| A bicycle pump is a type of positive | | | | material that clings to the skin, keeping it |
| displacement pump specifically designed for | | | | in a fixed position. They are designed to be |
| inflating bicycle tires. It has one or both | | | | worn alone with no undergarments, snugly |
| of the two types of valve in use on bicycles, | | | | fitting the body to minimise friction and |
| Schrader or Presta. A third type of valve | | | | moisture, in fact doubling as underwear. |
| called the Woods valve exists, but can be | | | | Shorts made from more panels --or cuts of |
| pumped using a Presta pump. Basic types | | | | fabric-- fit better, but cost more. |
| available include: | | | | |
| | | | The chamois is a patch of highly absorbent |
| | | | fabric that usually surrounds the area where |
| | | | the pelvis rests on the seat. Its main |
| floor models or track pumps | | | | purpose is to pad the cyclist's bottom, which |
| | | | is especially important when using hard race |
| frame mounted | | | | saddles. The chamois also absorbs moisture |
| | | | produced by the body, helping to prevent |
| compact or mini | | | | chafing and rashes that can result from the |
| | | | repetitive motion of the legs. They are |
| double action | | | | produced in a variety of shapes and styles to |
| | | | suit the needs of different riders. For |
| In its most basic form, a bicycle pump | | | | example, the pattens used for the chamois on |
| functions via a hand-operated piston. During | | | | women's cycling shorts tend to be quite |
| the up-stroke, this piston draws air through | | | | different from those used for men's. |
| a one-way valve into the pump from the | | | | |
| outside. During the down-stroke, the piston | | | | Spandex is the most commonly used fabric in |
| then displaces the air from the pump into the | | | | bicycle shorts for a variety of reasons. The |
| bicycle tire. Higher-end models have a built | | | | elastic nature of it allows the shorts to |
| in pressure gauge to indicate when the tire | | | | cling tightly to the leg, offering support |
| is optimally filled. | | | | for the quadriceps. This also reduces wind |
| | | | resistance, allowing greater speed, and |
| Caution must be used when using a gas station | | | | prevents foreign objects from getting |
| air pump. Some are designed to cut off before | | | | entangled in the clothing. The thin, |
| the high pressures used in many bicycle tires | | | | breathable nature of the material also allows |
| are reached. Some others may pump enough air | | | | sweat to evaporate more easily, cooling the |
| into the small volume of a bicycle tire in a | | | | body. |
| short time to blow out the tire. There is | | | | |
| also a slight difference between the modern | | | | [edit] Bibshorts |
| standard for Schrader valves on an automobile | | | | |
| and that on a bicycle which makes some more | | | | Bibshorts are cycling shorts which are held |
| recent valves on gas station pumps a poor | | | | up by a bib (like an overall), not a tight |
| fit. | | | | waistband which could impede breathing. The |
| | | | bib part of the short is often made of |
| Cycling shorts, also known as biker - or | | | | spandex with large sections of netting to |
| bicycling shorts, are short, skin-tight | | | | help cool down the rider. |
| legwear designed to improve comfort and | | | | |
| efficiency while cycling. | | | | The idea of bib shorts likely came from the |
| | | | braces (UK) or suspenders (US) that cyclists |
| Historically, cycling shorts were made with | | | | used to use to hold up old fashioned woolen |
| black wool and a leather chamois. Most modern | | | | shorts which, after absorbing lots of sweat |
| cycling shorts are made with Spandex (Lycra) | | | | would have a tendency to fall down. Bibs are |
| and contain a synthetic chamois in the seat | | | | often better for tall or heavy-set riders, as |
| and crotch area for optimal comfort. The hem | | | | standard shorts tend to roll down in the back |
| of each leg is usually lined with a ring of | | | | while riding; this can be embarassing. |