martslc

Sore and chaffing and besides changing saddles and adjusting different geometry I’ve use the “Butt’r” brand cream but I’m still getting sore now that I’m upping my miles with better weather.

(THOUGHTS)
1. Any suggestion on what brand is best?
2. Current chamois, performance’s “Ultra bib”, not leather but not sure if it’s synthetic. Do I apply directly to chamois and sore areas or…?

Also any other knowledge concerning techniques/products would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,
Marty

Carbonfiberboy 

Chafing is all about saddle shape. Find a saddle that doesn't have any "there" where you're getting raw spots. If, by some odd chance, you're getting chafed in some unavoidable spot like on your sit bones, it's probably the brand of pad. Change shorts or bibs. Voler pads are nice. My current long distance faves are Pearl Izumi Elite.

I use Bag Balm, have for a very long time. Tried them all. I put it on my butt, but many people put it on their shorts. Both work.

popeye

Your shorts are slipping on your skin not the saddle. Bag balm can make it worse.
You need tighter shorts or wax the saddle.

martslc

Wow first time I've thought about that possibility, thanks!!!

TimothyH

I think Body Glide when I hear the word chaffing. Puts a protective layer between your skin and clothing to prevent chaffing. Not petroleum based and so won't ruin expensive clothes. I've used it for years. You will find a stick in every triathlete's bag.

Erzulis Boat 

As said above, sometimes it's just tighter shorts that are needed.

CliffordK

I just use blue jeans.

No chafing.
No soreness.
No goo.

Just ride.

FLvector

Well then, these should work. Just make sure they're tight.

Machka 

Is it skin soreness or sitbone soreness or some other soreness? The creams might help the first one but won't do a thing for the others.

1) Are you sure your bicycle is set up correctly for you. One of the main reasons for butt difficulties is a poor setup.

2) You may indeed want to change the saddle to something that works better for you.

3) How old are your shorts? If they are more than about 3 years old they could have become too loose for you. Or if you've lost weight recently, they might be too loose. They've got to be snug ... but just make sure the bands around your thighs, just above your knees, aren't too tight.

martslc

I've used body glide for running for years but was afraid to try it on my chamois. Been using Butt-R brand. Does body glide harm your chamois??

martslc

1- Yes sure.

2- Working on.

3 - New shorts. Performance $120 elite line. When I first stopped running last year I narrowed it all down and all I'm dealing with skin soreness. I've always delt with it down there. Ppl sweat in different places. My neighbor sweats on his head and face profusely, others armpits and me my crotch. haa haa.

79pmooney

Another Bag Balm fan. It may be petroleum but it works. (It's also very cheap.)

In general, I would say that if you need to use it often probably there is something you can do to improve the situation, but almost always, if you have to ride and you have issues, it will help. (It is the stuff that makes riding with a saddle sore doable, if not entirely fun.)

I was turned on to the stuff by a tandem stoker, hearing from her and many other stokers since that stoking is very hard on butts, far more so than riding a single bike or being a captain. My eternal thanks to that nameless stoker 20 years ago.

Ben

Machka 

Well, one suggestion then would be antiperspirant.

No, I'm not kidding.

I have a roll-on just for that purpose and apply it to my inner thighs on hot days. Works like a charm.

Evidently antiperspirant also helps to keep feet warm in winter (applied to your feet) because it prevents them from sweating and getting chilled. I haven't tried that, but I have a spray-on I use on my feet on hot days so I can wear sandals without getting blisters.


Another suggestion is to wash yourself mid-ride. Nip into a public toilet and use the paper towel to wash and dry yourself. Be sure to dry yourself well. If public toilets and paper towels are not available, wet wipes also work to some extent.


If you do indeed sweat a lot in that area, really, the last thing you want to do is to add a bunch of creams and goop to the mix.

Machka 

She's right. It is. It is even worse than riding your bicycle on the trainer.

You've got to get the bicycle setup and saddle just right or it is absolutely agonising.

jfowler85

Ride naked, covered in olive oil.

martslc

I have tried it a few times but found it to aggravate the skin. Does any brand/type work for you or is their one that works better for you?

martslc

Take my word for it, you and everyone else would not appreciate the spectacle.

Machka 

I like a relatively unscented "sports" type.

Shuffleman

For the most part this would be a great motivator. I would fight like a mad man to be the leader, as the burn of many of the images would really give me nightmares.
I agree with what others have said about possibly buying tighter shorts or bibs. I use Chamois Butt'r and it has always worked fine. I am sure that there are many other brands but I tend to stick with what I know as long as it works.

TimothyH

It is not petroleum based and has no lanolin or mineral oil. I've used it for years with Assos bibs and such without issues.

They make a cycle specific product which can be applied directly to the chamois.



https://www.bodyglide.com/wp-content.../04/cycle2.png