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Chamois cream … Idiots guide

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  • March 4, 2012 at 10:14 pm #15262
    Farky

    After over 20 years on a bike I thought I’d ask what for many is a personal question.

    Am I missing something by not using chamois cream/butter etc?

    I do get hot around the nuts and have had the occasion to apply creams after a ride but never used anything during it.

    Do you apply the stuff to the chamois or your nuts?

    And if you use a synthetic pad rather than actual natural chamois, does it effect your pad in any negative way?

    Question on pads too.

    There are so many pad types, chamois, synthetic, gel insert, 3d, etc etc.

    What’s the best for a balance of sportive comfort and a lack of chaffing?

    I’m looking shorts IRO about £50 as its a budget I reckon is sensible for my use but for would you spend more for this kind of use and why? (other than style, brand, etc).

    Never bought shorts based on anything but a chamois pad and good value for money so I just want to make sure I’m not missing out on something in making my purchase. I know a lot of this can be subjective and personal but any advice is worth consideration.

    Cheers.

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  • April 25, 2014 at 3:36 pm #668649
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    movingtarget

    +1 for Enzo’s and tea tree
    +1 for Enzo’s and tea tree oil. Enzo’s prevents friction from developing and the mint is very pleasant smelling and slightly tingly but no burning like some of the menthol-based creams. Tea tree oil like mooleur says for post-ride prevention–hate the smell of it though.

    April 25, 2014 at 2:46 pm #668647
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    S13SFC

    I bought a bulk lot of Enzo’s
    I bought a bulk lot of Enzo’s Buttonhole Cream which I wear on rides over 4 hours or on shorter rides if it’s warm.

    I apply it liberally to the pad and then take a couple of sachets with me just in case.

    Post ride I use the Doris’s Elizabeth Arden 8hr cream.

    April 25, 2014 at 12:24 pm #668645
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    allez neg

    Rapha. I like my nether
    Rapha. I like my nether regions smelling of Alpine flora.

    April 25, 2014 at 11:52 am #668643
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    Yorkshie Whippet

    In reverse order.
    I find that
    In reverse order.

    I find that the chamois/pads do loose effectiveness especially if you drive to and from events in them. Washing also helps the longevity. I’m guessing here, but I would say most good shorts these days are synthetic pads rather than old washing leather style. All of mine are anyway, as a result I apply cream to skin not the pad. This stops sweat from infecting the pores and works for me. Itried rubbing into short but found it uncomfortable.

    Leading onto which one. Assos is very good but pricey, Chamois buttr was just as good and cheaper. Currently using Blue Steel from Planet X as it has tea tree oil. Really like it. Small amount did the meduim ride of Flanders another application did the full Paris-Roubaix. The Blue steel can also be used after ride to clear anything up. Seems to do the job. But there again I haven’t done the Roubiax or FLanders without creme to compare without.

    April 25, 2014 at 9:35 am #668641
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    turboprannet

    I use Chamois Butt’r – really
    I use Chamois Butt’r – really like it. Also got some of the sachets for jersey pockets.

    I did the Ronde Van Vlaanderen this year (full distance) and I reapplied using the sachet around halfway. Fresh and pain free at the end.

    Conversely I did the Lionheart a couple of weeks before and forgot to put any on, pain.

    The Chapeau white tube one is good too, same consistency as Chamois Butt’r but with menthol in which is nice if you’re already in discomfort.

    April 25, 2014 at 8:54 am #668639
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    andyp

    This ‘sit bones’ stuff is
    This ‘sit bones’ stuff is just a load of old bollocks, really. Saddle manufacturers could learn a lot from rowing boat seat manufacturers.

    April 25, 2014 at 8:25 am #668637
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    chrisp1973

    Asoss cream, applied
    Asoss cream, applied generously is great at preventing painful butt syndrome.

    I was sceptical but tried it after a friend suggested it and never looked back.

    I’m sure all the brands are very similar in effect but the Asoss was the first one I bought and works so I’m sticking with it.

    One word of caution – be careful not to get it on your dot by accident!

    April 25, 2014 at 8:13 am #668635
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    mooleur

    If it’s not been mentioned
    If it’s not been mentioned already – one of the best tips I was given ever was for the use of Tea Tree Oil post ride, or even a Tea Tree Oil shower gel. It’s got mega antibac properties so if there’s any developing nips or bumps it does a really good job of calming them.

    April 24, 2014 at 5:20 pm #668633
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    imagesurgery

    Reviving the dead… with a
    Reviving the dead… with a bit of my own experience that practically changed my life!

    Cycling every day as a commute, without a great saddle for many years, left me a bit, well, itchy. It’d come and go in intensity, but it was always there. I linked it to cycling, but treated it with doctors’ advice as a skin condition. Nothing helped.

    I don’t remember how I discovered it, but after wading through what I believe to be one of the worst designed sites on the internet I got a psoriasis cream from an Australian pharmacist. The goop was super goopy, thick, oily, and I applied it morning and night for about 2 months but again, never in relation to my riding.

    What was once a burning, constant irritation has now entirely cleared up. And yeah, I hadn’t tried any of the chamois creams on offer, they’re probably still great and performing a fairly different task. I thought I’d have this itch for life, ’cause I wasn’t about to give up my trusty steed(s)!

    Anyway, google for David Hosking’s Psorexaderm, I promise nothing other than the veracity of my personal joy at this amazing product (that I no longer need to use at all). Best thing I’ve ever done.

    (and yeah, it’s my first post, and I’m mentioning a product positively. I clearly don’t know how to sound less believable o_o )

    March 23, 2012 at 12:01 am #668631
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    giff77

    @cooks – not as hard core as
    @cooks – not as hard core as winter green 👿

    March 22, 2012 at 9:51 pm #668629
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    Cooks

    I use Deep Heat, because I’m
    I use Deep Heat, because I’m a badass.

    March 21, 2012 at 11:28 am #668627
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    notfastenough

    Good to see you’ve got a
    Good to see you’ve got a result. Just out of interest, what was the elapsed time for the sportive? I’ve not done one yet, and am curious to know how quick the faster groups go round. Was it a very hilly course?

    March 19, 2012 at 1:44 pm #668625
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    Farky

    UPDATE:
    Thanks for all your
    UPDATE:

    Thanks for all your honest replies and advice.

    I bought the Assos cream with tentaive thoughts of needing some form of emergency removal/cleaning facility on the first application, but I neednt have worried.

    I applied the cream to my pad as well as directly to the hotspots I get. Felt that cooling sensation some have described in various ways, which is really a menthos cooling, nothing else.

    This increased once I put the shorts on but again, nothing to worry about, just noticable.

    I use, this was the best thing since the wheel itself!

    I rode a 60mile sportive with a small group of riders at almost a race pace…typical of sportives but with the headwind on the day I wasnt for going it alone so suffered to hold the wheels.

    With all the effort I put in and the fact that I rode 45miles non-stop/flat out, I was expecting to be in real pain but when I did stop, I realised that I only suffered from minor tiredness around the sitbones.

    In fact, this actually allowed me to find a decent position on the saddle so i could concentrate on my pedal stroke better. I can safely say my saddle isnt right for me but positioning ive got spot on, need one of those relief saddles for the perinium area.

    Amazed how ive suffered for over 20 years without this stuff.

    Not just a convert, a preacher!

    March 11, 2012 at 9:20 pm #668623
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    schmiken

    In answer to your original
    In answer to your original questions:

    Am I missing something by not using chamois cream/butter etc?
    I use Assos chamois cream for any ride longer than about 30 mins, I get nappy rash otherwise. If you’ve not needed to up til now, why bother?

    Do you apply the stuff to the chamois or your nuts?
    I apply the chamois cream to my shorts once a month or so, and apply it to my sitbones and the sides of my nuts (between the thighs).

    And if you use a synthetic pad rather than actual natural chamois, does it effect your pad in any negative way?
    My main pairs of shorts are Assos, so no.

    What’s the best for a balance of sportive comfort and a lack of chafing?
    This is as personal as choice of saddles. Try as many as possible. I love Assos, but they are hideously expensive.

    March 10, 2012 at 6:59 am #668621
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    Footpather

    Well being a girlie I can’t
    Well being a girlie I can’t comment on the ‘nuts’ 😉 but I have done a couple of charity rides to Germany and back and the associated training that goes with it.

    Some of our team use Sudocreme and swear by it but have said it does leave greasy stains on their chamois (real or synthetic). I was advised to use Body Care Sportsbalm chamois cream. It is antibacterial and water resistant. So even with being a heavier person than the average cyclist and on the bike for up to 10 hours a day, for a week I only ended up with one small hole in my skin. I applied it to me rather than the chamois.

    I’m doing the charity ride again in June so have been using the cream once again.

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