chaffed lady bits! which shorts?

Hi all

Am sure this has been done a million times but can't find any threads!

I'm new to road biking and am really enjoying it. However, am really suffering with chaffed labia! (decided to just come right out and say it!)

I've bought some shorts off ebay but they were just cheap ones and man in bike shop has suggested that I invest in some decent ones.

So my question is:
A) is this a common problem? I'm guessing it is!
b) any recommendations for good shorts, brands?
c) shopman suggested cycling butter/vaseline on my bits before I ride - anyone tried this? does it work?

Any advice, experience would be very welcome.

(if it makes any difference, I'm riding 10/12 miles x 4 times a week on a road bike on a ladies gel saddle but still having problems!)

Gel saddles can have the effect of your soft tissues having a worse time because your bones dent the gel and your soft tissues bear the consequences.
Have you tried a lubricating material? yes, it can help A LOT.

also, is your saddle too high?

I'd definitely try some sort of lube before you puzzle out any other factors... it's probably the simplest thing to try, and if that works, then you're good). Chamois Butt'r or similar is relatively cheap, compared to buying good shorts or another saddle.

Since you're doing fairly short rides... my second thought would be that it's your saddle, not the shorts. I could do 12 miles without bike shorts on without a problem... but before I had the "right" saddle for me, I was in agony within just a few miles.

If you can figure out if you're truly dealing with chafing (from rubbing and lack of lube) or it's actually your lady parts getting smashed, that could be helpful.

At any rate I would recommend that you spring for at least one pair of good quality bike shorts. Have a look at what TE carries - you don't need the absolutely top-notch Assos ones, but good bike shorts are quite pricey - and worth every penny. Make sure you get a pair that fits well, they should be so snug that the chamois cannot smoosh around or bunch up. If this means that the leg or waist openings bind, you need another brand with another type of fit.

Do a search here on "favourite shorts", but bear in mind that we have all kinds of body types here and will have different favourites. By all accounts TE gives excellent customer service, so try giving them a call.

You should read all the threads about saddle fitting. It's a bit tedious to sort through, but you need to know the information, and it can make a big difference.

Once you truly understand (and feel) what it means for the saddle to properly support your sit bones, you can find one that suits you. If your bones are properly supported, your soft tissue will be much happier.

You may then have to adjust the saddle repeatedly to get everything perfect, but it's worth the effort.

although not everyone does it, the recommendation is to go commando under bike shorts. For many of us it makes a huge difference.

My favorite shorts thus far I bought from TE: Sugoi RSE. As many people will tell you, comfort with the chamois in different shorts is very personal. I have some Assos knickers in which the chamois is the equivalent of torture for me (huge disappointment).

I have two pairs of Pearl Izumi shorts that are supposedly the same ones, but they're different years. I prefer the pad in the old ones.

I've recently discovered the joys of DZNuts bliss. So far it seems to help, but I've only used it a couple of times. It's the first time I've ever used anything so I don't know if other products work as well. I chose it because I've had several people suggest it then I ended up getting some free samples and bought some at an event for $9 off.

As others have already mentioned...it could be a saddle issue, too. Does your saddle have a "cut-out" down the center? Some women (myself included) find that a cut-out is imperative to their comfort...and then there are some women who don't need a cut-out. I know for sure, that I definitely require a cut-out in my saddles. In my case, it helps take pressure off those tender lady bits. And also...be wary of "gel" saddles. Often, gel saddles end up causing the very thing we are trying to avoid...unevenly distributed pressure on our sit bones and girly parts.

Step 1: Make sure your saddle is level; if you are noticing more pain towards the front, it's likely the saddle is tipped up slightly; use a hardware level to get it precise. Put a hardback book on the saddle then place level on top of that, have someone hold your bike while you adjust the saddle. If you've never done that yet, there's a bolt under the seat that has an allen wrench head on it. Loosen that and you will see how the saddle moves.
Step 2: If that doesn't help, ditch the gel saddle and buy a Terry Butterfly, get a ti rail version though, they are much more flexible and comfy than their cheaper Butterflies with cromoly rails. I found the cromoly ones to be hard as a rock. (IMO):D BTW, your shop can measure you for a good fitting saddle this should be a free service too!
Step 3: If adjustment of old saddle or new saddle doesn't work, it's probably bad shorts then.... I like Pearl Izumi Pro's and Symphony both.

I very much like my terry butterfly with cromoly rails.Yes it is hard but so is my *** after years of riding and cross country tours.

For shorts I love the shebeest brand along with some but not all of the performace shorts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marni

I very much like my terry butterfly with cromoly rails.Yes it is hard but so is my *** after years of riding and cross country tours.

For shorts I love the shebeest brand along with some but not all of the performace shorts.

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Heh, and I hated the Butterfly (same as the SI Lady Gel Flow--too wide, squishy, and pear-shaped) and the Shebeest shorts (widest part of their chamois always seems to be too far back on me, so my sit-bones aren't under padding, but my tailbone nearly is).

Seems like most of us have to try a few different shorts and saddles before finding the perfect mix. My magic combo is the PI Symphony or Symphony Cut short with the Specialized Jett 143 saddle. YMMV, for sure.

I had the same problem. I figured out that, for me, it was the chamois that was contributing to the chaffing. I decided to try tri shorts and have never looked back! I wear the desoto carrera tri knickers I love, love them! I've worn them on my 100 mile rides without any issues. I also use a specialized jett saddle.