Riding without a Chamois?

[Leesann]

Thanks everyone. I bought a pair of Louis Garneau, Neo Power Shorts. I love the fit, but I'm just not used to the chamois. I currently ride 20 miles with no chamois, I will up it to 30 and see how I do.

Riding 40 WITH the chamois was torture. I started reading the saddle threads. I was hoping that I could just transfer the saddle from my hybrid, that I long searched to find, to my road bike. Guess that isn't to be. I dread starting a new saddle search.

[BodhiTree]

Thanks everyone. I bought a pair of Louis Garneau, Neo Power Shorts. I love the fit, but I'm just not used to the chamois. I currently ride 20 miles with no chamois, I will up it to 30 and see how I do.

Riding 40 WITH the chamois was torture. I started reading the saddle threads. I was hoping that I could just transfer the saddle from my hybrid, that I long searched to find, to my road bike. Guess that isn't to be. I dread starting a new saddle search.

I do not wear chamois. They make me crazy.

My saddle is a Brooks B-67 (the one so many people recommend). This same saddle is on my hybrid, my mixte, my cyclocross, and my road bike.

My longest ride has only been 85 miles, but it was fine in shorts with no chamois and an unpadded Brooks leather saddle.

Don't be afraid to go against conventional wisdom.

And read Murienn's amazing and comprehensive saddle fit thread. Her information will change your life.

[shootingstar]

We're on cycling touring ride. 52 km. today, yesterday 50 km. Tomorrow 65 km. Day after 70 km. homeward.

I've done harder and longer cycling. Did not wear chamois. Other rides have included several days each of 100 kms. per day with loaded panniers.

So try a thinner chamois.

I also...use water based lubricant ...so that my tissues are fine, not raw from being in saddle for hours.

I actually have not used any chamois for the past 20 yrs. of regular cycling. And we vacation tour on our bikes. And I bike all over city, etc.

Do what your body feels most comfortable over the long haul. Yes, I do wear cycling shorts and tights without the chamois. There are specific types of walking shorts I wear for cycling that I look for in construction, location of seams, etc.

[velo]

Thanks everyone. I bought a pair of Louis Garneau, Neo Power Shorts. I love the fit, but I'm just not used to the chamois. I currently ride 20 miles with no chamois, I will up it to 30 and see how I do.

Riding 40 WITH the chamois was torture. I started reading the saddle threads. I was hoping that I could just transfer the saddle from my hybrid, that I long searched to find, to my road bike. Guess that isn't to be. I dread starting a new saddle search.

You'll find the right combo of shorts and saddle. It just might take some time and money. I prefer a thinner chamois and have cycling shorts with thicker chamois still in my drawer that were always the last resort... I only wore them if all the others were dirty. My favorite shorts have nothing more than a layer of suede/ultra-suede (they are from the late 90's from when I used to ride before) and no actual "padding". It took me a long time to find the right combo, too. Only you know what works best for you, which may be unconventional. Good luck!