chamois cream, do you love it or hate it?

[Norse]

I use Bag Balm which is petroleum based and has lanolin. Cheap and effective.

[KnottedYet]

I don't use anything, but I don't wear chamois, either.

Weird as it is, I'm much happier with no chamois and no cream. (I think it's because I finally found a saddle that fits me right.) My chafing issues completly disappeared. Going without a chamois has also made my life better as far as sweat-related issues, too.

Mind you, I'm only riding 50-60 miles at a time. I might change my mind if I start doing long rides.

(I used to put Burt's Bees Salve on my chaffed spots before and after rides. It was blissful!)

[VeloVT]

I definitely need some kind of chamois lube. Makes a huge difference. I've found I'm not uber-picky about brand -- I have some slight preference for some over others, but most of what I've tried does the job (Assos, Chamois Buttr, Bodyglide, Nu Butte).

I will say that somebody on here recommended Astroglide as a chamois lube and that didn't work for me at all. It seemed to sweat right off.

[shootingstar]

I don't use anything, but I don't wear chamois, either.

Weird as it is, I'm much happier with no chamois and no cream. (I think it's because I finally found a saddle that fits me right.) My chafing issues completly disappeared. Going without a chamois has also made my life better as far as sweat-related issues, too.

Mind you, I'm only riding 50-60 miles at a time. I might change my mind if I start doing long rides.

(I used to put Burt's Bees Salve on my chaffed spots before and after rides. It was blissful!)

Finally....there is a woman like me. Yay!!!!! Yes, the saddle fit is still important.
No chamois, no cream.
I've been riding many years, done multi-day touring, etc.

Whatever works for each woman and also remain healthy, do it.

[OakLeaf]

PS to the OP - I wouldn't use neosporin "down there." Besides having a petroleum base, the antibiotics could encourage a yeast infection and/or resistant bacteria.

For healing spots that are already chafed, calendula salves work well. I have some Nubütte which didn't work at all for me as a chamois cream, but it's really great for healing. Or you probably have a local herbalist who makes a calendula salve.

[tctrek]

I don't use anything. It's not that I don't like it, just never had a need for it.

[marni]

I'm an older rider and have issues with lack of lubrication down there anyway so I follow the Tour de France methodology in application of chamois cream. I slather the chamois, and pack it in as well. I love assos but the LBS doesn't carry it so I generally end up with pace line chois cream. I also ride with a very thick chamois, both for the padding and out of habit.

I dilike petroleum based products for the effect they have on the chamois, but I do used an all nutral salve caalled "everything balm'" by www.goodiesunlimited which contains camunula oil, menthol, tea tree oil, shea butter and several other good ingredients which help clear out bacteria, soothe aches, rubs, chaffing, hot spots, and itches.

marni

[Bike Chick]

Don't use it except from day 3 to day 7 on week long summer tours......Aaahhhh

[nscrbug]

I definitely need to use it...or I would have a very unhappy behind. That being said, I'm currently rotating between 2 chamois creams...Assos and Nubutte. Next on my list to try, is that "Hoo Ha Ride Glide" that I saw on the BikeShopGirl site.

[Maxxxie]

I don't use any chamois cream. I also don't suffer from any chafing.

But I've often wondered.. doesn't it go places.. well.. places you'd rather it didn't? And doesn't it make things feel a bit gooey in your shorts?

Max

[HillSlugger]

I don't use any chamois cream. I also don't suffer from any chafing.

But I've often wondered.. doesn't it go places.. well.. places you'd rather it didn't? And doesn't it make things feel a bit gooey in your shorts?

Max

It definitely feels a bit cold and clammy when you first put on your shorts, but it quickly warms up and I forget it's there.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Mind you, I'm only riding 50-60 miles at a time. I might change my mind if I start doing long rides.

You think 50-60 mile rides are short?

[HillSlugger]

You think 50-60 mile rides are short?

Just what I was thinking!

I like Beljum Budder

[KnottedYet]

You think 50-60 mile rides are short?

No no no! (wow, wouldn't I be studly if they were!?! )

I think of that as kind of a medium length ride. I haven't tried long rides without a chamois yet, and I could change my tune if going chamois-less is uncomfortable on long rides. But for now I really love my Ibex Roaster Boxers and UnderArmour. (Roasters are good for shortish 20-30 mile rides, but the slick fabric of the UnderArmour is my favorite for the 50-60 mile rides.)