'm sure my bike saddle didn't fit me.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thank you!! Would you mind telling me what size you are? Amazon currently only has XL and upwards, although from what I've read about the sizing of cycling shorts I might well need an XL

Not at all , i am a size 16 so usually take an xxl in the shorts and tops, you will be fine with an xl!
Btw didoo is the best stuff I have ever bought compared to all the expensive stuff ? @Widgeon

 

[Tiddlypom]

Ah, no, it's me, you did mention horses and you did put the post in Tack Room ?.

Still, sore bits are sore bits!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ebay has better didoo for ladies i think

 

[Widgeon]

You are all absolute stars, I've just ordered an XL large pair of the Didoo shorts from eBay for £11.56. Should anyone care to know how I get on I will ride 15 miles in them on Saturday and review them after that

 

[Barton Bounty]

You are all absolute stars, I've just ordered an XL large pair of the Didoo shorts from eBay for £11.56. Should anyone care to know how I get on I will ride 15 miles in them on Saturday and review them after that

You will love them, I do 10 miles 4 times a week in mine and my hubby does 50 no bother in his x

 

[planete]

'Bodyglide for her', plus a seat saver solved the problem for me. I just could not get on with padded pants.

 

[sbloom]

Quick question - does anyone ride in cycle pants / shorts? I have always suffered from a very sore crotch on longer rides (2 hrs +) - since I was a teenager. So multiple horses and saddles - it's obviously me.

Yes it's you, but you're not the only one. Saddles are so often poorly shaped in the seat, and for me, and probably for you, always too narrow in the twist. I literally NEVER had a saddle I could sit in a three point seat in, until I made my most recent career addition, iykwim, which was in part made on that basis, knowing how many riders have issues.

You can get a female jock strap which a fellow saddle fitter recommended to a customer, she's going great guns with it.

 

[ester]

I think we all differ in conformation too, my mum has similar issues so I’m blaming her for the genetics. I seem to be ok in narrow twists if the recent ideal Jessica thread is correct ?, share horse’s Kent and masters is problematic but resolved with cream and wintec/bates dire ?

 

[planete]

Yes it's you, but you're not the only one. Saddles are so often poorly shaped in the seat, and for me, and probably for you, always too narrow in the twist. I literally NEVER had a saddle I could sit in a three point seat in, until I made my most recent career addition, iykwim, which was in part made on that basis, knowing how many riders have issues.

You can get a female jock strap which a fellow saddle fitter recommended to a customer, she's going great guns with it.

Have tried googling female jockstrap. Help please!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Have tried googling female jockstrap. Help please!

You're brave, I'm suspecting that googling 'female jockstrap' might throw up results which are not we riders are looking for ?.

 

[sbloom]

Have tried googling female jockstrap. Help please!

I've asked my colleague for a link

 

[Widgeon]

You can get a female jock strap which a fellow saddle fitter recommended to a customer, she's going great guns with it.

I'm too scared to Google, going to wait until your colleague gets back to you with a very specific link
?

Thanks though, I have always wondered what I'm doing wrong - I look to have a quite normal and pretty decent position on a horse, so I've spent the last twenty years wondering what the problem was. It's reassuring to know that actually it's probably not me doing anything wrong. It's very frustrating - the saddle I have now is a nice one, it fits us both well except for this problem. But I just don't have a grand to spend on what I really want! Maybe one day, when a wealthy and hitherto unknown relative shuffles off this mortal coil....

(p.s. I have also considered sticking a sheepskin on the saddle, don't know if this would help at all)

 

[sbloom]

I'm too scared to Google, going to wait until your colleague gets back to you with a very specific link
?

Thanks though, I have always wondered what I'm doing wrong - I look to have a quite normal and pretty decent position on a horse, so I've spent the last twenty years wondering what the problem was. It's reassuring to know that actually it's probably not me doing anything wrong. It's very frustrating - the saddle I have now is a nice one, it fits us both well except for this problem. But I just don't have a grand to spend on what I really want! Maybe one day, when a wealthy and hitherto unknown relative shuffles off this mortal coil....

(p.s. I have also considered sticking a sheepskin on the saddle, don't know if this would help at all)

You're not doing anything wrong although biomechs coaches may be able to help you cope with it better. I feel that so much of biomechs coaching is helping riders cope better with saddles that don't support them correctly.

There are lots of hacks you could try, do try the sheepskin, nothing to lose unless you compete. I do wonder whether a paid online service to help people adapt their own saddles would be a good thing to offer (I don't go to people to do that, only for the brands I work with).

 

[ester]

I sometimes find a seat saver (have an old HM one)helpful in that they effectively make the saddle a bit shallower/pommel less.

 

[sbloom]

I sometimes find a seat saver (have an old HM one)helpful in that they effectively make the saddle a bit shallower/pommel less.

Yes, the HM seat saver and anything similarly U shaped will make the seat shallower/larger/more open to an extent, as well as making the twist (not the seat usually) wider. The HM hip saver does the opposite.

 

[Widgeon]

Yes, the HM seat saver and anything similarly U shaped will make the seat shallower/larger/more open to an extent, as well as making the twist (not the seat usually) wider. The HM hip saver does the opposite.

I sometimes find a seat saver (have an old HM one)helpful in that they effectively make the saddle a bit shallower/pommel less.

Thanks both, interesting you say that; I do have an Acavello gel out that I used to use but I took it off when I found a decent leather saddle as I didn't want to damage the flocking with the elastic straps. I think I'll reinstate it.

 

[2ndtimearound]

As another cheap and cheerful option, Primark period pants for a heavy flow (£6 a pair when I bought mine) have quite a bit of padding, but they aren't as bulky as padded cycling shorts.

 

[Widgeon]

As another cheap and cheerful option, Primark period pants for a heavy flow (£6 a pair when I bought mine) have quite a bit of padding, but they aren't as bulky as padded cycling shorts.

I've been riding in the M&S version and that does help a bit but not enough! I'll see how I get on with the cycle shorts and then might have to give Primark a go if they're too bulky - thanks

 

[Barton Bounty]

I'm too scared to Google, going to wait until your colleague gets back to you with a very specific link
?

Thanks though, I have always wondered what I'm doing wrong - I look to have a quite normal and pretty decent position on a horse, so I've spent the last twenty years wondering what the problem was. It's reassuring to know that actually it's probably not me doing anything wrong. It's very frustrating - the saddle I have now is a nice one, it fits us both well except for this problem. But I just don't have a grand to spend on what I really want! Maybe one day, when a wealthy and hitherto unknown relative shuffles off this mortal coil....

(p.s. I have also considered sticking a sheepskin on the saddle, don't know if this would help at all)

It probably would give you more comfort

 

[sbloom]

https://www.icewarehouse.com/Bauer_...jUF3Zf3hXeVnKi3y9ZMAYrTJsrYDyqYEyQmL8ZMf_79vI

 

[Fieldlife]

https://www.icewarehouse.com/Bauer_...jUF3Zf3hXeVnKi3y9ZMAYrTJsrYDyqYEyQmL8ZMf_79vI

And you ride with the guard fitted? So a rigid bit between your girly bits and the saddle?

 

[sbloom]

I presume so, it's not something I know much about, but my colleague said it worked perfectly. It may not for others, but cheap at least if it is a mistake!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Those do not look comfy at all, I would probably still end up with a wedgie ?

 

[Widgeon]

I always use didoo cycle shorts or leggings, the padding is excellent and no need for extra padding on the foo foo ?

Hey team, just by way of an update - I bought the Didoo cycle pants (which I will refer to for one time only as "Barton Bounty's pants") for a bargain £11 from eBay (new! they were new!) and wore them on a 15 mile ride the other week. They definitely work - I won't claim it was like floating on a cloud but I was considerably less uncomfortable and will definitely stick with them.

The key drawback was having to wear them around the yard while doing jobs before and after riding....I felt like I was waddling around in the world's biggest sanitary towel. Objectively though, the main giveaway that I was wearing them was the tight elastic around the thighs (slightly visible under my riding tights), and they really did help while riding so I'll put up with it.