And yet another saddle- chafing problem

[SouthernBelle]

well I never put it on my butt but rather on my bikini area crease ( where the edge of your underwear would be). I guess it's worth trying to go without it.

Just seems like it might keep it soft and moist rather than allowing it to toughen up.

[KnottedYet]

Pears vs. "T"s

Sounds kinda like the transition from the nose to the wide part of your saddle may be too gradual. More like a pear than like a capital "T". (as you look at it from above)

If the transition is too gradual for your particular build the crease/pantyline/fold will rub as will the inner rear part of your thigh.

I know that I need a pretty abrupt transition, which I've gotten with my Terry Sport and my Brooks B67. My women's Serfas Niva is overall a nice saddle, but not abrupt enough for my body. (it's more pear shaped)

Once I switched from my Serfas to my Brooks my chafing issues cleared up.

[eclectic]

I am doing a tour in a couple of weeks and was wondering if I should bring some balm along.

I have never used it and don't seem to chafe (In fact I don't really understand what everyone means by chaffing - is it getting red, raw and rubbed off skin in areas?)

The longest ride I have done to date is 65 miles and other than being tired and needing to shift around more often towards the end everything felt pretty good.

I can't remember the saddle I am using but it is the one that came with my bike. the back is cutout but it doesn't have a front cutout - I think I lucked out with it fitting.

If I do use the balm where all do you put it? I have read where people even rub it into their chamois? or should I just go with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" and will know it if I start chaffing

[mimitabby]

I never needed the stuff until i got past menopause and only for my girl bits.
it's great for that. so if you don't need it...

[Squirrel 2]

If you are having chaffing in the crease, you should definitely keep up the use of whatever balm/cream you are using. That's what the chamois creams & lubricants are made for. Chaffing is rubbing & redness caused by friction. The reason you use the lubricant is not to keep your skin soft & moist, it makes it slippery so that whatever comes in contact with it will glide past instead of grabbing & pulling. If you want to try riding without, give it a shot. But if you are already chaffing, I doubt it will be any better. And if it goes beyond rubbing to the point where the skin gets broken, you are now dealing with an abrasion.

My guess is you are heading in the right direction looking at narrower saddles. And don't assume that the saddle is narrow just because it is a men's saddle -- check the width. This was a major problem for me for months, I even had to buy boy-cut underwear to keep any elastic out of that area in the crease that just got rubbed raw. I ended up riding one of the narrowest saddles on the market.

And yes, I still use chamois cream. Some riders are lucky & don't need protection in that area. I am older, and I find it helps my skin to recover. I went out on a ride last week without lubing the chamois ahead of time -- big mistake, which will not be repeated.

[SouthernBelle]

I think this is a case of YMMV. I am 51 and very post menopausal. My suggestion was based on the sweat factor. I sweat like a ho in church on a long ride and that is what causes me the most problem down there.

Another thing that has occurred to me, are your shorts tight enough? If they are tight they don't move, thus don't rub, thus don't chafe.

Good excuse to wear tight pants.

[pooks]

I'm no authority on anything but I figure I'll pipe up and ask -- are going commando?

My other question is -- I'm having trouble figuring out how the pubic bone would get sore. I guess, leaning over the road bike? (Since I ride an upright my pubic bone is never in position to get sore -- just my tail bone or sit bones.)