Help! Maybe friction issues

Ok, I bought my hybrid Trek almost 3 summers ago. I have lost a significant amount of weight. I started teaching spinning last summer and started to ride again this spring and having terrible issues with soft tissue and friction on the outside (pantyline area). I am in much discomfort after only riding 20-30 miles. My rides even slow because I am constantly shifting in the seat. I am supposed to be leaving in 3 weeks for a 5 day bike tour that does avg.65 a day and I don't know what to do?

Any suggestion as to whether it's my shorts or my saddle. For so long in spinning I don't wear the shorts to class.

Thank you for any help you can.
K

What type of saddle are you using on your bike? Could be your saddle, so you might want to try out a few different ones to see which is most comfortable for you. You're wearing biking shorts w/chamois? Make sure they fit you right because if the chamois is moving around, it'll chafe you. Have you tried using chamois cream? I like Bag Balm---helped prevent some bad chafing in the coldest of the winter months.

I do use Chamois shorts, but no cream. My I can see when I look at them they they are wearing in that area quick. I am going to get new ones, but not ones with Chamois. I am plus sized (18) and I have tried 2 Woman Specific saddles and they seem to short.

You said "pantyline area", so I'm gonna ask a dumb question. (please don't be offended)

Are you wearing panties with your chamois shorts?

No....I learned that lesson when I first started. I don't know if it's the saddle or what, but I just don't feel comfy on my Comfort hybrid anymore. I can see on the chamois where it is worn more than the other parts of my chamois. These are those plus size terry shorts. Not so good. Now I don't think I will buy the terry saddle.

My $0.02 worth (which are worth less than those of more experienced riders) ...

I went saddle-shopping with my daughter last week. You'd be amazed at the difference between saddles! My "comfort" saddle doesn't feel so comfortable either any more, now that I've found a narrow one that fits my sit bones and isn't in the way of my inner thighs when pedalling. So I suggest you find a good bike shop where you can try some different saddles. It may be that the comfort seat is simply too wide. (I'm just looking for a bike now that deserves that saddle I found ;) )

Also ... chamois is very different from garment to garment, so try some different shorts while you're at it and find one with a chamois that stays put, doesn't bunch up, and doesn't interfere with your spin motion. There ARE different +-sized shorts out there. I know, 'cuz I wear 'em too.

And finally, yes, chamois butter does help. I've got that on my shopping list now. I've been ok for short rides without, but I have a longer ride coming up and, thanks again to more experienced riders (that'd be you, Trek420), I know I'll need chamois butter for that one.

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Originally Posted by bikeless in WI

My $0.02 worth (which are worth less than those of more experienced riders) ...
You'd be amazed at the difference between saddles! My "comfort" saddle doesn't feel so comfortable either any more, now that I've found a narrow one that fits my sit bones and isn't in the way of my inner thighs when pedalling. So I suggest you find a good bike shop where you can try some different saddles. It may be that the comfort seat is simply too wide. (I'm just looking for a bike now that deserves that saddle I found ;) )

Also ... chamois is very different from garment to garment, so try some different shorts while you're at it and find one with a chamois that stays put, doesn't bunch up, and doesn't interfere with your spin motion. There ARE different +-sized shorts out there. I know, 'cuz I wear 'em too.

And finally, yes, chamois butter does help. I've got that on my shopping list now. I've been ok for short rides without, but I have a longer ride coming up and, thanks again to more experienced riders (that'd be you, Trek420), I know I'll need chamois butter for that one.

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I'm with Bikeless. Chamois butter does help, I never used it before this year but now I use it each time I ride more than 4 miles.
I have been through a lot of seats too, and have settled on the Brooks B67.

the wear under your sitting bones is proof of how long you are in the saddle. Let us know what you end up doing
I own 4 saddles for my 1 bike now. I know i am not alone.
m

Thanks to all of you for you wonderful advice. I was also thinking that after loosing 75+ pounds maybe that comfort saddle just isn't right for me anymore. I am looking for new shorts and will look into a new saddle as well.

Happy Biking!

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Originally Posted by Katina

Thanks to all of you for you wonderful advice. I was also thinking that after loosing 75+ pounds maybe that comfort saddle just isn't right for me anymore. I am looking for new shorts and will look into a new saddle as well.

Happy Biking!

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WOW! You are my heroine!!!! I only want to lose about 25, but they seem to be stuck. Sigh. Oh well. I'll just have to keep at it. (I think I can I think I can I think I can ...) Meanwhile ... you go out and celebrate! New saddle, new shorts. You deserve 'em. You've earned 'em. And all those miles have worn out your old ones anyway.

Ditto with great improvement with Chamois Butter (sold here at Team Estrogen in small packets you can take with you. I reapply each time I take a pit stop. Secondly, as you probably know, those areas do get tougher. Each time I get back on the bike after a week or more off I start over in reconditioning all the rub areas. At your local health food store they will sell CALENDULA gel which is fantastic for those rub places. I use chamois butter on the ride, reapplying as needed and then when home I slather the Calendula gel on the same areas and soon enough I am past the "break in" period and good to go for long miles in the saddle. Speaking of saddles the TERRY BUTTERFLY is a wonderful seat and highly rated by many women riders I know. Good luck....the rub is not fun!!!

PS: Shorts are a very personal choice as we are all made differently but this year I invested in a pair of SUGOI RS FLEX shorts 2006 version. The chamois is wonderful and they don't move or shift around. Be sure and get them tight enough to fit as they are designed and not shift around in riding. I used to buy a medium but at times they'd catch on my saddle when I came out of the saddle to climb and I knew that meant they were too big. These feel a bit small in the size small when I initially tried them on but they stretch out a little and don't move at all. This too has really helped any chafing areas I used to have but no longer do, even with long rides of 60+ miles.

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Originally Posted by jpbayarea

Ditto with great improvement with Chamois Butter (sold here at Team Estrogen in small packets you can take with you. I reapply each time I take a pit stop.

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Here's a tip. I actually invented this (though it's so obvious that someone else must do it too).

Those little packets of Chamois Buttr are about a buck a pop.... Decant a glob of the stuff into the corner of a sandwich baggie, and roll it up. Tuck that into your jersey pocket for later use. To use, turn the baggie inside out and apply the cream to the affected area. Then turn the baggie right side out and dispose. Clean hands. No mess. Just don't drop the last one into the portapotty before you use it when you have 20 miles to go. OUCH!

I usually make up quite a few bags just like this and keep in my bike tote - so if I'm doing a longer ride, I can try to remember to grab one for use later in the ride. Of course at my age, remembering to get one out is the issue. CRS strikes again. (Can't remember **it). LOL.

Shorts do wear out. I recently had a similar problem. My tried and true terry t-shorts were starting to chafe. I think the foam of the chamois was so compressed it just didn't give me enough cushioning. I replaced them with the shebeest triple S short that I really like the chamois on, and I am waiting to try their longer elite touring short. If you didn't replace your shorts as you slimmed down that could also be the problem if it is bunching under you. Also, as others mentioned, you may find a high performance saddle more comfy than a so-called comfort saddle, because it will give firm support to your sit bones. I have used a terry butterfly for years. It is also important that the saddle be positioned correctly on the rails, so it really is supporting your sit bones and not soft tissues. It can take ~100 miles to break in a good leather saddle, so you may have to be patient. I also love chamois butter for long rides. Another issue, if you are perimenopausal, is that you may need to start using a vaginal estrogen cream. Another thought, maybe you have outgrown your comfort bike. As you start to do longer distances, you may prefer a less upright position to take some weight off your bottom.

And if they're the same size shorts as 75 pounds ago - or 10 or 5 even - then there's a lot more fabric to chafe.