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review
Skincare & embrocation
Assos Chamois Cremeassos_creme-1.jpg

Assos Chamois Creme

8
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Mon, May 28, 2018 00:01

First Published May 27, 2018

0
£14.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Classic chamois cream that's a good choice for long rides
Weight: 
183g
Contact: 
www.assos.com
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Swiss clothing company Assos has been producing its Chamois Creme for what seems like forever. Despite a much broader choice in the cycling skincare market than ever before, the Assos Chamois Creme can still hold its own: on long rides where comfort matters, a slather of this on your chamois will keep sores and irritation at bay.

  • Pros: Aids comfort, lasts well, easy to apply
  • Cons: Bit pricey

Chamois creams can help improve comfort by reducing friction between the body and padded insert and also prevent the onset of sores on longer rides. When you're getting the miles in or doing a long ride or sportive, a little dollop of this can help alleviate chafing as the miles tick by.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The large tub has a wide opening, making it easy to scoop out a generous amount. It can encourage overuse compared to the squeezy tube dispenser employed by the likes of Castelli, I find, and like all pots filled with cream has the potential for being a bit messy.

You can either apply it directly to your skin or slather it onto the padded insert. You'll have your own preference. Me? I prefer the former approach, it's less messy, but just be sure to do it in the confines of your bathroom – nobody needs to see you reaching into the front of your shorts before a ride!

There's a slight cooling sensation when you first apply the creme but it's not nearly as 'fresh' as some menthol creams I've tested, or early generations of Assos Chamois Creme (this is the fifth iteration since it was first launched). They've clearly dialled back the minty freshness.

I have to say, I'm a bit indifferent to chamois creams. Most critical to seated comfort is a high-quality chamois and perfectly fitting saddle in my opinion, but granted there are times – namely very long distance rides – when I will slap on a layer of cream and the difference, though slight, is noticeable. For shorter rides, I usually won't bother.

The consistency of the Assos cream ensures it lasts well into those longer rides too, easily coping with three to five hours in the saddle. Assos says the cream also rehydrates and replenishes the skin in this sensitive area, meaning a reduced chance of rubbing and inflammation from hours of pedalling.

It washes out of your shorts easily after a ride, so no horrible stains to report.

> Buyer's Guide: 9 of the best chamois creams

At £14 RRP (or a tenner if you shop around) it isn't cheap for a 140ml tub, but it lasts well so you get your money's worth as you don't need to reapply too frequently.

If you've tried others and they're not really doing it for you, give this one a go: it certainly seems to work for me.

Verdict

Classic chamois cream that's a good choice for long rides

road.cc test report

Make and model: Assos Chamois Creme

Size tested: 140ml

Tell us what the product is for

Assos says:

Why suffer more than you have to? A must-use, ultra-luxe essential for every pre-ride ritual.

Cycling is inherently tough on the body and the mind, so why suffer more than you have to? Don't add saddle sores to the list of elements you're battling while riding your bike. That's why we first developed our ASSOS Chamois Crème around the turn of the millennium (after intensive research and multiple prototypes). There's been an air of mystery surrounding this ultra-luxe cycling essential ever since. Now in its fifth iteration, our invaluable ASSOS Chamois Crème relies on natural extracts to protect your skin from irritation due to friction and the build-up of bacteria. With 10,000s of pots sold each year, this sensitive cream for cycling also rehydrates and replenishes the skin in this sensitive area, meaning a reduced chance of rubbing and inflammation from hours spent in the saddle. By eliminating the risk of saddle sores and discomfort while road riding, mountain biking or gravel grinding, our ASSOS Chamois Créme ensures that at least one comfort factor won't suffer whilst riding - the other comfort elements of pace and power are firmly in your court.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Assos:

Whether you're churning out the long rides, commuting, spinning or grinding out some hill efforts, no ride is complete without a thin layer of chamois crème. Regardless of the intensity, time of day, weather forecast or altitude of your route, this cycling cream is a must-use. For optimum results, we'd recommend applying a light layer directly onto the skin where the chamois sits, or onto the chamois itself. It works superbly with any ASSOS bib shorts and ASSOS inserts.

Soothes irritation and discomfort

Reduces friction

Antibacterial

140ml tub

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

It's quite pricey for the amount of cream you get but it does last ages.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Delivers a bit of extra comfort especially on longer rides.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Easy to apply, doesn't tingle too much and aids comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A little pricey.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Though the price is a little high, it's a top quality chamois cream that works without fault if you want a bit more comfort down below.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180cm  Weight: 67kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, mountain biking

Assos Chamois Creme 2018
Assos Chamois Creme
Assos 2018
Assos
David Arthur @davearthur

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes. 

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