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You can apply to the skin, chamois pad or both.
Cheaper creams will just soak in, but the thicker more premium ones should still be visible on the pad after a ride.
Makes a massive difference especially if you're riding on a turbo.
@spooky The Singletrack Salvation is very similar, the stand out difference is Thyme, which aids healing, and smells really nice. and its says "saves our souls" on the label... which is funny.
Sudocream or vasaline if you're stuck. They both have worked fine for me in the past. I've actually used some lavender stuff for nappy rash before and that worked great too.
You can't beat a bit of minty freshness from proper chamois cream though.
Another good tip is to give yourself a trim down there. Less hair equals less irritation.
Another Bristol Butt’r user, fine West Country cream that works on buttocks/chamois from all regions 👍
Imac
Imac
What about those of us on Windows?
Another good tip is to give yourself a trim down there. Less hair equals less irritation.
Oooooh.. controversial! I would have thought the same but from what I've read, the hair almost forms another layer between skin and chamois, and trimming it encourages ingrown hairs and all other sorts of nastiness? Also if you trim too short you've got the horror of stubble in the worst possible place while it grows back...
Loz@ no beer.
My take - do not do it. It clogs pores, alters skin PH and causes damage. this is my view from pressure area care when nursing. We used to use creams for preventative measures but now with evidence practice no longer do so as the evidence base is so strong not to
if you develop chaffing then a nappy cream. If you develop infection then something with an antiseptic. suedocrem is what I would use.
The use of "chamois" creams is a hangover from the days when cycling shorts had real chamois leather inserts that became hard over time and needed oils to soften them again
The use of “chamois” creams is a hangover from the days when cycling shorts had real chamois leather inserts that became hard over time and needed oils to soften them again
Well, calling them chamois creams is a hangover from those days, I think the composition has changed slightly from something designed to soften leather to something designed to protect skin from friction and sweat?
My take – do not do it. It clogs pores, alters skin PH and causes damage.
But which is the lesser evil? Damage caused by chamois cream, or damage caused by five hours of skin-on-skin or skin-on-chamois rubbing? After a six month layoff chamois cream was a godsend whilst I 'broke myself in' again on the saddle.
I spend half my working life in the realm of sore butts, and lady parts too. Here are a few observations:
Sudocream can clog up the pad in your shorts, and can eff up your shorts.
Vaseline... that is petrol in gel form. It might feel good but it dries the skin. It's also a great firelighter, and not something to put on a sore bum. It's a marketing miracle... selling petrol for skin use is the ultimate marketing achievement.
"Flap mash" is actually a thing,
Bum Butter doubles up as a lip balm (referring to upstairs lips here), but don't double dip.
Liberal slathering to the undercarriage in general?
Doesn’t the pad simply absorb it all?
You don't need to be too generous, a little goes a long way.
It acts like a barrier to prevent nappy rash and doesn't get soaked up by the pad in your shorts.
I've just started a tub of Be Elite cream from CRC/wiggle, which was reasonably priced and is just how I like my bum cream - fairly firm texture, melts in nice and has a bit of a tingle.
A trim not shaved. Using a razor down there makes me sweat with fear just thinking of it.
I generally don't use anything. If I'm riding my mountain bike locally then I generally don't even wear cycling shorts.
Agree that a spell off the bike can make you a bit soft down there 😉
vasaline if you’re stuck
Bum butter for me, used for cycling the Med to the Channel. No problems down there at all.
I generally don’t use anything. If I’m riding my mountain bike locally then I generally don’t even wear cycling shorts.
I'd love the sense of freedom and all but I'm not sure how the old dear next door would react.
Bottom of the tub of Muc Off CC is approaching fast.
I'm happy with it; is there anything that's going to better on cost (as it's cheap) vs function?
Blimey, the Muc-Off one has double in price! £25... I'd better go sparingly.
2 for £30 - https://muc-off.com/collections/chamois-cream?page=1 still a bit mad for what it is.
Merlin £14.99
Bottom of the tub of Muc Off CC is approaching fast.
I’m happy with it; is there anything that’s going to better on cost (as it’s cheap) vs function?
Be Elite cream from CRC/wiggle - £10 a tin and is similar to Muc Off (another of my fave ones).
Actual udder cream for cows. £7 for 400ml
Use it for ecsema on my hands rather than as chamois cream, but think plenty of people use it on their undercarriage
I'm with TJ on this. Since I stopped using chamois cream the number of issues I've experienced in that area has decreased significantly.
A long ride in the rain sometimes brings a spot of chafing, but that's easily dealt with.
I did the End to End a few years ago and I was in a bad way - fortunately I was staying in a YHA and there was a Doctor in the same place he recommended Siopel Cream, you can buy it over the counter in the larger chemists. I bought a tube and it saved my trip, I have used it over the years and it is awesome stuff.
bum butter is ace, have used it for years on long distance rides, also rather fab for lubing your wood and horn......ear plugs and tubes to keep your flesh tunnels all happy, clean and flexible.
What about those of us on Windows
That got a chortle from me anyway 🙂
I've found that I've got less spots and infections since I've started using cream (assos). Only use it on long rides but it's stopped me having to poke around my arse with a scalpel and mirror which I'm sure isn't advisable in any way
I spend half my working life in the realm of sore butts, and lady parts too.
Interesting second job! What's your job title?
Had some Chapeau stuff that worked well. Also some Assos stuff that saved my calls doing LEJOG years ago.
Timely reminder that my tub of Muc-Off is nearing its end. It has been great but I only ever use it in the summer. I don't seem to need it in the winter, perhaps less sweat and salt to irritate the cheeks.
Natural little bee
www.naturallittlebee.co.uk was my go to on JOGLE this year. Great stuff.
You only need a little so lasts ages.
When a mate of mine had a fit at the price of Assos the wag in our LBS said, 'We've got some second hand stuff round the back'
Deep heat for the winter months?
Assos for comfort, Deep Heat for speed.
I don't bother for rides less than 12hr to be honest.