And yet another saddle- chafing problem

[FreshNewbie]

Well, my quest for "THE saddle" is still on. Just to list the saddles I tried :
1) serfas RX
2) Selle Smp women's version
3) Selle SMP men's version
4) Specialized Jett ( in the mail)

I loved the fact that Sell SMP didn't give me any pain problems with my sit bones or pubic bone ( which was the case with serfas) . However, there is some major chafing problem that seems to be happening with this saddle ( both mens and women's version) I bought mens really really hoping that because it's a little narrower it will not chafe me. But NO on my last ride I came home and the skin in my the biking creast was burning on fire, in one place it chafed me raw. I do put tons of lubricant ( bag balm, body glide or chamois butt'r) Still the problem occurs.
I figured that maybe even men's version too wide for me ( i measure 125 mm), so I ordered Specialized Jett saddle couple of days ago. But since Selle SMP is the only saddle so far that gave me no pain I still want to figure out a way we will work together :-)
BTW it happened with 2 different short brands ( sugoi lucky short and shebeest SSS short). While sitting I try to push my butt as far back as possible so my sit bones are fully supported and it seems that because SelleSMP is sloped it sort of pulls on my shorts and chafes me. Well anyway, anyone who had the same problem - any solutions?

[spokewench]

I hate to say this, but I've been riding for let's see almost 20 years now and still have not found a saddle that doesn't cause any problems at all! I guess I just have a soft behind! The best I could find was the AVOCET 02 model with titanium rails that has now been discontinued!:( I am going to look for a new saddle, but am angry as all get out at the saddle makers of women's saddles because of the limited types of saddles out there.

I was told by the Specialized dealer at Interbike that they will not even make a saddle without a hole in it because they think it is the ONLY answer for women on bikes! Like all women are identical. I can tell you and if you read these posts, all women are not identical. They can say this to me, but they can't explain to me why there are saddles with and without holes for men (Lots of them)! You can tell, I don't like holes in my saddles! BUT also, I don't like heavy saddles either! Women need options too!!

Sorry this doesn't help but I just had to rag on the makers of saddles. IT is so frustrating

[FreshNewbie]

Well it's just dumb of them to assume that!!! Arggg, at this point i dont know whether I would rather have pain issue or chafing. It gets so bad that after my weekend rides I have to put lubricant when I go to spinning class during week.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

A lot of people (both men and women) like Brooks simple leather saddles. They make them in both men and women's styles. Like very good leather shoes, they slowly mold themselves to your particular shape. I'll be trying one out in a couple more weeks. My husband LOVES his.

I rode a big poofy cushioned women's "comfort" saddle the other day for 2 hours and the first hour had terrible pain and the second hour I was just numb. Awful.

[SouthernBelle]

Just a thought. Is it possible that the butt butter is contributing to rather than preventing the problem?

Since I got a women's saddle, I've not had to use anything and though my rump gets 'tired' no chafing issues.

Like I said, just a thought, and maybe worth a shot.

[FreshNewbie]

Hmmm, I guess I might want to look into it, and just take it with me "just in case". I hope not though :rolleyes:

[Veronica]

Just a thought. Is it possible that the butt butter is contributing to rather than preventing the problem?

Since I got a women's saddle, I've not had to use anything and though my rump gets 'tired' no chafing issues.

Like I said, just a thought, and maybe worth a shot.

I almost never use anything, not even on the doubles I've done. I feel like my butt must be made out of steel - but it doesn't look like that way! :eek:

V.

[FreshNewbie]

well I never put it on my butt but rather on my bikini area crease ( where the edge of your underwear would be). I guess it's worth trying to go without it.

[SouthernBelle]

well I never put it on my butt but rather on my bikini area crease ( where the edge of your underwear would be). I guess it's worth trying to go without it.

Just seems like it might keep it soft and moist rather than allowing it to toughen up.

[KnottedYet]

Pears vs. "T"s

Sounds kinda like the transition from the nose to the wide part of your saddle may be too gradual. More like a pear than like a capital "T". (as you look at it from above)

If the transition is too gradual for your particular build the crease/pantyline/fold will rub as will the inner rear part of your thigh.

I know that I need a pretty abrupt transition, which I've gotten with my Terry Sport and my Brooks B67. My women's Serfas Niva is overall a nice saddle, but not abrupt enough for my body. (it's more pear shaped)

Once I switched from my Serfas to my Brooks my chafing issues cleared up.

[eclectic]

I am doing a tour in a couple of weeks and was wondering if I should bring some balm along.

I have never used it and don't seem to chafe (In fact I don't really understand what everyone means by chaffing - is it getting red, raw and rubbed off skin in areas?)

The longest ride I have done to date is 65 miles and other than being tired and needing to shift around more often towards the end everything felt pretty good.

I can't remember the saddle I am using but it is the one that came with my bike. the back is cutout but it doesn't have a front cutout - I think I lucked out with it fitting.

If I do use the balm where all do you put it? I have read where people even rub it into their chamois? or should I just go with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and will know it if I start chaffing

[mimitabby]

I never needed the stuff until i got past menopause and only for my girl bits.
it's great for that. so if you don't need it...

[Squirrel 2]

If you are having chaffing in the crease, you should definitely keep up the use of whatever balm/cream you are using. That's what the chamois creams & lubricants are made for. Chaffing is rubbing & redness caused by friction. The reason you use the lubricant is not to keep your skin soft & moist, it makes it slippery so that whatever comes in contact with it will glide past instead of grabbing & pulling. If you want to try riding without, give it a shot. But if you are already chaffing, I doubt it will be any better. And if it goes beyond rubbing to the point where the skin gets broken, you are now dealing with an abrasion.

My guess is you are heading in the right direction looking at narrower saddles. And don't assume that the saddle is narrow just because it is a men's saddle -- check the width. This was a major problem for me for months, I even had to buy boy-cut underwear to keep any elastic out of that area in the crease that just got rubbed raw. I ended up riding one of the narrowest saddles on the market.

And yes, I still use chamois cream. Some riders are lucky & don't need protection in that area. I am older, and I find it helps my skin to recover. I went out on a ride last week without lubing the chamois ahead of time -- big mistake, which will not be repeated.

[SouthernBelle]

I think this is a case of YMMV. I am 51 and very post menopausal. My suggestion was based on the sweat factor. I sweat like a ho in church on a long ride and that is what causes me the most problem down there.

Another thing that has occurred to me, are your shorts tight enough? If they are tight they don't move, thus don't rub, thus don't chafe.

Good excuse to wear tight pants. ;)

[pooks]

I'm no authority on anything but I figure I'll pipe up and ask -- are going commando?

My other question is -- I'm having trouble figuring out how the pubic bone would get sore. I guess, leaning over the road bike? (Since I ride an upright my pubic bone is never in position to get sore -- just my tail bone or sit bones.)

[KnottedYet]

yup, being forward/anterior pelvic tilt, having the seat nose up high; and just plain stress to the pelvis in general can make it grumpy because of the pubic symphisis.

The symphisis-thingy is a pad of connective tissue between the left and right sides of the pubic bone (you can feel it as a dip) and along with the sacro-iliac joints is a major place for the ring of the pelvis to "give" under pressure. For me the SI's get grumpy, for one of my old housemates (doing the PT school thing) it was her symphisis.

I think I'd rather have my butt hurt than my cootchie hurt.;)

[Kitsune06]

Oddly, I had the same chafing issue, and I found (after lots of pain etc) that if I backed off after all that chafing and let myself heal, then went out and did it again, eventually I wouldn't chafe as badly...

but it's a pretty uncomfortable way of doing things. I, too, chafe in that 'where my thighs meet everything else' area... I have an extremely narrow saddle and go commando under my shorts... *shrug*

What's helped for me is a little neosporin post-ride (this is only LONG rides, like 4+ hrs) and wearing boxers or boy underwear about the house.

[SouthernBelle]

On the boxers/tightie-whities subject, have you tried the Hanes tightie-whities for girls/women?

That's almost all I wear now.

Inappropriately interested in underwear,

[pooks]

Thanks for the explanation, KnottedYet!

[FreshNewbie]

Hmm, Selle SMP men's version was 2 cm narrower than women's one. I really like that addle because if you sit all the way back you don't feel like you are sitting on a saddle at all ( well only when you start chafing to death :eek: )
I never wore underwear under my shorts after my first ride on the bike :D which tought me a looott. I am 23 years old so I don't think hormonal change is there yet, however I think shaving , waxing, etc also contributes to the area being very sensitive.
After a long ride I get home, jump in the shower, put a gallon of healing lotion and hop in some cotton loose shorts ( sometimes put my butt next to air conditioner --- :o feels good)

[Rai Sue]

Other solution to chaffing?

I never knew about chamois butter til i came on this forum, and i've been biking for years.

I usually don't have a problem with chaffing. But, if i'm going on a long ride, or riding in a skirt or something (see below on why i'd do something like that), then i use talcum powder. Actually, i use scented powder instead of deodorant, so i just put some wherever i might chaffe or rub in a wrong way. it generally works, and also is a great thing if you are chaffing because you sweat, as it tends to absorb sweat and prevent it from getting your clothes wet.

I am mainly a city biker. so, even if i'm going on a long ride i usually just wear what i was going to wear that day. When i commuted 7 miles, ending in a big hill, there was a shower at school that i would sometimes use. But, i rarely wear bike gear even for something like that--usually just stretchy cotton capris or something. Sometimes a skirt, sometimes jeans, high heels, etc. So, i think that doing a little powdering b4 leaving the house may help if i'm having trouble or if it's really hot.

anyone else do this trick? the thought of putting something greasy on before i get all sweaty just doesn't appeal.

[SouthernBelle]

I frequently use Gold Bond powder, it's mentholy! I often don't bother on longer rides, I'll sweat too much for the powder to matter.

[SnowAngel]

I just picked up a Specialized Jett saddle and it has become the most important part of my bike. Prior I delt with major Yoni rubbing/tears/swelling/pain even on shorter rides, now just my sit bones touch the saddle (what a welcome change!). I was using the Selle De Italia LDY gel and the WTB womens specific, both I purchased thinking they would be the 'cure'. I just finished a 50 mt bike race with nary a sore spot!!! Yippie! I highly recommend this solution for any saddle searchers out there.