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Chafing Solutions?

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Old 05-08-10 | 11:49 PM
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Chafing Solutions?

I don't seem to have any problems if i take days off but any time i ride for 2-3 consecutive days by the third day i'm chafed pretty bad. It always happens on the right side of the perineum.

I will start using some chamois cream to see if that helps. I'm a little apprehensive about messing with my saddle tilt but will consider that as well.

Would bibs help?

Thanks
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Old 05-09-10 | 12:00 AM
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Some chamois are just rougher than others. I'd try cream first to see if that helps. Also...apply lotion to the chaffed area after your post-ride shower also to help it recover.
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Old 05-09-10 | 12:18 AM
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Chafing is friction. Remove friction, remove chafing.

I only wish my comfort problems were as simple as chafing.

Just make sure what kind of cream you get when you buy it, unless you want your balls to feel like menthol cigarettes.
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Old 05-09-10 | 12:40 AM
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Echoing the advice to try cream first... I used to have this problem with one particular pair of bibs; Chamois Butt'r solved it.
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Old 05-09-10 | 07:04 AM
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Drop the saddle a few mm.
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Old 05-09-10 | 10:24 AM
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Use a good chamois, cream, adjust your position more often. Try not to slide around while on the saddle. GL
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Old 05-09-10 | 10:37 AM
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Chamois cream is disgusting. If you're not riding in the tour you shouldn't need it. Make sure your shorts/bibs are tight enough. You want the chammy to stay in place on your ass, and have the fabric of the shorts/bibs sliding on the saddle, not sliding against your skin on the inside.

I have experienced chafing in the *ahem* front area before, and it was due to the bibs/shorts not being cut well for my anatomy. Perfect for a smooth Ken-doll body, not great for my anatomically-correct groin.
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Old 05-09-10 | 10:50 AM
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+1 to poster who said chafing = friction.

I suspect your shorts are not an especially good fit.

Personally, I never have chafing problems and never use chamois cream. If you make sure your shorts/chamois fit like a second skin, you should not have this problem either.

My guess is that your shorts are a size too large.
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Old 05-09-10 | 10:55 AM
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Good saddle pad. Assos-designed Cytech-branded EIT pads are good (available cheaper than on Assos shorts, especially end of season closeouts, if you want to spend $$, Assos shorts, knickers and tights are niice). Creme is good on longer rides. Assos only gives free creme with their shorts, not kickers or tights. Don't know why.

I ride S5 and S2 pads they both feel good. The pads Gore Bike Wear picked up on are really good too. I've gotten EIT on DeMarchi, Craft and Santini. Comfy. The Pearl Izumi Pro 4D designed and made in Italy is probably good. Their Ulta/Microsensors are too abrasive for me. Ouch that burns after 30 mi.

Saddle is important. Probably no saddles are more comfy than Brooks, but they are heavy.

The worst thing is to be burning at the end of a ride, and the next day you still feel it, and you forgo riding due to butt sore abrasion, or creme up and spend a week healing. Healing an abrasion is bad news. Better to not abrade in the first place.
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Old 05-09-10 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Epicus07
I don't seem to have any problems if i take days off but any time i ride for 2-3 consecutive days by the third day i'm chafed pretty bad. It always happens on the right side of the perineum.

I will start using some chamois cream to see if that helps. I'm a little apprehensive about messing with my saddle tilt but will consider that as well.

Would bibs help?

Thanks

Unilateral chafing, eh? You’re twisted or tilted on the saddle. High saddles can bring this out so, as previously mentioned, lower the saddle a few mm. You might also want to have a friend look at your position for asymmetries.
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Old 05-09-10 | 01:36 PM
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I love my chomois cream. Just a little dab where you need it, when you need it.
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Old 05-09-10 | 01:48 PM
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Chamois cream should help. Check out your saddle position though. I had a problem with chafing to right side of my groin,
turns out my saddle was just a few mm off to the right causing my problem, but I still get chafing on that side
still, so I still use the cream. Hunt-man said it best, put it where you need it.
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Old 05-09-10 | 06:58 PM
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just a pinch between my balls and arse
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Old 05-09-10 | 07:07 PM
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this works fine even in spots elsewhere...if I even need any cream

https://coachlevi.com/product-reviews...e-test-review/

find it online for about 8 bucks I still have half left after over a year
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Old 06-05-10 | 05:08 PM
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Its been a month since i started using cream regularly on longer rides. All my chaffing went away. I'm glad i didn't have to ditch my B-17 imperial after finally putting about 1k miles on it.
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Old 06-05-10 | 09:00 PM
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1) bibs fit snugger than shorts
2) make sure they are pulled up tightly
3) A & D creamy goes on just fine
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Old 06-05-10 | 10:04 PM
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For me it is related to humidity. If it is very humid it can be bad. For recovery, baby diaper creme works wonders but smells.
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Old 06-07-10 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by dstrong
Also...apply lotion to the chaffed area after your post-ride shower also to help it recover.
I've found that applying an antiseptic ointment (Neosporin or generic equivalent) really works wonders.
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Old 06-07-10 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by dstrong
Also...apply lotion to the chaffed area after your post-ride shower also to help it recover.
I've found that applying an antiseptic ointment (Neosporin or generic equivalent) really works wonders.
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Old 06-07-10 | 04:28 PM
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On another note, has anyone ever had chamois cream damage their synthetic chamois?
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Old 06-07-10 | 04:51 PM
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Just thought I'd chime in. If you're experiencing chaffing and it turns into raw patches or even sores please save yourself a possible infection and DON'T apply lotion after a ride. As soon as you get off the bike wash and clean the affected area thoroughly. It's even better if you stay away from moisturizing and lotion-like body wash in the shower. Use disinfectant on the area. Do whatever you can to keep germs from hanging out too long.

I ride 34-35 miles a day to and from work. I get chaffing pretty regularly because of it. Sometimes taking a day off in the middle of the week helps. I don't like using chamois cream because I'm poor and it's expensive, and I don't have a shower at work. More than anything I've found just making sure to chuck my gear into the wash as soon as I get home and cleaning/disinfecting myself asap helps out a lot in prevention.
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