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

[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.

[Crankin]

I heartily recommend Astro Glide for the girly bits, along with Chamois Butt'r for the rest. Actually, after having pretty extreme issues last season, the Astro Glide works the best. But, I never have had any issues with the Butt'r causing problems if it gets near the "a-hem" parts. You only need a little bit of Astro Glide and it comes in a small plastic bottle that can fit in a pocket or small bag.
You might want to look into the menopause issue, too. Thinning membranes were playing a role in my discomfort and can easily be cured with topical estrogen or an Estring.

[Miranda]

You ladies are a wonderful wealth of information!

I have taken the info on how to measure sitz bones width for saddles, and think I might have to do this on my own. I have one other bike shop next town over that I might be able to get some more help with, but at least if I know what I am looking for, that is a big step. At least even to search on line with a clue. Also, I still think I am a bit too much on pubic bone in weight, it's better since last bike shop fit, but not quite there. I hope it's not my bike frame itself--just bought new, but I guess we live and learn along the way if so.

Tonight after work before my ride, I went to SG store and bought Chamois Buttr and 1 pair new pricier shorts to ride my weeknight route. A bit more discomfort immediately. The shorts were a smaller size, which is good I think? because even though hip wise, I fit the other shorts right, but in some spots they were more stretched--however, new shorts had a different cut of chamois pad, and I think I hit it differently than the old pairs maybe? Really nice shorts otherwise. Tomorrow think I will try old shorts chamois with the Chamois Buttr, elimating back to one new change, and see what this holds.

Also, thanks for the thoughts on combining products, Astro Glide & Chamois Buttr...I'd mix a homemade chamois lube recipe up in my kitchen sink you ladies gave me if it would work!

Good thoughts about the gyno too--until I found that in a thread, I never knew there was such a cream for the hormones--after self-examination during the bleeding spell, I never realized about being thinner tissue on one side particularly of my anatomy--gettin' old is H*#$.

Thanks again, and for any more information.

[RolliePollie]

I heartily recommend Astro Glide for the girly bits, along with Chamois Butt'r for the rest. Actually, after having pretty extreme issues last season, the Astro Glide works the best.

Another vote for Astroglide! I slather my shorts with unscented lotion like Aveeno Baby Lotion or Curel, then slather myself with Astroglide, and away I go. No problems since. My worst saddle sore was never actually bleeding, but it was painful enough that I knew I had to change something. Now I just make sure everything is nice and slippery and I'm saddle sore free!