NoWhammies

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.

woodcraft

100 miles or less- no.
~125 miles- maybe.
200 miles- yes.

illdrag0n

I just use Lucas Paw Paw ointment. Cheap, anti fungal and lubricating

canklecat

I used it occasionally in the 1970s with leather chamois on my old wool shorts, to keep the chamois softened and reduce chafing on long rides.

But so far I haven't needed butt butter with synthetic padded shorts. No problems with abrasion. Saddle setup and bike fit help, minimizing excessive pressure or chafing from scooting around.

I do occasionally get psoriasis and other skin problems but those predate my cycling activity by many years. Probably dates back to school gym, although it may be connected to a longtime bout with Hashimoto's thyroid disease, a pesky but non-fatal auto-immune disorder that has all kinds of odd symptoms. I have prescription and OTC ointments for that. So far it hasn't affected the skin around my sit bones.

DrDyno

I've only been a serious road bike rider for seven or eight months. I had never heard of Chamois Butter and while trying to find a saddle I liked, I was constantly chaffed. I started using Chamois Butter and, after finding a saddle I could live with, I'm afraid to give it up. If you're experiencing chaffing, it works!

noodle soup

Get a better saddle/bibs (or both).

I carry a bit of chamois cream on double centuries, but only use it if an issue is near,

trailangel

I've been told they use that in prison.

WhyFi

Never had the need.

Machka 

No.

Over several months in 2002 or 2003, I tried all sorts of different "cream" options. I'd apply one, then go ride a century. The next weekend, I'd apply the other, then go ride a century. And so on.

After several weeks, I came to the conclusion that less is much, much more. In fact, none is the way to go.

A few years later, I discovered a second step. 1) Don't use any creams. 2) Wash off the sweat ... go into a public toilet, wash yourself, and dry well.


The only time I use anything is if I feel like there is something developing, I'll dab a tiny bit of Ozonol on the problem.

Or occasionally if I'm in for a really rainy ride I might use a bit of lanolin.




168317.9 km of cycling and only 1 saddle sore.

datlas 

Me neither.

I don't quite understand why it's a thing.

MoAlpha

I've used it on the rare occasions when I developed abrasion points. That said, experience suggests those issues were probably avoidable. I still have most of a 10 year-old tube of water soluble stuff, which comes off me and my chamois easily.

WhyFi

Yeah, I would regularly wonder if I was missing out on something wonderful. And then I decided that, if it wasn't addressing a problem, it probably wasn't worth thinking about it. Now I'm just glad that I've never had that need.

Shimagnolo

I tried chamois cream just once, when a free sample was included in an online bike parts order.
It felt like I was putting on a dirty diaper.

datlas 

My impression is that this product is used to mitigate a problem with bike fit and/or saddle fit and/or chamois fit, but that's just a guess. Again, I am glad I don't want/need it.

cycledogg

Don't use it, never have. 30+ years of road riding.
Cheers

JasonD67

Never used it, never needed it. The longest ride I've ever done in a day is 180 miles...perhaps if you rode a lot further or a lot more often it would be needed.

indyfabz

Sometimes.

Machka 

After doing my experiment that summer (mentioned in my post further up), I found that the creams etc. actually caused my shorts to bunch and stick to me and created more of a problem!

Keeping myself clean and dry is definitely the way to go.

BiggFred

Sojodave

Yes, I swim in the stuff, I would drink if I could. Last weekend, I did a 75 mile ride with over 3800 feet of climbing and Chamois Butt'r saved my life..or my bum.

wipekitty

I've never felt the need to use it.

The issues I've had have been caused by poor-fitting/low quality shorts (that gel padding does nothing for me) or commuting without cycling shorts, and were resolved by getting better shorts and wearing them.

Atlas Shrugged

Have a solid bike fit.
Use premium shorts that fit well.
45+ years of riding consistently.

Use proper chamois cream on every ride and swear by it.

cthenn

It's all about how my skin is feeling down there. Some days I use it, most days I don't. The only time I use it as a "preventative" is when it's really hot outside, and I'm going for a long ride. On really hot days, sweat will dry and the forming salt crystals can cause discomfort and chafing. If I use the cream, it generally keeps things from chafing.

Seattle Forrest

I've never used it.

TimothyH

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-