Home > Feature Stories

Endura 3D Print Chamois Pad for new Pro SL 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort – Eurobike 2022

endura carbon 3d printed chamois pad matrix egm bibshort pro sl
3 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Endura were flexing their innovation muscles at Eurobike, showing off the first 3D Printed Chamois Pad that will make it into production bibshorts. Their 2023 Pro SL 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort was developed with Carbon 3D and “Ergonomistry” expert Phil Burt – at the heart of it is the 1000 Series 3D Matrix, that isn’t hugely dissimilar to the lattice constructions seen on 3D Printed saddles.

Endura Pro SL 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort

endura 3d printed chamois pad eurobike 2022

Endura showed us a pre-production sample of the 3D Printed Chamois Pad that will find a home inside the 2023 Pro SL 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort. Actually, they weren’t the only brand to show a 3D Printed Chamois Pad; Elastic Interface, one of the World’s biggest suppliers of Chamois Pads, also showed theirs.

elastic interface 3d printed chamois pad samples eurobike 2022
Elastic Interface aren’t yet able to share with us the names of any specific partners who will be implementing their 3D Printed Pads

The lattice construction of the Endura Pad made by Carbon 3D looks to be much more open than that of the examples we saw from Elastic Interface. The two pad types use a similar manufacturing method, and their distinct lattices look to engineer varying stiffness and rebound properties across the length and breadth of the pad to provide support where it is most needed.

endura 3d carbon printed chamois pad for endura pro sl
At the time of writing, Endura is the only brand we are aware of who are incorporating a 3D Printed Chamois Pad into their bibshorts, though we expect many more will follow

We were able to feel distinct areas of differing densities across the 1000 Series 3D Matrix Pad; it was noticeably firmer at the intended sit bone area, and much more easily compressed around the edges. It also allowed for some level of stretch, too, which could help to further minimize undesirable friction at the bottom-pad interface.

endura 3d materix egm printed chamois pad edge area
Endura tell us a particularly challenging part of the design process was working out how to sew the pad into the shorts securely, and in a durable fashion. They also paid particular attention to the durability of the mesh layer that sits atop the pad, an area that would be liable to wear from the rough surface of the 3D printed pad.

Proposed advantages of a 3D Printed Chamois Pad include improved longevity; the 3D construction should give the pad a longer lifespan, with a slower deterioration of the support provided. There is also less material used, so the pad should be lighter than an equivalent pad made from more traditional multi-density foams. Finally, it seems the pad could hold onto less moisture, too; the matrix has wider spacing than a foam, so should allow moisture to escape more easily, making the pad even lighter in terms of real riding conditions, and more comfortable; we’re all far too familiar with that riding in a nappy like feeling, right?

endura pro sl 3d matrix egm bibshort chamois pad details

The Endura Pro SL 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort won’t replace the regular Pro SL, but will instead be an upper echelon offering retailing at £219.99. Initially, it will be released in a men’s version only, with a women’s specific 3D Matrix EGM Bibshort expected in 2024.

The 3D Matrix EGM pad isn’t the only update for this latest version of the Pro SL Bibshort. Again, it is made from quality Italian power Lycra 4-way stretch woven fabrics, but this iteration gets more all-over compression, with particular attention paid to the glutes and lumbar panels. More compression in these areas serves to encourage activation of the glute muscles which in turn should improve the efficiency of each pedal stroke; these changes are the result of input from physiotherapist, Phil Burt, who also provided much input on Endura MT500 Burner range of clipless and flat pedal MTB Shoes

Endura-Sport.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lukas
Lukas
1 year ago

I really don´t see why i would want that many “edges” that close to my skin. This has got to lead to a fair amount of “Sitzpickel”
Also i don´t get which problem they are trying to solve? Apart from the marketing problem of not having a 3D printed product?

Ian
Ian
1 year ago
Reply to  Lukas

Looks like it has a top sheet layer in the photos so its not a cheese grater.
This hypothetically will last longer than closed cell (which gets crushed over time) and breathe/dry a lot better which seems important in that area.

Lewis
Lewis
2 months ago
Reply to  Lukas

I found this article after “inventing” this idea myself and looking to see if it existed. The best ideas are born from a problem experienced. In my case, after having just raced on Zwift and now wanting to get some Z2 endurance miles/hours in I’m faced with the choice of either sitting on a sponge full of abrasive groin sweat, or changing my bib shorts to avoid discomfort and/or “Sitzpickel”. Even if this were an indoor training/lack of ventilation solution alone, I think there’s a market for it that exists, and is not being created by marketers. But I also ride 8 hour days in Spain, which means riding through 30-40º midday humid heat in the summer so this would also make my afternoon stretches much less uncomfortable. And as Ian points out, if this extends the life of chamois pads then it’s saving me £100-200 a year (which would also be avoided if chamois pads were replaceable, but that’s another “invention” for another day).

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.