This is basically sheepskin and was originally intended for moisture management, not cushion. What most people think of padding in bike shorts is actually called chamois, referring to chamois leather. If you’re wondering if padded cycling shorts make a difference, it’s important to understand how they work and what the padding actually is. If you are doing short rides, then these benefits may not matter as much. If you do get a padded seat, bike shorts still offer a ton of advantages, especially on longer rides. You can find the Suntour suspension seat post here. If you really want to see a huge difference add a suntour seat post Lots of riders recommend using this seat with the Suntour suspension seat post:Ĭloud 9 helped, but you really need to get the Suntour suspension seat post. One of the most popular padded seats out there for cruiser-style riding is the Cloud 9 bike seat. Cruiser-style bikes are where you are sitting more upright, so you’re not just sitting on your sit bones, but more of your whole bottom. If you are a more casual rider, a padded bike seat can be just fine, especially if you are on a cruiser-style bike.
So what works for one person might not work for you. Part of what will feel most comfortable for you will depend on: Some people use gel seats and absolutely love them. I don’t want to say that padded seats are bad all the time. * Often will need multiple pairs So, Are Padded Bike Seats Always a Bad Idea? * Harder to clean * Will require frequent washing * More energy efficient Cons * Padding can cause discomfort on longer rides Here’s a complete comparison for padded bike seat vs shorts: Padded Bike Seats Padded Bike Shorts Pros * Offers good initial comfort for shorter or casual rides Here are just a few more reasons why padded bike shorts are better than a padded bike seat:
#Bike shorts professional#
If you look at professional or seasoned cyclists, you’ll notice that all of them wear bike shorts but none of them use a padded seat.Īside from of offering additional padding, bike shorts are good to have anyway. Just another reason why foam bike seats are usually better than gel bike seats.Īs you start to ride more often and put on more miles, your sit muscles will toughen up and unpadded seats will actually feel more comfortable. No matter where you sit on the seat, you’ll always have the same amount of padding.Īlong with having sit pain, padded seats may cause chafing, and gel can get quite warm in the summer.
The good news about padded shorts though, is that that the padding in the shorts won’t move around. Gel seats are good for about 20 minutes, while a good pair of shorts are good for hours. Here’s what one experienced cyclist had to say about gel seats specifically. This is even worse when comparing gel vs foam bike seats as the gel will start to move around, causing even more pressure points. This is why padded bike seats can be more uncomfortable if you ride a lot. However, for long rides, you will start to sink into the seat and find pressure points where you don’t exactly want them. Padded seats can be perfectly fine for shorter rides. You just put it on your bike and voila, more comfort! Why Bike Shorts Are Better Than Padded Bike SeatsĪ padded bike seat, or even a gel bike seat cover, seems like an easy solution. Bike shorts offer padding in the right areas, moisture management, prevent chafing, keep you cool, and are more energy efficient. Padded bike seats are fine for casual rides, but after long rides, they will cause unwanted pressure. Two of the most common solutions cyclist explore are using either a padded bike seat or shorts… both have their place, but as you ride more often, one of these becomes a bad idea.įor experienced cyclist, padded bike shorts are preferred over padded bike seats. If you are a new rider, a saddle is expected to be uncomfortable at first. One of the best things that you can do for your behind is to get a properly fitted saddle and make sure your bike is fitted properly.
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