How to Get Rid of Chafing Once and For All
It’s normal for your bum to feel tender after your return from a long off-season or when you make a big jump in miles. But there’s a difference between that type of soreness—which lessens as you adapt—and chafing, in which the skin on your butt or inner thighs is rubbed raw. Friction causes chafing, which can lead to saddle sores. Don’t let this problem get in the way of riding. Here’s how to prevent chafing and stop it from ruining future rides.
Treat the Issue
If you develop raw spots, clean them gently but well, then slather on an ointment, balm, or diaper rash cream. Don’t continue to mask the problem, however. Troubleshoot to find the cause of the chafing: Your hips are rocking; your thighs are rubbing the nose of the saddle, and so on.
Keep Things Clean
First, always clean down under before and after rides. Chafing can be exacerbated by bacteria growth, which can lead to an even worse problem: saddle sores. You should always wear clean shorts when you ride and get out of your shorts as soon as you can when you’re done riding.
Join Bicycling All Access for more tips and tricks
If you haven’t before, we highly recommend using chamois cream. It’ll help alleviate any friction in the areas you apply it. Don’t be stingy—it’s usually better to use more than less (you can apply it either directly to your skin or your chamois). And try out a few different kinds until you find one you like. Some companies make chamois cream specifically for women, and some even have ingredients with antibacterial properties.
Wear the Right Shorts
It’s worth it to invest in a quality pair of bike shorts, especially if you’re spending a lot of time riding. There are different styles available including bibs (which have straps that go over your shoulders to eliminate a waist band) and traditional shorts. Try out different styles, as a chamois can vary in shape, size, and material.
Change or Adjust Your Saddle
If that doesn’t help, consider changing your bike seat. A heavily padded saddle sounds like a good solution, but it can actually exacerbate painful saddle issues. As your weight sinks into the saddle, the padding can press into the sensitive nooks, adding pressure where you don’t want it. Lightly cushioned seats can be better, especially for longer rides.
So how do you set up your saddle for maximum comfort? The perfect saddle position puts a platform precisely under your sit bones without pushing you forward, back, or to the side.
To hit that spot, level your saddle and center the rails in the seatpost clamp. Position your seatpost so that there’s only a slight bend in your knee at the bottom of the pedal stroke. (If you can, it helps to place the bike on a trainer, then have a friend stand behind you to watch your hips as you pedal. If they rock, lower your seatpost slightly.) Stop with your cranks at the three and nine o’clock positions and have someone hold a plumb line against the indentation below your kneecap; a free end of the plumb line should bisect the pedal axle. If it doesn’t, move your seat forward or back until it lines up.
Lastly, avoid messing with saddle tilt too much. A saddle nose that’s too far down will force weight onto your arms; too far back will put pressure in places you don’t want to feel it.
Get a Bike Fit
Having persistent issues, even after your saddle is set properly? It may be time to get a bike fit by an expert. Many manufacturers like Specialized now offer measurement tools to their dealers. Specialized’s Body Geometry Saddle Fit System uses a cushioned seat that retains an imprint of your sit bones after you sit on it; the dealer’s fit expert measures the imprint to find your suggested saddle width, which can solve lingering issues with comfort.
You Might Also Like
