Chamois pinching? Hoping for insight!

[artifactos]

I got myself a shiny new Trek 2.1 back in September, and I have been experimenting with different saddles since then, due to soreness, pinching, and even tearing (!!) of my girly parts. I seem to have found a saddle that works for me now (Terry Butterfly Cromoly Gel), since now it seems pretty obvious that the primary problem is with my bike shorts.

I have a pair of Sugoi Evolution shorts. It seems as though the little "creases" in the chamois are causing pinching in my girly parts. With the new saddle, it's bearable.. but I'd like to see if I can find a pair of less-expensive shorts with a more "plain" chamois (without the channels/flex points) to see if it relieves my issues. I tried a pair of padded briefs under my shorts today, and they were a LOT worse in the pinching department, due to the loose fabric covering the padding becoming bunched up. I had numbness for the first time after today's 27 miles.

Help me! Please!

[kermit]

Make sure your shorts aren't too big. If you have loose material, they may be. I am a big fan of the Shebeest triple SSS and Sugoi RS shorts. I have also discovered that I sweat ALOT and LUBE is necessary. I use a combination of chamois butter and vaseline for the perfect combo. Don't forget the LUBE!!!!!! You can also try some tri shorts, Zoot for example, very minimal padding.

[artifactos]

The shorts are definitely not too big. They fit me perfectly, other than my labia minora.

I use either bag balm or chamois butt'r for rides over 15 miles or so. Bag balm seems to work best for me, so that's what I've been sticking with.

I've been considering tri shorts, but I'll admit that I want something at least a little longer than most tri shorts since, well, I live in Ohio and the cold weather is coming.. fast. The more coverage I can get layered under my tights, the safer I will be in the colder weather.

[kermit]

Did you get a good bike fitting? it may be as simple as saddle height or fore/aft position.

[blackhillsbiker]

+1 on the Shebeest SSS Shorts. I love them.

Deb

[OakLeaf]

Tri shorts tend to have a pretty minimalist chamois.

So do the Descente Bliss shorts.

I ordered a pair of Sugoi Evolution shorts this summer and sent them back - I don't completely remember why, but I'm pretty sure it was because the chamois was too thick.

[cylegoddess]

If you ever splurge I got the female cycle skins - oooohhhhh. Like riding in nothing( except for the sausage sort of look, from the tight endie bits. Alas!

[KnottedYet]

I ride without chamois, they just don't feel right. (now that I have a saddle that really fits me -finally!- the chamois has become irrelevant)

I really love the UnderArmour ultra compression shorts. They come in a few lengths, but 2 lengths are really good on the bike: 4 inch and 7 inch inseams. http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/e...rt/1001226-001

The 4 inch inseam work very well as undies for everyday wear, and the longer ones are toasty warm in the winter.

Handwash them in Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo every few weeks if they get stinky.

[OakLeaf]

Terry Club Shorts have only a fleece pad and now come in a 9" length as well as the shorter ones.

Susan, ya listening? I would so get a pair of these. They're only 4-panel, but a minimal chamois means they don't have to have a bazillion panels to avoid chamois rub....

[artifactos]

Thank you for the responses, everyone! I ordered a pair of the Descente Bliss shorts from TE on Saturday (had to get a smartwool order in before the sale ended, of course), so hopefully I like them whenever they show up!

I'll also be looking into the other suggestions here if they don't work out or if I want more options.

Thanks again!