Unwritten rule of chamois cream
 

So I've been cycling for the past 2 years, using chamois cream sparingly as I never get uncomfortable during my rides. Although lately, several hours after completing a ride, it is quite sensitive and sometimes irritable down below. I believe it's because of the sweat glands and lack of air so to speak that flows in the nether regions. I wanted to try and start using chamois cream more often to see what that will do for me. I also just ride with the exofficio boxers underneath my bib shorts for just an extra amount of protection.

Here are a couple questions to my fellow cyclists who do use chamois cream every time they ride:

1) Do you apply it straight to the skin or to the actual chamois (there's no right or wrong of course)

2) Do you wear anything underneath your bib or is it straight skin to bib contact?

3) Do you put it on right before you ride or do you do it in advance to let it "soak"?

4) If you do not wear anything under your bib and it's straight skin to bib contact, does that mean you wash your bib every time you go riding? I'm assuming the chamois cream will just dry up and age the bib if you do not.


Thanks for your help bikeforum!

I can only answer two of your questions since I don't use chamois cream.

2) you are not suposed to wear anything under your bibs or shorts, this alone may be causing the irritation.

4) you should wash your bibs every time you use them.

1. straight to skin.
2. I wear straight bib.
3. I put it on sort of in advance usually 5-10mins before i go.
4. I try to wash them after most rides.

1) if a certain part of the bib is bothersome, apply cream to the bib. if a certain part of your anatomy is always being bothered, apply cream to anatomy

4) always take bibs into shower with you, wash with mild soap (i prefer dr bronners). hang dry, a good pair of bibs will dry overnight

Always apply the cream to your twig, berries, sitbones, taint, upper thighs near the bozak where it might rub, a$$ crack right before riding. Basically all contact points and areas that might chafe. Use baby wipes to clean area first. Then apply to skin. Then bib only. No underwear. Chamois to skin. Immediately after riding, hang insideout to dry. Use only 1 time between washes, machine, gentle cycle, cold/cold insideout. Wash once enough bibs/jerseys accumulate to make it worthwhile. Wash bib asap to avoid a$$ bacteria digesting the chamois. Only variation to this is if you have a real chamois, you should also condition it with the cream to keep it soft. Synthetic chamois don't need cream.

One other question, if you never have problems do you need to use cream?
And whats a bozak? (I'm from Australia)

dry up and age the bib? seriously? ew

Heck, I'm from the states, and had never heard of it. I did find a definition from urbandictionary.com, for what that's worth, although I'd rather refer to it as a scrotum.

I prefer Dz Nuts cream. It lasts all day and is easy to use.

Me too.

I don't use chamois cream.

Just finished yet another century, and my butt is all right. Definitely not in need of chamois cream.



Stop doing that ... you're not supposed to wear underwear under your cycling shorts.

You gotta think that even the pro riders have moisture problems during a long race, day in and day out. Everything we read about bike performance is about being aerodynamic, power to weight, power transfer. But not especially about the heat and how it affects the rider.

It's not about the ointment on the skin. Its about how to transfer moisture from the skin. I think the bike seat and the entire bib needs to be redesigned. Its about active and passive air flow and materials science. Maybe a year ago, I wrote to Assos, and I got a short response that they're working on it.

What would be the point?

I've never used the stuff and don't imagine I ever will.

I think we all need to go back to the days of wool shorts and leather chamois. Nothing like starting out on a ride with a stiff crusty chamois and saggy butt wool shorts. I ride cheap lycra shorts and they are a modern marvel.

I've never felt the need to use a cream since I started using synthetic chamois and I ride in summertime heat conditions of 90*F temps and very high humidity.

The only time I experienced a problem was when I tried some "gel" shorts. Several problems including a serious saddle sore.

Also if I were to start rubbing creme around down there there's a good chance I'll never make it out the door...

I use it for long rides, important to get cleaned up as soon as you finish your ride, body and gear. Our new team kit has a seam and rubs me wrong and I make sure I have applied the cream around that area.

First things first - you're doing it wrong. Make one change at a time, the first being getting rid of the friggin' undies.

I bought a tube and tried it a few times. I should have saved my money and spent it on something else. A good pair of shorts or bibs is all that I need.

+1 The longer you let the sweat and bacteria sit on the irritated area, the more chance of possible problems. If you have raw areas from chaffing or small pimples in an area that is irritated, your asking for problems by sitting in a wet chamois. I wash bibs after every use and nothing under them.

The more you ride, the more the skin in these areas will toughen up.

i don't always use chamois cream, but when i do, i prefer sudocrem.

just a pinch between your arse and jumblies.

and remember, one ride, one wash. anything else is vile.

I use it only on my inner thighs near the scrotum. Everywhere else I have no need.

I apply directly to the skin. Occasionally to the chamois, but rarely. Never get it on your penis, especially not the european B'uttr or the Assos stuff, the tingly menthol stuff does NOT do good things for that part of your body. Never wear anything under your bibs/shorts.

oh yeah, and wash them at least every other ride, if not every ride.




**what i was talking about was what George was saying on Friends, shrinkage....

1) Do you apply it straight to the skin or to the actual chamois (there's no right or wrong of course)

skin

2) Do you wear anything underneath your bib or is it straight skin to bib contact?

commando

3) Do you put it on right before you ride or do you do it in advance to let it "soak"?

when i'm getting dressed

4) If you do not wear anything under your bib and it's straight skin to bib contact, does that mean you wash your bib every time you go riding? I'm assuming the chamois cream will just dry up and age the bib if you do not.

sniff a used one before you ride and you should have your answer

i have 6 bibs. no excuses here.

assos cream is awesome. it feels like ice fairies are dancing on your taint before you ride.

First rule about butt'r... If you absolutely must smell it, do so from the tube not your fingers.
Second rule is to wear whatever you want to under your cycling shorts/bibs.
I usually wear a pair of lycra "Under Armor" - type shorts to help remove excess sweat and hold things in place.
I can typically get 2 rides out of my shorts/tights before washing them this way.
If it was a particularly sweaty ride, I will wash them regardless of ride count.
I've only used the cream once and found it to make things feel a bit to "swampy" down there for my liking.