Quote:
Originally Posted by reuben
If I rode wearing a suit of armor, I'd need a COMPLETELY different kind of chamois.  |
Perhaps to understand the suit of armor analogy, you have to understand that for plate armor to work properly, the user actually uses a multi-layer system. Underneath the armor plate is worn a padded suit, which is just as important as the armor. While the armor plate prevent penetration and distributed impacts, the padded suit absorbed the shock and energy of hits. If a user wore only the armor plate and nothing underneath, they'd suffer the concussions from blows nearly as badly as without the armor plate. Imagine being hit on the head while wearing metal helmet with with no padding, and you get the idea.
In a bicycle, the frame is like the armor plate, in that it keeps the bike's shape under hits and blows and distributes the forces. But for the cushioning layer, the bicycle relies on the compliant components like the tires, saddle, handlebar tape, etc. In case you don't believe this, try riding a bike with solid tires, rigid steel saddle and no handlebar tape and see how comfortable it is.