The importance of chamois positioning on cycling shorts: the Elastic Interface method

If correctly positioned, the insert of a cycling short becomes the ally of all cyclists, thus guaranteeing comfort and performance, while avoiding discomfort and unpleasant sensations. But to take full advantage of the advantagestagIf you are a chamois, it is essential to position it correctly. To avoid these problems, Elastic Interface offers its customers business a positioning service.

Source: CP

In cycling shorts, the chamois leather (which hasn't really been one for almost 40 years, but has been replaced by synthetic materials, so we'll call it INSERT) plays a fundamental role for every cyclist, whether he/she is a professional or simply a passionate amateur. It is a key element that helps ensure maximum comfort, avoid all types of discomfort and optimize performance while pedaling.

Just like the palm of a pair of gloves or the sole inside a pair of shoes, this famous insert represents one of the three points of contact between the athlete and his bike. Thanks to the application of cutting-edge manufacturing processes, Elastic Interface, a brand specializing in this type of product and which supplies many brands of cycling clothing, has designed three lines of high-performance products and technologies (ChamoisTech, PalmTech and InsoleTech).

If we focus specifically on the insert, its main function is to act as an interface at the saddle, protecting sensitive areas of the body from stress and vibration while pedaling., ensuring maximum comfort and avoiding unpleasant irritations.

The Elastic Interface method for positioning the insert

Sometimes cyclists, both men and women, complain that the insert does not fulfill its role. as well as it should when pedaling.

This feeling may be due to poor positioning of the product, which can indeed disrupt the cyclists' experience on the saddle: it can cause long-term problems in athletes, such as inflammation or injuries, as well as affect the cyclist's posture and pedaling and harm their performance.

To avoid these problems, Elastic Interface offers its customers business a positioning service.

This can be done in two ways:

Positioning the insert from scratch : clothing brands that have chosen Elastic Interface inserts for their shorts can send the shorts without the chamois to the tailors of the Italian company in San Vendemiano, so that the latter can be correctly positioned.

Checking the positioning of the chamois : Elastic Interface partners can send their shorts with the chamois pre-sewn, in order to verify that it is correctly positioned before starting production.

Upon receipt of the item, The first thing Elastic Interface does is identify the discipline that this specific product is intended for. This point is important because, whether it is cycling on route, MTB or Gravel, the pressure points and positions on the saddle differ. This is why the positioning is also carried out according to the bike model corresponding to the discipline in question.

Once the discipline is identified, Elastic Interface technicians can then check and adjust the position of the chamois based on how it should sit on the saddle. They then check the posterior and lateral measurements of the chamois in relation to the saddle. The insert must in fact cover the correct support area of ​​the athlete on the saddle, in order to correctly protect the perineal area and the ischiums.

After measuring the distance (in centimeters) the padding needs to be moved, Elastic Interface's seamstresses remove the seams from the chamois in order to reposition it as needed. This process is repeated until the brand's technicians confirm the correct positioning of the chamois in the shorts in relation to the support surface on the saddle.. Once the bottom is well positioned, the final seam is made.

The design of the Elastic Interface inserts has been thought out and created based on the different disciplines for which it must be used and the anthropometric parameters of men and women. Once the insert is correctly positioned inside the shorts and in relation to the saddle, the padding is able to protect the areas of the body most exposed to pressure and friction, thus minimizing friction points and promoting microcirculation..

The variety of models and sizes available in the Elastic Interface catalog allows you to choose the chamois best suited to all types of morphology and cycling disciplines.

And concretely?

Based on this positioning process, as cyclists, you can also check yourself if your inserts are correctly positioned. Just follow these quick and easy steps:

• Wear the shorts correctly and make sure they stay in place 100%.
• Position yourself on the saddle.

Once you're positioned, observe which of these three cases applies to you:

• The insert is well positioned: in this case, the protection is aimed at the pressure points on the saddle. Neither too far forward, nor too far on your back.
• The insert is too far back: you will feel that the protection almost covers your back and in front you will feel like you are sitting directly on the saddle without protection.
• The insert is too far forward: you will feel that your ischial bones are not protected and when you pedal, you will feel the wings of the protection interfering when you try to pedal.

Now that you know how testBy choosing the right positioning for your insert, you have a head start in ensuring you are well protected on your next outing.. Check it out for yourself next time you try on a new pair of shorts!

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