The chamois creme thread has me thinking that I should be using something. I'm often tender down under after rides, especially now that it's warm out. How should I apply them - on me or on the padding? And exactly where and how much? Lastly, should I use what I already have, Bag Balm, or buy something with menthol/Witch Hazel? Thanks!

Here's the relevant answers to your questions from a review I did just recently that may help you with some info:


Here's also a post on another forum that started the review. There may be some more helpful info there.

I use Assos cream which has menthol and witch hazel in it, but I also spend a lot of 10 - 15 hour stints wearing my shorts, so something anti-bacterial is very necessary.

To apply, I pull my shorts halfway up so I can smear the padding first. 2 fingertips full about does it to cover the padding across the entire back (sit bone area forward to the middle of the padding). Then I take a little bit more and apply directly to myself at the upper thigh/scrotal juncture before hiking my shorts into place.

Bag Balm will work fine, but it contains petrolatum and can be very difficult to fully wash out from your shorts. Petrolatum over the long-term can damage the loft in your chamois padding, breaking down the cell structure of the foam leaving it feeling compacted. Your better bet is to go with Udder Butter or Queen Helene (I'm not sure what the product is, ask Mr. Beanz because I think he's the one who mentioned it) for a good, less costly option than the cycling specific cremes.

I don't have much experience with different products probably because I have no complaints with the product I use. Try Chamois Butt'r. It is water soluble so there are no problems washing it off in the shower. Works great, lasts a long time. Nuf said.

For shorter rides, that one is my fave; Inexpensive and works great. The issue I have with it is the solubility... I sweat a lot, so on a hot day and a long ride, I find myself needing to re-apply a lot and often with that one.

Funny, I seldom if ever use any cremes while riding. If I am doing a week long, high mileage ride, then I will use Assos Creme (which Ia pply to the chamois) or something like Monkey Butt powder (which I apply to myself. I just love the name!) but now I rely on a good pair of shorts and making sure they are clean. Since I stopped buying the cheap ones, I've had no chafing problems.

I started riding in 1986. Hadn't used creme's until 2 years ago. Love to use 'em now. Every body is different.

I use That Butt Stuff...all natural ingredients
https://www.thatbuttstuff.com/

I normally use the Assos creme and that works well. Last week I was touring and forgot the creme. I got a tube of Chamios butter, it worked well for my daily 50 mile rides last week. The directions for Chamios butter says that it should be applied to the chamios and to any skin that is suseptable to chaffing, even where the jersey is rubbing the against the skin.