Anyone have a Chamois creme favorite?

[yogabear]

Hello Everyone,

Just curious if anyone has any favorite chamois cremes or advice on that subject? I have avoided chamois creme for years, but now that I am riding longer (thanks to a better-fitting road bike), I feel like the chamois creme would help reduce the problems I have with the front soft-tissue. (I never have any problems with the butt and I never get saddle sores, luckily, knock on wood).

I guess I avoided it in the past because I didn't want to rely on it, but I am wondering if there's any benefits to using it? I have figured out which saddle is the best for me and am working on figuring out which shorts would work best for me as well.

Thanks in advance for your help! :)

[Sparrow]

I've been going back and forth between Paceline Chamois Butt'r and Bag Balm. Was having a bit of trouble with chafing on longer rides and it's helped rather a lot in that area. I like Chamois Butt'r better than Bag Balm, mostly because it's easier to wash off, but Bag Balm is much less expensive and you can get it just about anywhere. I'd like to not need to use anything at all but with my currently rapidly changing body shape and issues with finding shorts that fit well I'm not taking any chances.

[Trek420]

Assos, Swiss made, I don't think the pun is intended ;-)

Can be hard to find, if your LBS doesn't have it look for it online.

[annie]

I agree, Assos Chamois creme. It's not cheap but it is worth it.
I alternate that with Bag Balm, much cheaper. ;)

annie

[Dogmama]

I like desitin (you know, the diaper rash stuff) after rides. It has an antibiotic and numbs the area a bit.

Also, when you "toughen up" you won't have this problem.

[yogabear]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback on this subject. I think we have some Assos chamois creme somewhere in our house, so I will have to try it. It seems to be the one everyone mentions so it must be the good one. There's so many brands out there now, so I was curious which one people had the most success with.

Thanks for helpin'.

Sincerely,

Lisa

[betagirl]

I use chamois Butt'r as well. Good stuff.

[massbikebabe]

assos chamois cream...my son and hubby like the chamois butter
and in a pinch I always have bag balm or Burts Bees healing ointment...the green stuff...


karen

[adkoch]

I have tried just about everything and need to find relief, FAST!!! I am gearing up to do long rides for every single weekend and I cannot find a lube that stays on! It seems like it all soaks into my chamois and the result is nothing but friction! I haven't tried ASSOS, but I have tried the Chamois Butt'r, so wouldn't they be very similar??? I've also tried vaseline, Udder Butter and now, Bag Balm and none of these products stay with me. Any advice? Does anyone port these around for a new application? When/how is the best way to handle it?

~Angie

[Trek420]

Try the assos, that's what I like about it, you never need to re-apply or take more with you, just smear it on the shorts before the ride and go.

[pedalfaster]

I have some different ideas about comfort on the bike, so I just thought I'd throw them out there for consideration.

First of all, perhaps I'm overly paranoid, but I really hate the idea of smearing petroleum-based products on my erm...girly bits. In the past if I have had "frontal" irritation I would use a bit of good-ol' KY jelly on the sensitive parts. It's water-based so it's probably not the solution for those complaining that their chamois-lube wears off. It just helps make that first hour or so in the saddle more comfortable.

The second thing to consider is that Chamois Butt'r and Assos cream are made to be applied to uhm the exterior surfaces. They are great if you are experiencing chafing in the sit-bones region or inner thighs. Be especially warned that Assos cream contains menthol (or it did last time I tried it) and should NOT be applied to previously-mentioned "girly-bits" (uhm unless you are really into that kinda thing ;) ).

The third thing to consider (actually "things") is "what exactly is causing the irritation?" I dunno about you ladies, but if I am geting rubbed the wrong way, I want to know "why" or "what".

If you have been putting in serious miles for 3+ months are are still getting soreness and/or chafing it's time to consider 1. a different saddle, 2. different bike shorts, 3. riding style and/or, 4. bike fit.

Personal story: I rode ~160 miles ( ~7 hours on the bike) with no "lube" and no major irritation this past weekend. Not bragging; just trying to give some of you some hope! I'd rather not mention brand-names; what works for me may or may not work for others. Just hoping to make the point that experimenting with gear and positioning is sooooo worth the effort.

[adkoch]

Riding style - My bike is a tri bike, so my positioning is a bit different than a road, as I am rarely riding the 'horns' (no drops) and am almost always in aero position. Thus, more pressure in front - virtually no sit bones action.

Saddle - I have tried two, now, plus a Neoprene race cover. A little better with the cover, but not much.

Shorts - Have tried 4 different brands, including PI. That one is giving me the worst fit overall and is not the best for chamois comfort. Much bunching in the thigh crevice area.

Bike fit - Professionally done - no aches and pains, which I *did* have prior to the fitting.

Pedalfaster - can you outline these four points for yourself on the ride you just did? I would love to hear actual particulars, because at this point, I am nearing hopelessness. Perhaps I need to try your saddle or shorts. I think the other two variables may be fixed, for me...

[pedalfaster]

adkoch-

I'll ask some of the tri-girls I train with about your particular issues (most of them are currently training for the 1/2 Ironman distance).

It sounds like you have your fit dialed in for your particular discipline.

Could you posibly do part of your training on a "regular" road bike? I ask because many of my roadie friends do 99% of their training on their road bikes, then switch to their TT bikes ( ~same as tri) about a week before the event.

As far as riding style; what I do on looong rides is a) stand as much as possible (out of EVERY corner, on every small rise or climb) and b) be aware of weight distribution constantly. For me this means really perching on those sit-bones and keeping one pedal "weighted" whenever possible.

Ok and the particulars (although I think these choices are personal and won't work for everyone...) I use the Ultra chamois by Voler (found only in the "mens" shorts and in some Louis Garneau---they are a knock-off of the old Castelli Progetto) and a Giro Vitesse saddle.

I'll let you know what the tri-gals think too.... it never hurts to have a second or third opinion ;)

[annie]

Angie,

It sounds like your problem is friction while riding? So you are experiencing lots of chafing? Or is it more soft tissue soreness/bruising? If soreness, no chamois cream is going to help much....... you need to find either a saddle or better position on the one you have. If it's chafing, then a chamois creme could definitely help. As I said before, I like the Assos and, yes, it does still contain menthol - you don't want to put it on any open sores or you'll never forget that you did! Assos actually recommends that you rub it into the chamois, not on you, before riding. It lasts a long time but not all day. If I need it, I take a small container with me and when I stop to replenish liquids, use a restroom, whatever, I just do a quick re-application.

If you are in an aero position on a tri-bike, I would recommend tilting your saddle down just a bit in the front. That can take some of the pressure off. How wide is your saddle? Maybe you need one that is quite narrow so your legs are not rubbing as you pedal. Good luck!! It can be a long process to find what works best for you.

[yogabear]

I guess I opened a can of worms with my question about what brands of chamois creme everyone likes or has experience with. I was actually thinking of using it to assist me getting used to my new road bike, my new saddle, and my new bike fit. Let's see, I finally figured out after 7 years that I needed a smaller frame with a shorter top tube, so my bike ended up having 650 cc to accomplish both of those (it's not a tri bike though).

I am happy to report that I am much more comfortable. Also, I discovered a man's saddle works better for me (I have a smaller pelvis). So, before, I would get sore after 10 minutes of riding (in the front soft-tissue)...of course, I would still ride much longer than that. Now, I can ride about 1hr. 15 min. without pain in the front. I did have my bike professionally fitted by one of the best bike-fitters in the industry. I am slowly increasing my mileage to avoid any injuries...that's what works for me.

I think before I can ride longer however, I have to allow my body to get used to the new bike and new fit, new saddle, etc. So, I was thinking of finding some better shorts that would work for me and of course, thinking the chamois creme would help as well in this transition process. Like I said, I really don't like having to rely on it, but I was thinking it could help as I "toughen up" or get adapted to the bike. Everything is an adaptation in a way in cycling, but I don't think you should have to live with the pain either. That's why I took drastic measures (buying a new bike, talking to many people, etc.).

Just putting in my 2 cents.

Happy Ridin',

Lisa

[sandra b]

I don't get chafing, but do end up with what I can only think of as a heat rash or something similar, on the parts, makes for most uncomfortable. I got some A& D ointment to smear on my chamois. I noticed that with one pair of shorts, it stays on the surface and next to my skin very well over long distances (70+) but with another pair of shorts the chamois just suckes it right up and you can't tell I ever applied it. I s'pose that is a good thing, as it should also wick any moisture away, but that didn't seem to be the case.

The first 50 miles or so are pretty ok, then the parts start to get tired, then sore, then really bad.... I have tried several seats, handlebar positions, shorts, etc. I haven't found the right answer yet.

[Pedal Wench]

Not sure if I'm just lucky, but I've never needed this stuff, and I was trying to figure out why.

This weekend I rode 80 miles, 40 per day, and I spent a lot of time thinking about my form. If I relaxed my stomach muscles, I ended up putting pressure on the front of the seat, and therefore the areas that folks are having problems with. But, if I held my abdominals in and tight, pelvic tucked in, then more pressure was on my sitbones, and significantly less forward.

Now, I'm still very new to riding, and I only get to go on my long rides every few weekends, and only rarely for more than two days in a row, so your results may vary!

[Pedal Wench]

Hi again.

My bad. I just got fitted for a new bike (yup, that's number 5 for me...) and while my lbs-guy was checking things out, he commented that my form is wrong. While I tend to tuck under so I'm slightly hunched, but with little-to-no pressure on the girly bits, he said that I really need to straighten out more - so there's lots of pressure down there. Keep my back straight and flat, or slightly arched, but still at an angle. Basically, I was hunched, he wanted arched. LOTS of pressure now. I'm going out for my inaugural ride on my new bike tomorrow, and I'll try out my new form too. Report at noon.

[pedalfaster]

Audio-A

It's really hard to do a bike-fit on-line :D

I'd seek a 2nd opion if you are at all uncomfortable.

The desired position for the female bike-racer (IMHO) is flat back, bent elbows, pelvis tucked with weight on sit-bones (instead of "girly-bits") and 70% of the weight/70% of the time( and therefore extra power) on the PEDALS.

Just a few things to think about.

Let us know how it goes.

[Pedal Wench]

Pedalfaster,

Thank goodness you said that. I just got back from my first ride on my new bike (love it!) and I'm sore in places I can't even describe! The new position is awful and uncomfortable, and I don't like it. The position you describe is really how I was riding before - back straight but pelvis tucked. I also rode longer than usual (40 miles on a new bike and a new saddle might have something to do with the pain) but I think putting pressure where it shouldn't be caused it. I'm going back to my tried and true position. I'm so happy you said that!

[yogabear]

Yes, thank you Pedalfaster!

My new road bike position is how you described and it works so much better for me. I used to sit more on the front parts and ouch! I didn't like that...I'd much rather sit on my ischial tuberosities (my bum's sit bones) than on the front...I have noticed with the shorter top tube I can actually now have bent elbows.

Being more comfortable, I can ride longer, so I am very happy because now I can start prepping for racing again next year. It's hard to "suffer" on a bike in training and racing when you are in pain, so I am all for going to get second and third even opinions on your bike fit.

Once a bike fitter asked me, "Well, when does it hurt you?" I responded, "Only when I pedal." The bike fitter knew I needed big time help LOL. :)

Happy Ridin',

Lisa

[Sedona]

I know it's been a while since anyone posted here, but wanted to add my two cents.

Assos and Chamois Butt'r are good products, but I was getting tired of shelling out as much as 18 bucks for a tube. So, lately, I've been using Udder Cream, as well as Destin and Bottom Butter (both in the diaper aisle).

Udder cream isn't as thick as cycling specific products, and the other two are much thicker, but I find that if I put a thin layer of Destin (does not wash off easily) or Bottom Butter, followed by a little Udder C. I'm good to go.

Good luck!