Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: Maladict on 19 April, 2008, 12:17:44 am

Title: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Maladict on 19 April, 2008, 12:17:44 am
Been feeling a bit saggy of late.  So I got my tool out.  Which is rather larger in girth than she could safely accommodate.

In fact it was so large that in order to get it in, I had to first spread her leather flaps.

Will doing this repeatedly cause lasting damage?

This could go south pretty quickly, I fear.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: andygates on 19 April, 2008, 12:39:17 am
Spreading her flaps will be fine, you'll press them back down again between your thighs.

Just don't wield your tool too often.  You'll stretch her out and she'll go all swaybacked and saggy.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Zipperhead on 19 April, 2008, 01:34:28 pm
I've been rubbing cream into my leather flaps today - I like to keep my flaps nice and smooth, crinkly flaps can be so uncofortable.

Do you have more than one set of flaps that you like to ride? Can you feel much difference between them?
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: andygates on 20 April, 2008, 09:17:03 pm
Oh yes!  The chamfered flaps of a Swallow are much smoother and less intrusive than the square-edged flaps of a B.17.  I quite like big flaps but I hate to get thigh-blisters from really chunky ones.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Ian H on 20 April, 2008, 09:35:24 pm
I've always used Pros.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: nicknack on 20 April, 2008, 09:39:26 pm
I've always used Pros.

I would have thought they're a bit lacking in tension.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Ian H on 20 April, 2008, 09:49:07 pm
I've always used Pros.

I would have thought they're a bit lacking in tension.

Two of them are quite old, but they've held their shape well.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: andygates on 21 April, 2008, 01:36:58 pm
They're comfy even when well-worn and a bit saggy...
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Zipperhead on 21 April, 2008, 02:57:35 pm
They're comfy even when well-worn and a bit saggy...

I always find it very pleasurable to put my bits up against well worn flaps. The way they feel familiar and comfortable at the same time reminds me of the many fun rides we've had together and the pleasure that they've brought me.
Title: Re: Tensioning my Swallow
Post by: Ian H on 21 April, 2008, 03:39:14 pm
I've heard of people lacing sagging flaps together to provide a slightly firmer ride.

Edit: though a Swallow has quite small flaps.