RIRview

I've been wearing the same shorts (top-of-the-line Louis Garneau and Voler) for six months (just to preclude the wise-guy 41 comments, yeah, I do wash them after every ride), as well as the same Bontrager saddle. Same brand of chamois cream. Never had any issues until recently.

I'll be riding and feel a painful pinch in my crotch area, and I'll have to stand slightly and give the shorts a little tug to readjust--almost as if the chamois is bunching. With these expensive shorts they shouldn't be close to being worn out after only six months of use (I ride about 100 miles a week).

Anyone have a similar experience where you develop saddle sores with no logical reason?

utahp8ntballer

I have been suffering through them the last couple months. I got back into cycling in March and tried a few saddles out and wound up with a Fizik Arione. I liked it but after a few hundred miles I started to get sores. I adjusted position of the saddle and let sores heal then after a few hundred more miles I got them again. I determined that it was the saddle causing the problems. I bought the Prologo Nago Evo which I had ridden for years without any issues. I have done 3 rides on it and it doesn't hit the sore spots that the Fizik saddle did.
None of this probably helps you but maybe it'll help someone.

Igualmente

I have no directly related experience, but... thought you might want to consider if you've lost weight during the 6 months or have increased the amount of riding you do. Or if you've adjusted your bike fit. Things fit differently if one loses weight or changes position, and problems can also surface if you ride longer than you used to.

Looigi

Depends what you mean by saddle sores. If it's inflamed/infected follicles or just areas of abrasion? The former are usually present as painful lumps. I've sometimes gotten these but found that cleaning the skin and applying a 10% solution of tea tree oil in witch-hazel and alcohol to the sit area of my butt pre-ride has eliminated any reoccurrence.

StanSeven

Couple of thoughts based on my experiences. As I get fitter and stronger over the year, my saddle position changes slightly. I might just be generating more power. I find slight little tweaks by adjusting the saddle eliminates that. I've also noticed the same with shorts/bibs and having to stand. It might be worn bibs stretch some and lose shape.

RIRview

Yup...the former. I've had those in the past, and I use antibiotic ointment combined with hydrocortisone cream, and usually in a few days they heal up.

RIRview

I'm going to visit my bike fitter this week to see if he has any suggestions. Also, when my bike shorts were new I didn't have these issues with irritation...I'm thinking that as they are wearing the padding is compressing and stretching causing pressure points.

linnefaulk

How many miles have you ridden? Is the saddle wearing out? Have you lost weight? I am losing weight and my larger shorts tend to shift and bunch up.

Dunbar

I started getting them recently and I discovered my seat had slipped back so I'm guessing that I was sliding forward and sitting on the middle/front of the saddle. I've fixed that and they seem to be going away.

utahp8ntballer

This was also part of my problem. My saddle slid back over a few rides and was almost to the max line.