Keep losing threads on inner thighs of bibs...any tips?

[FrankTuna]

I keep shredding the stitching on my bibs on the inner thighs and don’t know what to do. These are Rapha Core bibs after 70 miles I’m a tall guy with a bit of weight to lose but nothing too crazy. I do have somewhat thicker thighs I guess from riding and carry a bit of weigh there I guess.

I’ve had 2 bike fits that gave completely different saddle positions and I ended up somewhere in the middle. I’m very comfortable on my Bontrager Aeolus saddle and with my current fit. Recently did a 128 mile ride and was comfy so I’m hesitant to change anything fit related.

Could this be a Rapha issue? I’m hesitant to buy more premium bibs if I just ruin them. Could I cover this stitching with some kind of seam tape or something? Any tips are appreciated!

[Pbase]

I’d bet money you’re rubbing on something. I ruined several pairs of Assos shorts before I noticed I was rubbing the saddle through. The Assos rep did me a massive solid and replaced them when I first noticed the problem, but after rubbing through the new ones, I realized it was the saddle and not the shorts. Looking through the forums, it seems to be short nosed saddles, probably from rubbing on the wings.

Power saddle & chamois

I have the pro stealth. Word of warning if you are thick-of-thigh; it is an absolute bib destroyer. Every pair of bibs I have with exposed stitching will inevitably disintegrate at the threads that hold the hold chamois in place near the inner thigh. I’ve also rubbed the paint off the rails down to the metal near the front of the saddle due to said thigh-brushing.

Power saddle & chamois

I had the same issue with the Pro Stealth and rubbed holes in several pairs of Assos bibs.

Power saddle & chamois

I had this issue on the Romin 143mm I used to ride before the Power 155mm. Bunch of bibs with worn out stitching, and worn saddle rails. Dont have the same issue on the Power. I did move the Power a fair bit further forward that the Romin as recommended by Specialized

[HLaB]

I used to wear out shorts one one side due to a leg length discrepancy (but never that fast). Id contact Rapha.

[Joe]

Back in the day I rubbed a hole in a pair of shorts in the strap that held a saddle bag so maybe that’s possible?

[NigelTufnel11]

Where is this seam on your bibs? I can’t tell from the close-up shot.

[FrankTuna]

Inner left thigh…looks like it must be rubbing on the saddle or something

[FrankTuna]

What saddle were you using? Did you end up swapping it?

[FrankTuna]

Which side wore out on the shorts…the side with the shorter leg or the longer leg?

One of my 2 fitters suggested my right leg could use ~3mm shims, and I’m losing stitching on the left

[HLaB]

IIRC it was the right side, my marginally shorter leg. It was 11 years ago I had a fit which found the 2.5mm difference and I definitely wore out shorts and saddles prematurely.

[NigelTufnel11]

If your right leg could use some shims, rubbing on the left would make sense, as you’re likely shifting slightly to the right (to reach the right foot lower at the bottom of the pedal stroke), this bringing the seam on the left leg into contact with something (saddle, rail, post clamp, etc).

You may also not be sitting quite square on the saddle.

[Pbase]

I too have a leg length discrepancy!

Can you see the blurbs I posted above? They have the saddles named.

I’m currently on the printed Power saddle with no wear issues, but I do feel like I sit on the nose more than I should. I bought a Selle Italia SLR Boost Endurance to see if that helps, but it’s such a PITA changing and adjusting saddles that I keep putting it off.

[FrankTuna]

Yes thanks for those links!!