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I am new to cycling and I have brooks swallow saddle and pair of cycling shorts. After the ride, I observed that the short's fabric is a bit damaged. This happened at the same place for both shorts. I don't know what exactly is causing this to happen. Can someone please suggest me on how to prevent this?

I also applied saddle cream after buying the saddle. This happened immediately after the first ride with both shorts. please find image details here -

Castelli - https://imgur.com/a/4ueuKHW

Gambitt - https://imgur.com/a/kUxU98M

saddle image - https://imgur.com/OWPsYJ6

EDIT- short full photo - https://i.sstatic.net/sPEbc.jpg

EDIT - possible reason - https://i.sstatic.net/4dfzm.jpg

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  • Check for sharp edges!
    – Carel
    Commented Jul 13, 2020 at 8:41
  • Exactly what saddle cream did you apply, and to what? Brooks normally recommend Proofide for their leather saddles. By contrast, chamois cream goes on the clothes, and various products go on your skin directly.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Jul 13, 2020 at 8:43
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    @Criggie, i used Velo orange saddle care. i applied it on the saddle and allowed it to dry for a day
    – Satyaaditya
    Commented Jul 13, 2020 at 11:49
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    Where is the center line of your shorts in your photographs? If the heavy stitching is the edge of the chamois in your shorts, the worn areas on your shorts are probably 8-10 cm from the centerline and maybe not in contact with the saddle. To me, they look like they might be caused by contact with the saddle clamp or, as noted in a earlier comment, a sharp edge on the saddle itself. Are both sides of the shorts getting worn, or just one side?
    – Andrew Henle
    Commented Jul 13, 2020 at 12:20
  • @AndrewHenle I updated description with the full picture of short and a small crack I found under saddle. can you please tell me, if this can be the reason?
    – Satyaaditya
    Commented Jul 13, 2020 at 12:52

1 Answer 1

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I finally found the root cause after confirming the issue with the bicycle store. Also, I thank, @Andrew Henle for helping me out in finding the issue.

There are two reasons for my shorts being damaged with this brooks saddle.

  1. My left leg is seaming inwards (arch is dropping inwards) while pedalling which is the reason, my left thigh is constantly touching the saddle front part.
  2. My brooks saddle has a slight bulge towards the left side at front of the saddle, which has to be straight. And the friction due to this rubbing on leather is a catalyst in this damage.

The bicycle expert in-store suggested me to go for a non-leather saddle for now.

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