Bib scrubbing

Speckled

Could anybody shed any light on to why i might be scrubbing/bobbing the under carriage on my bibs?

The mavic bibs ive been using through winter are fine, but the assos shorts i was using last summer and a new pair of assos knickers ive just bought are showing marks and starting to scuff/bob.

I was using a classic fizik arione saddle for most of last year, i did try an antares but it didnt feel very comfy and i soon changed it back. I didnt use any saddle bags or anything like that, and as far as i can see theres nothing from the clamp that could be catching.

I did wonder if some of the stitching on the classic arione might have been causing it, so today ive just fitted a new arione r1 and been for a short ride, came back and i have the start of some scrubbing on my new knickers.

Could this just be an assos problem? the material they're using? as like i said the mavics ive been using are fine, anybody else having problems with assos?

Ive attached a few pictures and i'd appreciate any ideas before this ends up costing me a fortune.

crikey

Just a guess, but I reckon that your shorts are a size too small, based on the obvious pulling to the stitching down the middle seam, and your saddle is a bit too high, based on the rubbing. Each pedal stroke is moving your pelvis from side to side, and that's what causes the problem.

Both the above conclusions are based on the photos above and I'm not Sherlock Holmes.

For a definitive answer I'd need to see you dressed in your shorts only, stood next to your bike, holding a copy of today's newspaper.

Speckled

crikey wrote:

Just a guess, but I reckon that your shorts are a size too small, based on the obvious pulling to the stitching down the middle seam, and your saddle is a bit too high, based on the rubbing. Each pedal stroke is moving your pelvis from side to side, and that's what causes the problem.

Both the above conclusions are based on the photos above and I'm not Sherlock Holmes.

For a definitive answer I'd need to see you dressed in your shorts only, stood next to your bike, holding a copy of today's newspaper.

hmm thats not something i'd thought about! the assos bibs are definitely a snugger fit, but i dont feel like im restricted. Im 6ft 1 and went with the recommended XL which feel ok.

I had a bike fit which is where the saddle hight was set, but i could try lowering it a little

thegreatdivide

Speckled wrote:

crikey wrote:

Just a guess, but I reckon that your shorts are a size too small, based on the obvious pulling to the stitching down the middle seam, and your saddle is a bit too high, based on the rubbing. Each pedal stroke is moving your pelvis from side to side, and that's what causes the problem.

Both the above conclusions are based on the photos above and I'm not Sherlock Holmes.

For a definitive answer I'd need to see you dressed in your shorts only, stood next to your bike, holding a copy of today's newspaper.

hmm thats not something i'd thought about! the assos bibs are definitely a snugger fit, but i dont feel like im restricted. Im 6ft 1 and went with the recommended XL which feel ok.

I had a bike fit which is where the saddle hight was set, but i could try lowering it a little

He's trying to be funny/take the pi$$/be a d*ck. It's his bike forum forte.

sloppyschleckonds

thegreatdivide wrote:

Speckled wrote:

crikey wrote:

Just a guess, but I reckon that your shorts are a size too small, based on the obvious pulling to the stitching down the middle seam, and your saddle is a bit too high, based on the rubbing. Each pedal stroke is moving your pelvis from side to side, and that's what causes the problem.

Both the above conclusions are based on the photos above and I'm not Sherlock Holmes.

For a definitive answer I'd need to see you dressed in your shorts only, stood next to your bike, holding a copy of today's newspaper.

hmm thats not something i'd thought about! the assos bibs are definitely a snugger fit, but i dont feel like im restricted. Im 6ft 1 and went with the recommended XL which feel ok.

I had a bike fit which is where the saddle hight was set, but i could try lowering it a little

He's trying to be funny/take the pi$$/be a d*ck. It's his bike forum forte.

Both repped

FatTed

Don't know, but you could send the shorts back to Assos for a repair and ask them the question.
http://www.assos.com/en/55/home-page.aspx

imposter2.0

You can see the anodising is worn off the lower seat rail clamp - looks like that is where the rubbing is coming from..

andrewjoseph

Imposter wrote:

You can see the anodising is worn off the lower seat rail clamp - looks like that is where the rubbing is coming from..

that wouldn't explain the pilling near his sit bones that is shown in the pics.

the seam in the shorts does look to be pulled though.

robbo2011

There is clearly a small area that is in contact with your shorts that is rough and causing the rubbing. The rest of the pad is fine. Somehow, you need to sit on the bike and work out which part of the saddle/seat clamp is causing the rubbing, then do something to make it smoother.

No point in sending the shorts to Assos, it's not really their issue.

Speckled

Ok thanks for the replies, looks like i have a few things to try today.

Imposter well spotted, i hadn't noticed that, it is consistent on both sides. I did actually have the seat set back more with the old saddle, leaving those bits more exposed.

Ive just moved it forward slightly to try and cover those areas, its not a position im used to but i'll see how it feels. Another option i guess would be to put some tape on that area, or maybe some chalk or something and see if it ends up on my ass

jgsi

If ever I use a spin bike bike, always use old shorts.... the front part of the seat post on a spinner causes that self same pilling.
Not a lot you can do on a spinner but on the roadie, observe how your legs pedal, only perhaps can you offset the saddle slightly? No one is symetrical in reality. Masking the area with tape is only going to make it worse imo.
Last option is going to an ALiante saddle? Slightly wider, I know, but I use one instead of a Selle SLR over winter time.

imposter2.0

andrewjoseph wrote:

Imposter wrote:

You can see the anodising is worn off the lower seat rail clamp - looks like that is where the rubbing is coming from..

that wouldn't explain the pilling near his sit bones that is shown in the pics.

the seam in the shorts does look to be pulled though.

When the lycra is pulled over his ar5e, the contact patch would probably widen, so it's still possible. There is evidence of the seam being pulled in one of those pics.

crikey

Only my last sentence was being silly; given the evidence, it's the best I can come up with...

dowtcha

Just wondering how wide is the saddle. Would there be rubbing at the widest part of the saddle and the shorts

Speckled

Been out for a short ride today and its difficult to tell if theres been an improvement, wore my winter tights which have been ok anyway, will get the assos ones on tomorrow as its warmer and hope for the best.

The seat being moved forward wasnt as comfortable, but i guess i just need to get used to that.

Im gonna get a friend round today to look at me sat on the bike, to try and see exactly where its scrubbing. Ive e-mailed assos about the threads stretching, but im beginning to wonder if its been the wingflex on the old arione thats been doing it? ive measured best i can and placed the bibs on the seat and that seems to be in the right area. The notches on the old arione look to be a prime suspect, but surely others would be complaining of the same problem?

heres the old arione

gloomyandy

Moving your saddle to stop your shorts rubbing does not sound like a good idea. If the problem is that when your saddle is in the ideal spot for your knees/back/arms/body then your shorts rub on the seat clamp then a better solution would be to find a new seat post or clamp that allows the same saddle position but without the rubbing. Moving the saddle just seems like a good way to create other problems at some point in the future, and you can't buy new knees!

andrewjoseph

gloomyandy wrote:

Moving your saddle to stop your shorts rubbing does not sound like a good idea. If the problem is that when your saddle is in the ideal spot for your knees/back/arms/body then your shorts rub on the seat clamp then a better solution would be to find a new seat post or clamp that allows the same saddle position but without the rubbing. Moving the saddle just seems like a good way to create other problems at some point in the future, and you can't buy new knees!

+1

for life of me I can't see how pilling on the seat pad under the sit bones can be caused by rubbing on anything under the saddle. Wear on the seat clamp is more likely due to contact with the thighs.

To the OP, put the short on, find the bobbles/pilling and press hard to see where on your but it is making contact. take off shorts and put the pilling area on the section of the saddle that corresponds to where the pressure was on your butt.

I would expect the pilling is due to movement on the saddle when riding.

lakesluddite

Speckled wrote:

Been out for a short ride today and its difficult to tell if theres been an improvement, wore my winter tights which have been ok anyway, will get the assos ones on tomorrow as its warmer and hope for the best.

The seat being moved forward wasnt as comfortable, but i guess i just need to get used to that.

Im gonna get a friend round today to look at me sat on the bike, to try and see exactly where its scrubbing. Ive e-mailed assos about the threads stretching, but im beginning to wonder if its been the wingflex on the old arione thats been doing it? ive measured best i can and placed the bibs on the seat and that seems to be in the right area. The notches on the old arione look to be a prime suspect, but surely others would be complaining of the same problem?

heres the old arione

That seems to be the most likely suspect surely? Rubbing the lycra against these notches in the saddle can't be doing it any good. Seems like a bad design that, to put these notches in an area that will come into contact with rapidly moving lycra.

keef66

I tried a Charge Spoon on my road bike for a while. Found it more comfortable than the @rse hatchet it replaced, but had to take it off again as I noticed the stitching on the saddle was bobbling my lovely new Campag bibtights. My guess is the wingflex cutouts are doing the same to you.

I'm now on smooth leather saddles on both bikes, one Brooks and one of Spa's Brooks copies. Comfort and lack of bobbling at the expense of a few extra grams.