I’ve been battling one or two saddle sores for what seems like forever now. I’ve tried just about anything I can to make them go away (rubbing alcohol, desitin, lots of powder to stay dry when not riding, lots of lube when riding), but even when they do, they seem to reappear in the exact same spot within a ride or 2. They seem to be the type of infected pimple that’s an “innie”, not an "outie’ so I don’t think I can effectively lance them (plus my pain threshhold isnt that high).
This is seriously impacting my ability/joy of riding. Seems to happen more on the tri bike . .with an arione saddle that I otherwise like. I’m comfortable saying I “sit” properly judging by the contact points. I’ve tried larger and smaller shorts. nothing seems to make a big difference.
Any other suggestions? Would a different saddle make a difference? Perhaps one of the adamo saddles that seems to have a different contact point?
I’ve been using Assos. I was thinking of trying “skin sake.” ever heard of it? A friend had it and I tried it one day. no idea if it’s got antibacterial properties . . .am open to other suggestions.
As for shorts . . oh yeah, one ride and they’re washed. Thanks for other suggestions
Saddles and shorts perform specific functions, and preventing sores isn’t one of them. Sores are caused by riding position and anatomical dimensions - notice I didn’t say bad riding position. You can have a good “riding” position, but if that combined with your crotch anatomy doesn’t jive with your equipment, then you need to change one or more factor(s). I think that a small fraction of the population has instant success with an equipment swap. For the rest of us, it’s a matter of trial and error. From my observations, expensive shorts are a quicker route than an expensive saddle. Buy something high-end, lube up, and give it a go. I found that using LOTS of lube was a definite improvement.
really? that looks a little creepy. CVS will carry it?
Yeah, I thought the same thing. Looks and feels similar to vaseline. Worked wonders. Unfortunately it’s something to use after you already have the issue, so I guess I really didn’t answer your question. Like the previous poster said- sit bones in the right place and lots of lube in the shorts. I prefer less padding to more and usually ride in tri shorts, even on my road bike.
You can try a neoprene pad as well. Give you a little bit of relief. The trend toward lighter saddles with less padding means you can’t just jump on a new saddle and ride off. It takes some adaptation in your hind end. I tried a Specialized Toupe once and it was so hard I findally just sold it after a couple of run-ins with sores. I replaced it with a San Marco SKN which has just enough padding for me to be comfortable, but if I plan to go out longer than a couple of hours I throw on the neoprene cover.
Having multiple bikes with multiple saddles can help as well. If one seat caused you some problems then swap to another bike for a couple days and then work your way back to the other bike when the sores subside.
Almost without fail, I only get sores when I significantly increase my volume/time in the saddle without allowing for my butt to be ready for the pressure.
Thanks much. You did answer my question, since I’m currently dealing with the isue. So you apply this directly, or to your chamois? I’m really looking for ANYTHING that will help with the swelling/inflammation
I used to get sores pretty often - - lately I have been able to avoid them. My saddle sore “plan”:
Use Witch Hazel(or rubbing Alcohol if you are tougher than me) before you ride, just to eliminate any bacteria that is hanging around looking for an opening in your skin A hefty serving of body glide works for me prior to my ride. I have tried the other lubes, but body glide worked best for me Shower quickly after the ride Reapply Witch hazel after shower Use Neosporin in areas prone to sores
I agree with the Preperation H, and Cortizone on existing sores (also clean them with witch hazel or rubbing alcohol)
Thanks much. You did answer my question, since I’m currently dealing with the isue. So you apply this directly, or to your chamois? I’m really looking for ANYTHING that will help with the swelling/inflammation
Apply directly 2x per day. Put a dab on the sore in the morning after you shower, and then again before bed (or again if you shower in between). In case I wasn’t clear before, you don’t use it while your riding as a preventative. Use whatever you normally would (Chamois Butt’r, Body Glide, etc), the bag balm is after the fact to fix the issue.
My wife had some major problems for a while and part of the solution has been a homemade recipe of lube that I believe was first cooked up by Keith Bontrager, but I could be wrong:
2 parts Aquaphor, 1 part cortizone cream, 1 part antibacterial cream. If you want it to feel really nice, get the cortizone with aloe and Vit E and the antibacterial with a little pain reliever. With these ingredients she has fewer sores, and the ones that show up are less severe and heal more quickly.
She also had some good luck changing to a Blackwell/Cobb Flow saddle.
I’ve been having issues with saddles sores as well and have been using zinc oxide with some success. Also making sure to really dry the area after showering and put on some triple antibiotic after. It has helped but not cured the problem. I have a feeling it may be necessary to take about a couple weeks off from biking to allow these things to really heal up, but I could be wrong.
I ride just about every day. Commuting to work and training. I hardly ever have any problems with those bits. I guess I’m blessed.
When doing long rides in the rain, I sometimes get some chaffing on the inside of my right thigh and to the side of my perinium. That usually clears up quite quickly tho, wtih sensible treatment.
Twice I’ve had the saddle sores you describe. Yes, they are quite painful and like you, I couldn’t contemplate lancing them in that area! LOL. Both time’s I’ve got them (same place) has been after I’ve been off the bike for a while. Just recently I got one after being off the bike for about 5 weeks, with broken ribs. My bike was killed in the accident so I resorted to my MTB for commuting, while I look for a replacement road bike for commuting. Everything was the same, including the saddle, clean shorts every ride and so on. Still, I got the saddle sore.
I made a few minor adjustments to my saddle and riding position (tilted my saddle up in front, to drive me back into the pocket of my saddle) and lengethened my stem and lowered it too, to get a position more like my road bike. That seemed to fix it (along with squeezing it like a zit, even though it brought tears to my eyes!) and it’s been fine for the last 10 days, with apparently no re-inflamation or whatever.
Try a few minor adjustments to your bike, even if they make it worse for riding, it might make it better for your saddle sore. Remember too, that it’s hard to heal it if you keep doing what you did to cause it in the first place. As much as none of us like it, a week off the bike along with other remedies might do the trick. Best of luck.