Which chamois cream?

sampras38
sampras38 Posts: 1,917
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi all.

Can anyone offer any advice on the best chamois cream to use? I haven't used them before but now I'm doing more longer rides and sportives I'd like to give them a go.

Anything in particular I should be looking at?

Is the Assos stuff any good?

Thanks

Comments

  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    I've heard nothing but good things about Elite. I opted for Assos purely on price as I've never tried it before. Am heading off for my first ride using it shortly so will report back soon, but I'm sure you'll get a few responses in the meantime
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    guilliano wrote:
    I've heard nothing but good things about Elite. I opted for Assos purely on price as I've never tried it before. Am heading off for my first ride using it shortly so will report back soon, but I'm sure you'll get a few responses in the meantime

    Nice one...thanks.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    I have used Assos and Chamois Butt'r lately and like them both. The Butt'r being a bit less expensive. If you search around the web you can find recipies for making your own.
    Here's one from Keith Bontrager.
    www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2006/diaries ... =keith0606

    I like his advice "use a lot".

    Dennis Noward
  • rjh299
    rjh299 Posts: 721
    Udderly Smooth off wiggle's pretty good, and just seen new extra care one with added Urea, whatever that is.
  • SpinningJenny
    SpinningJenny Posts: 889
    Urea - you find it in urine!

    And that Australian foot balm used to sooth cracked heels!

    It's the waste product after protein has been metabolised.
    Ned Flanders: “You were bicycling two abreast?”
    Homer Simpson: “I wish. We were bicycling to a lake.”

    Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc 08
  • disgruntledgoat
    disgruntledgoat Posts: 8,957
    I have a kind of "Chamois Cream Idol" approach.

    I bought 3 to see which suited me best and, having used them in rotation they all had their merits. One had been discontinued when replacement time came around so I tried another different one. Have tried loads over the years the good ones were...

    Assos
    Udderly Smooth
    Agu
    Biemme (best EVER!)
    DZ Nuts
    "In many ways, my story was that of a raging, Christ-like figure who hauled himself off the cross, looked up at the Romans with blood in his eyes and said 'My turn, sock cookers'"

    @gietvangent
  • stevo1602
    stevo1602 Posts: 43
    You can get that stuff that you put on a baby's a*se from Mothercare or Boots, for a fraction of the price, which is made from exactly the same stuff as all those expensive ones already mentioned.
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    Well as it's the first chamois cream I've tried I can't make a comparison, but the Assos stuff seems to work pretty well. No chaffing, and that's with brand new shorts too. Hoping they'll get a few more work outs together over the next few days.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • 16simon
    16simon Posts: 154
    After seeing people recommend it on the web, I tried nappy cream instead of Assos chamois cream (my favourite). It works ok, but it doesn't wash out easily, not on a 30 degree wash anyway, which is what I use for my cycle clothing.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    I was speaking with a friend the other night who recommended the 'Nature's Kiss' stuff, you can get it from Evans. He likes it because it is all natural with no chemicals.

    I use the Assos stuff and love it.
  • turkeytickler
    turkeytickler Posts: 640
    Assos is nice + ive got a tub of Chafe-ease http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=9996 on the go which is nice too

    Rather embarassing q to the group.....

    Do you rub it on your chamois or your bits? If find the latter more effective personally..... :oops:
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Both...
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    turkeytickler wrote:
    Assos is nice + ive got a tub of Chafe-ease http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=9996 on the go which is nice too

    Rather embarassing q to the group.....

    Do you rub it on your chamois or your bits? If find the latter more effective personally..... :oops:

    In answer to your question click on my link to Keith Bontrager and blow up the picture
    of his shorts. Looks like he puts that stuff on his chamois with a shovel. Interesting comment of his about pro saddles being sort of saturated with grease.

    Dennis Noward
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Cheers for that link Dennis, I'll try that when the Assos runs out.
  • turkeytickler
    turkeytickler Posts: 640
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Cheers for that link Dennis, I'll try that when the Assos runs out.
    good idea - in those quantities ... no way you are going to be able to afford assos! :shock:
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Cheers for that link Dennis, I'll try that when the Assos runs out.

    Maybe Bontrager has something there. I seem to skimp a bit on the lube because it is
    somewhat expensive and I get the occasional "hot spot" here or there, but if you slather it on like he does you really should never have a problem. Maybe I'll give it a try too.
    My wife will kill me if I sit on any furniture though.

    Dennis Noward
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    Thanks everyone for your replies.

    I think I'll start off by trying Assos.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I use the udder butter thingy - I think wiggle sell it with pics of cows on ? Thats nice.
  • Tony666
    Tony666 Posts: 274
    dennisn wrote:
    turkeytickler wrote:
    Assos is nice + ive got a tub of Chafe-ease http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=9996 on the go which is nice too

    Rather embarassing q to the group.....

    Do you rub it on your chamois or your bits? If find the latter more effective personally..... :oops:

    In answer to your question click on my link to Keith Bontrager and blow up the picture
    of his shorts. Looks like he puts that stuff on his chamois with a shovel. Interesting comment of his about pro saddles being sort of saturated with grease.

    Dennis Noward

    I must say I dont think I could smear it on that much - the squelching while riding is bad enough just imagining it!
    http://sotyred.wordpress.com/
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    So I've started using the Assos cream and whilst it felt a bit strange to start with, it seems to do the trick.

    cheers folks..;-)
  • themightyw
    themightyw Posts: 409
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    themightyw wrote:
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?

    Yeah, it is. I did a 70 miler at the weekend and thought I'd give it a try.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    themightyw wrote:
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?

    I look upon it as, what if I get 20 miles from home and things start to rub? By the time I get back I'm rubbed raw as a uncooked steak. I always use something and on the really long runs or multi day affairs I carry a small tube of lube with me. Literally has "saved my *ss"
    more than a few times. A nice big raw spot that gets rubbed constantly can really make
    the day miserable.

    Dennis Noward
  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    sampras38 wrote:
    themightyw wrote:
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?

    Yeah, it is. I did a 70 miler at the weekend and thought I'd give it a try.

    I'd disagree, It's for any length of ride. I use it (Assos) for every ride. I suffered for years with saddle sores until I started using Assos, coupled with a good application of antibacterial soap in the shower afterwards, I have been problem free since.

    Although, on a slight tangent, has anyone noticed that Assos has changed lately? Not only the packaging but the colour (gone from a nice buttery colour to a pastel blue, not that I'm concerned about that), also the consistency seems a little thinner to me.
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • sampras38
    sampras38 Posts: 1,917
    Robmanic1 wrote:
    sampras38 wrote:
    themightyw wrote:
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?

    Yeah, it is. I did a 70 miler at the weekend and thought I'd give it a try.

    I'd disagree, It's for any length of ride. I use it (Assos) for every ride. I suffered for years with saddle sores until I started using Assos, coupled with a good application of antibacterial soap in the shower afterwards, I have been problem free since.

    Although, on a slight tangent, has anyone noticed that Assos has changed lately? Not only the packaging but the colour (gone from a nice buttery colour to a pastel blue, not that I'm concerned about that), also the consistency seems a little thinner to me.

    Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean it should only be used on longer rides. I was just referring to my own experience.

    Use it when you want..;-)
  • LittleB0b
    LittleB0b Posts: 416
    themightyw wrote:
    Am I right in thinking this stuff is only really any use for long rides? I'm only just starting cycling, but don't seem to have any problems over 40m or so. Or do I just have buttocks of steel?

    The reason for using it is to stop you devloping sores casued by the skin being rubbed - this can depend on; time in the saddle, sweat or moisture (rain), heat, clothing, saddle, delicate skin, weight, peddling style and a multitude of other things.

    If you are ok then i probably wouln't worry - you'll know if you need something to reduce the rub
    blog: bellevedere

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