Anyone have a Chamois creme favorite?

[sandra b]

I don't get chafing, but do end up with what I can only think of as a heat rash or something similar, on the parts, makes for most uncomfortable. I got some A& D ointment to smear on my chamois. I noticed that with one pair of shorts, it stays on the surface and next to my skin very well over long distances (70+) but with another pair of shorts the chamois just suckes it right up and you can't tell I ever applied it. I s'pose that is a good thing, as it should also wick any moisture away, but that didn't seem to be the case.

The first 50 miles or so are pretty ok, then the parts start to get tired, then sore, then really bad.... I have tried several seats, handlebar positions, shorts, etc. I haven't found the right answer yet.

[Pedal Wench]

Not sure if I'm just lucky, but I've never needed this stuff, and I was trying to figure out why.

This weekend I rode 80 miles, 40 per day, and I spent a lot of time thinking about my form. If I relaxed my stomach muscles, I ended up putting pressure on the front of the seat, and therefore the areas that folks are having problems with. But, if I held my abdominals in and tight, pelvic tucked in, then more pressure was on my sitbones, and significantly less forward.

Now, I'm still very new to riding, and I only get to go on my long rides every few weekends, and only rarely for more than two days in a row, so your results may vary!

[Pedal Wench]

Hi again.

My bad. I just got fitted for a new bike (yup, that's number 5 for me...) and while my lbs-guy was checking things out, he commented that my form is wrong. While I tend to tuck under so I'm slightly hunched, but with little-to-no pressure on the girly bits, he said that I really need to straighten out more - so there's lots of pressure down there. Keep my back straight and flat, or slightly arched, but still at an angle. Basically, I was hunched, he wanted arched. LOTS of pressure now. I'm going out for my inaugural ride on my new bike tomorrow, and I'll try out my new form too. Report at noon.

[pedalfaster]

Audio-A

It's really hard to do a bike-fit on-line

I'd seek a 2nd opion if you are at all uncomfortable.

The desired position for the female bike-racer (IMHO) is flat back, bent elbows, pelvis tucked with weight on sit-bones (instead of "girly-bits") and 70% of the weight/70% of the time( and therefore extra power) on the PEDALS.

Just a few things to think about.

Let us know how it goes.

[Pedal Wench]

Pedalfaster,

Thank goodness you said that. I just got back from my first ride on my new bike (love it!) and I'm sore in places I can't even describe! The new position is awful and uncomfortable, and I don't like it. The position you describe is really how I was riding before - back straight but pelvis tucked. I also rode longer than usual (40 miles on a new bike and a new saddle might have something to do with the pain) but I think putting pressure where it shouldn't be caused it. I'm going back to my tried and true position. I'm so happy you said that!

[yogabear]

Yes, thank you Pedalfaster!

My new road bike position is how you described and it works so much better for me. I used to sit more on the front parts and ouch! I didn't like that...I'd much rather sit on my ischial tuberosities (my bum's sit bones) than on the front...I have noticed with the shorter top tube I can actually now have bent elbows.

Being more comfortable, I can ride longer, so I am very happy because now I can start prepping for racing again next year. It's hard to "suffer" on a bike in training and racing when you are in pain, so I am all for going to get second and third even opinions on your bike fit.

Once a bike fitter asked me, "Well, when does it hurt you?" I responded, "Only when I pedal." The bike fitter knew I needed big time help LOL.

Happy Ridin',

Lisa

[Sedona]

I know it's been a while since anyone posted here, but wanted to add my two cents.

Assos and Chamois Butt'r are good products, but I was getting tired of shelling out as much as 18 bucks for a tube. So, lately, I've been using Udder Cream, as well as Destin and Bottom Butter (both in the diaper aisle).

Udder cream isn't as thick as cycling specific products, and the other two are much thicker, but I find that if I put a thin layer of Destin (does not wash off easily) or Bottom Butter, followed by a little Udder C. I'm good to go.

Good luck!