Applying Chamois cream
 

Good morning everyone! I am relatively new to road cycling and I am enjoying it. I have been gradually increasing my distance on the weekends. I first started with 6-10 mile rides with no problems for about a year. Then I bumped it up to about 15-20 miles again with no problems. Once I hit the 25-30 mile mark I started to develop some chafing on my inner right leg area near my junk. So I purchased a Assos Chafing cream and will apply that for my coming up weekend ride. My question is how much should I apply? Should I apply it on the pad as well as my inner thigh or just the thigh/crotch area? Thanks for any help.

One of my friend watched a Tour de France documentary and he saw the pros putting their bibs turned inside out fully in shamoi cream countainers, they would put more shamoi cream for a ride than I was applying just at the affected region for 1 year.

Since it’s pretty expensive I apply it just at the affected region when I go for 80 miles ride but keep in mind the pros are flooding their bibs with cream for 150 miles ride

I have 2020 Trek Domane SL5 and absolutely love everything about it :) If you are after comfort you should go after endurance geometry like Domane or Roubaix. 2021Trek Emonda SL is sick and will turn heads for sure but it’s more aero and may be too aggressive for you.

I don't think it's possible to use too much.

The worst that'll happen is a stop at the blue office will be a messy affair.

I've only used it for a couple of double-century rides. The same jar has been in my medicine cabinet for about 4, going on 5 years now. I'm not convinced it's any better than the right chamois on the right seat with the right bike fit.

If you are having chafing issues then I'd re-examine your situation. It's not uncommon th have certain shorts with certain bikes & certain shorts & certain bikes for specific purposes.

I've never had a problem with chafing on the bike, but have to use some form of friction control during runs and tris. Here's a product that does the job, is cheap and is sold at stores like Walmart and Target. Just throwing it out there as an alternative.

https://www.goldbond.com/blog/product/friction-defense/

Here's some reviews:

https://trifatherhood.wordpress.com/...efense-review/
https://spy.com/articles/grooming/sk...g-balm-203275/
https://runnerclick.com/10-best-anti...eams-reviewed/

Thanks for the advice everyone!!

I used anti-chafe cream when I used to run more than 5 miles. I've used chamois cream for every ride (and I only ride 90 minutes at a time so far). The other day, I was listening to a podcast and heard guys say that they don't use it every time. I honestly thought everyone used it every time. The podcast host said that using cream every time makes you "too soft" and hindered "building up hardness in the affected skin area." He said he only uses it on longer rides.
This made me wonder if I should back off, so I'm going to start doing recovery rides without and see how it feels.
I've been riding 6 months and luckily haven't had any issues related to saddle sores or chafing.
(somehow I'm a "senior member" on this board now, which is slightly concerning).

Classy user name, OP :twitchy:

I assume you are using a shammy as well? I am also new and had MAJOR problems right away. Ive now been on about 8 rides and feeling so much better after simply getting used it it? I purchased a few shammies and also chamois cream which i apply directly on my body and in the shammy. Try this out and it should help.

Never used it.

While I have had a handful of irritations down in the nether regions, they never got to the point of being sores. Some were caused by clothing that didn't fit snug enough, or had seams that were too bulky or in wrong place, or where just wore out and time to replace.

Sometimes it's too much body hair. Body hair keeps moisture and heat next to your skin and doesn't let your cycling clothes wick moisture away from you as well as is possible for it. Hair also gives a place to let your otherwise skin tight cycling clothes that are supposed to move with you, not move with you. And that becomes a slight constant rub that will irritate the best of us. No need to shave it, just use some shears and trim it shorter.

If you've been riding regularly for a year, shouldn't need anything for a couple of hours ride.

If there's issues, check laundry detergent, lack of getting the shorts clean (I used to hand wash, now mostly don't),

and diet- spicy food can have an effect.

Using on every ride is way overkill IMO. Personally, I only use on rides over 8 hrs. 3 fingers-worth applied to the skin.


"I don't think it's possible to use too much." :rolleyes:

I have discovered from the experience of five decades that I do need skin lube for rides of almost any length if I'm doing more than about 100 mi/wk, or I get chafing and then worse. I apply it sparingly to the saddle contact points over the ischial rami.

Exactly what I was thinking. I know that all skins are different and some are a lot more sensitive than others, but this is odd. My longest rides are 4 hours / 100kms with a lot of elevation, and never did I experience discomfort in this area.

I even ride with my underwears sometimes (please don't laugh at me) and everything is just fine.

OP, on rides when I need it, I apply directly to the chamois before the start of the ride, concentrating on the areas where irritation might occur.

It frustrates me to continually see people claiming "it's unnecessary" or "you must have a bad fit" or anything along those lines. People are different. Different people's skin is different. For every guy that can ride a double century in cargo shorts, there's half a dozen that can barely withstand 3 hours in the saddle regardless of what's protecting their undercarriage. I don't need cream often, but I do need it sometimes. And I don't look down on anyone that applies it every ride. If you need it, you need it.

The idea of "using too much" is put forth by your wallet. I use the cheap stuff (Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream) and even applying it liberally, get well over a year out of each 8oz tub.

For me, the typical ride under 100 miles isn't an issue. I've spent many years dialing in my saddles & bibs, and toughening up the skin 'down there'.

When I'm going for century+ rides, I like to apply the cream to my fingers and rub the cream in the known problem areas (rubbing on the bibs is more challenging to be sure you're hitting the right spots).

On the other hand, I find nearly every ride on Zwift (trainer) needs cream ... something about not moving around as much really wears down the same skin the whole time.

Funny note: my support driver on the DAMn (aka wife) enjoys sharing the fun at check points ... all the riders digging around in their bibs to clean up and reapply :roflmao2:By check point 3 (~186 miles), there's no modesty left.

Hmmmm, no other way to say it than this.........get you some cream on your hand and rub the figs quite liberally until you feel like you were in prison and quite possibly violated while you slept!

I used to not use any at all, then I started using it only on longer rides, because it works - more comfortable, less friction. Recently I started using it on all rides, because it's more comfortable for them, too. It seems to help the bibs fit better and keep everything in place.

I always use it on all rides, not for chafing but for its antibacterial properties. It sucks to get boils or inflamed hair follicles on your ass, and I'd rather use a cream 100 times than get one badly placed pimple.

As mentioned already, I still remember seeing an interview w/ Lance Armstrong where he was preparing his shorts for a race and I think he put about 20 gallons of cream on his shorts while talking. :eek: I suppose that when you're not paying for it, apply liberally! I, too, use it primarily for anti-bacterial purposes.

To save on money as the official cycling brands of saddle cream are quite expensive, I've experimented with various creams used for baby diaper rash that are readily available at the local WalMart or Walgreens for considerably less money For example, A+D Diaper Rash Ointment. I figure if it's good enough for a baby's butt, it's good enough for mine! My experience has been that these creams work but are far more greasy than the official cycling creams. It does come-out just fine in the wash, so if you can deal with the baby creams being a little greasy, they're a little cheaper.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...59a57b1741.jpg

My wife and I call it "Butt Lube", though I would refrain from doing a Google search for that product. I put a tablespoon amount on two fingers and apply it to the sit spots only. Chamois Butt'r is my go to brand.

Non-water-soluble stuff like A&D, Aquaphor, or other petroleum jelly-based products don't wash off your chamois or your skin easily and make a mess. They are useful for keeping abraded or ulcerated skin moist when required to reduce pain and promote healing, but have no other use. The proper stuff is more expensive, but it washes off easily.

I used to use chamois cream only on "longer" rides, but over time I've started using it more and more. I've been using it on basically every ride now. I use Chamois Butt'r, simply because it's readily available. I put a little put on the pad itself and rub it in.

I just put a light application on the chamois where I normally get irritations. The last time I used it was on a three hour trainer ride where I was getting things conditioned for indoor training about six months ago. Probably should have put some on two weeks ago during my last four hour trainer ride as the bib didn't feel right when it started to dry out in the last hour (I'm a heavy sweater). I normally don't use it and prior to last use was my first double century the year prior. Surprisingly, the cream was still around after the double. I have >half a tube of Beljum Budder left after some 5 years (most of which went to revitalizing an old pair of bibs with real sheep chamois I had since the early 90s for sentimental reasons). I have also used the give away, single 9 ml package, Chamois Butt'r on the Death Ride (Tour of California Alps). It was more than enough but YMMV.

I dont know about "building up hardness in the affected skin area" - I am not sure callouses on my taint are something that I want :)

That said, i dont use chamois cream except on rides of 2.5-3 hours or longer. For my weekly 1-1.5 hour rides, i dont bother.

And to answer the OP - i generally apply a bit in the areas that are prone to rubbing - all over the taint and the crease/inner thighs.

Assuming it’s a group ride just have one of the more experienced riders apply it for you.
If not a group ride you can use your LBS.
These days just make sure whoever does it uses a mask :thumb: