…one designed to be used on the new Cobb-style saddles like the Adamo or Blackwell? It seems like most existing shorts don’t work in the position one maintains in these saddles–pelvic rotated forward, with the weight on the front of the sit bones, almost up into the crotch area.
There are several issues with tri shorts and these saddles. First, the chamois is too narrow up in the area where one actually puts weight. Second, as a result of the first, often your weight is on the seam (and even flat stitched seams are not friendly). Third, there is often a lateral seam right at the point where your weight is bearing down, so it’s actually a cross seam; double the rub. Fourth, it seems like micro fleece is not a good choice because there is a lot of friction at the point where the weight bears down.
For example, look at this Zoot short which I stretched over my Adamo Road in about the position it would be when I ride.
Now, on this saddle, one’s weight bears down approximately where that lateral seam (at the edge of the white panel) crosses. Too much seam, chamois barely covers the width of the saddle, rough fleecy surface.
Here’s a Tyr short:
This is about as bad as it gets. You’re sitting on a flat seam that actually has a lateral seam underneath it.
Here’s the 2XU, which manages to use a nice smooth chamois, much better than fleece:
However, once again, the chamois is just too narrow. Your weight is off the padding and on the seam.
This short by Desoto is a little wider:
But, again it’s rough fleece and the lateral seam crosses in exactly the worst spot.
So, I ask of you: is there a good tri short out there for this kind of saddle? It would have to have a smooth chamois that’s wide all the way up and no lateral seam. I’m even willing to have it a little “full” down below in the run in order to make the bike more comfortable.
