Minds out of gutter please.
I know that petroleum jelly is NOT recommended for wetsuits as it can potentially be bad for the integrity of the suit. Does the same go for using it as chamois lube? Or is it not used because it is just too messy?
Wondering if there are options out there that do not involve spending even more $ on simply greasing one’s nether regions. What’s your favourite chamois lube?
Don’t think there are any tri or bike shorts made of neoprene, which is why Vaseline is not recommended with a wetsuit—so IMO, if you have nothing else available, the good old petroleum jelly will work just fine. Indeed, it is a mess but still works pretty well in a pinch.
Oil based lubricants attract bacteria and bond to soft tissue making them a poor choice for . . . er . . . a variety of reasons a person may consider lubing that area.
I used to use Noxzema. I don’t recommend petroleum jelly. Way too messy. Now I use this thing called Butt Butt’r. Works great.
Like Bucky says, bad news letting PJ soak into your chamois. Won’t be able to wash is all out, and will fester with bacteria.
Rather than chamois cream, try an antiseptic cream, eg savlon. It’s roughly the same consistency as chamois cream, anti-bacterial, and not so greasy, and probably better than PJ for maintaining condition of the chamois.
Assos chamois cream. Best there is.
I second that. Stock up on Assos Cream, dude. Once you get used to the feel of mentholated crotch, you won’t go back.
I’ll agree with everyone and say that chamois butter/cream is a much better alternative…but if for some reason I’m out and Vas is the only thing around—it’ll work, but certainly not as a long term deal. One ride and done, and then to the bike shop to stock back up.
Allow me to translate your post for easier understanding…
“Is it okay if I lube my ass with vaseline before a ride?”
In the old days when the speedo was the only triathlon gear going round it was a big swipe of Vas on the front of the bike seat.
So out of the water onto the bike and off you went. It coated the thighs nicely and then onto the run = no chafing.
Um, yeah, that doesn’t sound too good. Thankfully, the answer seems to be “No”, or “No, but there are many nice creamy lotions, some of which smell and feel quite dreamy that would be more appropriate”.
Thanks for all the replies, I think Noxema at a couple bucks a jar will get the early nod.
I think Noxema at a couple bucks a jar will get the early nod
Are you sure about that? Isn’t there a little “kick” in that stuff that might, er, set the nether regions on fire for a bit??
Oooooooh, that doesn’t sound too comfy. A few reply’ers said they’ve used it with success. The wife corroborates your guess as she says it makes your face feel, ah, “fresh”.
Maybe zinc oxide? Pretty heavy cream, fine for sores, it’s anti-bacterial. Worked a treat on many a diaper-rashed bottom…
Everyone on my cycling team used Noxema. No problems.
Neosporin worked well for me when I was just starting out. Now, I’ll use Bodyglide if I’m going 75+ miles.
I just did an 8 stage MTB race in South Africa and find out a few things about saddle sores. Despite healthy portions of Assos cream, i still got saddle sores. The best solution is Fissan paste - used for diaper rash. Much cheaper than Assos cream, too.
I won’t go into the shame of dropping your pants every morning in the race hospital for a nurse to inspect your saddle sores.
Just go down to Walgrens and buy the thickest lotion you can find. It works 90% as good as Saddle Butter at about 1/3 the price.
Yeah, but trap it in your crotch for long enough and you’re just begging for jock itch.