Skin Lubes
 

Hi Guys,

I’m seriously considering doing my first century in the middle of May. The organizers recommend using a skin/chamois lubricant. As I’m just getting started on the training regime, I haven’t spent more than 3 hours in the saddle at any one time. Up to now chafing hasn’t been a problem, but I’m concerned that it will after 6 or 7.

I’ve read some positives and negatives about lubricants. I know this has been discussed in the past on BF, but I’m wondering if the 50+ crowd has any experience or recommendations?

I've been using Bag Balm for quite some time with good results. This season I think I'll experiment with A&D Ointment.

You're going to get a million different opinions on this topic, from the cheap stuff (Bag Balm) to the high price potion that Lance used.:D

First time I've heard of a recomendation for a lubricant. If you don't have a problem now- then don't bother. I just use a body moisturiser and that is only on the long rides (10 hours+)

I use Chamois BUTT'r. Don't know if it's totally needed, but I don't usually have any problems. I only use it for longer days on the bike, and when I do a multi-day tour.

A & D works best for me...and I'm fine without anything up to 60 miles, but over that I need to lubricate.

I'm not the really long distance guy, but ride over 50 miles require a second lube job for me. I have used the branded chamois butt'r, and A&D. I currently just use plain old Vaseline for pre-ride lube job and for additional during the ride.

Vaseline also works to prevent wind chapping on the face, but be careful of the order in which you use your hands for dual applications:D :D :D :D

Never use anything, and sometimes ride for 12 hours. When touring, I have used Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion.

I find it helpful on longer rides, especially when the weather is hot. I've used Vaseline, Bag Balm, Chammy Butt'r and others. I read about this one on a BF forum and I like it a lot. Cheap, pleasant smell and not too messy. Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Creme, about $5 at Walmart.

Body Glide is a stick, not messy and easy to transport.
http://www.sportsbasement.com/sdx/H41531.jsp

At that price, I might stop borrowing and buy my own.

I have done many centuries in WI and used nothing except good shorts.
That did not work for me in FL. The high humidity caused problems between my legs. Cort-aid, Anti Bacterial cream, AD ointment, etc. all worked for me. As soon as I stopped using it, same problem.
Such a problem can be serious on a longer tour. Once irritated it does not go away and can get infected.

I used to go without on long rides, and didn't think I had issues. Tried this stuff one time on the recommendation of a friend, and it made "things" alot more comfortable.

It's cheap, and it's good.

I've ridden numerous centuries & never used or needed anything. Much depends on your shorts. Avoid seams near tender skin at all costs.

I've used Body Glide for running & it's been helpful.

Most of you just like to apply it. :) TIC
Steven

+1 Good product. I bought the 8 oz size which has lasted three seasons. On long rides when the sweat will leave lots of salt on the skin's surface, I find it does make a positive difference. However, good shorts trump everything in terms of comfort.

Ben Gay makes you go fast and out of the saddle so you don't get much friction at all.

Chamois BUTT'r can be purchased in small packets, light, easy to carry, use it if you need it.

Vaseline does work very well, but is greasy and a bit messy. Easy to put into a small container and take along.

You can also use ChapStick, which is mostly Vaseline, just get the unscented kind. Or Aquaphor, which is a reformulated (and pricier) Vasoline. I was able to score a handful of free half-ounce doctor's samples a couple of years back. These were perfect for hiking and biking.

Body Glide is probably the very best, as it isn't absorbed. It was designed to be an on-skin lubricant. Even after 12 hours you've got to wash it off to get it off.

Many other lotions & cremes work okay. Almost most of those sold as moisterizers are formulated to soak in and once they do, they no longer do much lubricating. So you might need to reapply every now & then.

A cheaper alternative to some of the high priced stuff is Udderly Smooth. Inexpensive and commonly available at many places. I generally don't need a cream until it gets hot & humid, then it is much appreciated.

One common property of skin creams/moisturizers is the amount
of water emulsified into the cream. For best results in bike use
to reduce skin irritation on the crotch and inner thighs look for
a cream that does not have water listed in the ingredients, or
if it does the water is at least 5-6 down from the start. The
greater the water content, the shorter the life of the lube in
actual use. Vaseline is the basic ingredient for appropriate
long lived skin lubes: Bag balm or udder cream are basically
vaseline with an odorant such as menthol or wintergreen.
Try noxzema type creams and after an hour you will be hard
put to find any residual in your PP. Smear a tspn of vaseline
and it will still be there at the end of your double century.
Women like creams that 'vanish', the way they vanish is the
water evaporates and the residual is smeared out so thin it is
not too greasy on the hands. Bikers needing such do NOT
want vanishing creams. Lanolin is nearly equally long lived if you
don't mind smelling like a sheep. Coca butter ditto except for
the smell.

I've tried this. It works ... for a little while. I have chafing problems when biking or hiking (or walking a lot). When I tried Udderly Smooth, I had to reapply every 60-90 minutes. Same for most hand lotions. And the same for cocoa butter products, which as usually sold, have water as their #1 ingredient.

The best "cheap" lotion I've tried is Vaseline's Advanced Healing lotion. You can buy a big 24 ounce bottle of it for around $4.50. Water is still #1, but petrolatum is #2, with gycerin and mineral oil very high. And no fragance. So it is kind of a smoother, gentler (& less effective) vaseline.

Even the expensive Chamois BUTT'r has water as #1. Very common.

The best are BodyGlide, plain old Vaseline, and Aquaphor (petrolatum with mineral oil & lanolin and small amounts of other stuff, but no water). Or anything else that is primarily vaseline. But all of these leave messy residuals on your hands, so they aren't as nice to use. All of the nice stuff that quickly absorbs into your hands so that they aren't a mess to use, will also quickly absorb whenever you apply it.

There can be only one .... and this is it:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/Image...67/ASCHC-1.jpg

It's the best - just try it, and you can thank me later. :)

The Assos creme is popular. Pricey though. Has an anti-bacterial ingredient.

However, once again, water is its #1 ingredient, followed by glycerin and propylene glycol - the same top 3 as in most hand creams. At #4 is decyloleate, a common moisturizer. It doesn't really have much in the way of lubricants in it. Once you work your way through the top 4, you've covered about 90-95% of the volume of whats in it.

I tried a sampler of it a couple of times. Pretty average stuff. But it has its fans. The standard recommendation is to apply it to your shorts, where it makes much less of a mess than vaseline. And the anti-bacterial agent could come in handy.

What amazes me about it is the price they ask for it, especially given that it is made from common ingredients. They must make a fortune on it. Just like Eucerin does with Aquaphor.

This is NOT a Brooks specific endorsement, but since using those saddles I have not chafed with decent shorts. Before, I did. I used vaseline-based Neosporin, not the creams. They don't hold up for me. Great stuff and it only takes a very small amount.

Bag Balm gets my vote. In the pet section at Wally Mart.

This brings up an interesting point. A year or so ago, "Machka" commented that there should be no need for lube on rides under 100 miles if a rider's shorts and saddle were set up properly. I think because she's woman, that might be easier goal for her to obtain than for a man. But, it's a good point, and I have strived towards that goal. As of this date, 60 miles is the most I can manage without "help," and as I stated earlier in the thread, I think that A & D ointment is the best for me...and I've tried everything mentioned here except for Assos cream, as it's too pricey even if it did work!