chafing or discomfort from seat

[andsmith1228]

I am a new cyclist and am a bit overweight. I rode for the first time yesterday and I am a bit chafed today. I have a huge event I am training for and am not going to quit. Any suggestions? Andy

[whittierider]

There are plenty of strategies, but regardless, your fanny must get conditioned for the seat, and that takes a little time.  I have no problem at all most of the year, but the ol' undercarriage can't take much at the end of the winter when I have been riding very little for the previous three months.  After a month or two of stepping up my mileage, I'm completely comfortable all day on the saddle again, even though the one on the bike I ride most now is one of the narrowest, hardest, lightest, and cheapest saddles I've ever used.

Oh, BTW, do make sure you're wearing cycling shorts, and don't wear underwear with them, since that defeats part of the purpose of cycling shorts, which is to avoid sitting on seams and wrinkles.  Next, on the pad in the shorts, put a lot of vaseline, bag balm, or one of the products made for the purpose.

[Bikearound]

1) Check the fit of your saddle, is it wide enough? narrow enough? Does it support your sit bones properly?
2) Check the location of your saddle on the bike. Do you find yourself sliding forward or back? This shouldn't be happening.
3) Check the saddle height, Do your hips rock while you pedal? If your hips rock, lower your saddle in 1/4" increments till the rocking stops.
4) Does your saddle have too much padding? Big fluffy saddles cause more chaffing than saddles that are thinly padded.

Saddles are a personal thing, no two arses are alike. If you have checked the above items to make sure none of these are happening then chances are that it is just personal break in time that is needed. If you have a little extra money, have your LBS do a bike fitting. It can make a huge difference in your riding comfort and efficiency.

[John Nelson]

The word "chafed" suggests to me a clothing problem. Switch to proper cycling clothing (even if you don't like how it looks). Then use a lubricant on the chafed areas.

[rvklassen]

Agree with the clothing point.

Sore sitz bones mean either the saddle needs replacing or you just need more time.  Usually the latter.

Sore skin surface means either you're not wearing cycling shorts (directly against the skin), or you are, but that's not sufficient.  Most people, if they are wearing cycling shorts wouldn't see problems with chafing in less than half an hour of riding.  Anything over an hour, especially if it's warm enough out that there's sweat involved, and the solution is likely to be "Chamois Buttr" or one of its competitors.  Comes in a tube or a tub.

[JimF]

Body Glide, a stick anti-chafing product, may help. I use it on tour and it works. Not messy, too.

[bktourer1]

Check saddle for wear, try not to wear and clothing that binds, a anti chafing product (Paceline "chamois buttr"), the postioning of the saddle and is it the right saddle for you.  You could have the wrong one.