I have discovered that I am getting chafing in the area where my legs meet the groin, under the main event. This has happened since I have been wearing new bibs and bib tights--both of which came from the same company. Yes, I admit. They were cheap. The chamois is a little bulky. I have ridden for many years and never have had this issue. At first I thought it was jock itch, but then I realized it only happened when I wore these particular items. I slathered on some Body Glide, but that didn't completely eliminate the problem. Are these items just destined for the trash? Any other suggestions? I like them for the most part.

I have a pair like that, and I no longer wear them. On the other hand, I have a pair that are supremely comfortable, but I still get chafing when I sweat a lot. Chamois Butt'r has been great.

So you don't get chafing with your other kits but you do with the cheap kit?

I think you answered your own question.

Toss um..I had trouble with TOO Thick chamois shorts.

I think you will find that most riders prefer traditional bike shorts over bibs because of the fact that bibs (cheap or expensive) move around a bit more and tend to cause discomfort in the shoulder strap area.
Imo it's a win-win as bike shorts are also much less expensive than bibs and do not involve half of the maintenance. Take a look at Assos website for care instructions of their bibs if you have about 30 minutes time to waste. Special detergent, special laundry bag, special stretches you are supposed to do every time you put them on, etc...

I agree with 10 Wheels - toss 'em. Just as some saddles never work for certain people, some shorts or bibs don't work either.

'loaded diaper' padded 'shammy' I've never liked.

How long are the rides? Body Glide doesn't hold up on a long day. I personally use Sportique Century Riding Cream. It last all day on very long rides.

If the rides are long (over 20-30 miles) try a real chamois cream instead of body glide.

If that doesn't work, you'll have to get another brand/model of shorts/bibs.

Um. Just No.

Please nobody take this at face value without doing more research.

This is not my experience.

Body Glide holds up for me on century rides. Cleanliness prior to application and generosity are key for me.

May triathletes use body glide for Iron Man distance triathlon.




-Tim-

I think you're confused between bibs and a lingerie bra

"most"? Can't find an elite racer in shorts, can you? I wear bibs because they feel better - and I am not an elite racer.

I guess I made the mistake of assuming the OP is not a 140lb elite racer who happened to bypass the racing forum to post about chafing in the road forum.
Go figure.
I guess he could have saved time and just asked one of his teammates or his sponsor the same question about chafing...

Bakes1, perhaps in your experience most of the riders you come in contact with are wearing shorts but the majority of the 41 wear bibs. Bibs that don't move around or have problems with the straps.

I'm 50, started road cycling at 40, switched to bibs 8 years ago and will never go back to shorts. And at 5'8", 160lbs. I'm no racer, either.



OP, check the chamois on your bibs to see if there's any excess fabric outside the seams that you could trim off. Try Chamois Buttr or some other suitable cream. If those don't work, buy some decent bibs.

I just got some Castelli Endurance X2 bibs from CC that were on sale for $112. Medium size fits me well.

It is humorous how folks giving advice on questions like this focus on the bibs/not-bibs question instead of the nature of the chamois. For example the above advice to just go buy some quality BIBS as if the straps will solve OP's problem. You guys know how I feel about it. Makes no difference which one you choose. It is the inner construction that matters. Focus on the contact point where the problem is, not the shoulders.

Generally, quality bibs have quality chamois.

cheap bibs have cheap chamois.

quality shorts have quality chamois but the disadvantages of shorts.

I don't see where anyone other than bakes1 said anything about straps.

Guys, guys, guys! SOME Guys like shorts. SOME guys like Not Shorts. Does it really matter which camp has the majority here on BF, which tends to attract a skewed portion of the general cycling population anyway? We can't fight about this in EVERY thread. Without a scientific poll of the whole population it's just biased speculation anyway.

Started wearing bibs at 210. This non-racer never looked back.

Also, I'd think the more portly of us would appreciate bibs more since there's nothing cinching the beer reservoir.

By the way, much props and all due respect to the OP who was one of the pioneers of Bike Forums!

You really get what you pay for. When I made the move to bibs I went from 90 dollar shorts , which chaffed , to 200 dollar Giordana, which are shear heaven.

I think if you ran a survey on this site, you would find the exact opposite.

Chamois cream was developed for real chamois, leather which crinkled, dried and became hard. It softened it and was essential. With modern products, that fit well, chamois cream is completely unnecessary. If you need it then you don't. What you really need is a better short or bib.

I really like Body Glide, especially on longer rides, or rides on hot and/or humid days.

Try some coconut oil.

I was wearing bike shorts like that in the 1970 and know all about lambskin chamois and chamois cream. Leather chamois and chamois cream however, have nothing to do with Body Glide lasting or not lasting on long rides.

I use Body Glide regularly since I found out about it from the Triathlon/Duathlon community a long time ago. For me it does last. YMMV. Again, many triathletes use it for Iron Man distance triathlon. That's all I'm saying.

At $8/stick it couldn't hurt the OP to try it. Other than that, it isn't a hill I'm going to die on. I don't gain or lose either way.


-Tim-