Need Laundry Tip--Diaper Oinment & Chamois

[Kristi]

Miranda,



This can be fixed to an extent:

If you want your handlebars closer to you - you likely do not need a shorter stem, instead one that has a steeper angle. I thought the same (my hands got numb) and ended up getting a 25° instead of 17° angle stem, after LBS showed me the geometry of it.

I'm new to riding but sort of know what you might be going through. I'm extremely short waisted. We had a really hard time finding a bike that fit me properly due to this. I could find a bike to fit my legs, but then I was really stretched out when I reach the handle bars - which moved my weight way too far forward and was very uncomfortable. To help this, at my LBS when I went in for my fitting we did two things. The guy at the store tilted my handlebars up. So when my hands are on the hoods I'm a little more up. Also, we ended up putting a mountain bike stem on my bike. It probably looks a little funny to other people, but moving my handlebars just that little bit closer made a huge difference. I'm been told I need to work on my posture (which I'm told will come when I ride more) and this will help straighten my body out. My seat is as far forward as I can go and still be safe, I have a very small bike and we've adjusted the handle bars so I'm not leaning too far. My bike shop is really good and I trust them to put me where I need to be. Before anything, you need to find this. When you have a shop that you can trust to help you through problems, you believe the solutions that they're giving you. Do this and maybe try some of the things we had to do.

[OakLeaf]

Hi... I'm new here - I know this thread is a little old, but I was going through the forums and your questions definitely sounded like some of the problems I used to go through (back in the day when Terry saddles were a brand new thing, and the whole idea of gear and clothing made to fit women was revolutionary).

You've gotten good advice so far, but just a couple of other things.

The first one might be really obvious to you, but it took me YEARS of bleeding labia to figure it out: Trim that hair. As short as you can get it with scissors. Shaving or waxing aren't usually a good idea because of the risk of ingrown hairs and infections. But if you're as hairy as I was, it's like sitting on a ScotchBrite pad. Of course it's going to abrade.

I also used to use really thick lubes like A&D ointment or Aquaphor, but I'm much more comfortable since switching to the lighter Chamois Butt'r - which incidentally washes right out without turning the rest of your laundry greasy.

[bikerbarb]

I used to have the same problem with the Desitin. It starts oozing through onto the bike seat as well as being impossible to get out of the pants. I read here on TE that zinc oxide type ointment holds bacteria. I switched to Butt'r and it works great, comes out and even comes in little packets to bring along with you which is great.
As for the rub, I can only say that I put in 3-4000 miles a year and do best with the Terry saddles--the liberator on my touring bike and a lighter one on my light weight bike. In spinning class I use a gel seat w/a cutout.
Good luck!

[Xrayted]

I would advise you to find an LBS that can do a professional fit and one that will treat you and your body with respect. What part of the country do you live? There are lots of us here who know great LBS's that we could guide you to a good place.

Also, buy a book that can show you what/how to adjust or search "bike fit" online. There are tons of sites and they can help you get more dialed in until you can get everything evaluated by a pro. I have a strong suspicion though that they sold you a bike that doesn't fit you. Top tube height and leg length is only the start. Don't let them off the hook for selling you a bike that they didn't fit you to correctly.

I'd go with the chamois butter. It washes out nicely. But, let things heal in the meantime. You should never be bleeding from riding your bike. That azzhole that suggested you toughen up down there is an idiot.

good luck. I hope you are back on your bike and enjoying it very soon.