Road Cycling - What comes between you and your chamois?

I'm just curious... What do you use to keep the "contact points" on you backside from chafing, particularly on seamed chamois? I've been using Bag Balm lately, and I really like it. It has a stiff consistency and it goes on warm... and it keeps my seat from getting raw. But waht about YOU?

I don't understand - or maybe I'm just lucky.

I don't get chafed anywhere, and I do some long rides: - 100k-200k

Maybe I don't ride fast enough/pedal furiously enough/ sweat enough?

Doesn't this muck soak into your cycling shorts and make them icky? Does it wash out? All tha vaseline in the washing machine? eeuuw!!

Stew

I haven't felt a need for anything yet, but then my longest ride to date was only 47 miles. Longer rides might demonstate the need. We'll see.

velocepedio, Bag Balm is incredible stuff. Heals cuts, nicks, hands, scratches...you name it, the stuff is good. However, it will eventually ruin your shorts, make them deteriate sooner than they should. I used it for a long time, but now use ASSOS or Chamois ButR. It's a little more expensive than Bag Balm, but replacing shorts is costilier.

I've never felt the need to use anything. I guess I am really lucky but I don't know to many people that I have ever ridden with that use anything. Even my early spring rides after a
bum-softening winter doesn't cause me any problems in the chaffing area just the seat bones take a few days to get used to riding again.

Nowt so far.

Richard

On longer rides 100,200,300 miles is when these preperations are at their best. I got severe rashes while touring and started using Bag Balm. But eventually switched to other products.
For rides under 100 miles I just use medicated "Gold Bond" powder. Keeps me dry, keeps the bacteria count down and smells good.

Again the bias rears its ugly head. Nowhere in the poll did I see an option for "underwear" or "Jockeys" or similar.

Now, I realize I could have checked "other," and I may yet do that. But, to me, it is like being relegated to a lower position, sort of a discrimination, not to have my own check mark.

As the president of that secret society "TWWJUTBS" (Those Who Wear Jockeys Under Their Bike Shorts) I place an official protest and call for censure of and expulsion of said member who originated this poll!!

And, besides the Jockeys, I use absolutely NOTHING. Must be a message there somewhere!! NEVER had a problem the last 12,000 miles.

I'm with DF on this one. Besides underwear I use nothing as well. Although one thing I do is pedal out of the saddle for a few seconds every so often. That seems to work reasonably well.

Maybe I'm lucky, but I've never needed anything. Even on a long ride on a hot summer day. And then the only thing between me and my chamois is a little "dampness". ;) Which is not a problem.

J&J baby oil...

ok i've heard about this chamois butter stuff for too long. Where the H do you actually put it? I know what the chamois is, do u rub crap all over that or what?

Yep, Kleinmp, you rub crap all over the chamois. In my case I rub Chamois Butt'r usually, or Assos sometimes. For my anatomy it helps. I carry a little squeeze bottle and sometimes "relube" after 80-100 miles. CB is water-based and doesn't screw up yer shorts.

UDDERLY SMOOTH Udder Cream
www.uddercream.com

It's a cream created to rub on cow teats (like Bag Balm) to prevent or cure cracks, chapping, whatever. This particular product is somewhat domesticated and is very good for chapped hands, etc. It can be purchased at places like Wal-Mart (near Vaseline, etc.). I use it to prevent chafing before rides of any distance, though it's mainly important on long rides, such as centuries, where I'm likely to jump in with a fast group and be pedaling a high cadence for a long time. I usually just apply generous quanties directly to my skin, rather than the chamois. It washes out just fine and doesn't hurt the chamois or shorts.

For titty-burn (another problem on long, and particularly multi-day rides), A-D ointment works wonders.

I've never used anything myself, and I've never (knock on wood) had a problem. Besides, it's always seemed kind of icky, but maybe that's just me.

I rode the Heartland AIDS Ride this summer though, and it seemed like everyone else was buttering their bum all the time. There were even 5 gallon tubs of the stuff at the rest stops!

Originally posted by KleinMp99
ok i've heard about this chamois butter stuff for too long. Where the H do you actually put it? I know what the chamois is, do u rub crap all over that or what?
YOu can either spread it all over your chamois, or all over tye part of your anatomy that makes contact with the chamois. I prefer the latter method.

This is my first post on this site and it won't be my last.

As far as "lubing up" to avoid chafing I've used chamois butter and another brand cream for quite a few years off and on. It does help on long, sweaty summer rides and allows the seams to slide a bit more. Some of the creams have vitamin E and fish oil in them that are good for the skin. In response to one comment, if you have artifical chamois it should be applied to the skin rather than the shorts. Some shorts are just poorly designed and cause saddle sores no matter what you do. It does help to make sure you wash them after every ride and pitch old shorts that are worn out. I had a episode of sores (not to gross you out, but they are in-grown hairs) that hurt like crazy and prevented me from riding last summer. It happens.

In a related note, I had a Italian design road saddle that had the fancy gel pads (not effective) and the heavy thread designs actually had raised as the saddle leather wore and compressed. That started the saddle sore episode. After changing to a smooth saddle and using the cream, all was well.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
And, besides the Jockeys, I use absolutely NOTHING.
What about those unsitely Jockey lines. Don't the chicks point and laugh?

I haven't had the reason to use anything yet. I thought my @ss was supposed to hurt.

Originally posted by bikeman
This is my first post on this site and it won't be my last.



Welcome to the forums bikeman!

Noxema, chamois fat/creme or talc, depending on; chamois type/design, humidty, temperature and ride length.

Ride Greased
Pat

I wear undershorts. Light, nylon mid-size briefs (the bikini briefs always slide down my @$$) that you can find at Target. I need something to hold the jewels in place.

Maybe I'm just too much the roadie, but I can't see how underwear under shorts would be very comfortable, particularly on long rides. On the other hand, Alex, you've had a lot of long-distance experience, so you know what works for you.

Actually, it is. Nylon doesn't hold moisture, so it doesn't let the chamois stick to the skin and bunch up. Any hiker will tell you that a layer of nylon as undergarments will keep you drier and less likely to chafe.

Bag Balm ?????, what is this stuff ? they could have at least used a little imagination and called it "Kahuna Kreme" or "Knacker Laquer" ......Hehehe :D

Bag Balm was designed for cows and sold at Agriculture stores! That's the reason for the name. Farmers rub it onto the cows udder after milking to prevent chapped teats and bags. The women around here love it for their hands.