pedal monkey

so do people commute in bike shorts and then change? i'd like to commute but i've had problems with saddle sores and i don't think there's anywhere i can shower at work.

ideas?

super-douper

I do. Bike shorts, baby wipe the "contact points" then change.

HiYoSilver

what are bike shorts ? ;-))

Don't need them for commuting. Performance riding sure if you want, but for just leisure and commuting not necessary.

DataJunkie

I pull anywhere from 120 miles to 200 miles each week commuting. Padded cycling shorts are a must. That and the aerodynamics helps me a bit. Leisure rides under 30 miles I wear regular shorts.

Plus, I have a piss poor opinion related to my body. Tight clothes are forcing me to get over it.

ctoddrun

I'm at just about 100 miles / week (when I ride every day that I intend to...) and couldn't agree more about the shorts. And I still have the occasional problem with chafing/sores. Can't imagine if I didn't wear "the right stuff" for the activity...

Has anyone ever tried that body lube stuff (have seen several brands, all of which escape me at the moment...)? Does it work?

DataJunkie

Another poster in the duplicate to this thread (double post) mentioned bodyglide. It appears non oily. I still get saddle sores from time to time. I am going to give bodyglide a try.

ctoddrun

Thanks! Just saw that other thread and the BodyGlide reference. Think I'll pick me some up this weekend...

Jarery

Depends on your commute
Mine takes up an hours worth of moderate exertion each way with about 1k ft or so climbing
That requires bike shorts (and baby wipes) for me to be comfortable. If i was a flat 15 min commute I wouldnt.

LittleBigMan

Also don't forget to rinse all the detergent out of your shorts, it can make chafing worse.

Lubricant and spandex is what saved me. Now that I ride a bent, I haven't stopped the lubricant habit.

I believe in supporting my LBS, but I don't buy everything there. Lots of accessories (like lubricant) is marked up to the moon. Some items can be gotten elsewhere if you know how to read the label and don't mind experimentation.

Map tester

I don't wear bike-specific shorts, but do wear athletic-wear shorts or underwear. They have few or no seams in the crotch, and the seams that are there are flat and smooth, and they are quick-drying. They work fine for me, my Brooks saddle, and my 22 mile RT commute. If I ever need a bit of TLC, I use A&D ointment.

Of course, YMMV.

capejohn

I am breaking in a new Brooks. Ouch!!!! But it's getting better.

JOHN J

My commute is (the route I prefer) is 18.5 mile one way. 50 mins - 1 hour going in 1 hour 20 mins or so on the return trip (3 big climbs going home) .

Cycling shorts are a must for me, I dont have shower at work either, I do a bird bath , wash my hair in sink , use wipes on the behind a shot of deoderant and im good to go. I change into office casual , dockers ... keep shoes at work.

I have a brooks sprung saddle but even with that nice springy leather my butt starts to get sore after 5 or 6 miles.

"John"

ctoddrun

OK - so no holding out on us, then - what's general equivalent to lube have you found to be effective?

LittleBigMan

You'd be suprised. Go to the bike shop, pick up a tube of lubricant, and write down the ingredients. You can find those same ingredients in most hand lotions, body lotions, hair conditioners, etc. There's nothing new under the sun.

NoRacer

Body Glide--or, if you're really cheap... Crisco.

ignominious

13.5 miles each way every day in jeans on a racing saddle, average 15mph. I get no chafing. Help me, I must be doing something wrong.

ItsJustMe

I ride about 110 miles a week. I generally wear bike shorts now but not always, but I have never had any trouble with chafing or anything, even if I ride in khaki cotton shorts with a seam right up the middle on a 100 degree day.
But the bike shorts are a lot more comfortable.

Even if you don't have a place to shower, you can go in the bathroom, wipe down with some paper towels or baby wipes, and pull street clothes on over the shorts or change out, whichever works for you.

Also we are careful to use unscented laundry detergent, I don't know if that makes a difference because we've never used anything else.

Heraclitus

I have been experimenting with various options for my 8.5 mile, 1/2 hour commute. I have found that am more comfortable at work if I change out of whatever I wore on my bike. I am also more comfortable on my bike in cycling gear. Thus - bike shorts. Baby wipes at the office.

Yet in light of this I still ride around town on the weekends in jeans or regular shorts -- because I am not going wear my bike shorts into a bookstore, or coffee shop, or bar; and I am not going to change when I get there either. No serious problems with chafing... maybe an ass-pimple from time to time. Brooks saddle.

And for long road rides I wear bike shorts and use the very pricey seeming Assos cream. It cost like $20 but it last me a long time.

I still want to shop around for better underwear for my weekend street rides. I have tried some of the padded cycling underwear from Performance and Nashbar, but found it uncomfortable. I am thinking about something synthetic, but not padded.

bbonnn

I had never gotten a saddle sore in my life (mainly because my rides are never more than 10-12 miles), but lately, with all the rain and the wet skin rubbing against the seat, I got my first one this week. Ow.

Maybe it's time to invest in some bike shorts, perhaps the cheapo kind that dont necessarily pad, but just make your contact surfaces slicker. I, too, have issues with tight clothing, however. We'll see how long it takes this sucker to heal and if it's worth it.

newbojeff

I have a shorter ride than most here, ~8mi, but wear professional clothing at work usually. Ride in, rinse face in sink, wait about 10 minutes, and change. I use bike shorts sometimes, tights sometimes, "bike underwear" ("turns any pair of shorts into biking shorts!!" says the ad copy), but I'm most fond of MTB shorts. Comfortable to ride in, but I don't walk into the office wearing something awkwardly tight.

No chaffing, no ointments, no baby wipes.

Az B

MTB shorts. Or cycling undies under whatever shorts you want to wear. I use my bike for running errands, and for those days where it's hot and you're doing a lot of running around, these solutions are great. You get the benefits of the chamois while still looking like a normal human being while walking through the grocery store. Add MTB shoes with recessed cleats and you can walk normally too while still enjoying the benefits of clipless pedals.

That being said, my commute is only 2.5 miles and simply wear what I work in.

Az

bigskymacadam

yes, i commute in bike shorts then change. if you're chafing in your current situation it might be a good idea for you.

jyossarian

+1 on Bodyglide. And I wear jeans or chinos on my ride to work. I may wear cargo shorts and change into pants this summer.

DataJunkie

I could not find bodyglide at the LBS I was shopping at. Having no time to visit LBS after LBS, I purchased what they had. Butt'r works great and has quite an amusing name.

oboeguy

BodyGlide + bike shorts FTW! Seriously, why do anything else? Change in the bathroom.