Chamois Butter

[VeloVT]

If I'm just running errands on my bike and going to be on it for a few miles here, a few miles there, I won't bother with lubricant. But on any "actual rides" I use lube, even if it's just 10 miles. I do get chafed without it. I've used Chamois Butt'r (works just fine), Assos (ok, but I think it breaks down really fast if it's at all hot out), Body Glide (my standby), Astroglide (this didn't work at all for me, might as well have used water...)... I slather lube liberally all over my chamois, but not on my body (this is actually one of the reasons I like Bodyglide, it's much less messy to apply to the chamois than, say, Assos).

I think the lube question is like the saddle question or the shorts question -- ultimately it comes down to personal preference and the only way to find out is to try.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just use a bit of unscented hand lotion for sensitive skin. Inexpensive, washes right out, and doesn't smell like anything.

[sarahkonamojo]

Used a sample of Blejum this summer. It seemed much like other butters. Maybe a little thicker.

It was developed by men, for men, of course. But the health benefits are for everyone.

sarah

[lizc]

Thank you ladies!

Some good stuff I never learned. Seems like some truth to the Assos anti-bacterial claim, but beyond that sounds like no real advantage for me. I have a male friend who swears by the stuff, but I spent 5 weeks in my younger years tooling around Europe on an old 10-speed, wearing running shorts and never chaffed. Funny, I figured they had more to jumble around and chafe than we did.

So far no problems with the new bike and shorts, so will leave well enough alone. Thanks for all the great insight. First post to the forum and well worth it.

[Bad JuJu]

I swear by Assos. I don't use it for rides under, say, an hour, but for those long Saturday morning rides, I wouldn't be without it.

On the other hand, I have no basis for comparison. I've never tried any other lube--Assos just happened to be the one my LBS had when I first went looking for a chamois lube, and that's what I've always used. Has anyone tried both Assos and others? I'm loathe to try anything else and be miserable for a couple of hours.

[sundial]

I've never used Assos, but I've heard that it contains menthol or something like it - if you accidently get it on your softer parts it can be ummmm tingly......

AHA! Wait until hubby gets home.

I use Chamois Butt'r and the only chafing I get is in the creases, where my pantyline runs (if I had them on under the shorts). 'Course I have full thighs and if I could get rid of my cellulite of steel, I probably wouldn't have the chafing to start with.

[aicabsolut]

I also use Assos. I tend to follow the instructions (particularly on the less slippery foam and not so elastic chamois pads) and apply it to the shorts when still wet after washing. I find that it does seem to soften up the fabric surface. Then, I apply some to my skin pre-ride, but it doesn't take as much. Except in the brutally hot and humid summer months, where I just slather the stuff on. It's cool feeling and temporarily tingly. Never any burning sensation.

I also wanted to add that I heard a rumor that Assos wasn't vegan. I found email correspondence posted from a customer where Assos states that none of its ingredients are animal products or derived from animal products. I'm assuming the parabens then are synthetic if that makes a difference for anyone. I personally like the menthol + witch hazel + almond oil part of it.

I also get horrible heat rashes (prickly heat) on my chest and neck in the summertime. This is kind of unusual, but I found that Assos applied lightly to that area pre-ride helped me avoid or lessen a post-ride breakout--the rash is usually itchy and painful vesicles. I think it's because of the cooling and antibacterial properties. Maybe it also kept the salt from my sweat from chafing me? Anyway, I thought to give it a try for that after looking at prickly heat remedies and noticing that Assos prevented bikini line razor bumps last summer.

[MyLitespeed]

I have been using a combination of Chamois Butt'r, Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter Creme and Bag Balm for years. Still haven't found the "secret" to keep me completely comfortable during the entire ride. Today I decided to go without anything and see how I felt. It wasn't bad, still had some slight irritation but I think it was due to my saddle not being adjusted correctly. My husband had put my saddle slightly higher and forward a few days ago and returned the nose to level, which I didn't realize. If the nose had been tipped slightly down I think I would have had a more comfortable ride. Hopefully Sunday I can ride again (if it doesn't rain) and try my experiment all over again.