"Saddle Rash"

Or maybe its chamois rash. Either way, it is darned uncomfortable. I don't know if it is just specific to Pearl Izumi lycra shorts or if other brands have better shaped pads, but after a somewhat long rider ( 40 to 50 miles), I get like razor rash bumps at the point where my leg meets my...uh..well the place where the leg attaches inside. Ok, I'm a big girl I can say it....where my leg meets up to my crotch. It's not my crotch, but the area in between. Is this specific to certain chamois, or are there some that are better than others?

Thanks for any help you can give.
Karen:cool:

Oh and P.S. My new love is no longer the Bianchi listed at the bottom of my posts. It is my new Kuota Kebel...guess I have to change my link. :rolleyes:

Mmm, I started getting this too. I'm fine for about 50 miles or so, but once that hits, I really start feeling it. I've got some Butt Butt'r but I use it rarely (mostly because of the feel of it) though I'll probably get more into the habit now that my rides will be lasting longer.

For mild irritation, I like a little Gold Bond powder. This weekend, however, I've got two longer rides ahead of me, so I'll be using the Butt Butt'r.

If they are raised bumps like blood blisters, acne cream will work on them. I had a too-narrow saddle that caused them and once I switched to a saddle that fit they went away. Try some chamois butter also. The length of ride could cause a sweat irritation. Those things are a pain. For what its worth, I don't car for the PI shorts anymore. Too much padding. I really like velowear bibs.

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Originally Posted by kermit

If they are raised bumps like blood blisters, acne cream will work on them. I had a too-narrow saddle that caused them and once I switched to a saddle that fit they went away. Try some chamois butter also. The length of ride could cause a sweat irritation. Those things are a pain. For what its worth, I don't car for the PI shorts anymore. Too much padding. I really like velowear bibs.

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Yeah, I really don't like all the padding either; especially in the summer. I actually like to wear tri-shorts in the summer. They have no pad at all. I know my saddle size is fine. So I guess it is just the friction and the sweat. Hmmm...I'll have to check out another brand of short. Thanks:)

I had the EXACT same thing happen to me.... I also had a lot of bunching in my..... undercarriage ;) I went to my LBS and talked with a few females there and they all recommended me this pair of Shebeest shorts... they are the Triple S with the Shelastic Chamois Be careful, but there is a big difference between these adn teh centuries!!! I like the fact that it doesn't rub where it's not supposed to.... I can't go on and on enough about these shorts!!!!

This happens to me too - but surprise surprise, I use the Triple S shorts!

If we find a real cause, solution, I'm all ears!!!

Is it possible your shorts are too big? I had the same issue once and my lbs suggested I try a smaller pair of shorts and they were right. I had too much fabric bunching up in "that area" causing the rash. I read one time in bicycling magazine to buy the best shorts you can afford and the smallest size you can get into. I've followed the advice ever since and haven't had a problem.

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Originally Posted by Bike Chick

Is it possible your shorts are too big? I had the same issue once and my lbs suggested I try a smaller pair of shorts and they were right. I had too much fabric bunching up in "that area" causing the rash. I read one time in bicycling magazine to buy the best shorts you can afford and the smallest size you can get into. I've followed the advice ever since and haven't had a problem.

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Wow.. okay. Interesting. Good timing too. Thanks. I'll keep my eyes peeled.. and maybe even try a tri-short to see if its the chamois.

I was going to suggest the size may be too large as well. A friend is having this issue and is switching to smaller shorts after some research. My dh finally decided that his "many" cycling shorts were all to big and is getting rid of them all. I have PI's and love them. They are the most popular shorts around here. I think you just need the right size, but it's possible a different brand may work better for you. I also have Specialized and love those too.

Thank you all for the interesting and good information. I do notice that the problem seems to be more with my tights than my shorts and I have always thought my tights were a little too big, especially in the butt. I will definately check into the Shebeest shorts and maybe look into buying a smaller pair of tights. Thanks again for all of your help:)

I found wearing a pair of shorts one size smaller will keep things snug and less likely to rub. I also slather chamois butter on the area and so far so good.