Chamois Butt'r?

[spazzdog]

I've never used anything... never had a chafing issue. Lucky I guess.

[Trek420]

you're kidding spazz, nothin? anything over 30 miles without Assos (and I don't think a pun is intended gals) and I'm not a happy camper and anything less than that brand is not good. what's your secret? we know about the saddle. what shorts are you usin'? :rolleyes:

[Veronica]

I use Chamois Butt R for anything longer than a metric century. It's more of a precaution than anything else. I used to have problems before I switched to a Brooks saddle.

V.

[spazzdog]

I wear Pearl Izumi's - Women's Pear Small or all my old ones are Pearl Izumi Men's small (now a bit big for me). I buy whatever has the smallest chamois. I hate sittin' on a pad. I get more irritated by the pads than the saddle. My most favorite shorts are tri-shorts with mesh side panals and the tiniest fleece pad you ever saw.

Remember grrls, I am shaped like a boy... no hips, no a$$. I gots no curves, 'cept my pointed lil head.

[fultzie]

i like Chamios Butt'R for longer rides and races (just as a precaution normally... a few weeks ago i was thinking "nah, i don't need any" and was sorry afterwards).
some of the guys on my team swear by noxema (the stuff in the green jar that you use to wash your face?) i guess it's kinda like cold cream (which is what Chamois Butt'R reminds me of) but it tingles. i'm not so sure tingling would be such a good thing, but they seem to like it :p

[pedalfaster]

I voted "nothing" as well, although like some others I have occasionally tried chamois buttr as a preventative.

The only time I've had a problem with chaffing is during really hot, humid weather. Wet shorts=unhappy pedalfaster :(

[maryellen]

i like chamois butt'r. It's a great lube without being greasy. I prefer to avoid the menthol of assos (yaooow), so it's chamois butt'r for me. I have a big tube and some small tubes for on the road.

After the experience of my second century (which would have been very uncomfortable without it due to pressure on one of my sitz bones), I don't think I'd try to do more than 60 miles without it.

[slinkedog]

Spazz, you da woman! My husband has never used anything, either. I just can't imagine riding without lubing my butt.

[slinkedog]

Fultzie, I can't imagine using Noxema on my butt! YEEOUCH! Especially if it gets into other areas, that just sounds downright painful!

So are you on the Michigan cycling team? My hubby used to ride for Purdue. GO BOILERS! Sorry, just had to get that out in the open. ;)

[CorsairMac]

I don't use anything either - I guess I'm another lucky one. and ROFL slinke...my ex went to Purdue also - and my dad went to Indiana U and my aunt went to Mich - M Go Blue! Talk about "discussions" @ our house! Anyway - sry I can't help - but its good to know what ppl Are using - just in case. (keeping fingers crossed I stay lucky)

[fultzie]

slinke- Wow! Purdue has a pretty good roadie team! :) (haven't seen any mtn bikers from them, though)

corsair- that would make for some interesting "discussion"! :) hee hee. my mom's parents both came to UM, but my dad's dad went to Notre Dame, and my mom's best friends are professors there.... that keeps things entertaining (though not so much this year as last... i'm a newly converted football fan :p)
I have a friend on the cycling team here who's parents went to Ohio State... she is currently being written out of the will ;) :p

anywho, sorry to highjack the thread! :rolleyes:

as for noxema- i personally don't use it- i agree, that is NOT what i want "down there".

I like Chamois Butt'r best because it has no scent and feels pretty much like lotion (so i can rub the extra on my hands off on my legs!) but stays put longer.

[SadieKate]

Nothing unless I'm doing more than a metric century or riding 5 days or more a week on the road. On my mtbiking, it isn't an issue unless we're riding miles and miles of dirt roads (like 2 days in a row of 50 miles each). Then, Chamois Butt'R. Whatever it is must be easily washable.

[slinkedog]

Thankfully, we're all Purdue heads. My husband would have been excommunicated from the family if he had gone anywhere but Purdue. He used to threaten to apply at Notre Dame just to tick off his dad. We had GOOD football weekend and will hopefully have another one this week! ;)

Yes, I guess the thread is a little hijacked, but I don't care since I started it! :)

[pkq]

Switched to Udderly Smooth Udder Cream, and no I don't have cracked teats, cause it's easier to get than Chamois Butt'r and less expensive.

I also use Desitin when I have problems with saddle sores.

Short rides of 20 miles, don't need anything but longer rides........don't leave home w/o it. When I was young, I didn't have to worry about much of anything but jumping on the bike and riding. Somewhere along the line, I got old. :)

Some riders swear by Bag Balm, others swear by Assos, others swear by Noxema.

I think it's a real personal thing like picking a saddle, body chemistry, and PC's. :)

[adkoch]

I've tried 'em all and have been sticking with the Bag Balm, this year - more bang for your buck. Seemed the Chamois Buttr soaked in too quickly so I didn't have enough lube left to get me through the rides. I posted a similar question awhile back and came to the conclusion that I need a new seat. Maybe will investigate next season...

~Angie

[Waverly]

I have only been riding about three months and I have heard of all these products but I am not quite sure what they do. I rode in a bike ride this weekend called BRAG (Bike Riding Across Georgia). It is a three day ride that has different mileage options each day. I rode about 130 miles total. I did not use anything. Just me, my bike shorts, and my seat. I was sore but no chafing. Are theses creams for chafing or do they help with soreness as well? Excuse my stupidity!

Jess

[maryellen]

hi Jess, not stupidity, just inexperience. These products are generally advocated to avoid saddle sores and chafing. *But* during my second century ride I had painful pressure on my right sitz bone by mile 40 and out of desperation I used chamois butt'r. And it completely alleviated the problem. Don't know how or why--my theory was that it allowed for just enough lubrication and sliding in the area that it relieved the constant pressure on that one point. I haven't needed it since, but I keep a couple of the small tubes in my seat bag now.

[Pedal Wench]

I'm confused too.

I understand the need for lube to avoid chaffing. I had a problem when I first got my bike, but after adjusting my saddle, that's not the problem. However, I've got my first bout of saddle sores. It seems that Chamois Butt'r is winning in the polls - will that somehow prevent saddle sores? I get that it helps chaffing, but saddle sores are a whole different issue. I'll try it this weekend - I've got to go to REI anyway... Or, since I'm just getting the saddle sores to clear up, should I try the Desitin for these rides?

I guess I always thought that you want to keep things as dry as possible down there, and all of these lotions and creams do just the opposite.

[pkq]

Audio-A, many people use Desitin to help dry up saddle sores/heat rash due to the zinc oxide. Some people use Johnson and Johnson's Daily Protection Cream with success. Long distance riders (rando riders) ride with some lube in their bag to avoid problems. These lubes also help keep the skin moisturized and the sweat, salt, and bacteria away from skin. Skin dries out with age, not saying any of you are old, and from dehydration, many riders don't drink enough fluids while riding. As the skin dries, it becomes more susceptible to chafing. The tiny cracks in skin allows bacteria to set up housekeeping causing saddle sores, heat rash, etc. Also, sitting too much causes problems with pressure points leading to saddle sores, too.

Drink lots.....if you don't need to pee while riding, you aren't drinking enough.

Stand on the pedals lots to relieve pressure spots.

I'm sure others can provide more info.