do you know these issues with cycling pants
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Cycling shorts are one of the essential pieces of cycling gear. They not only help reduce saddle soreness and protect the contact points between your body and the seat but also reduce wind resistance, improve comfort, and enhance the joy of cycling. Today, Cycling Knight will discuss the topic of cycling shorts with everyone.
Cycling shorts are needed but not essential gear. Their main functions include insulation, sun protection, wind resistance, and muscle protection.For commuting cyclists, a pair of soft, snug-fitting regular pants might suffice.However, for cycling enthusiasts, a good pair of cycling shorts is very important. Professionally designed cycling shorts are more absorbent, more comfortable, easier to clean, reduce friction injuries, and are ergonomically designed to effectively protect important areas. Especially during long-distance rides, cycling shorts can make your experience more comfortable and improve your cycling performance.
Cycling shorts should be tight-fitting. If you are embarrassed to wear tight clothing and choose a larger size, that would be a big mistake. The reason cycling shorts are tight is to keep the padding in the correct position. If the padding is not securely fixed or is in the wrong position, it will cause friction with certain parts of your body. Loose cycling clothing will only add more moisture and friction due to the excess material.
Cycling shorts can generally be divided into three lengths: short (covering the upper knee), medium (covering below the knee), and long (covering the entire leg). The longer the cycling shorts, the more skin they cover, providing insulation or sun protection for areas like the knees. However, longer is not always better; it depends on your cycling duration, weather, and location.
Many cyclists prefer to buy well-known brands because they believe these brands offer better quality. Indeed, well-known brands are generally superior to ordinary sports brands, but you should also consider the price. Cycling shorts must fit you well; if they don't suit your body type, no matter how expensive or well-branded they are, they won't be helpful. You should choose cycling shorts based on your body type, cycling environment, and habits.
The padding in cycling shorts can easily breed bacteria, so they should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Although the fabric and padding of cycling shorts are highly elastic, they can still deform. Therefore, hand washing is recommended. If using a washing machine, set it to a gentle cycle. Cycling shorts are usually made of quick-drying fabric, so after washing, wring out the water by hand and let them air dry. Avoid using a washing machine to spin dry.
Does washing them reduce their UV protection? There are two main ways to block UV rays: one is to apply a coating on the fabric surface. Clothes made of this fabric will age after multiple washes, gradually losing their UV protection. The other way is to mix UV-blocking agents into the fabric during processing, giving the fabric long-lasting UV protection, but this method is costly and rarely used. Most cycling shorts use the coating method; if used 3-4 times a week, their optimal lifespan is two years.
You should not wear underwear with cycling shorts. The purpose of wearing cycling shorts is threefold: to reduce wind resistance, increase comfort between your buttocks and the seat, and reduce friction. Reducing friction is important because long-distance cycling can cause varying degrees of skin inflammation or other skin issues due to prolonged friction. The material of cycling shorts effectively reduces friction. Wearing underwear would diminish this effect, making the shorts less effective. Additionally, underwear is usually made of cotton, which has poor sweat-wicking properties and increases friction when wet, which is harmful.
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