Chamois cream ... Idiots guide

I got shot down in flames here before for suggesting Savlon cream instead of one of the ridiculously priced chamois creams.

I took to using it on the recommendation of an Audax rider who is no stranger to 400k runs etc and it has stood me in good stead for runs of over 100 miles. I find that applying it reasonably generously to myself works, although, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to apply it to the chamois as well,washes out of synthetic pads no problem.

Personally, I find that it works well, is good for at least 60+ miles and you can easily carry a small tube of the stuff in a saddlebag for reapplication if you need it - and it's cheap.

Does Assos (or other chamois creams) have a shelf life once opened?

Oh, I know of a few non-cycling sites where you can discuss- erm, allegedly. So I'm told.

Only on a cycling forum can we get away with discussing our nether regions with other unknown males

Personally i will join with the other voices in voting for Sudocrem.

from a shorts point of view, i run rapha classic, shutt vr and dhb aeron race. the best ones in every aspect.. dhb by a country mile.

i use butt'r and it recomends applying it to the chamois direct which i do and i also rub a bit around the crotch/thigh area, not the nuts as its the euro cream so minty nuts doesnt do it for me

@Nickobec, when you refer to the initial sensation, do you mean that minty feeling that has you hopping round a dark bedroom on a Sunday morning?!

If so, Assos is about enough for me...

Farky, I add more details to my original post, it was written rather hurriedly.

It was not piles, but an inflamed prostrate, which my Dr checked out (not something you really want to know about), had blood tests, nothing serious but it took time to clear up. Chamois creme got me back riding a couple of weeks earlier than expected.

Only apply creme to the bits I know will be sore after riding, before the ride.

Only way to know if it is for you is to try it. Chamois creme is cheap, I would probably avoid Eurostyle chamois BUTTr as it has the most intense intial sensation of the 4 brands I have used recently, (I like it, others may have different opinions) Assoss is very mild in comparison, PBK midway between the two.

I have used Assos Chamois cream and it is pretty good, I feel that that Elite O3one Endurance Chamois Cream is the best stuff out there as it is very thick and lasts a long time.

Chamois cream lasts longer (you will need to use less) if applied to your butt but provides more comfort if applied to the pad itself IMO, try both and see what works best for you.

Sudocrem is for after a ride or a thin layer applied before chamois cream for added protection for a long ride!

Interesting tip re no showers - is sudocrem antibacterial as well then?

Also loving the fact that only a few posts ago Farky was trying to resurrect this thread with a few words about not being shy, and now we have someone telling us about a painful anus!

Sudocrem for me, applied directly onto the perineum and immediate area. Great for communting (no showers at work), superb for touring, perfect for all rides that involve getting dressed up for the occassion (lyrca, etc). Don't bother using it for trips around town, to the shops, etc. I've found Sudocrem excellent for preventing spots, inflammations, chaffing, etc. I don't apply much, and have never applied it onto the chamois.

If you ride the correct shape saddle and clean, good quality shorts in good condition, you shouldn't have any problems. Occasionally after a long ride you may experience some bruising. Sometimes you will get an infection, like a spotty pimple. In the former case, lay off for a day or so, in the latter, a disinfectant cream will quickly clear it up.
How to find the correct shape saddle? Only one way - try different shapes. It's no good asking what others use, their rear is not your rear and won't be same shape.
Some can sit on a flat saddle, but I can't and vice versa.
Once you've found the correct shape for YOU - stick with it.
Borrow a saddle and try it for a few rides. You'll soon find which shape suits you.

Oh, I nearly forgot. Do NOT wear underpants or knickers under your padded shorts or you will be rubbed and chafed by the seams on that garment - that's why the shorts have that funny pad inside them - to give a little cushioning and to avoid seams.

Big fan of the Eurostyle chamois BUTTr, PBK branded chamois creme is my 2nd choice. Udderly Smooth 3rd and Assoss a distant 4th.

Synthetic pad in my cheap Nalini bib shorts good for 80km, don't really like natural chamois (I have a pair of bib shorts again only good up to 80km). Have better synthetic pads in Craft & Castelli bib shorts for longer rides.

Only use creme on my sit bones (the only part the gets sore), not on pads or other parts of my body.

Except when I had inflamed prostrate (side effect of weird virus), applied chamois creme liberally, just above anus and it allowed me to keep riding, instead of taking a couple weeks off the bike to recover (rest of symptoms had disappeared by then). This was discussed with and had tacit approval from my doctor.

I'm another Sudocrem fan - but only *after* the ride

Tried it once during and the sensation was "disquieting"

Sudocrem, works as well as anything on the market, nothing has a complete protection to chaffing . Just keep your shorts clean; and apply Sudocrem to your tender bottom.

I'd also be interested to hear from anyone who's used those little gel-sized packs of chamois BUTTr (I think that was it's name). Presumably these are intended to be taken with you on a long ride and applied when you stop for a coffee with a load more miles to go.

I put cream on my sit-bones and perineum only and that seems to work well, I use the Assos one which got great reviews on wiggle
I've got shutt vr pro bib shorts, plus some (sale) rapha cross 3/4s which are very comfortable.
I've also got some dhb bib longs which are nearly as comfortable.
Buying for the pad seems to be the right approach, they do wear out I've been told. I've got an aging pair of bib shorts which are not comfortable on my road bike. Either pads have got better or the padding is squashed through use.
Washing promptly I've read helps both you and the shorts

Same here, which creams are recommended? I've only ever slapped Sudocrem on when riding long MTB routes or 24hr events. But it doesn't have much staying power. Are there any that are better than others for sensitive skin?

Ha! Fair set of questions, and often not discussed in polite company, which makes it perfect for the internet!

I've been using chamois cream with a synthetic pad, and it seems to work well. After a long ride I also use a skin repair gel after showering (both products from Assos), although I'm less convinced of the benefit of this.

It is my understanding (happy to be corrected if I'm doing it wrong!) that you apply the cream to the region in contact with the saddle, so nuts, sit-bones, perineum etc.

I just got back into cycling in September, so only have 3/4's and tights, yet to buy shorts, will be interested therefore to hear any recommendations that others have.