Chamais Cream: are there alternatives?

[Toks]

Just bought a couple of pairs of shorts. My newly acquired racing pair went a nasty colour after being over vaselined . What do you guys use???I've spoken to a couple of people who don't use anything even with new shorts. Bloody hard arses how is that possible - I'd be itching for weeks

[Dominic]

Have to agree with them Toks. I use Assos chamois cream in my skin suit that has a real chamois but don't find it makes any difference in shorts that have artificial chamois but I guess it is just down to individuals. I have heard that vaseline is not good because if forms an impenetrable barrier which doesn't allow the skin to breath.

I suppose a lot depends on how long you are on the bike for. When I was audaxing and doing rides over 300k I used to use Preparation H as it had a numbing effect for the first half or so of the ride. Things did get a bit interesting if you put too much on and had to go have a 'natural' break

[PeteS]

I think you're over milking that one Sean!

[richv]

I tend to use germolene for longer rides/wet races.

Gordon MacAuley recommends dipping your undercarriage in a bucket of ice cold water after every ride for a month and then you can do away with the cream altogether - says he was told this by Alan Peiper

[Andrew G]

Anything under about an hour and a half (commute etc) don't need anything. Otherwise tend to use Assos, the menthol in it comes as a bit of a shock first time you use it . Have also used Sportsbalm from GBs. This works well but only during winter months, and is cheaper than Assos, but gets too runny when it's walmer and you end up pouring a puddle in to your hand.

Or go old school and get a Brook narrow and do your winter base miles riding on the rivet, by race season you'll have an arse of leather.

[DavidKennett]

Sudocream, does what it says on the tin

[John the old'un]

http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/ind ... opic=12763

Hi guys,
try this link.
Should give you all the answers.
John.

[Mike I]

Boots own-brand nappy cream is cheaper than Sudocream and does the same job. Works on babies too Sean!

[Paul on the Pearson]

"Gordon MacAuley recommends dipping your undercarriage in a bucket of ice cold water after every ride for a month."

Sitting with your arse in a bucket of cold water for 4 weeks seems a bit harsh, you'd need a lot of free time.

[Snoop Doug]

Hmmm

I've never used anything (other than clean shorts of course ), even on such epic rides as London - Liverpool. I did about 120km one day on that journey.

But(....t)

You got me thinking.....I'm going to have a crack (he) at the SCCU 100 mile TT this year. I wonder - should I stick to my tried and trusted measure or go for a potion....?

Snoop

[Andrew G]

[quote]You got me thinking.....I'm going to have a crack (he) at the SCCU 100 mile TT this year. I wonder - should I stick to my tried and trusted measure or go for a potion....?

[Steve B]

Me too, I've never used anything. I go commando and things are fine

To be honest I didn't know about these products until a few months ago, just thought you had to grin and bare it.

Toks, try au natural, you will probably find it ok
Snoop, if its not broken, why try and fix it?

Not sure about the ice cold water thing, can't afford any more shrinkage

Steve

[Phil S]

Just don't do what I once did and confuse Nature's Kiss warm-up rub with chamois cream.

[David Lombari]

Why don't you try Deep Heat, Snoop? You may go quicker! I used it on cold winter mornings when I played footy but the golden rule was to put it on AFTER you've been toilet!

Seriously, this may be worth trying http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2006/ ... =keith0606

[Toks]

[quote="Steve B"]

Toks, try au natural, you will probably find it ok
Snoop, if its not broken, why try and fix it?

Steve