The bicycle armchair is a component that has experienced a great transformation in recent years. New forms and measures have crossed the high competition to break into the amateur field. The short armchair is inheritance of all this
motion.
New options for the cyclist who are accompanied by some doubts: What chair is the most appropriate or comfortable?
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Understanding the differences between a short and long armchair is interesting if you are looking for greater comfort on the bike. Here we offer you a comparison, so that you are clear which one best suits your posture and the type of routes you make.
The short armchair: characteristics and advantages
The tendency to shorten the length of the armchairs, trimming the outgoing of the front or nose, emerged a decade ago in the world of triathlon and the Biciclets of counterreloj.
The objective was to better accommodate the cyclist's pelvis and advance his posture, bringing it to the handlebar, for a more aerodynamic and coupled rolling.
At the same time, brands like
ISM, one of the pioneers to adopt this type of design, widened the rear, that of the support of the ischions, to compensate for the least support in the pernee. The ischions are two bones located at the base of the pelvis that support most of the cyclist's weight pressure.
In practice, from the length of a conventional armchair (from 260 to 270 mm), it was passed to 250 models, and even 240 mm.
[Captation id = "Attachment_8352" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "744"]
Image: Selle Italia X Green Superflow armchair.[/caption]
Short armchairs generally have more ergonomic benefits than long nose. Let's review some of them:
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Aerodynamic or more comfortable attack posture. They are recommended armchairs for competition runners, either on the road, triathlon, and even in the MTB modality of Cross Country.
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Reduction of pressure on the perineum. By advancing the posture forward, the perineum (the part of the pelvis between the genitals and the anus) receives all the pressure of the body against the saddle. With the passage of the km, it causes pain and numbness, given its proximity to the pudendal nerve. Reducing the size of the central and front of the armchair, the pressure point is also reduced and moves more towards the rear pelvis or ischions. An area further from this nerve.
A short armchair will have a 10 to 20 mm short tip (240 - 250 mm).
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Less friction (for developed thighs). When the dimensions are compacing, the risk of rubbing thighs with the armchair is lower. Above all, for cyclists with highly developed thighs, generally rollers, specialists against the chrono or track runners. They are the most faithful to the short armchair.
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More wide and curved. The brands that manufacture short armchair models take the opportunity to widen their rear, being the one that receives a good part of the pressure. Likewise, most are antipostatic, with a central channel that further relieves the oppression of the perineum. Finally, the profile is not usually as straight as in a conventional model. It has a wavy shape that better distributes the pressure, also releasing it from the central area.
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Better armchair adapted to women. The proliferation of short armchairs is also beneficial for women, whose specific pelvis form adapts to this type of seat.
Long Sillion: Advantages and who is directed to
Even with many points in its favor, the short armchair may not be the best choice for certain cyclists or modalities. This makes conventional design, with longest nose, is still the majority option; especially in amateur cycling. Do you want to know why?
[CAPTION ID = "Attachment_8355" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "744"]
Image: Fizik Antares R3 Large armchair.[/caption]
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Comfortable in upright postures. A long nose armchair is usually narrower and the support areas in the seat will tend to go back. This makes it the best option to roll a long time in relaxed pedaling posture, not so much attack.
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More practical for MTB. In this modality, it is strange to roll sitting and coupled for a long time. On the contrary, the position changes to face unevenness, make rhythm changes, maintain balance, etc. are frequent, etc. Therefore, the biker You need a balanced armchair with different support areas, both in the front and rear. In addition, the largest width of a short armchair can be counterproductive in declines. The cyclist tends to throw his body back to compensate for the inertia of the bike, which could increase the risk of hooking the pants or Baggy with this rear.
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Less possibility of friction. Related to the previous point, a larger width is not always the most comfortable option. The hip width of the cyclist will also be taken into account. A wide armchair for a narrow hip cyclist could generate friction on the thighs, discomfort and inefficiency when rolling.
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Cheaper armchair. The supply of conventional armchairs is broader. This is synonymous with a variety of prices. A short armchair has a specific ergonomics and concrete utility. They are factors that end up translating in a higher price.
Short or long armchair: factors to choose the right
In short, in the choice of the type or size of the armchair they play different factors that you must take into account. The first is your physique. The ischion width is the basic measure when looking for the ideal armchair width for you.
On the other hand, the degree of pelvic rotation (forward or backward), which conditions the length of the armchair. A greater pelvic rotation implies a more advanced posture, with greater pressure in the central zone.
The choice of one and another size of the armchair will depend on your physique, number of hours sitting, posture and modality.
Another decisive factor is the time you spend on the bike. Many hours rolling sitting will imply the choice of a more specific armchair or with improved ergonomics. In this case, the short will be the correct choice.
[Captation Id = "Attachment_8353" Align = "Alignnone" Width = "744"]
Image: Short Silín Bontrager See Comp.[/caption]
It also influences the position you like to roll. If you like to sit towards the tip of the armchair, in attack mode, a short armchair will be the most comfortable option. On the other hand, if you are to roll upright, more relaxed, a longer one will press the pelvis less.
Finally, keep in mind the type of tours and cycling modality that you practice. In general, short armchairs are more associated with road cycling or XC. Long armchairs are more frequent in cyclotourism, grave or the most radical MTB (Trail, Enduro, etc).
The sum and balance between all these factors will facilitate the choice of the ideal armchair for your bicycle.
Image: Selle Italia X Green Superflow armchair.[/caption]
Short armchairs generally have more ergonomic benefits than long nose. Let's review some of them:
Image: Fizik Antares R3 Large armchair.[/caption]
Image: Short Silín Bontrager See Comp.[/caption]
It also influences the position you like to roll. If you like to sit towards the tip of the armchair, in attack mode, a short armchair will be the most comfortable option. On the other hand, if you are to roll upright, more relaxed, a longer one will press the pelvis less.
Finally, keep in mind the type of tours and cycling modality that you practice. In general, short armchairs are more associated with road cycling or XC. Long armchairs are more frequent in cyclotourism, grave or the most radical MTB (Trail, Enduro, etc).
The sum and balance between all these factors will facilitate the choice of the ideal armchair for your bicycle.
