PainTrain

I found an entry for Bag Balm at Long's, but I doubt you'd want to use it the way they describe.

Pretty funny, actually.

TheRCF

I've only tried a sport gel, because that was what he bike shop had. I have found that baby powder does better so I'm usually using that. Still need to get to a store that carries one of the products recommended here.

While I do wear my shorts between rides, the irritation starts well before that. It is, of course, possible that I have never really recovered by previous irritation and so it doesn't take much to set it off. I guess I'll find that out soon since I have almost a 3 week vacation at the end of this month when I won't be riding.

I was fitted on a trainer. I think a big part of the problem is not having a snug hem on the leg and nothing I've tried takes care of that, not even on shorts that are too small in every other way. I'm sure when I was fitted that I probably sat solidly on the saddle and only later realized I was always sliding up. Well, I've move the seat to help with that.

I don't consider my saddle to be soft. It's a Selle Italia gel and if it is considered soft, I hate to have to deal with a hard one!

cyclezealot

I have never noticed an irritation problem with bike shorts..Only time I get a hint of irritation is when I get home and fall asleep on the floor wearing bike clothes for a couple hours..Couple times I sensed a minor problem that quickly went away.

TheRCF

I've had the feeling that I'm having problems that aren't normal. Sure wish I knew a solution. I guess I should be especially proud of my 6500 miles last year (working on breaking 7000 this year) considering the level of discomport I have. I wonder what I might be motivated to do if I was actually comfortable!!!

TheRCF

Let me do a quick survey about one problem I'm already mentioned - has anyone else had a problem finding shorts that have a leg band that fits snugly around the leg? If you did have this problem, which shorts did you find that were snug?

Redhed 

Hey, what about something like these? They have the padded inside, they look normal outside, and they have a ton of pockets. I also wouldn't worry about them coming apart, they are usually constructed pretty well.

You mentioned something about shorts similiar to these, but you said they felt like a diaper. This is from the bottom of my heart, I swear that feeling goes away. They always feel funny at first. Not uncomfortable, just funny because you are not used to having padding there. These shorts are on Nashbar.com, but there are other websites that sell other brands. As for greasing up, I use Chamois Butt'r, but only for longer rides (25 miles or more). You can find that on-line too. I have never heard of Sports Gel.

If you want to strictly wear shorts over the top of bike shorts, then try this website. www.aerotechdesigns.com. Really good shorts, great price, and fit for American sizes. I have a feeling that if you find the right size for you, your problems will be gone.

Redhed 

BTW, on the AeroTechDesigns website, their ProShort is the one with the leg grippers, the Classic does not have leg grippers.

Faust

A few years ago I noticed that I was getting dry, itchy skin. Nothing serious, but unpleasant, especially for Mr. Happy. I did some research on the internet regarding soap ingredients and found that there is a great debate going on regarding sodium laurel sulfate, an industrial strength cleaner, found in bar soaps, shampoos, and many other personal care products. The main contention is that it not only cleans, but removes protective skin oils, as well. I decided to find a non-sodium laurel sulfate soap and give it a try. At my local health food store I purchased some Alba Botanica Bath & Shower Gel, which is free of Sodium Laurel.

Within a few weeks my skin was improving, and Mr. Happy was practically a new man....softer, smoother, more sensual, well you get the drift. Legs, face, arms are also benefiting.

I also eliminated perfumed detergents from the wash, another source of potential irritants remaining in clothing, (I had been suffering with itchy butt and leg skin) and switched to Atsko Sports-Wash , a great cleaner, without additives, especially formulated not to remove water-proofing and sweat releasing conditioners manufactured into jerseys and shorts. Atsko.com has a page with university testing results regarding their claims.

All of this works for me, and I no longer have irritated skin problems. Perhaps these, or similar products will be of benefit to you.

cyclezealot

Mr. Faust..Heah, I have wondered about soap residue..My commute home..I have noticed a slight case of itchy butt. Don't have a washing machine at work..Rinse out my bike shorts in shampoo in a bucket and thought I thoroughly rinse out the shorts adequately before I hang them out to dry..
Maybe just the irritaion of dry skin but find a slight need to scratch itchy parts on the way home, but not so much on the way to work..Maybe not getting all the soap out..? Seems I rinse the shorts many, many times..But sure not as thorough as a washing machine.

TheRCF

Thanks for the info. The trick, of course, is finding that first pair of shorts that work for me. It is all so danged expensive when you start adding up all the experiments!

The ONLY thing I have actually figured out to look for is a snug leg band. Everything else is still guessing.

TheRCF

I guess I better add that te the list of things to check on!

TheRCF

Okay, I have made a TINY bit of progress (maybe). I have a pair of Blackbottom shorts I haven't worn in ages - since before I got my present bike which has nearly 4000 miles on it.

When I put them on - surprise - the leg band didn't have any gaps. On my ride I never got any soreness at the meeting point of leg and torso like I usually get! Now, on occasion I've been lucky on a specific ride before, so it will take at least one more trip to be sure it is because of the fit.

But there are some problems, one of which seems to be unique. The padding doesn't go back very far so when sitting, part of my butt has no padding under it! The size was small (these must be cut quite differently from other shorts I've tried where a small would strangle me). A medium might help, but only if the leg band still worked. A store near me sells them so I can check that out soon if they have the other size. Since I wore regular shorts on top, they helped some with the lack of padding.

Another problem is one I've had with other shorts - some irritation of the scrotum (eventually burns). This started around 10 miles.

Also, the padding in front seemed to be a bit much too, making it difficult to get everything comfortable. Biggest thing was a tendency to pull the hair, especially when trying to adjust things. Maybe a bigger size will help in these areas too.

Redhed 

I know you may not like it, but the Chamois Butt'r will prevent this. Since you already have this, go get some Balmex - it is made for baby diaper rash, it doesn't stink, and it is good enough for a baby, so it will be good enough for you. This will eliminate the hot spot overnight! You can get it at any drug store. If you can't find that brand, Desitin is another brand, but it stinks.

darrencope

Have you considered folding the gripper elastic over a bit onto itself, and stitching it so that you effectively make the gripper tighter? You could even try it with some safety pins first to see if it helps. Might be a bit uncomfortable on your legs, but that's minor compared to the problems you're mentioning...

TheRCF

I'll try that - just got home so won't get to the store again today. I did go by the local bike shop to see if they had medium Black Bottom shorts. They didn't. While there I picked up something they had called "Bodyglide". So far no one has bag balm, chamois cream or any of the stuff recommended here. So I'll see how this stuff does tomorrow morning.

Bob

TheRCF

I have folded the bottom lip over on my other shorts - they still aren't snug.

Since the small Black Bottoms were snug (still got to find a medium pair to see if they are too), I did some online research. In the reviews of Roadbike.com, I found them listed. Apparently there is only one style. Of the 9 reviews, they had, I think, a 4.33 out of 5. What was really interesting was that all but one review really praised them. I think they had 6 five star ratings and 2 four star. But one guy gave them just 1 star!

What was real interesting is that he complained about the same thing I observed - the padding doesn't seem to extend back far enough. No other reviewer even mentioned this. I find it hard to believe they could get such high praise with this problem. So I'm wondering if sometimes they cut it wrong or if it makes a big difference if you get a size a bit too small even though you might otherwise get buy. I guess I won't know till I get to try a pair of mediums.

Bob

darrencope

I'm not sure you understood what I meant (my appoligies if you did). I didn't mean to fold the gripper "up" onto itself. That would make it only marginally tighter. What I meant was to pull them until they are tight, then fold the excess material back onto itself, and stitch or pin it together. To explain: put your shorts on. Grab the gripper elastic and pull it out from the side of your leg until it is tight. Then, fold this excess material over (or under) your leg (i.e. wrap it around behind) and fasten it down. Does that description make sense to anyone but me? Using this method you should be able to make it as tight as you wish (you will just end up with a bunched up piece of elastic) and I fail to see how it wouldn't solve at least the "riding up" problem you are experiencing.

TheRCF

I think I see what you are saying. My local bike shop also told me there was a shop that makes custom made bathing suits from lycra (apparently tricky to sew) who might be able to adjust the shorts.

However, I'm making progress - the Blackbottom shorts I have (small) didn't seem to ride up in the last two days. I did get some irritation (burning) on the scrotum, but less today that yesterday and none at all riding home for some reason. The improvement might just be luck or it could be because I tried this stuff called "Bodyglide" today (I still haven't found the stuff recommended here).

I wore the shorts for a total of 30 miles of riding, but actually wore them for 11 hours. Still feel a bit "crowded" in front, but that could be from wearing regular shorts on top - plus I have a bit of a gut that no doubt tends to push the top of the shorts down. Someday soon I'll wear them by themselves on a ride where I'm not stopping anyplace.

I looked them up on the internet and found 9 reviews. They were well-liked except one guy who noticed the same thing I did - the padding doesn't go as far back. I found myself sitting partly off any padding!

I did a LOT of checking on shorts at two shops today. Except for these Blackbottoms, every last one has plenty of looseness at the hem. I mean, there were even shorts I couldn't really get on all the way (I just pulled the leg up on those to see how that part fit), but were still loose at the hem. I'm amazed that I can be so hard to fit - and equally amazed that apparently ONE kind of shorts is cut so different from the rest!

I tried on a medium pair to check two things - would the padding possibly cover more area and would they feel a bit less cramped in front. The hem wasn't snug, but they were better than any others (besides the small pair of Blackbottoms). So, I took a chance and bought them. If I ride tomorrow, I give them a real test.

I do think part of the problem can be minimized by making sure when I put these shorts on, I make sure the material is pulled back as much as possible. You can't change it much, but perhaps enough. I'll know for sure when I don't wear regular shorts on top.

I'll still want pockets, so I'll still want to wear regular shorts. If these bike shorts work, I guess the next step (other than getting bag balm or something) will be to find the best shorts to wear on top. I need to check into rafting shorts or something. I'm assuming something thin would be best - if the padding on the bike shorts does it's job!

TheRCF

Got the Balmex today. Also found out that Bagbalm is sold in at least one of the Long's drug stores so, eventually, I should be able to at least get that.

So farr all the bike shops only carry things I never heard mentioned - one was even from some Scandinavian country!

adamfresno

You said you goto the beach right? I get a rash or irratation just walking after the beach. it may be sand thats grinding away at your skin. When you get in the water there are small sand particles mixed up in the water from the surf and it works its way into any place that gets wet, then combine this with a long ride...ouch. These are fine particles of sand, so showering off at the beach shower wont do the trick.

For the pain, i have no idea, try different saddles maybe.

Best of luck to you and ride on!

Adam

cyclezealot

How about a combination of jellyfish and sand in your chamois. I don't use bike shorts in the ocean...That would cause your speed to increase.

TheRCF

No, it isn't sand. When going to "the beach" I am usually actually only on the beach long enough to lock my bike to a palm triee. Then I go sit on in a beach side restaunant for breakfast where I can keep my eye on the bike. I'm rarely actually resting on the beach itself. I dont' ever go in the water with the shorts either.

Well, in about 30 minutes I'll be trying the new shorts. We'll see how they do.

Bob

TheRCF

Okay, tried the medium size black bottoms today. They did ride up some, though, other than the small blackbottoms, they were better than any others I have. Thursday, weather permitting, I'll trie riding without regular shorts on top.

I'm still having trouble with the chamois pulling on the pubic hair. Am I the only person with this problem? It seems like something everyone would have trouble with (or there is an element to fitting shorts I have not figured out yet.

Bob

Redhed 

Trim them a bit. No big deal.

Or get a Brazilian.

TheRCF

Rode with the small pair of Blackbottoms today, without regular shorts on top, for about 19 miles (80 minutes). Worked pretty well. I was using the Bodyglide stuff - also trimmed the hair some which might have been part of the reason.

Put regular short on top after arrival and later rode 14 miles home. Definitely clumpy, so I guess the next step is to find better shorts to wear on top.

Also find Bagbalm today! Got a can for $5.60 (10 oz). Certainly seems like a heck of a better deal than the Bodyglide.

So, I use this stuff before each ride or after each ride as well?

Tomorrow I'll try the medium size shorts without other shorts on top.