Chamois butter - yea or nay?
04-08-19, 11:46 AM
#26
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See, this is the boat I've been in since I started cycling. But now that saddle sores are starting to show their ugly heads (no pun intended) I'm starting to think that maybe I need to use the stuff.
That said, my bib shorts are OLD and perhaps getting a newer few pairs will help solve the problem.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to read the differing opinions. Which is why I posted the thread in the first place
That said, my bib shorts are OLD and perhaps getting a newer few pairs will help solve the problem.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to read the differing opinions. Which is why I posted the thread in the first place
04-08-19, 12:04 PM
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Over in another thread we were talking about saddle sores and the use of chamois butter or the like products as a preventative measure.
I'm curious to know how many riders use some kind of cream on themselves/chamois I have never used it, but based on the above thread, I think I am going to start.
I'm not so much interested in product names per se, but the frequency of use. Although if you a brand you like, or more importantly one you don't like, feel free to mention it too.
Cheers.
I'm curious to know how many riders use some kind of cream on themselves/chamois I have never used it, but based on the above thread, I think I am going to start.
I'm not so much interested in product names per se, but the frequency of use. Although if you a brand you like, or more importantly one you don't like, feel free to mention it too.
Cheers.
Like the others have said - there are lots of ways to do things. Many here are saying they never had a need for it and that’s great. But I have great bike fit and I am not a beginnner or trying to compensate for lousy cycling apparel... I use what works for me and that is to use the Queen Helene Shea butter product before every ride. A 1 pound tub of the stuff sells for less than $9 BTW and I go through a tub about every 6 months.
04-08-19, 01:26 PM
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I never used when I was younger but now I use it every time, I think my undercarriage is getting more sensitive with age. I'm also pretty hairy everyplace but my head 
I've been thinking about shaving my undercarriage the season to see how that goes
I've been thinking about shaving my undercarriage the season to see how that goes
04-08-19, 01:54 PM
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Everyone's tolerance is different.
The fact that you don't need it doesn't mean you are a superman or wonder woman, that you are doing it right and everyone else is doing it wrong or that you know some secret which the world hasn't figured out yet and have been appointed to make sure everyone is aware.
-Tim-
The fact that you don't need it doesn't mean you are a superman or wonder woman, that you are doing it right and everyone else is doing it wrong or that you know some secret which the world hasn't figured out yet and have been appointed to make sure everyone is aware.
-Tim-
04-09-19, 04:10 AM
#32
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Have a feeling cream is a downward spiral. Makes the skin moist and soft and created issues that is then treated with more cream. Imo keep dry and clean. Maybe use some cream/ointment Off the bike if you have specific issues.
04-09-19, 06:40 AM
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Those who need something might want to try Body Glide.
It is a very popular product among runners, tri-athletes, surfers and divers.
It isn't a creme or ointment. It protects the skin against friction, that's all and can be found at running stores, REI, etc.
It is a very popular product among runners, tri-athletes, surfers and divers.
It isn't a creme or ointment. It protects the skin against friction, that's all and can be found at running stores, REI, etc.
04-09-19, 08:57 AM
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^^ I think the Glide in the yellow container is a little more slippery than the stuff in the blue container but either will do. They both work well.
They also make a super-mini container for bikepacking or multi-day tours.
-Tim-
They also make a super-mini container for bikepacking or multi-day tours.
-Tim-
04-09-19, 10:02 AM
#37
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Back In the Day , when bike shorts used real leather for the liner .., after washing, that needed softening..
synthetic "shammy" made that unnecessary..
synthetic "shammy" made that unnecessary..
04-09-19, 06:08 PM
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I have some of this at home for running. Perhaps I'll give it a try on my next ride, using it on areas prone to 'saddle sores'
04-09-19, 07:10 PM
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04-09-19, 08:27 PM
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Assos Chamois Creme, every ride...
My bike has been professionally fitted by 2 different shop owners.
I only ride good quality bibs: Assos, Campagnolo and Sugoi.
Staying dry is not an option for me. I tend to sweat a lot. Just no way that is going to happen. The Assos product lasts a long time and it always seems to work...
My bike has been professionally fitted by 2 different shop owners.
I only ride good quality bibs: Assos, Campagnolo and Sugoi.
Staying dry is not an option for me. I tend to sweat a lot. Just no way that is going to happen. The Assos product lasts a long time and it always seems to work...
04-10-19, 09:25 AM
#42
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Only rides I don’t are 30 minute recovery rides that I’m in a hurry to complete, otherwise both the shorts and me get a dose of the cream. Tried not using it for around a month and I got chaffed 7 ways to Sunday so I determined it was worth the $20 bucks every few months.
04-10-19, 09:36 AM
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Maybe the cream killed off your body's naturally-occurring butt bacteria, and left your poor cheeks defenseless. I find that if you ride enough in unpadded shorts, you can develop callouses, and in a sense, "grow" your own chamois, on the cheap.
04-10-19, 09:47 AM
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I use Bag Balm on anything longer than a couple hours. I've tried them all and it's the most effective as a lube and as an antibacterial. Not to say that everyone needs the most effective stuff.
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04-10-19, 10:04 AM
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If you ride hills on a fix gear, you take chafe to a new level - even if your seat is perfect. Pedaling 200+ RPM, you don't have the luxury of a perfectly smooth pedaling style. (If you do then you aren't going your fastest.)
As I grow older, my pubic hairs are getting longer. They get trapped between me and the seat and pulled, if not out, too much and sores start. Between this and my love of fix gear riding, I find that using a cream allows me to keep riding in comfort. But I don't use cycling creams, I save my money and just use the very effective and very cheap stuff as needed; Bag Balm. $8 for a can that will last me several years. Works well both to prevent issues and allow comfortable riding and no worsening after they start. (A beard trimmer at its lowest setting has worked wonders. I have the comfort I had 40 years ago. Need that Balm far less.) I use my judgement as to whether to use the Balm. No issues and less than 50 miles, usually no. 100 miles, usually yes. To be an epic ride, yes.
I got turned on to Bag Balm by one of the other types of rider who experience higher saddle issues - a tandem stoker.
Ben
As I grow older, my pubic hairs are getting longer. They get trapped between me and the seat and pulled, if not out, too much and sores start. Between this and my love of fix gear riding, I find that using a cream allows me to keep riding in comfort. But I don't use cycling creams, I save my money and just use the very effective and very cheap stuff as needed; Bag Balm. $8 for a can that will last me several years. Works well both to prevent issues and allow comfortable riding and no worsening after they start. (A beard trimmer at its lowest setting has worked wonders. I have the comfort I had 40 years ago. Need that Balm far less.) I use my judgement as to whether to use the Balm. No issues and less than 50 miles, usually no. 100 miles, usually yes. To be an epic ride, yes.
I got turned on to Bag Balm by one of the other types of rider who experience higher saddle issues - a tandem stoker.
Ben
04-10-19, 07:25 PM
#46
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I know a guy who smears shaving cream all over his chamois before a ride.
-Tim-
-Tim-
04-10-19, 11:31 PM
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I follow a guy who does epic rides- he rode from San Jose, CA to Phoenix in 3 days a month ago- almost 800 miles.
He's big on chamois cream.
He's big on chamois cream.
04-11-19, 02:51 AM
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1) Make sure your bicycle fits and is set up properly for you.
2) Check the saddle width. It needs to be wide enough for your sitbones but not too wide. If you're riding a trainer or as stoker on a tandem (the two most difficult saddle situations), you might want to consider a slightly wider saddle.
3) Check the curve of the saddle. Some people like them flat, some people like them curved up in the back a bit. You'll figure it out pretty quickly. I like mine curved up in the back.
4) Shorts ... get some with light padding that covers your sitbones. Yes, some people can ride without padding, and you may get to that point too, but start with padding.
5) Core ... start working on it. The stronger your core is, the more comfortable you'll be in the saddle for extended periods of time.
6) Fitness ... keep riding and also work on other aspects of your fitness. Leg strength, upper body, core. The stronger and fitter you are, the more comfortable you'll be in the saddle for extended periods of time.
7) Posture on the bicycle. Don't just sit on the saddle like you're a sack of potatoes. Try to distribute your weight between your hands (small percentage), feet and sitbones. Try to sort of lightly perch on the saddle. This is where fitness and core strength really come in. And by putting some of your weight on your feet when you ride, you'll be able to lift yourself out of the saddle ever-so-slightly on descents or when crossing railway tracks etc. to give your sitbones a bit of a break.
8) Keep clean and dry ... both you and your shorts. As much as possible, keep your shorts dry. If you pour water over your head on a hot day, try to keep it off your shorts. And if it is a rainy ride, it can help to have a spare pair of shorts to change into. As for you, every 100 km or so, get in somewhere and clean yourself well down there. Wash off the sweat and sweat salt, and dry yourself well. If it rains, it does help to use a minimal amount of some sort of cream to protect the skin ... that was the only condition where I found the creams helped.
9) And then, occasionally, I will use a little dab of Ozonol (Polysporin is similar), with antibacterial properties and a pain killer, on certain spots.
10) After the ride, shower with a zinc oxide shampoo and if you've got some problems developing, apply zinc oxide cream just before bed, wear loose boxers, and you'll be fine in the morning.
Also note that bicycle fit isn't something you arrive at and remain with for the rest of your life. It will change as circumstances change.
2) Check the saddle width. It needs to be wide enough for your sitbones but not too wide. If you're riding a trainer or as stoker on a tandem (the two most difficult saddle situations), you might want to consider a slightly wider saddle.
3) Check the curve of the saddle. Some people like them flat, some people like them curved up in the back a bit. You'll figure it out pretty quickly. I like mine curved up in the back.
4) Shorts ... get some with light padding that covers your sitbones. Yes, some people can ride without padding, and you may get to that point too, but start with padding.
5) Core ... start working on it. The stronger your core is, the more comfortable you'll be in the saddle for extended periods of time.
6) Fitness ... keep riding and also work on other aspects of your fitness. Leg strength, upper body, core. The stronger and fitter you are, the more comfortable you'll be in the saddle for extended periods of time.
7) Posture on the bicycle. Don't just sit on the saddle like you're a sack of potatoes. Try to distribute your weight between your hands (small percentage), feet and sitbones. Try to sort of lightly perch on the saddle. This is where fitness and core strength really come in. And by putting some of your weight on your feet when you ride, you'll be able to lift yourself out of the saddle ever-so-slightly on descents or when crossing railway tracks etc. to give your sitbones a bit of a break.
8) Keep clean and dry ... both you and your shorts. As much as possible, keep your shorts dry. If you pour water over your head on a hot day, try to keep it off your shorts. And if it is a rainy ride, it can help to have a spare pair of shorts to change into. As for you, every 100 km or so, get in somewhere and clean yourself well down there. Wash off the sweat and sweat salt, and dry yourself well. If it rains, it does help to use a minimal amount of some sort of cream to protect the skin ... that was the only condition where I found the creams helped.
9) And then, occasionally, I will use a little dab of Ozonol (Polysporin is similar), with antibacterial properties and a pain killer, on certain spots.
10) After the ride, shower with a zinc oxide shampoo and if you've got some problems developing, apply zinc oxide cream just before bed, wear loose boxers, and you'll be fine in the morning.
Also note that bicycle fit isn't something you arrive at and remain with for the rest of your life. It will change as circumstances change.
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