Attention cyclists: delicate question....

[Dottore]

Been trying to spend more time in the saddle, but suffer from the dreaded "nutsack chafe". How do you serious riders avoid this???

(I got the gel seat and bicycle shorts already—but they don't help. At least not enough.)

My neighbour douses himself with a bucket of baby powder before he rides, and when he takes off he looks like Johnny Depp in scene from "Blow". Not sure I want to go that route.

[jtkkz]

My freind who who I ride with uses vaseline..

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I find a harder (non-gel) saddle actually is better. The gel ones simply contour to your soft tissue and increase the amount of rubbing that goes on - at least this is what I found...

Try different shorts (including bib shorts) until you find ones that work. *shrug* Don't know what else to tell ya. Have you tried adjusting seat and riding position? A few millimeters makes a big difference. You want your ass bones on the seat and carrying the weight - you don't want your soft tissue (buttocks, muscles, etc.) carrying any weight. This will make you uncomfortable and could help create extra movement "down under" that might be related to your problem.

I'd experiment with:

- saddle
- saddle position (geometry)
- shorts type

The lotions and creams and powders don't do jack - at least I don't think so. Once you're riding hard stuff gets sweated off anyway. If you're riding more than an hour I'd say it's not doing anything. Or else you're not riding hard enough... Just keep your shorts/gear clean and shower up right after you ride.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I find a harder (non-gel) saddle actually is better. The gel ones simply contour to your soft tissue and increase the amount of rubbing that goes on - at least this is what I found...

Try different shorts (including bib shorts) until you find ones that work. *shrug* Don't know what else to tell ya. Have you tried adjusting seat and riding position? A few millimeters makes a big difference. You want your ass bones on the seat and carrying the weight - you don't want your soft tissue (buttocks, muscles, etc.) carrying any weight. This will make you uncomfortable and could help create extra movement "down under" that might be related to your problem.

I'd experiment with:

- saddle
- saddle position (geometry)
- shorts type

The lotions and creams and powders don't do jack - at least I don't think so. Once you're riding hard stuff gets sweated off anyway. If you're riding more than an hour I'd say it's not doing anything. Or else you're not riding hard enough... Just keep your shorts/gear clean and shower up right after you ride.

[red-beard]

Butt Butter

or really

Butt'R

Butt everyone calls it Butt Butter

[ros74911]

use saddle with hole in between. stay away from padded foam or gel. not good for long distance. the less cushion the better. also, pick a saddle that supports your butt bone only and slim up front. get a jar of assos brand chamois cream. it has a cooling agent. hope it works out for you. good luck.

[crb07]

If you purchased your bike recently or use a regular shop take your bike there in your shorts and shoes that you ride in. Get properly fitted and a saddle that they recommend if yours is not comfortable. (if your shop is crap and they are not professional you are waisting your time). If your bike does not fit you or is not set up properly you may be doing more damage to your body than good. If you still have chafe try any of the products your local shop sells for this.
If you are sure your bike is set up correctly then I would say it is your shorts or saddle. I can due 3-4 hour rides 4-5 times a week and have no problems in htis area.

[cantdrv55]

Forget the gel saddle and shorts. Non-cyclists think the softer the saddle and also the shorts, the more comfortable you'll be. The exact opposite is true. As a matter of fact, a lot of touring cyclists, those who vacation on their bikes, swear by Brooks leather saddles. Those things when new is like riding on concrete saddle but when worn in are wonderful, I've heard.

Get a good leather saddle. I use the men's Terry Fly seat. They're about $100 or so. Also, invest in good bib shorts. I wear Pearl Izumis that cost about $135. Assos, which a lot of cyclists love, are about $200 or so. My PIs suits me just fine though. Lastly, your riding position can be the cause as well. Is your saddle pointing up slightly? It probably should not.

[MichiganMat]

Ditch the gel-seat, put a proper saddle on it. Check out http://www.pricepoint.com for good cheap gear.

Also check out Chamios Butt'r, Dznuts, etc...

As mentioned above:
- Is your saddle level or pointed upwards? I ride mine pointed downwards, put the pressure on the buttbones
- Also, I ride a cheap hard saddle with basic roadie shorts from Performance Bikes, never had a problem

[herr_oberst]

shorts and a saddle,

correct fit

(shorts come in styles these days that look like regular walking shorts but with a nice pad, so you can walk around in public without displaying your johnson,)
(not that I mind showing off the johnson, mind, you)

[T77911S]

different shorts and saddle.

the first time i did a 100 mile ride, my shorts rubbed my head raw, raw like you would not believe. i could not not take it any more and had to stop at around 90.
new shorts, a good pair, and never had the problem again, or maybe it just toughened up. anyway, pearl izumi's is one brand i used. dont go cheap, get the best even if it means less pairs. i did go to bibs too.

[creaturecat]

Ride down to Campione Cycle.
Talk to Guisseppe.

[flatbutt]

really top quality shorts an absolute. saddle position is critical and pay attention to it's position relative to handlebar height. I found mine a bit to low so I was always pushing myself backwards onto the seat to keep my weight properly positioned.

and when I'm going to do a really long day >75miles, I use a small piece of the pad from an old pair of shorts and stick it under the nutsack to give a little more bufer.

[MFAFF]

The shorts are a must and it might be that its the actual material that is causing the chafe, certainly if its real chammy then that might be a problem..I used vaseline back in the day.

Saddle angle and your overall position on the bike is crucial.. check the stem length and height.. too much forward lean and its the nuts that take the load....

As others have said its worth fining a decent bike shop that can set you up properly and comfortably.

The type of saddle, if you are sitting on it incorrectly ill not solve any of the problems.. nor will good shorts.

[Dottore]

Good advice, all.

Mille Grazie!

[dd74]

Vaseline. Spin at times, lift off the saddle at other times. It'll help you last longer (for your ride, that is).

[red-beard]

About 5 miles to the end of the MS150 (175 miles over 2 days) last year, I was going along with a random group of people. One of the guys says "I need to pull over for a Butt Butter break".

They make small, single use tube. He had the big size as the picture above. So, we're parked at the side of a major road in a little dirt patch. He puts on about an oz of the stuff into his hand, I mean a huge amount, and sticks his hand in his shorts, and starts slathering it on his junk, his thighs, everywhere! Yup, right there in the street!

A site to behold...

[HardDrive]

I thought showing off the Johnson was the entire point of cycling.

shorts and a saddle,



correct fit



(shorts come in styles these days that look like regular walking shorts but with a nice pad, so you can walk around in public without displaying your johnson,)

(not that I mind showing off the johnson, mind, you)

[Dantilla]

Another vote for "Ditch the gel saddle, and get the bike fitted properly".

[jtkkz]

Brooks Swift saddle are very comfortable... they are heavy but comfy.

It is true stay away from gel saddles....