Tips for dealing with saddle sores..?

KonaKurt

I'm back on my beloved bike after a 10 week absence from my saddle. Some illness, bodged up warranty repair job, illness again and then just overworked....! Anyway, I am back but I'm getting very saddle sore from just 20 mins riding, and my saddle used to 'fit' me as snug as a bug beforehand....

Got any (sensible) tips?

KK.

biondino

We have to ask - are you wearing underwear underneath with seams underneath your choice of cycling attire?

If it's the kind of bruisy-feeling soreness rather than chafing, it's unavoidable, but it'll go in a week or two. What saddle do you have?

KonaKurt

I have a Intake Volaire saddle, nice semi-confort size with gel and 'lovegroove' (hole). It always used to be perfectly comfortable beforehand, but right now, it's a case of avoiding as many bumps and stones as I can to prevent me from yelping!

No underwear (ever!), and just good fitting sport shorts.

The only factor that has changed is the fact that I have not been on the saddle for 10 weeks, until today!

KK.

PS: I'm wondering if the human body 'grows out' of a comfy fit onto a saddle, from lack of use...?

biondino

I think the bits of your bum that become accustomed to the pressure, bumps etc. lose it, and it takes a few days to get it back. I'm sure that's all it is.

Greg T

Chamois creme.

Rub it in (or get a friend to do it for you if you are shy) before you put your shorts on.

Christophe3967

Greg T wrote:

Chamois creme.

Rub it in (or get a friend to do it for you if you are shy) before you put your shorts on.

Not sure that this is a trifle extreme for a 20 minute ride. As Blondie says, it probably just a question of getting back into the groove, as it were.

On the subject of chamois creme, I was perturbed to see that Assos appear to have changed theirs. My new tub is different but I haven't started using it yet. I hope they haven't been messing around with it

cjcp

As said above, avoid seams. Has your saddle position on the rails been altered in any way or the saddle's height?

If the skin is already irritated, try Sudocrem (used frequently on babies' backsides). Tis good stuff.

Greg T

Christophe3967 wrote:

Greg T wrote:

Chamois creme.

Rub it in (or get a friend to do it for you if you are shy) before you put your shorts on.

Not sure that this is a trifle extreme for a 20 minute ride.

I re-applly mine after I shower - I'm enjoying it now sitting at my desk - don't tell me I'm the only one you old Dog!

lost_in_thought

cjcp wrote:

As said above, avoid seams. Has your saddle position on the rails been altered in any way or the saddle's height?

+1, a combination of this and Blondie's wisdom about getting back in the saddle.

If the bike shop had your bike for any length of time, chances are they've messed around with the saddle. God knows why, they just always do!

Persevere for a while then try altering the saddle position.

cee

Greg T wrote:

Christophe3967 wrote:

Greg T wrote:

Chamois creme.

Rub it in (or get a friend to do it for you if you are shy) before you put your shorts on.

Not sure that this is a trifle extreme for a 20 minute ride.

I re-applly mine after I shower - I'm enjoying it now sitting at my desk - don't tell me I'm the only one you old Dog!

you must be slithering around in your chair!

dirk_van_gently

Christophe3967 wrote:

On the subject of chamois creme, I was perturbed to see that Assos appear to have changed theirs. My new tub is different but I haven't started using it yet. I hope they haven't been messing around with it

I think they have, the colour has changed, and it isn't doing it for me as well as the older tub I was using.

Christophe3967

Dirk Van Gently wrote:

Christophe3967 wrote:

On the subject of chamois creme, I was perturbed to see that Assos appear to have changed theirs. My new tub is different but I haven't started using it yet. I hope they haven't been messing around with it

I think they have, the colour has changed, and it isn't doing it for me as well as the older tub I was using.

My worse fears .... what the fcuk is wrong with these people?? :twisted:

Jay dubbleU

KonaKurt wrote:

I have a Intake Volaire saddle, nice semi-confort size with gel and 'lovegroove' (hole). It always used to be perfectly comfortable beforehand, but right now, it's a case of avoiding as many bumps and stones as I can to prevent me from yelping!

No underwear (ever!), and just good fitting sport shorts.

The only factor that has changed is the fact that I have not been on the saddle for 10 weeks, until today!

KK.

PS: I'm wondering if the human body 'grows out' of a comfy fit onto a saddle, from lack of use...?

I had this when I first got on the bike in September - I had about six weeks of agony but now I don't even notice the saddle - I have never used padded shorts and at the moment i cycle in jeans without any problems - I guess its just a matter of MTFU

AndyManc

Tips for dealing with saddle sores..?

Cheese slice Patches , Dairylea ones are best, and if you're a bit over weight.. use 'light'.








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cjcp

How, um, did you come to discover that? :shock:

snooks

I find I just have to build up slowly again.

Ride one day
Take two days off,
Ride again
Take one day off
Ride again
Take a day off


By then you should be better, well getting better, and can sit down without making a sound like a cat being sick

Jamey

Acne gels (or creams) that contain 10% Benzoyl Peroxide are brilliant for treating saddle-sore patches of skin, much better than Sudocrem or any of the "usual" stuff. Only downside is it's a bit dearer to buy but it really does the job, usually healing the skin in half the time I find.

The easiest one to buy in the UK seems to be Quinoderm, I've spotted it in Superdrug and Tesco. It's an over-the-counter thing so you have to ask for it. If they question your motives just say your doctor recommended it for a skin condition or something.

Oxy 10 is another one with the same active ingredient (in the same amount - 10%) but I've only tried Quinoderm so far. Think Panoxyl is yet another brand of the same basic thing.

johncp

Benzoyl peroxide preps are great for treating actual sores - spots on yer bum - but if it's just a bit of general irritation and redness they may make the soreness worse and you should stick to soothing creams like Sudocrem or similar