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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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Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 53 total)
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  • March 10, 2012 at 12:15 am #668619
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    cat1commuter

    Spud wrote:Does Assos (or

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

    Says 12 months on my new tub.

    March 9, 2012 at 11:35 pm #668617
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    FMOAB

    I got shot down in flames
    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.

    March 9, 2012 at 8:30 pm #668615
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    Spud

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

    March 8, 2012 at 6:34 pm #668613
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    cavasta

    notfastenough

    notfastenough wrote:
    Interesting tip re no showers – is sudocrem antibacterial as well then?

    From the label on the front:
    “Antiseptic healing cream. Napkin rash, Eczema, bed sores…sunburn, minor burns, surface wounds, acne, chilblains.”

    I apply it before my 10 mile ride into work and again when I arrive. I also apply it again before setting off for home. I then have a shower when I get in. I don’t lather it on, but apply just a small amount.

    Prior to using Sudocrem on my daily, shower-free commute, I suffered the occasional spot/inflammation on my perineum and immediate area. Since using using it (and I’ve been using it for several years now), I’ve been inflammation/infection free. Call it coincidence if you like, but I’m not about to stop using it to find out.

    I also use it on day rides, shorter rides, and when touring and can confirm its efficacy in each and every one of those instances.

    March 8, 2012 at 3:47 pm #668611
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    nickobec

    notfastenough

    notfastenough wrote:
    @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…

    Similar, Assos is cooling mint, Buttr more of a warming sensation and the old sports rub smell. PBK is more subtle, far less heat, more calming canomille scent.

    If Assos has that reaction with you, you could try the PBK branded creme, you probably still be hoping round the room. Buttr probably will have you jumping round the room swearing and knocking things over.

    Note I use chamois creme a few days a week (42km one way commute) and generally only on my sit bone area

    March 8, 2012 at 3:36 pm #668609
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    notfastenough

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

    March 8, 2012 at 2:13 pm #668607
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    Stumps

    Only on a cycling forum can
    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.

    March 8, 2012 at 1:39 pm #668605
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    russyparkin

    from a shorts point of view,
    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 :/

    March 8, 2012 at 9:28 am #668603
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    notfastenough

    @Nickobec, when you refer to
    @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…

    March 8, 2012 at 6:03 am #668601
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    nickobec

    Farky, I add more details to
    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.

    March 8, 2012 at 5:51 am #668599
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    nickobec

    Big fan of the Eurostyle
    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.

    March 7, 2012 at 11:35 pm #668597
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    Farky

    Now that’s a bit more like
    Now that’s a bit more like it, cheers for sharing in more detail lads.

    Notfastenough…studio cream is antibacterial yes, I only ever used it afterwards for a relief and recovery as such. Just trying to reduce the number of times I end up needing it. Hence this thread as I never asked anyone before.

    Blinky…..correct saddle yes, I can see that as an obvious one that most don’t try too. But while your trying these saddles, you do go through a bit of pain that creams could help with. I’m never going to be doing the hours a stage race rider would do so don’t need it for the same reason but until I find that magic seat anything will help.

    Nickobec…..mmmm, yes I’ve been there, piles they call it, the curse of age. My mother told me not to sit on a cold stone wall so many times but did I listen, hell no! Bad dose of them last year that I couldn’t let stop me from cycling so Sudocream it was for me too. It worked!

    If the theory about these creams is that any seat pad will eventually cause some irritation against the skin, then surely a cream is an answer no matter what the seat, pad or issue.

    I’ve heard things about the ingredients (is it still an ingredient if you don’t eat it?) of some creams to put me off them a bit or at least be hesitant but it’s one of those things you won’t know your missing til you’ve tried it, but where do you start?

    I think we’ve sussed that you apply the creams to your skin, nuts or anus, anywhere else is completely recreational. Covering the pad may get it to more places of use including places you might not go near due to assumption but then the question here is, will it do damage to certain or any particular pads, ie synth vs natural?

    March 7, 2012 at 9:46 pm #668595
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    Rob_Ward

    I have used Assos Chamois
    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!

    March 7, 2012 at 6:55 pm #668593
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    notfastenough

    Interesting tip re no showers
    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! 😀

    March 7, 2012 at 5:59 pm #668591
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    cavasta

    Sudocrem for me, applied
    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.

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