Chamois cream and padded shorts/bibs
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Chamois cream and padded shorts/bibs
I'm hoping someone here can help me get some saddle relief. I've bought some of Aerotech's gear and found it to be very disappointing in both the fit (some are too small, some too big) and quality (last about 500 miles) department so I'm not interested in giving them another chance. Right now I'm at 385lbs and average about 100 miles a week at a 13mph pace with a steady cadence so I'm looking for something that will help keep the saddle sores at bay. What I need are the list of manufactures (custom or otherwise) that can or will make extended sizes of padded (preferably gel) shorts or bibs. I have two pairs of extended sizes Canaris on the way (5XL) but in the interim I'm wearing a pair of shorts under a pair of bibs and the comfort isn't too bad but all of my shorts and bibs are worn out and need to be replaced immediately.
Again, cost isn't an issue but if I'm going to spend money I want it to be for things that are going to last and that are actually comfortable. I've reached out to a number of "custom" cycling clothing makers and for most of them "extended sizes" are a US 2XL, which is not going to work. It's frustrating having money to spend and nobody willing to take it.
I'm also curious if there's a chamois cream out there that is a bit firmer and longer lasting than ASSOS. Here's the list of chamois creams I've tried and my experience with them:
- Chamois Butt'r: decent but does not last very long during the summer. I had to stop every three or four miles to reapply yesterday, which is beyond annoying.
- Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle: great but tends to need to be reapplied multiple times a ride.
- DZ Nuts: great, but does not last very long and tends to dry out during the summer. Perfect for the trainer but just doesn't last when the temperature is over 80 degrees and it's a ride longer than 20 miles.
- ASSOS Chamois Cream: excellent but difficult to carry on the bike and tends to fade in the heat.
I don't really care about the cost but I'm looking for something that will last and is more of a gel style than a straight cream. Gooch Guard, Betwixt, and Friction Freedom are three that I'm about ready to try but I thought I'd ask here before pulling the trigger on those.
Again, cost isn't an issue but if I'm going to spend money I want it to be for things that are going to last and that are actually comfortable. I've reached out to a number of "custom" cycling clothing makers and for most of them "extended sizes" are a US 2XL, which is not going to work. It's frustrating having money to spend and nobody willing to take it.
I'm also curious if there's a chamois cream out there that is a bit firmer and longer lasting than ASSOS. Here's the list of chamois creams I've tried and my experience with them:
- Chamois Butt'r: decent but does not last very long during the summer. I had to stop every three or four miles to reapply yesterday, which is beyond annoying.
- Chamois Butt'r Eurostyle: great but tends to need to be reapplied multiple times a ride.
- DZ Nuts: great, but does not last very long and tends to dry out during the summer. Perfect for the trainer but just doesn't last when the temperature is over 80 degrees and it's a ride longer than 20 miles.
- ASSOS Chamois Cream: excellent but difficult to carry on the bike and tends to fade in the heat.
I don't really care about the cost but I'm looking for something that will last and is more of a gel style than a straight cream. Gooch Guard, Betwixt, and Friction Freedom are three that I'm about ready to try but I thought I'd ask here before pulling the trigger on those.
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Well, I'll try. The short answer is we don't know your anatomy, nor would we want to, and we don't know your saddle, riding style, fit, etc. All of these have a real impact on your comfort.
First off, saddle. You're not sharing yet where it hurts / doesn't, when, and whether there are clear wear spots that would help from a hint point of view.
Second, your desire for gel. I'm 60% of your size, but I truly hate gel. Of the serious cyclists I know, exactly none of them have gel anything. It tends to mask fit issues, rather than truly address them. Good to get my wife out to ride when she generally doesn't want to? Yup. A sounds strategy for 100 miles per week? Not in my experience. I had gel bibs once. I actually spiked them into the trash.
Third, you told us your weight, but not height. Some bibs are much better for tall folks (Hincapie comes to mind).
Fourth, Assos is the best I've found. If you're worried about renewal on the trail, you can carry extra in a ziplock, or get the mini-packs of Butt'r. Heck, even a tube of hand lotion will help. But you shouldn't be going through it that fast.
First off, saddle. You're not sharing yet where it hurts / doesn't, when, and whether there are clear wear spots that would help from a hint point of view.
Second, your desire for gel. I'm 60% of your size, but I truly hate gel. Of the serious cyclists I know, exactly none of them have gel anything. It tends to mask fit issues, rather than truly address them. Good to get my wife out to ride when she generally doesn't want to? Yup. A sounds strategy for 100 miles per week? Not in my experience. I had gel bibs once. I actually spiked them into the trash.
Third, you told us your weight, but not height. Some bibs are much better for tall folks (Hincapie comes to mind).
Fourth, Assos is the best I've found. If you're worried about renewal on the trail, you can carry extra in a ziplock, or get the mini-packs of Butt'r. Heck, even a tube of hand lotion will help. But you shouldn't be going through it that fast.
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I mostly ride Performance shorts of various styles.
DZ Nuts has never dried out on me even on centuries and double metrics.
I am way Down South where it gets HOTTTTT !!
DZ Nuts has never dried out on me even on centuries and double metrics.
I am way Down South where it gets HOTTTTT !!
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Assos is what I've liked so far but even it doesn't last very long during the summer. When I ride my fat bike or do 30-60 minutes on the trainer it does a fabulous job but over the past month or so (since it's gotten hot here) it doesn't last more than, at best, 10 miles.
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This summer I've been using Gold Bond medicated cream and it holds up well in Iowa's heat and humidity. Tried Bag Balm the other day when the heat index was higher and it worked pretty well. Sorry to hear that Aerotech hasn't held up for you. I have two sets of bibs that I like very much. But it is all about stuff that fits.
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Sounds like you've got some challenges -- sorry to read but also great to hear the persistence.
I do think you're on the right path, and would suggest some non-gel bibs that have a good chamois. I personally love the KISS one on Castellis, as well as Giordana and Hincapie. Not a fan of Assos despite what everyone says -- just felt odd to me. I looked it up -- looks like Castelli goes to 3xl Size Charts | Castelli ? An Unfair Advantage
Two other things -- are you mostly on a road bike? If so, tires can help, but it sounds like you've likely tackled that based on the thoroughness of your replies so far.
Second, on riding style -- how much are you in the saddle vs. out of it? At your size, and assuming fitness is the goal, rising out of the saddle more and training shorter distances but varying intensity will do much more for you, and be more comfortable as you'll ultimately have less weight on your sit bones, both in absolute terms and in terms of %.
I do think you're on the right path, and would suggest some non-gel bibs that have a good chamois. I personally love the KISS one on Castellis, as well as Giordana and Hincapie. Not a fan of Assos despite what everyone says -- just felt odd to me. I looked it up -- looks like Castelli goes to 3xl Size Charts | Castelli ? An Unfair Advantage
Two other things -- are you mostly on a road bike? If so, tires can help, but it sounds like you've likely tackled that based on the thoroughness of your replies so far.
Second, on riding style -- how much are you in the saddle vs. out of it? At your size, and assuming fitness is the goal, rising out of the saddle more and training shorter distances but varying intensity will do much more for you, and be more comfortable as you'll ultimately have less weight on your sit bones, both in absolute terms and in terms of %.
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I do think you're on the right path, and would suggest some non-gel bibs that have a good chamois. I personally love the KISS one on Castellis, as well as Giordana and Hincapie. Not a fan of Assos despite what everyone says -- just felt odd to me. I looked it up -- looks like Castelli goes to 3xl Size Charts | Castelli ? An Unfair Advantage
You know, I saw those and was curious if they might work. I've heard really good stuff about Castelli and if those are anything like the Hincapies they're well worth the money. Assos makes great chamois cream but I've heard the same about them that I've heard from Rapha - great marketing and a decent product but way overrated and overpriced. I've also heard Assos feel weird too. My problem with most of the "extended sizes" bibs are that the pads in them are maybe a step about brillo pads. Are they better than just riding on the saddle direct? Sure, but not much.
Second, on riding style -- how much are you in the saddle vs. out of it? At your size, and assuming fitness is the goal, rising out of the saddle more and training shorter distances but varying intensity will do much more for you, and be more comfortable as you'll ultimately have less weight on your sit bones, both in absolute terms and in terms of %.
If you all have any recommendations on training guides (I have Joe Friel's "Training Bible" sitting right next to me) I'm totally open.
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I'm somewhat surprised the Aerotech bibs only lasted 500 miles. Mine (that I've outgrown - well more like out shrunk...) have close to 1000 miles and look like they have less than 50 on them. No wear at all. Maybe you're just hard on shorts or something. I also have t found the need to reapply cream during a ride and don't typically use it at all on rides of less than 25 miles. If you need that much of it, that seems to be a fit or saddle issue as much as anything.
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You posted that you are wearing shorts under bibs. Have you always done so? If that is so then that is likely your problem. For cream I'm impressed with Mad Alchemy euro pro cream. I buy it mailorder from Competitive Cyclist. It lasts for more than a century even in heat.
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Me again.
On tires, and given your size and the fact that you have space, two occur to me, depending on budget and how intrepid you feel.
If you're riding mostly road and cuts don't bother you, I'd get a set of Vittoria Open Pave in 27. They are more expensive and more prone to cuts. BUT -- they are made of cotton casing, and provide a magic carpet ride. I rode Contis for years, and these, no kidding, are exponentially better in all but wear and flat resistance. Faster, but also notably smoother. Wiggle has the best price -- around $50 a pop. Get 3 so you have a backup.
Other option is one of the Panaracer lines. I personally have ridden Pasela tires a fair deal, and you can get 28s and 32s. You might also look at Gravel Kings in a 28, which is very similar to the Vittorias above -- but tougher, cheaper and won't be as sublime.
Both are more prone to flatting. Vittoria are much more tolerant of lower pressure. I'm 215, and they do fine under me in 27s on wide rims at 85/95. On my pure roadie, I ride them in 25s at 95/105. Fantastic tires.
On bibs -- try a pair of Castellis. Even their middle models are great. If I can make a leap here -- I love Hincapies, and love Castellis. If you like the Hincapies, then try the Castellis.
Have you tried cutout saddles? Selle Anatomic makes a cutout model that is similar to Brooks. Another whacky way to go is SMP, though those things are very locked-in -- some people love them.
For me, I settled on Spesh Romins, except for winter / long rides over 6 hours, when I go Fizik. Romin are very hard, but just the right shape for me.
On tires, and given your size and the fact that you have space, two occur to me, depending on budget and how intrepid you feel.
If you're riding mostly road and cuts don't bother you, I'd get a set of Vittoria Open Pave in 27. They are more expensive and more prone to cuts. BUT -- they are made of cotton casing, and provide a magic carpet ride. I rode Contis for years, and these, no kidding, are exponentially better in all but wear and flat resistance. Faster, but also notably smoother. Wiggle has the best price -- around $50 a pop. Get 3 so you have a backup.
Other option is one of the Panaracer lines. I personally have ridden Pasela tires a fair deal, and you can get 28s and 32s. You might also look at Gravel Kings in a 28, which is very similar to the Vittorias above -- but tougher, cheaper and won't be as sublime.
Both are more prone to flatting. Vittoria are much more tolerant of lower pressure. I'm 215, and they do fine under me in 27s on wide rims at 85/95. On my pure roadie, I ride them in 25s at 95/105. Fantastic tires.
On bibs -- try a pair of Castellis. Even their middle models are great. If I can make a leap here -- I love Hincapies, and love Castellis. If you like the Hincapies, then try the Castellis.
Have you tried cutout saddles? Selle Anatomic makes a cutout model that is similar to Brooks. Another whacky way to go is SMP, though those things are very locked-in -- some people love them.
For me, I settled on Spesh Romins, except for winter / long rides over 6 hours, when I go Fizik. Romin are very hard, but just the right shape for me.
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You posted that you are wearing shorts under bibs. Have you always done so? If that is so then that is likely your problem. For cream I'm impressed with Mad Alchemy euro pro cream. I buy it mailorder from Competitive Cyclist. It lasts for more than a century even in heat.
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Thanks, I'll give that a try too!
If you're riding mostly road and cuts don't bother you, I'd get a set of Vittoria Open Pave in 27. They are more expensive and more prone to cuts. BUT -- they are made of cotton casing, and provide a magic carpet ride. I rode Contis for years, and these, no kidding, are exponentially better in all but wear and flat resistance. Faster, but also notably smoother. Wiggle has the best price -- around $50 a pop. Get 3 so you have a backup.
Aliante
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You both missed it, it's two pairs of chamois - a pair of PI shorts (decent pad, but rolls down) underneath a pair of Hincapie bibs (holds everything together, but the pad is almost gone).
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Perhaps the friction from the outside of the shorts is what's killing the pad of the bibs.
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I may be presuming here, but -- am I correct you're looking to get the weight down in part by cycling?
Off topic, but there are many great stories here. Mine pales, but I can share. Either way, this is a good group and if we can share on that front, we'd be happy to.
:-)
Off topic, but there are many great stories here. Mine pales, but I can share. Either way, this is a good group and if we can share on that front, we'd be happy to.
:-)
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Six years ago I weighed 520lbs and, through changing my diet and getting active, have taken off almost 140lbs (depending on the day and water intake levels). Two summer ago I got down to 360lbs but started putting it back on (got up to 417 this past fall) and am slowly taking it off again. This is the second time I've taken off a considerable amount of weight (I took off 180lbs over 15 years ago) so I'm well aware exercise alone isn't going to take the pounds off, though it can certainly help. It's a process and a grind but it beats the alternative. Besides, I realize that for every 10lbs I take off that's another five or so miles I can ride each week without seriously damaging my internal organs and muscles.
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Yep, I have a Surly Cross Check that I ride during pavement season that I'm running Continental Contact II 32s on that are probably ready to be replaced. This week the shifters should be in for my new Ultegra groupset install so I might just go ahead and replace those while I'm having it overhauled. Any recommendations on tires in the 28-32 range? I like to run the tire pressure pretty high (usually the max) for a faster ride but I'm open to any suggestions.
This article on tire pressure talks about that. And it has links to tire pressure calculators for your size and tire size.
You'll probably want 32s, so that you can lower the pressure a little. And if the tire has too much pressure in it, that will make the ride rougher, which will exacerbate the problems that you've been having.
This may not be a magic bullet, but if you do several things that help, then all of them together may give you a ride that is less troublesome.
GH
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I have only used Aerotech stuff and oddly enough have had no wear out issues. Some of my bike shorts have thousands of miles on them, especially the ones from when I started riding a lot and only had 1 or 2 pair.
Another observation about Aerotech - the different types of shorts/tights have completely different fits and protection from pain. Towards the end of the year last year, my favorite shorts were the more expensive 8 panel (IIRC) ones, the entry level ones were not good for 20+ mile rides. This season, I started a tick heavier and am now lighter than last year but the entry level seem the most comfortable for long rides.
DaveW
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I used to have the same problem. Stop wearing shorts over the bibs.
And if if you must wear shorts over bibs, there is a guy around the forum that makes custome made cycling gear. I have many of his clothes and love them all.
And if if you must wear shorts over bibs, there is a guy around the forum that makes custome made cycling gear. I have many of his clothes and love them all.
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Here is the link. The owner is awesome to work with!
Foxwear | Custom Sized Sports Outerwear | Made in Salmon, ID
Foxwear | Custom Sized Sports Outerwear | Made in Salmon, ID
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I'm somewhat surprised the Aerotech bibs only lasted 500 miles. Mine (that I've outgrown - well more like out shrunk...) have close to 1000 miles and look like they have less than 50 on them. No wear at all. Maybe you're just hard on shorts or something. I also have t found the need to reapply cream during a ride and don't typically use it at all on rides of less than 25 miles. If you need that much of it, that seems to be a fit or saddle issue as much as anything.
The best chamois cream for my is none :-).
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I don't know anything about these but Big & Tall clothing you might look here.
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I don't know anything about these but Big & Tall clothing you might look here.