Hi there,

I can only speak about what has worked for me. I had problems with that region for many years (8-9 years of my 10 years of riding), but only on my road bike, not my mtn. bike.

After much heartache and physical pain and injuries and sacrifice of my racing, I finally figured out that I needed a road bike with a smaller top tube to help me fit more comfortably (I have extra long legs [a 30-31 inseam] even though I am 5'2 and a very short torso)...this required for me, going to 650 c wheels but I went to a road bike not a tri bike.

I also noticed after much trading and experimentation that I needed a "man's" saddle. The women specific design were too wide in the sit bone area for me, so I must have put more weight on the nose. Switching to a guys' Prolink, courtesy of my hubby who rides a Flite and didn't need his, has helped tremendously...I am even comfy on the trainer.

Also, one of the key things I noticed as well for me was the shorts. I had been wearing some shorts that chamoises did not like me. I asked my local bike rep which shorts seemed to help women the most and he recommended the Sugoi's to me. I switched to the Sugoi women's RS shorts and wow, what a difference....not an easily switch as I was a big Pearl Izumi short fan for many years.

I also noticed I needed a smaller size shorts (XS not an S) to reduce the rubbing (mine tend to stretch after a while I have noticed and plus, I am littler than I though LOL). I don't even need to use any lubricant any more, but I suppose this might change as I am able to ride longer than 2 hours finally...I used to suffer so much pain that I could only ride an hour before I was so trashed. I used to get alternating pain in my upper body and wrists and my crotch...ouch!

This past late summer with the new shorts, new bike and new saddle, I increased my rides to 2 to 2 and half hours at a time thankfully...without any pain (other than lactic acid from hill repeats LOL).

I hope that you feel better very soon though and find some solutions. Just keep trying different things (shorts, sizes, lubricant or no, saddles of both genders, bike fit). One thing I would say though is to work with a reputable professional bike fitter if you do decide to change your position and make incremental changes slowly over time to reduce the possibility of injuries...

Best wishes,

Lisa

Sorry this is long