Preventing Saddle Sores

[laury]

Help! I've been riding for many years and never had a problem with chafing even on the longest rides. This year I have a new bike that I love, new saddle that is exactly the same as my old saddle and very sore genitals. On long sweaty rides I get ugly red welts around my pelvic bones. Should I start using chamois creme? Put it on before the ride or during? Should I put the creme on the padding or on my skin? Try a different saddle, different shorts? I'd love to hear a woman's perspective.

[FreshNewbie]

Hi Laury!

Sounds like your problem could be due to bike fit. Did you get fitted for your new bike?- maybe you are not positioned correctly on your bike. However, chamois cream has to be applied before the ride, you can put it either on yourself or shorts or both. The way I do it - put body glide on shorts and then apply some chamois butt'r on myself ( lots of it). After a ride get out of the shorts ASAP, shower, put some healing lotion on or even diaper cream ( to prevent further irritation) on. Good luck with these, I been through majore chafing issues and sores and you get my sympathy

[KSH]

Sorry to hear about the irritation!

I use Body Glide. It works well. I have a travel size too, so I can carry it in my jersey and reapply at each rest stop.

Good luck on fixing the problem!

[PinkBike]

absolutely check the bike fit! with a new bike, there could be minor differences with seat height, seat angle, reach (if you're more stretched out your position on the seat puts pressure on different areas), bar height, but i think it's definitely in your bike fit!! very minor adjustments make amazing difference. use the creme (lots of it - body and shorts) til you get it figured out, but when you do get it right it'll be like magic!!! don't be intimidated, experiment with little adjustments.
good luck.

[colnago fan]

I had problems with saddle sores off and on for years; I have changed seats, shorts, etc., with varying degrees of success - but a few months ago I came across an ad on the banner of cyclingnews.com for a product called (no kidding) "Crotch Guard." I ordered it for me and my boyfriend - they have samples available for the cost of shipping but I went ahead and ordered the bottle for around $20. After months of riding both road and mountain, in good weather and bad, we both swear by it. The bottle seems like it will last for a year. Read their web page and testimonials - they sound too good to be true, but they are! It's also great for razor rash.
happy riding!

[laury]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I think my bike fit is ok because it's a Seven. The bike feels wonderful in every respect except for the chafing. I'm going to try Body Glide and Crotch Guard (gotta love the name!). Hopefully that will clear up my problem so I can sit, wear underwear, etc after a long ride. Thanks again!

[mimitabby]

I had problems with saddle sores off and on for years; I have changed seats, shorts, etc., with varying degrees of success - but a few months ago I came across an ad on the banner of cyclingnews.com for a product called (no kidding) "Crotch Guard." I ordered it for me and my boyfriend - they have samples available for the cost of shipping but I went ahead and ordered the bottle for around $20. After months of riding both road and mountain, in good weather and bad, we both swear by it. The bottle seems like it will last for a year. Read their web page and testimonials - they sound too good to be true, but they are! It's also great for razor rash.
happy riding!

what IS it? a cream? an oil?

[Bicyclette]

Mimitabby -

it's an oil... here's the web page

http://www.dermatect.com - go to products and look for the "Crotch Guard Skin Care Oil"

[FreshNewbie]

Laury, even though the bike frame can be perfect for you, the saddle could be not adjusted in relation to your pedals and height. So, just make sure you are sitting correctly, positioning your pelvis as thought you want to put your stomach on the top tube, straight back, abs in, etc.

[suzbyrd]

I have saddle sores too. I can't ever seem to figure out how to get them GONE. I have tried chamois butter, different shorts, different saddles. The sores just move around. Right now, my current sore spot is in the crease between my leg and perineal area. After riding it is RAW and I can't get on the bike for a day or two until it heals. I have a saddle with a cut out area (took care of the rubbing in the perineal area). Any suggestions for this? I want to be able to ride more than 15 miles every other day...badly.