Mountain Bike Fashion
Tips to comfortable biking
Bike is often overlooked as the source of a comfortable ride. Just a few wardrobe changes can have you spend hours of comfort on a bike instead of minutes of pain. Cycling shorts may not win you fashion awards, but a good pair with padding built in will save you a sore rump. Look for shorts or a liner with a washable “Chamois” pad made of either foam or softened leather. If you can’t do the spandex look, grab a liner to put under your baggy shorts or pants.
A simple seat change can make a world of difference. A bit wider, a bit cushier and possibly even gel would be good. Make sure to buy the correct type. For men you may consider a seat with a grove down the middle to relieve/prevent prostate troubles. Most modern bicycles have a saddle that has a shell made from a moulded piece of plastic, such as nylon. Carbon fiber may also be used.
Some saddles, especially those designed for hard use mountain bike or BMX style riding, will have a tougher material, such as Kevlar, to withstand abrasion on the nose and the widest parts of the rear.
While small saddles are available for children’s bikes, the primary size parameter for adult saddles is width. Performance saddles, such as for racing, tend to be narrow. Comfort saddles, often found on hybrid bicycles, tend to be wide.
Women-specific saddles have been recently introduced by several manufacturers. These incorporate a variety of differences designed to suit female anatomy. These differences may include a wider seat area, shorter nose, and center relief.
Some useful techniques to reduce crotch pressure while cycling include:
Ensuring the saddle is roughly horizontally aligned, or only slightly nose up. The nose too upwards aligned will directly increase the perineum pressure, while a downwards alignment will reduce the sit bone support of the pelvis, again resulting in an increased perineum pressure.
Standing up occasionally, such as on hills and when accelerating.
Adjusting seating position from time to time. For example, sitting closer to the rear when cycling on hills and only sitting on the nose for brief periods.
Sitting up now and then without leaning forward as much.
The studies have shown that wider saddles tend to increase penile blood flow while cycling, though wider seats also induce chafing and impede a cyclist’s full range of leg motion. A downward-tilted saddle relieves pressure on the perineum and the “sit bones” improving a cyclist’s perineal blood flow. Most saddles include padding, generally foam or gel. Gel padding tends to distribute pressure in the perineum and provide higher levels of penile oxygenation than does foam padding. However, width and design have proved to be more important than the amount of saddle padding in determining the intensity of perineal distress the cyclist suffers.
Remember this as sometimes we push ourselves into an uncomfortable zone by over-exertion – and subsequently quit riding. Take your time. High RPMs. Get your bike upgraded soon you will be faster than you even imagined…and comfortable at the same time.
About the Author
Jennie, student in Fashion Career College loves reading, puzzling and confusing young folk, sometimes my dad also! Writes on blogs of mine and my friends, plays lot of video games and rest of the time hangs into net finding innovative fashion designs. No worries, I will sleep also lot. You can find me on twitter if am not getting sleep!!
ROLLER COASTER 1 @ Alafia River State Mountain Bike Park in HD 4/11/2009
