Article - Custom Cycling Shorts & More
24 Jun 2021
The Serious Side of Custom Cycling Shorts
In this day and age, with all its advancements, new technologies and inventions, you’ll find that virtually every sporting discipline has its own, unique attire and kit. A shirt is no longer just a shirt, nor is a pair of shorts designed for tennis anything like the shorts that are specifically custom-developed and designed for cycling.
No two pairs of shorts, custom-made or otherwise, could be more dissimilar in almost all aspects, other than the fact that neither features full-length legs; legs are short. Hence, the descriptive name that’s given to these garments, which leave the lower leg area bare and uncovered, the knees usually bare too.
Crucially Important Aerodynamics
Cycling apparel, custom cycling shorts included, is particularly tight-fitting – skin-tight – to lessen the negative impact of wind resistance, and, in so doing, improve aerodynamic performance. Zip-up jerseys and rain jackets, shorts, socks, shoes, gloves, sunglasses and protective helmets are designed with aerodynamics in mind.
In professional (and amateur) cycling, loose-fitting garments, which flap when in motion, are an absolute no-no in a highly competitive sport, in which milliseconds matter. This could be the difference between winning, earning points or losing.
Customised cycles and their tyres are devoid of all but the most necessary features to keep on-road, off-road or on-track weight load and wind resistance as low as possible. Special bike wheels, tyres, exceptionally tight all-in-one custom racing suits, custom riding shorts, ultra-streamlined socks and specially-designed aerodynamic helmets are worn during cycling’s major time trial stages.
Cycling’s Greatest Events
The Grand Tours are professional cycling’s greatest, best supported and most avidly watched and followed events on the annual calendar. Others include the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and, unquestionably, the greatest, longest, most challenging and famous of them all, the Tour de France, which began more than a century ago, in 1903, only ceasing during both World Wars.
Cycling’s all-time great names include Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Chris Froome, who all have the distinction of winning all three Grand Tours in succession. There’s Greg Lemond, Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani, Alejandro Valverde plus, a favourite time-triallist and domestique extraordinaire (and eye-candy for the ladies), Fabian Cancellara, big Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan (of the custom green jersey), South Africa’s own Daryl Impey, a stage winner and yellow jersey wearer, and hosts of other noteworthy riders, too many to mention here.
The Custom Cycling Short(s) Story
When you take into account the hours, days, months and years spent in the saddle, training and competing professionally, it’s abundantly clear that specially designed custom cycling shorts are imperative to protect the buttocks and inner thigh areas, which are prone to developing friction-induced sores, since they’re in constant movement and contact with the saddle.
Add to this the incredibly steep climbs, such as Mont Ventoux, Alpe d’Huez and Col du Tourmalet, a few of the numerous mountainous stages of the Tour de France, with which professional riders contend in the saddle, pedalling up the ascent, it’s no wonder that severe saddle sores may develop in the nether regions of the body.
Besides innovative custom saddle designs and customised modifications, wearing custom cycling shorts is the only other practical element that may alleviate or help to prevent the formation of saddle sores.
Bib shorts are popular because the integrated “suspenders” or “braces-like” parts of the pants keep them up and in place. Because of their design, bib pants cannot slide down below waist level.
Seams on the inner thigh and crotch area are to be avoided to prevent chafing of the skin. Internal protective cushioning and shock-absorbing padding is added to this inner area of the custom cycling shorts and is still commonly known as a chamois pad, although actual chamois is seldom used nowadays.
Instead, the fabric or material used for this important padded area may be made of a durable polyester outer surface fabric that is antibacterial and hygienic. This covering fits over a layer of foam padding, contained between the outer and inner liners. A comfort- and density-adding gel-filled chamois pad is also an ideal choice to alleviate sore buttocks.
Regardless of the type and thickness of padding you choose, the chamois pad is the most important component of custom cycling shorts. Add a tight, snug fit, the correct size when seated on the saddle in a riding position (not when standing up) and whatever custom branding you desire. Feature XCO Group’s meticulously executed in-house custom branding on your custom cycling shorts, and you’re ready to ride away in fine style and great comfort.