Chamoix cream is it worth it?

[colini39]

Hello,
I'm new to long touring and will be doing the Trans Am next year.
I have heard some mixed news on using Chamoix cream and wondered what regular tourers think,is it worth using and if so how much do you need to use?

Thanks Colin

[DaveB]

I've never used it and never missed it and I ride nearly evey day, year round.  However, lots of riders swear by it and wouldn't ride without it so there is no clear cut answer.  About all I can assume is it does no harm and may be a benefit to some. 

[windrath]

Although I don't always use it, I always carry it for when I do need it.  There are just some days when the saddle - body connection are not working and the chamois cream is a god send.  It is great for men or women.  If you do decide to use it, don't skimp on it.  Rub it into the chamois and on all areas that contact the saddle.  As a very good friend told me, you want to feel like you pooped your pants.

If you have ever ridden long enough (or in the wrong position) and ended up with a raw spot, you know how long they take to heal.  Chamois cream can prevent that situation.

As an aside, I always carrier something like neosporin because it helps heal those raw spots that might develop from time to time.

Happy Trails....

Paul

[reed523]

I had never used/needed it until i rode 5 days straight in the rain.  Worth it at any price.  I little dab will do you.

[bogiesan]

I had never used/needed it until i rode 5 days straight in the rain.  Worth it at any price.  I little dab will do you.

A seat, chamois and shorts that are all soaked is a combination that can put you in bed for a few days. This is a prefect reason to have a few packets of Chamois Butter or another product in your kit. ON my recumbent, the issue is a bit different because of the mechanical connection between my seat and my buttocks. I can get a linear pressure sore between the glutes where they rub. Sweat or rain aggravates the situation. I use an anti-chafing powder in a gel form and I carry a small tube of a zinc oxide product like A/D or Budreaux's Butt Paste. The most important thing for me is to be aware of the potential issue twenty or thirty miles BEFORE it develops into a problem because it can take several days to recover.

[indyfabz]

I've never used it and never missed it and I ride nearly evey day, year round.  However, lots of riders swear by it and wouldn't ride without it so there is no clear cut answer.  About all I can assume is it does no harm and may be a benefit to some.

I think that sums it up pretty well.  I will add that road conditions may play a factor. For example, I did portions of the OR section of the Trans Am during a supported tour. The chip seal took its toll on a lot of riders. Chamoix cream became like gold after a few days. I am a very heavy sweater so I tend to use it for long rides in hot and/or humid weather.

[HONDO]

Besides a helmet, its the next closest thing that "will save your life". Dont leave home without it!

[bogiesan]

Typical thread: 1. Never used it. 2. Don't need it. 3. Don't leave home without it.

No wonder we're all confused all the time about everything. 

[staehpj1]

Typical thread: 1. Never used it. 2. Don't need it. 3. Don't leave home without it.

No wonder we're all confused all the time about everything.

I'll weigh in as agreeing with item 2 on your list.  If I do get chafing I use Balmex or other zinc oxide base diaper cream overnight.  Works like magic.

[tentwentyam]

And if you don't bring it, and something comes up, this is the remedy:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24361&cmpid=01csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=1219239948&cagpspn=pla

You can get it at Tractor Supply along the way.

[Pat Lamb]

1.  Unless you're getting paid to use it, and get it for free; or unless you're wearing cycling shorts with a real skin-of-dead-lizard chamois, you don't need to rub chamois cream on your shorts.

2.  If, for whatever reason, your nether parts are swollen and rubbing against each other, Chamois Butter is the best thing I've found to reduce friction and to prevent further irration.

3.  Bag Balm (see 10:20am's post, that's a good price!) is my weapon of choice for chafing, irration, infected hairs, nicks, scratches, etc.  It seems to help heal the skin and reduce infection.  Chamois Butter doesn't do that well.  Bag Balm is less effective at reducing friction and chafing, though.

4.  #2 shouldn't happen much.  I brought home most of a $1 sample pack of Chamois Butter from a three month tour.

Your butt shouldn't be experiencing much rubbing.  Decent shorts, chamois, and saddle should take care of that.

[BikeFreak]

This summer I did the TA and had many thoughts on how to avoid butt problems. From all my previous trips I would get furuncles that would hurt so much at the end of the day, that onward riding was impossible. A nights sleep would "heal" the problem, but the next day after many hours of riding, the problem would slowly emerge again. So I would be living with the issue.

This time I carried:

Chamois cream
Zink salve/ointment (baby butt ointment)
Wet wipes (a plastic container with 50 wipes claiming to kill some 99,8% of all bacteria)
2 pairs of bike shorts

First of all I never used the chamois cream - I sent it home and was happy about that.

What I did: When I did not have the possibility to shower I would clean my crotch/butt with 1 wet wipe. I did this notoriously from day 1 even though it did not hurt. The next day I would use the other pair of shorts. Normally I would not wash the shorts each day by hand but rather wait some days for a real washing machine. Eventually the furuncles would emerge again, but thats when I used the zink cream: Applied it before sleep and the next day everything was gone. I believe I used the zink cream 5 days out of 30 riding days. On this trip I had no butt problems whatsoever, even after 130 mi riding days!

For me, I have realized that saddles get to much attention when solving butt problems. I do believe that the hygiene in the crotch/butt area is vital and is more important than the perfect saddle. Then again, I don't like the idea of having chamois cream being rubbed into the pad - I'm affraid that the cream will enhance bacteria growth and that it cannot be suffiently cleaned when doing a hand wash in a sink.

Lucas

[driftlessregion]

Chamois Butt'r does a good job of dealing with friction but does not last in long, very hot or wet rides. If you are like me and suffer heat rash in those conditions you want a moisture barrier such as Lantiseptic (http://www.lantiseptic.com/) on your skin. It has solved that horrible problem for me.

[misterflask]

I have one spot on one cheek that's a a chronic problem.  Managed with a combination of all advice here:
Spot application of small amount chamois butter each am
Cleaning with baby wipes each pm.
Application of small amount budreaux's butt paste each pm.
Cleaning with baby wipe in the am and start all over

[ruko]

Two years ago I found a really good method to eliminate sore riding butt. I bought a recumbent. I don't have to take ibuprofen any more to mask the pain in my wrists, back, neck and posterior. Don't have to use Chamoix or cow udder dip anymore. The seat is sooo comfortable and supportive and there is no pressure on my wrists or back and my neck is never in a cranked up unnatural position. Sure I might be a little slower on hills but I have the gears and lately I have been passing many uprights on hills as I become more and more adapted to the bike. Riding a bicycle ideally should not result in pain.