(Sensitive) Question for the girls

prettyinpurple

I'm quite new to proper cycling and while it is great, I'm running into a problem with chafing.

I am going commando in the bib tights but I'm still experiencing chafing along the bikini line (where the leg wax stops!).

Apart from vaseline (which is working), is there a better option?

Thx

Darkglasses

It sounds like your bib tights might be a size too large, is the chafing caused by material bunching up, or is the problem the material itself?

Pygmy Shrew

I'd recommend you try a short spin with just normal lycra running shorts without padding....if you get no chafing then you'll know that it's the padding is the problem. You should check that you're wearing women's specific padded shorts....the dhb range on wiggle are very good and have less padding in the front area. Look for the halterneck design...they make toilet stops so much easier. I got awful discomfort when wearing shorts designed for men...there was just far too much padding and they just didn't sit right. Finally consider chamois cream...again there's a selection made specially for girls...the men's ones are a bit too tingly for our delicate areas.

eeeee

Chamois cream, chamois cream, chamois cream.

Can't say it enough! I use the Chamois Butt'r Her stuff, it's this:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/paceline-chamois-butt-r-her-cream/rp-prod137576

PH balanced, untingly (I forgot my chamois cream for a race a couple of weeks ago, got a dollop of 'Eurostyle' chamois cream of a kindly guy - Oh. My. Dear. God. Why does such a thing exist :eek: It was like putting deep heat on. *shudder*), gets rid of chafing for me. It'll make things immediately more bearable, and tolerable whilst the saddle/shorts experiments are going on.

Your shorts and saddle are super important for mitigating chafe-age. They're individual for everybody, I use an Adamo and like a bit of padding, some like hardly any padding and male saddles. Horses for courses!

ETA: I also find the Dhb range very good. I couldn't cycle without padding at all

Agent Smyth

+1 on the Chamois cream, its a life saver
I find they are nearly all good but personally prefer the Assos brand

MB Lacey

Your saddle width/ size might also be the issue.
You have to be sure your sit bones are being supported.

If you're in Dublin maybe call into Cycleways on Parnell st, they have a device to measure your sit bone width.
I was on a 143mm saddle and having quite a few problems, the device showed I should have been on a 155mm saddle.
Used a 155 saddle and no chafing or pain!

You could also try moving your saddle forward/ backward a little, you might have the set up wrong.

Here are two good articles:

http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/health-tips/when-chamois-cream-isnt-enough-6-steps-to-chafe-free-riding/

http://www.womenscycling.ca/blog/health-tips/cycling-genital-problems/

tunney

prettyinpurple wrote: »

I'm quite new to proper cycling and while it is great, I'm running into a problem with chafing.

I am going commando in the bib tights but I'm still experiencing chafing along the bikini line (where the leg wax stops!).

Apart from vaseline (which is working), is there a better option?

Thx

A brazilian?

(only half joking here, trimming the undercarriage can help the comfort factor, helps me)

MB Lacey

tunney wrote: »

A brazilian?

(only half joking here, trimming the undercarriage can help the comfort factor, helps me)

I'm not asking what you do personally :rolleyes: but I'm not sure whether you mean trimming (cutting short with scissors) or shaving.
Shaving and regrowth can cause a whole host of other miseries which can affect some and not others.
Just look at some of the comments on the 2nd link in my post above, some swear by shaving, others say it causes them problems.

tunney

MB Lacey wrote: »

I'm not asking what you do personally :rolleyes: but I'm not sure whether you mean trimming (cutting short with scissors) or shaving.
Shaving and regrowth can cause a whole host of other miseries which can affect some and not others.
Just look at some of the comments on the 2nd link in my post above, some swear by shaving, others say it causes them problems.

Trim down with a clippers/electric razor to minimize hair pull

eeeee

http://totalwomenscycling.com/fitness/cobb-saddles-ask-innie-outie-62577/#7pHjBE1r6TAZIOMs.97

Good reading there

Hair is an entirely personal issue I think, some find it better to get rid than others. One size does not fit all.

eeeee

Another good article here:
http://totalwomenscycling.com/lifestyle/choose-womens-saddle-73817/#!/#v5e3wHuJ2z2XbFkp.97

Forgot about position. I ride in quite an aggressive position so can't stand a long nose on a saddle. Or any nose really!

prettyinpurple

Sorry, work has been hectic so I'm only getting a chance to post now.

Thanks so much for all your replies and the links to the articles - much food for thought and lots to look at when I'm cycling this evening, focusing specifically on the shorts/padding and then on my position on the saddle. I think the pair of (ladies) shorts I usually wear have quite a large pad, especially towards the front, which could be causing the chaffing, so I'll pay closer attention when I'm cycling and see if it's part of the problem. Also, given that I've lost some weight since I bought them, I'll have a look to see if they're a little baggy/loose on the thigh.

I also think I tend to sit quite forward on the saddle, so, again, maybe it's just a case of consciously trying to sit a little further back on the saddle and see if that makes any difference. And after that, I can take a look at the shape of the saddle and how I think it's working for me.

MB Lacey

Your shorts should fit you as snug as a wetsuit would.
There shouldn't really be any gathering of loose material.
Good luck, it's frustrating that a simple thing can take the pleasure out of cycling. Hope you get sorted

nak

I prefer bibshorts as there is less movement than with waist shorts. I personally didn't like the chamois in the dhb shorts or the VeloRevolution ones with club kit, but others love them. Have to find what works for you, which can be expensive.

Have tried a whole host of saddles and prefer the Specialized Oura or Power saddles with a cutout. 7 hours on my new Power saddle and no chafing at all (with chamois cream). The less hair the better for me (waxing not shaving).