I throw mine in the washer right after a ride with a minimal amount of detergent and a little non-chlorine bleach. The non-chlorine bleach acts as a disinfectant to keep all those little beasties from colonizing in the chamois.

Sometimes I run them through a second time with water only. Then I hang them in front of a box-fan and they are dry well before time to ride tomorrow.

As for "ick" factor....... how are tracks in your underwear less "ick" than tracks in your bike shorts? That's more a matter of how well you wipe. Maybe some wet wipes will help after a number two.

I generally wear a pair of Calvin Klein micro fibre boxer briefs under my bike shorts. They are very thin, very tight, wicking & no seams & I find them marginally more comfortable than just the bike shorts. I will wear bike shorts twice before washing using a fresh pair of the micro fibre underwear each ride - this effectively half the amount of washing wear on the (expensive) bike shorts.

Champion tech fabric boxer/briefs. Ultrathin, skin tight except for the mesh pouch which is supportive but not constricting. For me it really helps with wicking sweat and minimizing friction, better than padded shorts alone. I like the long leg versions -- no riding up. Others like the Champion compression shorts. I wear 'em under baggy shorts without any padding, under jeans or casual pants, and under my tight padded shorts.

Decades ago I wore merino wool shorts with soft leather chamois. Yup, creams helped, mostly by keeping the chamois soft and pliable through repeated washings. Chamois didn't soak up much sweat and provided only a little padding. But chamois gets really uncomfortable when it dries out, as leather will when not properly tended.

But creams shouldn't be necessary with synthetic padded shorts. If those magical microfiber pads really were great by themselves why would we need to butter our butts? The problem with padded shorts is they soak up and hold too much sweat for some of us. Unpadded liner shorts like the Champions, Under Armour, etc., help with wicking and air drying while riding and might replace creams for some folks with synthetic padded shorts.

Yes.

If you have your bicycle set up correctly ... and a good saddle ... and good shorts ... and decent fitness ... and a reasonably strong core and upper body ... you shouldn't need those creams etc.

World champion triathletes and pro level cyclists use Body Glide and other anti-chafe products.

Chafing happens to everyone at some point. Core strength doesn't prevent it.


-Tim-

i actually always wear a swimsuit when I ride. I find that it gives great ventilation and i never have any problems with chafing.

Good bikefit, good bibshorts that holds the pad where its supposed to be and you'l be set.. if you feel uncomfortable ouside in a bib, wear something over it.. but as always, do whatever float your boat.. just dont complain about chafe or saddle soreness =D

These types are all over. A similar thing happened to me so I asked the guy in front of his buddies 'What to you wear when you are on a 100K ride?' Of course he said he didn't ride a bike so I assured him that he will grow up some day. All very polite of course.