Biemme BioMeccanico: A custom fit chamois for your bib shorts

I’m sitting on a De Rosa King XS bike attached to a trainer looking at the imprint of my rear end on a screen. The readings are coming from sensors slipped over top the bikes saddle with the information then relayed to an app installed on a computer.

As I’m pedaling the colours are changing and a pattern is emerging. The balance is off with my right sit bones putting more pressure on the sensors on the bikes saddle than my left side. Biemme says this indicates an imbalance in posture that could be impacting my performance and comfort on the bike. Enter the Biemme BioMeccanico bib shorts.

It’s these sort of imbalances that have led Biemme to develop the BioMeccanico bib shorts. The shorts use the Garun pad found in many of Biemme’s top-end cycling bibs. Instead of a closed chamois though it has four pockets and will come with 16 interchangeable silicon inserts of varying thickness from 1 mm to 4 mm to help correct a riders posture. Using the information from a bike fit session which measures horizontal and vertical pressure applied to the saddle, Biemme hope to help riders correct their posture. Biemme says BioMeccanico bib shorts can help increase riders comfort on the bike and pedalling efficiency.

Biomeccanico was developed by Biemme with the help of Mauro Testa. The technology had helped Peter Sagan, Richie Porte and members of the Chinese cycling team who competed at the Rio Olympics achieve better positions on the bike. Marcello Luca who is sponsored by Biemme also used a pair of BioMeccanico bib shorts to win the 2017 Race Across the West.

Silicon inserts of varying thickness can be placed in the chamois

They are intended to achieve a customizable fit for your bibs

BioMeccanico will be available in Biemme's custom program

The sensor used in the fit session

A fit session would start in a riders normal bib shorts with the sensor attached to the saddle to establish a baseline and identify any imbalances. The BioMeccanico inserts could then be placed into the Garun pad to address any problems identified and achieve a more balanced pedal stroke a bit like how shoe insoles work. Getting back on the bike to see how the inserts have affected the balance will determine if more need to be added.

It’s the type of customization Biemme says will benefit those who know how the aches and pains of riding can add up. Biemme also envision racers achieving their best performances with the help of the customization and personalization it affords. Biemme wants to eventually have this technology certified as a medical device.

The Biomeccanico bib shorts are scheduled to become available in select shops in Canadian by January 2018. They will retail for $400.