Panty Line Chafing

[ny biker]

It could be that a 155 saddle is too wide. The 143mm width might work better with either saddle. It could also be that a different shape would be better -- I think someone here has found the Specialized Oura to be most comfortable.

Another thing to consider is the shorts. For example, if they are old, is the chamois wearing out? Or is it bunching up or causing chafing for another reason? Or are the shorts too big?

[gingergirl]

Another thing to consider is the shorts. For example, if they are old, is the chamois wearing out? Or is it bunching up or causing chafing for another reason? Or are the shorts too big?

How can you tell if a chamois is wearing out? Shorts #1 might be too big but I think shorts #2 are ok. I do have a third pair which are a liner and they are definitely tighter than 1 and 2 Perhaps I will try shorts #3 next time out and see if there is a difference.

[ny biker]

How can you tell if a chamois is wearing out? Shorts #1 might be too big but I think shorts #2 are ok. I do have a third pair which are a liner and they are definitely tighter than 1 and 2 Perhaps I will try shorts #3 next time out and see if there is a difference.

Sometimes you can just tell by looking at the chamois that it's causing a problem -- I have a pair of shorts that recently started chafing, and when I looked at them I could see the fabric had started to bunch up on one side. I think it was heat-fused into place at that point rather than stitched the old fashioned way, and after too much movement and stretching of the fabric something gave way. But sometimes you just start to have problems with shorts that used to be fine and still look okay, because the padding has compressed.

[gingergirl]

Thanks ny biker

[Grits]

I have had this on rides over 25 miles since the beginning. I have tried every kind/shape of saddle and bike short to no avail. My chafing is just under the butt cheek in a fairly small area, so I finally just resorted to using either Nu-skin (liquid bandaid) or a heavy duty band aid to cover that spot. Not ideal, but it does the trick. Hope you have better luck in finding a saddle that doesn't chafe.

[gingergirl]

I have had this on rides over 25 miles since the beginning. I have tried every kind/shape of saddle and bike short to no avail. My chafing is just under the butt cheek in a fairly small area, so I finally just resorted to using either Nu-skin (liquid bandaid) or a heavy duty band aid to cover that spot. Not ideal, but it does the trick. Hope you have better luck in finding a saddle that doesn't chafe.

Thanks for the suggestions. Like you I'm ok on the shorter rides but I'm doing a longer one tomorrow so I may try one of your tips or just apply a ton of butt'r and see if that helps. Oh, the things we do to ride!!

[ny biker]

I also have one spot that gets irritated no matter what I do. Since it's only one one side I figure it's due to a leg length discrepancy or something about the way that foot is angled -- my feet are not symmetrical due to surgery on the right ankle back in the '90s. But I don't feel like dealing with the trial and error of trying to address it and potentially causing other problems as a result. I do find that the right shorts make a difference, as does lots of chamois cream for longer rides. Then I use the chamois cream as a moisturizer for a few days after a long ride to help the skin heal.

I usually only ride my bike a couple of times each week. I supposed if I wanted to ride every day I'd need a better solution.

I'm curious about using Nu-skin, which I remember using once or twice on cuts or blisters when I was younger. I would worry that a band-aid would come loose and cause worse chafing.

Since last winter I've been having problems with chafed skin around the armpits. At first it only happened after bike rides and I hoped it would go away when summer arrived and I was wearing sleeveless jerseys instead of long or short sleeves. But this summer some of the sweaters and t-shirts that I wear to work have caused it, too -- large seams or scratchy fabric are a problem. I've been okay lately by using lots of Aveeno lotion twice a day but am concerned about what will happen when I have to start wearing sleeves again. Chamois cream on my skin and on the fabric under my arms helps a bit but I was thinking of trying something like large band aids or first aid tape to cover the skin. Maybe I will try Nu-skin and see if that helps.