Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - MEN ONLY.... A sensitive topic: Chafing

:o If serious discussion of male anatomical issues offend... Now would be a really good time to go somewhere else.

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Ok, the topic is irritaion of the testicles.

I'm a large guy... Larger than Performance's 2x sized bike shorts, and I can't seem to locate large men's biking clothing (I'll admit, my research has been very limited). I often ride wearing some Cotton shorts (100% elastic waistband) and commando.

Often on long rides I've experienced chafing, and now that I'm facing 7 days of long rides, I'm getting very nervous. I don't need my boys getting rubbed raw on the first day of the tour, and having to drop out. I want to ride the whole thing.

Any help would be appreciated.
K'Tesh

Are you using lycra riding shorts? Chamois cream? You can find 3x bib shorts at PBK.

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0604

First, check out Aerotech Designs (http://aerotechdesigns.com/) for plus sizes in bike shorts and jerseys. That should solve most of your problems. Also have your fit checked at a good LBS. Saddle position can make a huge difference.

This is one of the reasons I ride recumbents. Never found a bike seat that the boys got along with.

Are you using lycra riding shorts? Chamois cream? You can find 3x bib shorts at PBK.

No... they're cotton... (I edited the original post) I don't even know where to begin to find +sized shorts in lycra.

Well the good news is we just listed two places that have shorts larger than 2x.

baby powder/talcum powder
nappy rash cream (or I guess 'diaper' rash cream for you!)

Lycra shorts/bibs and chamois creme. You can save $$ buying udder creme instead (farm & fleet store, or many pharmacies will have it with the hand cremes.) It's basically the same thing.

If you have to wear loose fitting cotton shorts when you ride, at least wear a jock strap to keep your junk from tumbling around and getting chafed.

I use Bag Balm (http://www.bagbalm.com/) for any ride longer than a mile or two. It keeps things lubed so the chafing is minimized. Smells kinda funny, though.

I just purchased 2 pairs of 4XL bibs from love2pedal for about $60, shipped. They are FANTASTIC! As far as the chafing, I've still to buy something for that, but proper shorts or bibs help out a LOT!

GD

baby powder/talcum powder
nappy rash cream (or I guess 'diaper' rash cream for you!)

To expand on powder:

Anti-Monkey Butt Powder is a gift from the gods.

Tinactin and/or Lamisil powder when you DO get too chaffed. Shower, dry, use hair dryer to completely dry your boys and taint. Apply athletes foot powder, dress and have a nice pain free day.

Completely avoid anything cotton. Once wet, it will really rub you raw. Lycra shorts are a must (you can wear exercise shorts over the top if you're modest). Note that you do NOT wear underwear with lycra shorts. A lot of Clydes swear by the lycra bibs (vs lycra shorts) so you may want to go that route first.

First, check out Aerotech Designs (http://aerotechdesigns.com/) for plus sizes in bike shorts and jerseys. That should solve most of your problems. Also have your fit checked at a good LBS. Saddle position can make a huge difference.

This is one of the reasons I ride recumbents. Never found a bike seat that the boys got along with.

I'm wearing a pair from this place right this moment.

They are well made and ship quickly.

They offer them in numerous colors and go to just above the top of your knee. Great shorts. They are sized to fit extreme sizes.

I'll certainly be shopping with aerotechdesigns.com again. Good prices, too.


Good luck

I use the green Gold Bond because I like the tingle. However, I suggest you start with the yellow first. Believe it or not, I'm serious here.

Couch

I too got shorts from Aerotech. As an uber-clyde they were really the only option I found. They made a world of difference.

I second aerotech design and bag balm.....together they've solved my "issues"......and I went to bib shorts.....what a difference! ..even for us clydes! And when the ride is over, don't hang around in the shorts...(no pun intended). Get the bag balm at a tack shop.....it comes in larger sizes and the price is better .......

I use the green Gold Bond because I like the tingle. However, I suggest you start with the yellow first. Believe it or not, I'm serious here.

Couch

:D yellow tingles 2 :D

:D yellow tingles 2 :D

Ya, but newbees of Gold Bond need to start at yellow. It takes a good month to start at green.

Couch

I use the green Gold Bond because I like the tingle. However, I suggest you start with the yellow first. Believe it or not, I'm serious here.

Couch

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh I don't want frost bitten testiculars!

I wear silk under my nylon shorts.

It works for me, I have a forte comfort saddle.

I also don't have to worry about what to do when I get to work since I'm not comando..... :innocent:

No... they're cotton... (I edited the original post) I don't even know where to begin to find +sized shorts in lycra.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com

Also, get some A+D ointment for the rash. It'll help. It's wonderful stuff for chafing (which is essentially diapper rash from the moisture trapped by the cotton.

By the way, when you get some shorts from Aerotechdesigns, remember, nothing between the shorts and skin but a Chamois Cream or Bag Balm or A+D ointment. Go Commando.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com

Also, get some A+D ointment for the rash. It'll help. It's wonderful stuff for chafing (which is essentially diapper rash from the moisture trapped by the cotton.

By the way, when you get some shorts from Aerotechdesigns, remember, nothing between the shorts and skin but a Chamois Cream or Bag Balm or A+D ointment. Go Commando.

Tom's right. Listen to the man. If he hadn't recommended A & D Ointment to me, I'd never have finished my recent tour.

Wow!

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I'm now going to have to do some research on all the links, and see what I can find.

One of the things I have noticed in the research that I've done, is that none of the shorts talk about the diameter of the leg openings. I'm 32" around the mid-thigh, and I hate the idea of buying something over the web (or via mail) and find that I can't wear them.

Again, Thanks!
K'Tesh

Another solution is Bodyglide. Its used mostly by runners, so any running store should have it, but sporting good stores should also have it.

But get some good bike shorts. Body Glide is good until you get the shorts, or in case you still have a problem

The "equipment" needs to up against your lower abdomen, not hanging down between your legs.

The "equipment" needs to up against your lower abdomen, not hanging down between your legs.

You know since you say that, I have noticed on TV when you see the pro riders that things just didn't look right in that area. I thought it was just the chamois. Of course I am also a noob to all this.

http://www.aerotechdesigns.com

Also, get some A+D ointment for the rash. It'll help. It's wonderful stuff for chafing (which is essentially diapper rash from the moisture trapped by the cotton.

By the way, when you get some shorts from Aerotechdesigns, remember, nothing between the shorts and skin but a Chamois Cream or Bag Balm or A+D ointment. Go Commando.

+1 on the aerotech. I wear my tri shorts basically daily. I'll be buying pair #2 before long.

First, check out Aerotech Designs (http://aerotechdesigns.com/) for plus sizes in bike shorts and jerseys. That should solve most of your problems. Also have your fit checked at a good LBS. Saddle position can make a huge difference.

+1 I've been wearing Aerotech shorts for several years, they've held up well. I'm not a huge fan of their jerseys but they're good for the price.

You know since you say that, I have noticed on TV when you see the pro riders that things just didn't look right in that area. I thought it was just the chamois. Of course I am also a noob to all this.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of bike shorts is to keep from crushing the equipment.

As far as chamois creme goes, I only use kinds with anti-bacterial component to it. This works tremendously at getting rid of any bacteria that cause saddle sores. I use...

[/URL]

or

[URL="http://www.frictionfreedom.com/"] (http://www.totalcycling.com/index.php/product/chamois_creme.html?action=currency&id=USD)

(I think the--slightly better--bargain).

hi,
oN A Lighter note you could always get nutered..:roflmao2:
Not all bike shorts are created equal so be sure they are good one.
I ordered my first 2xL bib from that lov-2-bike about 15 mins ago cause my boys are always geting chaffed even with good shorts.
I believe that many of us have extra padding down their with our extra weight and that contributes to the crowding..:innocent:
Just a thought.
Doug
Ps I am CD too and I used to chaffe when I jogged before my back gave out and now i chaffe on leather and plastic.. I use that Zinc and A/D it seem to really stick where its put and the VIt A and D and Zinc may help to heal and harden.

Thank you all for the recommendations. OP we can definitely help you out. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions, or you can email me at Steve@aerotechdesigns.com We also have a little promotion going on this month. If anyone is interested shoot me an email. :thumb:

I don't use anything other than Canari bicycle shorts. Howerver, I am lucky enough to fit into the large size (now).

Don't have much different from anyone else to say here. I use bag balm and Lycra or wool shorts. I'm lucky enough that I can fit into XL in a lot of manufacturers shorts but Descente seems to have a better understanding of what XL really means.

I use the yellow gold bond after riding in case things are a bit raw. Never tried it before.

Here's another thought on cycling shorts. I couldn't find any larger than 2x when I started either, so I bought the 2x shorts. I didn't try to pull them up over the gut. The legs were a bit tight. I still wear them at the hip bones/below the gut even though I now could pull them up. I always wear a pair of nylon shorts over them and tuck my shirt down to cover the gut. It works and it keeps the fat from bouncing around when I pedal hard. :)

hi,
oN A Lighter note you could always get nutered..:roflmao2:


Surely you mean neutered, but I like your word better. :)