lupy

I need some help guys! Now that I'm trying to increase my miles I'm struggling with chafing. I've been fit and I've also recently found a saddle that I find comfortable. Now my problem is chafing. I have 3 different brand bibs and they all rub me the wrong way.

**warning yucky details below**

I've developed a blister in the crease of my leg and umm. . . perineum. This one honestly isn't too bad on rides less than 2 hours. I also chafe where the pad folds over and rubs against the jewels. Today there was blood and my ride was only slightly longer than 1 hour. I've been trying to use chamois butter, but that obviously hasn't worked. Today I'm going to pick up some body glide which should hopefully help.

I'm hoping you guys can help me find a longer term solution so I can learn from your mistakes and stop making my own. I'm borderline small/medium sizes, and I've just always bought mediums because they typically always fit (us sizes short and thick body type). Should I try sizing down? My bib straps honestly don't seem to be doing much, and aren't even tight when I stand straight up. Is it just that I haven't found the "one" bib for me yet? Does this happen to most newbies and I just need to wait for my skin to toughen up? I'm really hoping that its not my saddle because that actually feels good. I don't think its my seat height either because my fitter told me that based off my flexibility (or whatever they go by) I could still move up a few MM's, but I'm at the max height for my seat post.

Thanks in advance and I'm sorry for the gory details. Let me know if you want any more info.

mcours2006

It might not be your bib. If there is pressure in your perineum you might be seated too far forward in your saddle, in which case your bike might be a tad too big for you.The pressure should be on your sit bones--on either side of the tender area and further back.

Personally, unless it's a 3+ hours ride for me, I can get away with even not having cycling shorts with chamois. And when I do wear shorts/tights with chamois I'm not too particular about.

lupy

I don't have issues with pressure that I notice anymore. I haven't tried riding longer than 5 minutes w/o a chamois, but those 5 minutes feel fine. I am still trying to tweak my position on the saddle and move it fore and aft, but now those are very minor movements. Should I try doing a session w/o a big to notice any extra pressure?

berner

Ideas: you may need bibs with a thinner chamois. Also think about saddle tilt or lack of tilt. You may need to sit a bit further forward and setting the saddle minutely down by the nose may help. If the straps on the bibs are not snug enough, try hand stitching them a bit shorter as a trial. I one had a pair of shorts that seemed to fit well and were comfortable but caused chaffing. Nothing I was able to try helped. Eventually I had to throw them out.

10 Wheels

TryThis

TimothyH

I wouldn't put petroleum based products anywhere near my expensive cycling clothing. That's just me though.

Body Glide is made for runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes. $10 and one or two sticks last all year. Get it at running stores, LBS, Dicks/Academy/Sports Authority, etc. Problem solved.



https://www.bodyglide.com/

@lupy, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Many cyclists go through this. You can try all the different clothing in the world but at the end of the day the product above is cheap and just works. Every triathlete in the world uses it. I have two sticks. One is used only for the perianal area to avoid cross-contamination. The other is for anywhere else that gives me trouble.

Hope it helps.


-Tim-

svtmike

Chamois Butt'r is what I use. Makes a world of difference for me especially on those long winter indoor trainer rides that I put myself through.

Carbonfiberboy 

It may not be the bibs. It's not the grease. It's probably the saddle. You may need a saddle that necks down more quickly. I've had that identical problem more than once. What you have may be "comfortable" but it may be unusable for you. The saddle also has to have a smooth, gradual roll-off into the skirt.

To see what I mean about necking down quickly, see these two posts:
https://www.bikeforums.net/fitting-yo...l#post18338346
https://www.bikeforums.net/fitting-yo...l#post18310083

If it is the bibs, you need a smaller size. They should be hard to put on, very tight on the thighs and should have to be tugged up into your crotch. May just be too much loose material between your legs.

lupy

Picked up some bodyglide and returned 2 medium bibs for smalls. I personally feel bad for returning things like that, but that's why I'll spend more (although typically it's just as cheap) to shop at performance bike. Their return policy is amazing!

rpenmanparker 

+1 Body Glide FTW. Been using it on that same area for years.

Silvercivic27

May be the saddle is too wide.

Heathpack 

I'm a woman but I will have similar problems with certain chamois when I'm riding my TT bike. I love riding my TT bike. I love my saddle. I love my fit, which was done by an excellent fitter.

BUT I must wear my Castelli shorts or skinsuit when riding this bike, or else. So much so that I won't ride the TT bike with any other chamois.

Trek shorts + endurance road bike + Stella Diva saddle = 200 miles, no problem
Castelli shorts + TT bike + Cobb Fifty Five saddle = happiness is a TT bike
Trek short + TT bike + Cobb Fifty Five = miserable

oldbobcat

I had a similar problem a couple years ago. The saddle that was fine for 100-140 miles a week wasn't cutting it for a 450-mile week.

I swapped for a saddle with a slightly wider butt (the wide part) and side skirts. Light and minimal saddles are fine for athletes with 5% body fat, but the rest of us need a bit more protection down there.

bakes1

Agreed.
If I know there is even a chance I may sweat on my upcoming ride I won't wear my expensive cycling clothing.
Same thing if it is going to be sunny out. The harmful effects of the suns rays are catastrophic to Assos bibs.
I read that on line 3, paragraph 8, section 2 of their care tag.
All the best garments have the most instructions on their care tags btw.

DXchulo

Definitely wear the smallest shorts you can. That makes a big difference for me. I find that even in winter when I'm wearing bibs + tights that I'm more prone to having problems. Any extra fabric down there is killer.

I'm a small guy and I found that even small isn't small enough for me in some brands (Pearl Izumi, Performance brand stuff, etc.). I've had good luck with Santini and Bellwether lately.

TimothyH

You are a very sick individual and need psychological counseling.

Shuffleman

Huh? How do you ride and not sweat? Is there a joke that I missed?
I live and ride in Florida so sweat and sun are not optional. I also have Assos in my rotation as well as PI and Performance. There has never been an issue with sun or sweat damage.
I must have missed something.
OP.. Try using Chamois Butter,glide or similar before buying any other shorts or saddles. The stuff is awesome.

bakes1

Following manufacturer's care instructions and taking care of expensive cycling clothing is no joke my friend.

bleui

would adding tights really contribute to chafing problem? they are not in direct contact with the skin right?