General Cycling Discussion - issue with bike shorts and penis irritiation

I know its kind of a weird subject, but occasionally during a ride, the head of my penis gets "rubbed" by the shorts in a very irritating way. Either on the side, or the tip, it sometimes gets caught in a position that irritates. I try to rearrange, and that usually takes care of it, but sometimes its just keeps bugging.

Is this common? Maybe common among circumcised men?

I apologized for the frankness of the subject, but it bugs me am hoping Im not alone and that some might have some suggestions.

Maybe gift wrap the offended member?!?

http://bikenewhaven.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/homer_doh.jpg :D

athletic supporter or underwear

Seriously????

I think you're supposed to wear underwear

No underwear, but you might try bibs rather than shorts. They stay flat rather than getting scrunched up in front.

Damn RSS and RIM.

Chamois Butter or some other lubricant/barrier, and make sure you thoroughly rinse any detergent residue out of the shorts, and keep them CLEAN! All of this will help reduce these kind of issues. It's caused by chafing. I also agree on the bibs, as well for better stability.

I know it may seem odd to some posters, but this is a valid complaint amongst men, so as long as it remains clinical in nature and doesn't descend into a ludicrous thread, we'll let it stay open.

Tighter shorts will help- but I wear bibs so don't have the problem.

It never happens when I ride with underwear and regular shorts. Its just that lycra material that is bothersome.

I dont know why folks think Im kidding, the original post isnt even playful in nature. Just looking to see if there is any advice.


As far as a jock strap: wont that defeat the purpose of the cycling shorts, sort of like underwear? Or do they keep out of the way?

This thread is worthless without pics!!! :)

Tighter shorts. Your junk should not be moving. I have a pair of bibs that needs to be retired for this same reason.

This thread is worthless without pics!!! :)

<Rim Slap!>:popcorn:roflmao:

Yep, the pad needs to be snugged up against the tender bits. I went on a 50-ish-mile group ride last weekend, after not riding more than just a few miles at a time this whole year. I was concerned about chafing that was occurring at this rather sensitive point, with some Assos shorts that were not yet broken-in, and thought I might have to discreetly end the ride early, but at the first potty break, at 13 miles, I made sure the pad was snug, and the problem ended. The shorts were not in need of break-in; I just had to snug them up right.

Yep, the pad needs to be snugged up against the tender bits. I went on a 50-ish-mile group ride last weekend, after not riding more than just a few miles at a time this whole year. I was concerned about chafing that was occurring at this rather sensitive point, with some Assos shorts that were not yet broken-in, and thought I might have to discreetly end the ride early, but at the first potty break, at 13 miles, I made sure the pad was snug, and the problem ended. The shorts were not in need of break-in; I just had to snug them up right.


so you cover the "Bits" as you say, with the pad?

Have you tried a different pair of shorts?

Try trojan... should do the trick, then both heads have protection...

What brand of shorts are giving you the friction. I think I need a pair!!!!

Sorry....I couldn't help myself....The devil made me do it.

Yeah, a different pair of cycling shorts can make a difference. Different ones fit differently. Basic Performance shorts fit me great--no such problems ever. Basic Nashbar shorts, not as well, and I get rubbed the wrong way, and have to constantly readjust myself. This only means that in my case, Performance shorts fit me better; someone else might discover the reverse results. I don't buy fancier shorts, so I dunno for anything else.

In short, try a different brand of shorts, try some kind of goop (never have used them myself, but some people find goop to be great stuff).

laundry detergent your using might have something to do with it

This happened to me once, and it wasn't my penis, it was my scrotum. I couldn't figure out why I was getting a burning, itching sensation while on my ride. After my ride, I saw my scrotum was redder than a tomato. I determined that my brand new shorts' chamois was too thick, causing folds in the chamois, which pinched my scrotum.

I think the current trend of extra-thick padding in the shorts is a mistake.

I haven't worn those shorts again. I can't, in good conscience, pass them on to someone else. I really should throw them out.

so you cover the "Bits" as you say, with the pad?

The pad, also termed chamois, IS part of the shorts. Pull the shorts up so it is in proper contact with your body. If you have the correct size shorts, the pad/chamois will line up with the important bits, assuming you are wearing true, conventional cycling shorts, made to wear when riding bikes with saddles. You may, perhaps, be wearing shorts intended for another activity?

Every now and then I have to recalibrate the equipment for this same reason. Interesting point about wearing bibs because now that I think about it, I've adjusted less since switching to them.

I know alot of people recommend chamois cream, but baby powder also reduces friction, and it feels nice.

This happened to me once, and it wasn't my penis, it was my scrotum. I couldn't figure out why I was getting a burning, itching sensation while on my ride. After my ride, I saw my scrotum was redder than a tomato. I determined that my brand new shorts' chamois was too thick, causing folds in the chamois, which pinched my scrotum.

I think the current trend of extra-thick padding in the shorts is a mistake.

I haven't worn those shorts again. I can't, in good conscience, pass them on to someone else. I really should throw them out.

I constantly had that problem and varying between tighter and looser shorts did not make much difference I finally found a solution. I now wear a suspensory under my shorts. A suspensory does not have any lower fabric between the legs (which you don't want when you are cycling) just a waist strap, but the sufficiently tight cycling shorts keep it in place admirably for me.

I don't know if the suspensory would help the OP though since I am not a mutilant myself but the suspensory does help keep that part up in place too.

I constantly had that problem and varying between tighter and looser shorts did not make much difference I finally found a solution. I now wear a suspensory under my shorts. A suspensory does not have any lower fabric between the legs (which you don't want when you are cycling) just a waist strap, but the sufficiently tight cycling shorts keep it in place admirably for me.

I don't know if the suspensory would help the OP though since I am not a mutilant myself but the suspensory does help keep that part up in place too.

Sorry for my ignorance, but is a suspensory a jock strap, or is it different?

Sorry for my ignorance, but is a suspensory a jock strap, or is it different?

It's different in that it is intended to only lift the testicles and has no leg straps and the penis is left free. It only has the waist band and no other straps.

http://www.internationaljock.com/v2/prd_suspensories.xlg?partno=8507

The so-called 'jockstrap' was invented for cycling, so......

If the padded shorts are rubbing you the wrong way, then, yes, you can try another brand; Performance has been good to me, too. But if you want to 'stretch' your investment, maybe a soft hanky or something around the tender zone may help.

The so-called 'jockstrap' was invented for cycling, so.......

That's quite true. Bicycle riders in the 1880's and 1890's were called "Bicycle Jockeys" and the Jockey strap was invented for them.

For a pouch to contain your bits:
http://www.bananapeelz.com/

I don't use them, though, nor do I use creams or jockstraps or anything else. I just snug them all the way up so that there's no gap at all between the fabric and my skin. I pull up on the legs while pushing fabric deep into my crotch -- not so much that it bunches up, but enough so that it's almost like it's painted on. It also helps that I get a tight size, and bibs are even better at staying where they're supposed to be.

Slather the unit in Chamois Butter