Chamois cream alternatives

actusreus

Hello all,

I got into cycling a few months ago and have since accepted the ridiculous prices for bicycles, but I am still puzzled by the absurd prices that cycling jerseys and shorts sell for. Another accessory that now joined that list are chamois creams or, as I call it, butt paste. I do believe it works and is essential for long rides, but cannot justify a disprportionate sticker price for something that costs next to nothing to make and you get a small tube of.

So my question is: are there any cheaper alternatives out there? Or perhaps DYI formulas some of you tried? Would Vaseline be a viable alternative? Thank you for any suggestions.

Mark

cgfw201

A £10 tub of Assos cream should last you (guess) over 50 rides. It's not essential but it does make a difference on long rides. I bought some cheaper stuff last year and it wasn't nearly as good.

fenix

This ones a bit cheaper than the assos and you get more and its got almost the same star rating :

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/udderly-smooth- ... ream-227g/

But as cgfw says - it shouldnt work out too expensive per ride.

I only bother for the long rides, and then not all the time.

twist83

Bear with me on this... Udder Cream. As in the actual Udder cream used for cows. It has the same active ingredient as a vast amount of creams out there.

We used it for Lands End - Jon O Groats. Huge tub was pittance from Mole Valley. Have a google....

sebbyp

cgfw201 wrote:

A £10 tub of Assos cream should last you (guess) over 50 rides. It's not essential but it does make a difference on long rides. I bought some cheaper stuff last year and it wasn't nearly as good.

yes I also think im getting about 50+ rides out of a tub! and since I only use it on rides over 2 hours thats about 6months worth of riding

keef66

I've only ever tried the free samples I've had in the goody bag at the end of a sportive, and then only out of curiosity. I concluded it felt like I'd had an accident in my shorts.
Think I'd only really consider it if I was going to be doing a multi day ride and needed the anti-bacterial effect. I don't seem to suffer any adverse effects from riding without for 6-8 hours.

The Assos stuff gets consistently good reviews, but I'm sure a lot of that is confirmation bias. Not many people want to go public with the fact they've paid an arm and a leg for a pot of @rse lube that's made bugger all difference to their riding experience...

drlodge

twist83 wrote:

Bear with me on this... Udder Cream. As in the actual Udder cream used for cows. It has the same active ingredient as a vast amount of creams out there.

We used it for Lands End - Jon O Groats. Huge tub was pittance from Mole Valley. Have a google....

I use Bag Balm, which is also used on Cows' udders. Keeps things protected.

ugo.santalucia

Nappy rash cream works a treat and it's much cheaper, but it tends to stain your chamois

meanredspider

You only need to get a "problem" down there in order to wish you'd paid the price of less than a round of drinks to protect it. Nappy rash cream is different stuff for a different purpose. Someone suggested I use it when I first started and it gave me more issues than using nothing at all.

drlodge

meanredspider wrote:

You only need to get a "problem" down there in order to wish you'd paid the price of less than a round of drinks to protect it. Nappy rash cream is different stuff for a different purpose. Someone suggested I use it when I first started and it gave me more issues than using nothing at all.

Nappy rash cream is great for after the event in case of soreness, but not during.

ravey1981

olive oil and a handful of grit-sand

jscl

I only use the Assos cream. BUT, I know a few people who use sudocrem and have been for years.

Different strokes..

DeVlaeminck

15 years and have only ever used one small tub of the assos stuff which came free with a pair of shorts. I'm not saying it's not nice to have and I accept we aren't all the same but for me it isn't a necessity.

priory

i use aqueous cream or emulsifying ointment, just alittle bit on the pad , not too much.
Aq cream costs about £1 a big tube from a pound shop.
I did use savlon once , never again. spent the lunch break in the sea.
always wash the ad each day and use lots of soap in the shower. cleanliness is essential.

wishitwasallflat

I used wheatgerm oil for a few months but it's not as good as good chamois cream for protection when riding. It's better for healing any chafing or sores though.

DanielCoffey

The issue with Sudocrem is it is a heavy, greasy cream that forms a waterproof barrier and takes a lot of washing off. The amount of washing required can irritate the skin.

Parents or carers may have come across Conotrane cream which is a lighter barrier cream with a mild antiseptic action. It should be available over the counter from Pharmacists in 100ml tubes. It is soothing, forms a light barrier and is simple to wash off afterwards.

Anonymous

Deep heat

sniper68

My tub of Assos Chamois cream must be three or four years old.
I only use it on longer or wet/damp rides.
It cost a tenner.
If I was using a tub a month it's still only £2.50 a week :?: :roll:
About the cost of a coffee at a posh cafe stop.
Hardly expensive on the grand scale of things!

crankycrank

drlodge wrote:

I use Bag Balm, which is also used on Cows' udders. Keeps things protected.

Bag Balm is very popular here in the States. http://www.shophaba.com/product/bag-balm-tin-8-oz
It's cheap, last's for 100 mile rides and has an antiseptic ingredient to prevent boils. I used it for years but got tired of having a greasy bum even after a good shower (always had a hard time explaining that to a new girlfriend) and is hard to completely wash out of the chamois pad. Still the best cheap alternative to expensive chamois creams that I've found though.

AK_jnr

I use any moisturiser in the cupboard haha. Seems to work ok.

actusreus

Thank you all for your replies. Some interesting suggestions here I live in Southern California, and currently we get up to 35 Celsius or higher so chafing from sweat is quite likely on longer rides without any butt paste. Sounds like I may just have to budget for it and accept it as part of the cycling experience.

sancho_panza

actusreus wrote:

Thank you all for your replies. Some interesting suggestions here I live in Southern California, and currently we get up to 35 Celsius or higher so chafing from sweat is quite likely on longer rides without any butt paste. Sounds like I may just have to budget for it and accept it as part of the cycling experience.

ah yes - the climate is the deal breaker. People talk about chamois cream for rainy rides but extreme heat has a possibly more serious effect. I live mostly in the south of France and find a good cream absolutely essential in the hot months, even for short rides. Without getting too detailed, when it's really hot (most days mid 30s) there's a lot going on downstairs.

Something else which is overlooked is deep cleaning of the chamois in the shorts - a cool wash in the machine with standard laundry detergent isn't sufficient. Rub in some antibacterial soap beforehand.

Personal hygiene advice over! Happy riding in the sun.

sniper68

Sancho Panza wrote:

ah yes - the climate is the deal breaker. People talk about chamois cream for rainy rides but extreme heat has a possibly more serious effect. I live mostly in the south of France and find a good cream absolutely essential in the hot months, even for short rides. Without getting too detailed, when it's really hot (most days mid 30s) there's a lot going on downstairs.

Something else which is overlooked is deep cleaning of the chamois in the shorts - a cool wash in the machine with standard laundry detergent isn't sufficient. Rub in some antibacterial soap beforehand.

Personal hygiene advice over! Happy riding in the sun.

Thanks for the tip!
We're headed down there in two weeks and it would never have occurred to me to bring Chamois Creme!

t4tomo

twist83 wrote:

Bear with me on this... Udder Cream. As in the actual Udder cream used for cows. It has the same active ingredient as a vast amount of creams out there.

We used it for Lands End - Jon O Groats. Huge tub was pittance from Mole Valley. Have a google....

Most dairy farmers wives use it as moisturiser, it's great stuff


*this might not be true

bendertherobot

Slightly OT, but I have this Chapeau chamois cream

http://www.chapeau.cc/original-menthol- ... reams.html

I also have this Lynx shower gel

http://img.tesco.com/Groceries/pi/808/8 ... 40x540.jpg

they live in the same draw.

It explains why, when squeezing out my chamois cream the other day it was black and runny rather than white and gooey.

dennisn

I make my own.
To a 13 once tub of Vaseline add -
Small tube of Jock itch Cream.
Small tube of body lotion.
Small tube of antibiotic cream.
Mix well.
Seems like it lasts forever(I don't use a ton of it) and I have no issues.