Chamois cream, explain?

DonDaddyD

What does chamois cream do? What is the point and benefit of it?

I just baby oil and go but should I do it? Am I missing out on some secret cycling pleasure like the padded crotch cycling shorts, clipless and drop handlebards?

cjcp

Sudocrem is the business.

Christophe3967

DonDaddyD wrote:

What does chamois cream do? What is the point and benefit of it?

I just baby oil and go but should I do it? Am I missing out on some secret cycling pleasure like the padded crotch cycling shorts, clipless and drop handlebards?

It just makes things more comfortable on longer rides - the difference is noticeable. On anything less than a coupe of hours and I don't bother but some people on here are addicted to it.

Sadly the new stuff from Assos isn't as good as the old recipe. Is there a world shortage of witch hazel or something?

il_principe

DonDaddyD wrote:

What does chamois cream do? What is the point and benefit of it?

I just baby oil and go but should I do it? Am I missing out on some secret cycling pleasure like the padded crotch cycling shorts, clipless and drop handlebards?

do 80 miles or so without it and then 80 miles or so with it... you'll see why.

I've always used Assos but considering cheaper alternatives atm. Any recommendations anyone? I prefer to apply it to the chamois rather than myself!

Kieran_Burns

Are you guys saying you lube your arses?

On a public forum?

Really???? :shock:

lost_in_thought

I don't think it's really relevant for us girls... but I could be wrong...

And Christophe - you could surely mix witch hazel into it?

UndercoverElephant

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Udderly_Smooth_Chamois_Cream/5360036098/

I've not tried the Chamois cream, but the rest of their range is superb. My son has eczema, and their stuff is amazing. So much better than anything the doctor has proscribed. If they make it, it's definitely worth a try IMHO.[/url]

il_principe

lost_in_thought wrote:

I don't think it's really relevant for us girls... but I could be wrong...

Why not? Girls have bottoms don't they?

Have you been looking at Dave Zabriskie's nuts?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/DZ_Nuts_Chamois_Cream/5360038450/

roger_merriman

lost_in_thought wrote:

I don't think it's really relevant for us girls... but I could be wrong...

And Christophe - you could surely mix witch hazel into it?

i don't find any issues with male parts has to be said, i use it more for stopping any rubbing in leg/bum etc than any thing else around those parts...

though i'm normally fine with out. but for a longer ride i take some with me just incase.

biondino

Yeah, it seems to be the creases between the various muscle areas (yes I am being coy) that suffer chafing the most, not the male parts. However, Arsos cream does specifically say not to apply to mucus membranes, so be careful out there y'all, especially ladies.

Sewinman

I use Vaseline..seems fine to me but never tried anything else. Wtf is a 'mucus membrane'!? :shock:

Spending money on good cycling shorts is very worth it...my forty quid ones are much better than my thirty quid ones...and to think i used to cycle in footy shorts!

singlespeedexplosif

Wtf is a 'mucus membrane'!?
a membrane which produces mucus. Think mouth, nose, eyes, ladybits etc.

Assos MAL is the business. Even use it for 20 min supermarket rides. Wonderful stuff.

Rich158

Sorry guys but I don't get it, I've never suffered any chaffing problems or had saddle sores. I do have a bald patch, but we won't go into that :shock:

lost_in_thought

Il Principe wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I don't think it's really relevant for us girls... but I could be wrong...

Why not? Girls have bottoms don't they?

Have you been looking at Dave Zabriskie's nuts?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/DZ_Nuts_Chamois_Cream/5360038450/

Yes, it turns out we do!

I thought it was more for those other bits you boys have that are absent on us girls.

neilo23

Here in Germany I buy a thing called "Melkfett". Various translations include bag balm, milk fat, and milking grease. It only costs a couple of euros and you can smear it on to your heart's content (and bum's). It's also used to soothe chaffed udders (cue dirty laughs). Apparently Erik Zabel swore by the stuff. Just don't sit down on your girlfriend's mum's nice new chairs and leave an interesting oily wet patch. And yes, it's worth oiling up for the longer rides.

singlespeedexplosif

Tried getting some MAL in deepest darkest Germany a few years ago. 'Bike shop' turned out to be the sort of place which had 3 or 4 kids bikes, a shopper, and a lot of lawnmowers. Cue me in school-level German trying to ask for what I wanted. Very perplexed shop owner trying to help but not quite understanding. Phones his friend at another shop despite me saying no, don't worry. Phonecall was something along the lines of 'yes, he's here with his friend. He wants some lubrication for his bottom'. Turns out his 'friend' worked at the chemist. I think you can guess what I got offered...

prawny

neilo23 wrote:

Here in Germany I buy a thing called "Melkfett". Various translations include bag balm, milk fat, and milking grease. It only costs a couple of euros and you can smear it on to your heart's content (and bum's). It's also used to soothe chaffed udders (cue dirty laughs). Apparently Erik Zabel swore by the stuff. Just don't sit down on your girlfriend's mum's nice new chairs and leave an interesting oily wet patch. And yes, it's worth oiling up for the longer rides.

That's what Udderly smooth is. I use their chamois cream every day for commuting, just to be on the safe side, I don;t want major sores to keep me off the bike. It does the trick very well. I don't use much though, just a smear. If I was going on a long ride, I'd slap loads on

UndercoverElephant

neilo23 wrote:

Here in Germany I buy a thing called "Melkfett". Various translations include bag balm, milk fat, and milking grease. It only costs a couple of euros and you can smear it on to your heart's content (and bum's). It's also used to soothe chaffed udders (cue dirty laughs). Apparently Erik Zabel swore by the stuff. Just don't sit down on your girlfriend's mum's nice new chairs and leave an interesting oily wet patch. And yes, it's worth oiling up for the longer rides.

That's exactly what the "Udderly Smooth" product I linked to is originally for, but updated for the chamois use. Great stuff.

Greg T

If I don't Shammy up even on my one hour commute I will get mutiple hard as anything saddles sores after a couple of weeks.

It cuts down the friction and has anti bacterial stuff in it (apparently)

Since when has applying lotions ungents and other creams to you perri-neum been a bad thing - in a gym changing room - with lots of other men.

I like to talk loudly to myself at the same time.

"Ah that's the stuff, you like that don't you - YOU SLUT!"

prawny

The worst part is in the morning when the cream is cold :shock: thats what my face looked like this morning!

il_principe

Sewinman wrote:

Spending money on good cycling shorts is very worth it...my forty quid ones are much better than my thirty quid ones...and to think i used to cycle in footy shorts!

Those were the days, before you were turned to the Dark Side...

Sewinman wrote:

I have not got any cycling specific clothing :oops: I would like some but it all seems a massive rip off to me. £45 for a pair of shorts!? I just use old shorts and t shirts and stuff.

Sewinman

Heh heh - i know. I actually remember other cyclists giving me weird looks as i did laps of RP in a Chelsea kit with trainers. Lycra is a revelation though - you can be some much more aggressive in the saddle.

I am saving for a Garmin Edge at the mo. :oops:

il_principe

Sewinman wrote:

Heh heh - i know. I actually remember other cyclists giving me weird looks as i did laps of RP in a Chelsea kit with trainers. Lycra is a revelation though - you can be some much more aggressive in the saddle.

I am saving for a Garmin Edge at the mo. :oops:

Fab bit of kit! Here's David Millar's Garmin data from stage 6 - 112 miles with an av speed of 25.6mph!

http://tinyurl.com/ko64gb

neilo23

If anyone here happens to be in Germany and needs to buy Melkfett, go to a Müller shop. It's like the German equivalent to Boots. Just grunt "Melkfett bitte" with a puzzled shrug of the shoulders at one of the grumpy Fräuleins and she will lead you to a new world of greasy products with pictures of happy looking cows on the tub. Somehow it perfectly compliments my sexy Assos cow clothes:

http://www.bikerstreff.de/More/Beleidun ... laBody.htm

Agent57

I'm another Udderly sMOOth user.

Sewinman

Il Principe wrote:

Sewinman wrote:

Heh heh - i know. I actually remember other cyclists giving me weird looks as i did laps of RP in a Chelsea kit with trainers. Lycra is a revelation though - you can be some much more aggressive in the saddle.

I am saving for a Garmin Edge at the mo. :oops:

Fab bit of kit! Here's David Millar's Garmin data from stage 6 - 112 miles with an av speed of 25.6mph!

http://tinyurl.com/ko64gb

Wow - how cool! Can you imagine going and doing that stage and setting him up as a virtual training partner!

I find 25 miles an hour a struggle on the flat, let alone averaging that.

Do you have a garmin - i have been told to get they 'city navigator'...

Is specialist cream better than Vaseline?

neilo23

I find the specialist cream better than Vaseline because it has a cooling effect. However, I tend to buy the "household" products as they cost a fraction of the price. I reserve my Assos cream for days when I am going to spend a lot more time in the saddle.

il_principe

Sewinman wrote:

Wow - how cool! Can you imagine going and doing that stage and setting him up as a virtual training partner!

I find 25 miles an hour a struggle on the flat, let alone averaging that.

Do you have a garmin - i have been told to get they 'city navigator'...

Is specialist cream better than Vaseline?

The speeds the pros hold are mental. I mean I rode 95 miles on Sunday's sportive with around the same feet of climb and managed a paltry 18.4mph av. DM was in a tiny bunch and then by himself for a decent period yesterday and manages that av over 112 miles. It's awesome (and slightly depressing)! The speeds they do on the HC climbs are just terrifying.


I have an EDGE 05 with city navigator. I use bikeroutetoaster and bikehike to plot courses and then "send" them direct to the device. Works like a dream. They can also do turn by turn nav which is great for getting around London etc, although the address search isn't wonderful/


I've always used Assos over anything else, although I'll try Udderly Smooth next. My thinking is that with expensive shorts I'd rather use a specialist product. I worry Vaseline would make an oily mess of the chamois.

daviesee

Hi,

On a similar thread not so long ago I said that while I liked the Assos cream that came with my shorts, I felt it was no better than the much cheaper Sudocrem.

Well, my Assos ran out so I went back to Sudocrem.

God! How you only remember the good times. It works just as well once on but it gets everywhere and sticks to everything. It is such a hassle (plus, the wife says it stains clothes) that I just went and ordered more Assos cream.

Other brand are available as said, and I may try the Udderly next.

I don't always use the cream but if I am going out for 1 hour+ then it is definately going on. For the price, it won't do too much harm to give it a try - on a long run. You will be convinced :P

singlespeedexplosif

Is specialist cream better than Vaseline?
yes. Vaseline is just a lubricant. Specialist creams have many more benefits. anti-bacterial, anti-fungal etc

Bassjunkieuk

Thanks for enquiring about this DDD, it's something that I've seen but never really understood. I do remember during the C2C ride (my longest time in the saddle so far in one sitting) that I was finding it rather nice to stand for a brief period to let the air cool down there ;-)

Will have to add it to my wish-list of cycling bits and hope someone treats me......