Strategies for dealing with Saddle Sores?
07-18-07, 01:51 PM
#27
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Without going into too much detail, I get the occasional sore in the same general area as the OP. It's usually gone in a day or two, as long as I keep the area dry. As far as I can tell, it's from having my padded lycra shorts on a little too low, combined with a narrow, hard saddle and some moisture, which is typical for my mtn bike rides. I commute all year long in baggy nylon shorts with regular [Banana Republic] cotton boxers on underneath, on a Selle Italia Turbo saddle from 1995, or a more modern vinyl SDG saddle [it's silver!]. The Turbo wicks, the SDG doesn't, but they're both wider through the middle with more padding than the Flite on my MTB .
For a contrasting opinion, I can honestly say that sitting on a Brooks saddle for a month was possibly the worst biking experience of my life. Holy ****, they are uncomfortable.
For a contrasting opinion, I can honestly say that sitting on a Brooks saddle for a month was possibly the worst biking experience of my life. Holy ****, they are uncomfortable.
07-18-07, 02:05 PM
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ask your dr to consider rx'ing Silvadene. It's an anesthetic & antiobiotic creme with silver in it that's used on burns. It does an amazing job on blisters and open sores too.
07-18-07, 03:06 PM
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Brooks
But if I spend too much time on my non Brooks saddle I use Petroleum Jelly.
I always wear lycra cycling shorts when riding distances. I have found that some cheap chamois pads will chafe, and even a few more expensive ones. So find the ones that work best for you.
Oh and did I mention Brooks.
Craig
But if I spend too much time on my non Brooks saddle I use Petroleum Jelly.
I always wear lycra cycling shorts when riding distances. I have found that some cheap chamois pads will chafe, and even a few more expensive ones. So find the ones that work best for you.
Oh and did I mention Brooks.
Craig
07-19-07, 11:31 AM
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I haven't seen anybody comment on the wool shorts thing, so I will. My one pair of wool shorts act as a sponge. They soak up sweat and don't let it go. After a while I am sitting on a totally soaked chamois pad. Granted I sweat a lot, but I'd have to sweat not at all to make these shorts acceptable.
Plus, wool doesn't have the stretch of lycra and so won't conform to your body in the same way. Unless you get lucky and get a pair that fits everywhere just right, you are going to have either baggy or tight spots where you didn't with lycra.
Plus, wool doesn't have the stretch of lycra and so won't conform to your body in the same way. Unless you get lucky and get a pair that fits everywhere just right, you are going to have either baggy or tight spots where you didn't with lycra.
07-19-07, 12:02 PM
#32
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07-19-07, 12:54 PM
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I haven't seen anybody comment on the wool shorts thing, so I will. My one pair of wool shorts act as a sponge. They soak up sweat and don't let it go. After a while I am sitting on a totally soaked chamois pad. Granted I sweat a lot, but I'd have to sweat not at all to make these shorts acceptable.
That being said, wool shorts sound like a horrible itchy mess, especially once you start to sweat in them.
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07-19-07, 06:34 PM
#34
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OP here...
No new developments to report :-) since I, changed saddle, upped the game and became super strict with the new routine. Maintaining the butt is more work than maintaining the bikes :-)
Anyone have any experience with Drawing Salve?
No new developments to report :-) since I, changed saddle, upped the game and became super strict with the new routine. Maintaining the butt is more work than maintaining the bikes :-)
Anyone have any experience with Drawing Salve?
07-19-07, 07:59 PM
#35
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Bag balm. Yes, the thing for cow udders. I have a tin in my bathroom, which pretty much lasts forever. Apply it after you shower, and it will make those sores go away. You can get it at an decent drug store.
It stays on during a ride, is antibacterial, and quite soothing to the wounds/sores. Do NOT apply it after a ride if you haven't showered. Make sure you wash off first before applying.
edit: it sounds like your seat is too high, btw.
It stays on during a ride, is antibacterial, and quite soothing to the wounds/sores. Do NOT apply it after a ride if you haven't showered. Make sure you wash off first before applying.
edit: it sounds like your seat is too high, btw.
07-20-07, 10:18 AM
#36
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I find that it totally depends on the fit of the bike when it comes to getting comfortable on a Brooks. Luckily I have a bunch of different Brooks and a bunch of different bikes so I can try different combinations to get it 'just right'. I have a Swallow, a B17N, B17, Conquest, and a B17 Special and none of them are interchangeable on any one bike: the Swallow only works on my road bike, the B17N so far gives me a saddle sore on my Crosscheck, the Conquest is awesome on my townie and mtb, the B17 Special is different enough from the normal B17 that it only works for me on my road bike. The B17 works across the most bikes. Small changes in saddle height and handlebar reach make big differences here.
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07-20-07, 11:28 AM
#37
Senior Member
Ouch 
I checked this one on the Road forum, they didn't really have too much insite...
I commute everyday 10~12 miles each way depending on the route. Since last December when I upped the ante to everyday from 3Xweek, I've been plagued with Saddle Sores. I've tried Lycra shorts... Cotton Shorts... My Doctor prescribed wool cycling shorts, as soon as I figure out how to charge a pair to my flexible medical account, I'll get a pair
Switched Saddles... I take a shower when I get to work and again when I get home. I've used Hibiclens, Gold Bond Powder, Clearasil, Neosporin, alone and in combination. I've used Bag Balm (Udderly Delightful!), Butt Buttr and nothing at all. I've shaved butt fluff, Naired it and left it alone (Apologies if that last one is too personal). I hang my clothes up to dry out in my office while at work.
And yet I'm cursed.
What am I missing? Any suggestions? Strategies for avoiding them in the first place? A variety of saddles in rotation? Soak the affected area in Epsom Salts? A fresh set of clothes for the ride home? Do Blister Avoidance Strategies of Ultra Runners apply here?
I checked this one on the Road forum, they didn't really have too much insite...
I commute everyday 10~12 miles each way depending on the route. Since last December when I upped the ante to everyday from 3Xweek, I've been plagued with Saddle Sores. I've tried Lycra shorts... Cotton Shorts... My Doctor prescribed wool cycling shorts, as soon as I figure out how to charge a pair to my flexible medical account, I'll get a pair
Switched Saddles... I take a shower when I get to work and again when I get home. I've used Hibiclens, Gold Bond Powder, Clearasil, Neosporin, alone and in combination. I've used Bag Balm (Udderly Delightful!), Butt Buttr and nothing at all. I've shaved butt fluff, Naired it and left it alone (Apologies if that last one is too personal). I hang my clothes up to dry out in my office while at work.And yet I'm cursed.
What am I missing? Any suggestions? Strategies for avoiding them in the first place? A variety of saddles in rotation? Soak the affected area in Epsom Salts? A fresh set of clothes for the ride home? Do Blister Avoidance Strategies of Ultra Runners apply here?
