Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really?: Page 2

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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really?

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mjshapiro

Jun 23, 08 12:44

Post #26 of 60 (1261 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It's (Assos) the #1 selling item at a leading retailer the past 4 years. Since I come from a cycling background and relatively new to triathlon I have always used it and will continue to do so on all rides 2 hours or longer. Dave Z recently released his own brand - http://www.dz-nuts.com/
I have always used Assos but will probably give DZ a try... Could be an indication of how many pure-cyclists participate in the forum as well...
- Matt

~~~

"The only limits we have are those we give ourselves."
- Gordo Byrn

Frank Black

Jun 23, 08 12:52

Post #27 of 60 (1242 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In a previous thread on this I surmised that the over zealous use of chamois cream by many triathletes is due to the following:

1. Poor saddle choice
2. Poor cycling short choice - or just using poor shorts!
3. Poor bike fit

I'm not sure what constitutes "over zealous"-ness, but for me it comes down to just feeling better after a long ride if I use it.

But while we're being all macho let me go ahead and throw out that I used to do long rides on a mountain bike with jean shorts and cotton underwear. So there, you spandex-wearin', leg shavin' tough guys. :)

DaveV

Jun 23, 08 12:59

Post #28 of 60 (1230 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I use Assos for some longer races and rides over 50 miles. Otherwise no cream.
------------------------------------------------
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Thanks to our 2008 sponsors:
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http://averagetriathlete.blogspot.com

Alpern

Jun 23, 08 13:17

Post #29 of 60 (1202 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't know how you live without cream, lovely tingling aside. I use it on every ride regardless of distance or which bike I'm on.

Your numbered "poor" choices gave me an interesting matrix to think about my cream use. Why do I use it? (hint: I think we need a #4)

#1 - Regardless of saddle choice and comfort I find that cream feels better than no cream. Each time I've changed saddles I have not noticed a diminishing or increased need for cream.
#2 - Certainly not in my case. I wear DeSoto tri shorts or DeMarchi Contour bibs. Thicker chamois benefits more from cream, I think, probably because it absorbs it better.
#3 - I think this presumes that the crotch/shorts interface depends on weight distribution. Challenge.

#4 - HABIT. I suspect that most users fall into a binary decision and either always/almost always use cream or never do. Once one becomes accustomed to using cream it's almost impossible to switch to not using it.

Quote

They look uncomfortable on the bike and my guess is that they are uncomfortable.

True, I think most people are uncomfortable on the bike. I suspect that as many or more are also uncomfortable in their chosen shorts, especially when they're wet or damp. It's that interface between skin and short that really dictates whether cream is going to help you. No amount of Assos is going to make sitting on crappy chamois feel good, nor will it fix a seat that doesn't mesh well with anatomy.
- -- - -- --- -- - -- --- ---- --- -- - -- --- -- - -- -

My NYC Tri Race Report

sentania

Jun 23, 08 13:38

Post #30 of 60 (1169 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [mjshapiro] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

"Proper MAINTAINTANANCE of the perineal area is essential during high level training and racing. Nothing can ruin stage race success faster than an infected saddle sore.� --Dave Zabriskie

rofl

scottbowe.com - Where I talk about me

Remember:
Our sport is your sport's punishment.

Marco in BC

Jun 23, 08 13:41

Post #31 of 60 (1160 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Alpern] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I don't know how you live without cream, lovely tingling aside. I use it on every ride regardless of distance or which bike I'm on.

I take you don't bike commute? I somehow don't see putting chamois cream in your underwear in the morning and sitting in it all day...

--
A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.

steveperx

Jun 23, 08 13:43

Post #32 of 60 (1146 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i find that hard to believe.

What can I say? I have a sensitive tushy.

-------------------------------------
Steve Perkins

Alpern

Jun 23, 08 13:45

Post #33 of 60 (1140 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Marco in BC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I do not. There's nowhere in the building to lock up a bike, and I don't know about you but I don't trust folks in midtown Manhattan that much.

If I did commute, I can see not using it. Or at worst putting a little directly on the skin rather than the shorts.
- -- - -- --- -- - -- --- ---- --- -- - -- --- -- - -- -

My NYC Tri Race Report

Fleck

Jun 23, 08 13:47

Post #34 of 60 (1136 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [sentania] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"Proper MAINTAINTANANCE of the perineal area is essential during high level training and racing. Nothing can ruin stage race success faster than an infected saddle sore.� --Dave Zabriskie

When it comes to this sort of thing, wiser words have never been spoken. Dave Z knows the drill:

1. Always cycle in clean cycling shorts
2. Keep the pernial area clean, cool and dry when not on the bike
3. Get out of the cycling shorts ASAP when done riding/racing - very key.
4. Stay on top of any problems and minor discomforts down-there, as they will not stay minor long!

Steve Fleck
steve@nineteenwetsuits.com
http://www.nineteenwetsuits.com
http://stevefleck.blogspot.com

docfuel

Jun 23, 08 15:22

Post #35 of 60 (1038 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Fleck] [In reply to]	Can't Post

If I recall, he uses a lube AND he uses Bag Balm afterward.
_________________
Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

docfuel

Jun 23, 08 15:24

Post #36 of 60 (1033 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm old and slow and have a tender perineum. I probably have poor saddle fit, too.
If I ride for more than an hour on the road and more than a few minutes on the trainer, I definitely use. Vaseline or Bag Balm work fine.
_________________
Dick

Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.

VegasTrilete

Jun 23, 08 15:28

Post #37 of 60 (1025 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I voted no but do use vaseline for overdistance riding and all racing. Armpits also when racing.

goalie

Jun 23, 08 16:08

Post #38 of 60 (978 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Marco in BC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I take you don't bike commute? I somehow don't see putting chamois cream in your underwear in the morning and sitting in it all day...

Man, I was going to say that I ALWAYS used it, then, reading your post I realized that I NEVER use it on my commute, just "real" rides. That's over 100 miles a week without going to and from work, and I've pretty much biked 5-days a week since February.

jtaylor1O24

Jun 23, 08 16:23

Post #39 of 60 (950 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yeah I probably fall in the same category as several others. I use it but only for longer rides maybe over 50 miles.

----
Don't hold back

JT

Reduce your carbon footprint - burn less stuff, http://www.carbonfund.org
Don't complain, just work harder. - Randy Pausch

de-tri-mental

Jun 23, 08 16:25

Post #40 of 60 (944 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You lured me out of the woodworks.

Only on long rides (> 50m).

On most of my shorter rides I go unlubricated (if the weather is dry).
___________________________________________
Ego numquam pronuncio mendacium,
sed sum homo salvaticus

Slowman

Jun 23, 08 16:44

Post #41 of 60 (925 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [de-tri-mental] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"You lured me out of the woodworks."

you're never in the woodworks, and you are never in need of luring.

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

paulthomas

Jun 23, 08 16:45

Post #42 of 60 (924 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Assos is the only cream I have used for the under caraige. It seems to work very well. Oschner was generous enough to sort us out back during the RAAM a few yeas back. Between Assos F1.13 and their cream, you are almost promised to have a clean bill of health down under.

In case you encounter a minature volcanoe on the under caraige, TEA TREE oil has been the best remedy. This is will dry out the Pacific Ocean. Apply TEE TREE OIL on a cotton swab and clean 'er up every 2 hours. You will be right back on the hog!

Paul

Slowman

Jun 23, 08 16:59

Post #43 of 60 (903 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [paulthomas] [In reply to]	Can't Post

"TEE TREE OIL on a cotton swab and clean 'er up every 2 hours. You will be right back on the hog!"

this is probably a prank. pt is trying to find anybody he can find who'll fall prey, after kenny souza told him to put new skin on his raw scrotum during a 175mi bike ride.

now, that assos. here i was all lubed up for a bike ride, when the phone rings (probably it was you, pt), and one thing leads to another, and i run out of time. so, i strip down, change clothes, and head to the pool (lap swim hours adhere to a strict schedule). i do this without do-assos-ing myself.

woo hoo! after jumping in the water.

but i must say, it wasn't that bad, not like icy hot on the boys, nothing that bad. so i lubed prior to my race a couple of weeks ago. this, prior to the swim. no problem.

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman

Rappstar

Jun 23, 08 17:18

Post #44 of 60 (864 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'll run another poll, with the specifics of "do you generally use chamois creme" with something like,

yes, always
no, never
for longer rides
when the mood strikes

That ought to sort things out...

Herbert

Jun 23, 08 17:28

Post #45 of 60 (848 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Dan, you should check out Sixtus stuff. http://www.sixtusworld.com/2_11.html

H

rubberband

Jun 23, 08 17:33

Post #46 of 60 (836 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Slowman] [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's not what your poll asked. You asked what we prefer. I prefer Assos, but I don't use it for every ride, just the ones where I'll be in the saddle a while or where I particularly care about the outcome. That is, a minority of the rides.

rubberband

Jun 23, 08 17:36

Post #47 of 60 (826 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

D'oh, should've refreshed the thread before replying to Slowman. Yeah, that ought to sort things out, indeed.

jime

Jun 23, 08 17:43

Post #48 of 60 (813 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Only on rides over 60m
And for Ironman

I tried it when I started riding 4 yrs ago at the age of 50.
My taint was killing me and when I swam ( in salt water ) after riding, I was on fire.
I asked my local LBS what to do and they said try this Chamois Butter, I did and it helped.
I also saw that LA uses it and that makes me happy. I guess his taint isn't made of steel either.

I did find that the more I rode my bike, the more hair got rubbed away, and everything got smoother down there. ( maybe too much info for some )

E_moto

Jun 23, 08 18:11

Post #49 of 60 (782 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [mjshapiro] [In reply to]	Can't Post

any ride over 2 hours, and during the 24 hour races it really makes the last laps tolerable. I cant think of the brand that i have been using lately though........ Its a white tube with purple and yellow labeling. I used the brave soldier earlier this year, decent stuff.

............this pleases me...............

djh2

Jun 23, 08 18:23

Post #50 of 60 (773 views)

Re: So, more than 3/4 of you guys use chamois cream? really? [E_moto] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Seems to me that lotion is just making things worse. Hear me out. If you work with you hands, you get sore, they toughen up. Now you can wrench, shovel, cut, etc and your skin is tougher. To soften up calloused or tough skin, you use skin lotion. Right? So it seems to me if you chafe down there, and you want to avoid it by using lotion, wouldn't that only make things worse?

I'm new to cycling, I've used lotion, and lately body-glide and it's been pretty good. I don't have saddle sore problems but chafing problems, and ironically only in my "cycling shorts" but not my "tri shorts."

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