Chamois lubricants--what's "safe" & where?

[salsabike]

Just what Dianyla said. Be wary of stuff like Desitin, A&D ointment, and any other pore-blocking stuff--they make a small infection become large. Water based stuff like Chamois Butt'r also works best for me, and doesn't seem to cause any harm anywhere. And oh, please oh please break your messages into a few paragraphs--it would make it way easier for us to read..

[Miranda]

Thanks ladies for the thoughts on the saddles and creams for chamois.

Know what you mean about cushier is not better necessarily for saddles--LBS put one on to try in trainer and it did have a ladies cut out, but a cushy higher crown in the back which seemed to slant my weight even more forward--didn't buy that one for sure. Read some saddle posts on here, and looked at online, but just a bit baffled what might work and not. My current saddle is the only one I've had with the bike and is a ladies WTB SheSpeed with a concaved channel, but not cut out. Sounds like all you can do is buy and try--don't think my LBS has the saddle exchange program I read about on here that some do.

The Terry saddles on this site have descriptions for useage. Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between the ones that say use for performance, and say the one that says best all around? Now I have just been road riding up to miles I think I can do, without pushing past overdoing it (minus the bleeding episode) so up 30 miles yesterday on w/e, and on a weeknight, I have a 20 mile loop I can work in. My big goal I would love to accomplish is to ride a century. Know that takes time and training. But with those thoughts, is there a certain saddle that would fit my needs?

Thanks also for the typing tip about paragraphs. New here, so still learning the board. I know that was a "book report" but sometimes I feel like my womanhood has been worked over enough that it has enough info for one--and I'm 38--most ladies don't need the surgery stuff until their 60s--just weak tissue for unlucky me. Hmm, my mother always said I was "special" but she just never said HOW...oh my! Thanks for reading and any other ideas.

[KnottedYet]

For saddles, first and foremost you need to measure your sit bones.

Some LBS have a pad you can sit on, then measure the outside-to-outside width of the dents you leave. Or you can invent your own way.

Once you know the outside measurements of your sitbones, add about 1-2 cm to each end to get a general idea of the width of saddle you need.

Probably the easiest way to go from there is to post on the Saddles thread, giving your width needed and preferences (cushion, cutout, "T" or pear-shaped) and riding style, and ask for recommendations. Chances are someone else on the board has similar needs and has tried several saddles and can share her experience with you!

[Grog]

The Terry saddles on this site have descriptions for useage. Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between the ones that say use for performance, and say the one that says best all around?

Honestly I think reading saddle descriptions (other than specs, like exact width) is pretty much useless to decide what saddle you'll be comfy on. You have to do TITS (time in the saddle) to figure out which one suits your bum best.

[IFjane]

...First check on what saddle works best for you (and yes, the only way to know is time in the saddle), but second, make sure your bike fits you. I used to have huge issues with soreness (though no open sores, thank goodness!) and found that on my old bike my top tube was too long, forcing my weight forward onto my hands. I was scooting forward on the nose of the saddle to compensate. OUCH!

[bikerchick68]

I feel for you! Saddle and fit are so critical to comfort... my first bike was too big and not fit properly and I had similar issues to what you've described, chafing and rawness and not being able to pee for an hour or so when I got off the bike...

I have since changed bikes and am now on one fit properly. But I've had some ongoing issues with saddles. I am testing a Bontrager saddle now... they have a 90 day "trial" period... so if I hate in within the next 3 months of rides I can try a different one until I find one I like!

Good luck... you should NOT be bleeding... and it should not hurt that much!

[mimitabby]

It's possible that the saddle you tried out in the LBS was fine, just needed to be tipped up 1/2"
my favorite saddle adjusted incorrectly on a bike gave me sores almost immediately!

[sundial]

All I can say is.......OOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!

Ok, about the saddle. Go here to read about it before you toss out your saddle: http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

Next, figure out your sit bone width. A Specialized bike dealer should have a butt-o-meter you sit on and they can measure the distance between the indentions of your sit bones. Specialized offers some of the ladies saddles in 3 widths.

If you choose to try to measure it yourself, I found this worked best for me. Grap a sheet of letter size paper, find a stool or shop stool that is low to the ground, lay the paper on the stool, and sit. You'll want to lean forward enough to where your sitbones are almost perpendicular to the stool. Then take the paper with your butt impression, measure the distance between the sitbones, and this gives your dimensions for saddle width.

Now, if you start shopping Terry saddles, the site will make recommendationds as to what saddle to buy according to your goals. An all-purpose saddle means it's not as streamlined and light as a performance saddle and will be appropriate for many different activities. Performance saddles are for those who are competitive cyclists and will tend to be narrower, lighter, and more compact. Terry offers many saddles, but unfortunately they don't offer a saddle style with different widths like Specialized. I tried 2 of their saddles and found the width wasn't right for me, so I went with a Specialized.

You might want to work with your local bike shop about test driving different saddles. Some LBS will allow you to try it out for a week. Others may have you try it out in their store. Choosing a saddle takes time and don't be surprised if you have to go through several before finding the one that's right for you. I personally went through 4.

As for chamois butter, I use Chamois Butt'r and it helps considerably with reducing chafing and sore spots. I really apply it generously to the inside of my thighs, the exterior tissues, and the chamois itself--particularly where the girlie parts will come into contact with it.

Another thing that may help with saddle sores is to take frequent breaks in the saddle--either by standing on the pedals, or stopping to get a good drink and a stretch. Generally I will do this every 15 minutes as I take a good drink of water. This will allow blood flow back into your girlie parts and will really help minimize the discomfort in the saddle.

I hope this and the suggestions from the other TE members helps. Good luck and let us know what saddle you chose.