Have you been measured for a leg length discrepancy?
Next step.....quit cycling
Gonna try and make a long story short....
Been riding a road bike now for 5 years. The first 4 years were totally fine and then last year (AUG) while riding during a rain storm (have no idea if this is the MAIN cause of my problems) i developed some painful chafing on the right side only on that crease between my back upper leg and buttocks. Since then I have been battling chafing (on right side only) and occasional infected hair folicles on chafing spot. Bike has not been really altered in anyway. I have tried 6 different saddles (2 more on order), 3 different chamois creams, 5 different (new) types of bibs, 2 professional bike fittings (worthless and a waste of money in my opinion), and 2 chiros. The only hope that I see is that my current chiro thinks that one leg is really tight and not as flexible. He has me stretching and what not. Been going to him for a little while and took some time off. Got back on the bike today and sure enough...CHAFING. It is really making me consider staying off of the bike forever. I just get so angry because before last year, I just got on my bike and rode for hours and hours without a concern in the world. One side note that I find interesting is that every one of my shorts/bibs (10 total, old and newer) are worn pretty significantly on the left side seam. Chafing on right, worn shorts/bibs ONLY on the left. Told bike fit guys this and they had nothing to say. Does anyone have any more suggestions? Great bike fitter in New York (hudson valley), Connecticut? I would be willing to pay thousands for anyone to CURE me!!!!! Thanks for reading....
Been riding a road bike now for 5 years. The first 4 years were totally fine and then last year (AUG) while riding during a rain storm (have no idea if this is the MAIN cause of my problems) i developed some painful chafing on the right side only on that crease between my back upper leg and buttocks. Since then I have been battling chafing (on right side only) and occasional infected hair folicles on chafing spot. Bike has not been really altered in anyway. I have tried 6 different saddles (2 more on order), 3 different chamois creams, 5 different (new) types of bibs, 2 professional bike fittings (worthless and a waste of money in my opinion), and 2 chiros. The only hope that I see is that my current chiro thinks that one leg is really tight and not as flexible. He has me stretching and what not. Been going to him for a little while and took some time off. Got back on the bike today and sure enough...CHAFING. It is really making me consider staying off of the bike forever. I just get so angry because before last year, I just got on my bike and rode for hours and hours without a concern in the world. One side note that I find interesting is that every one of my shorts/bibs (10 total, old and newer) are worn pretty significantly on the left side seam. Chafing on right, worn shorts/bibs ONLY on the left. Told bike fit guys this and they had nothing to say. Does anyone have any more suggestions? Great bike fitter in New York (hudson valley), Connecticut? I would be willing to pay thousands for anyone to CURE me!!!!! Thanks for reading....
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I would for sure get a good bike fit, it is obvious that has not happened yet, not your fault!
For the sake of getting better feedback can you post what fitters you have been to and what fit qualifications they have or fit systems they use. A good bike fitter should be able to properly diagnose and correct your problem, as well as get you the correct accessories for your bike.
For the sake of getting better feedback can you post what fitters you have been to and what fit qualifications they have or fit systems they use. A good bike fitter should be able to properly diagnose and correct your problem, as well as get you the correct accessories for your bike.
I'm having a hard time picturing exactly what is causing this, but would it be possible to use the stretchy/rebounding PT tape to pull your skin in the opposite direction, so that it does not rub?
Again, I'm having a hard time picturing this...so if the suggestion is way off, nevermind!
-Physiojoe
Again, I'm having a hard time picturing this...so if the suggestion is way off, nevermind!
-Physiojoe
That's difficult to believe. With evidence like that, a good fitter would immediately suggest ditching the conventional pointing-to-the-center-of-the-stem saddle alignment in favor of a 2-4 degree offset to the right. Many pros ride with their saddle off to one side or the other.NYBigfoot said:One side note that I find interesting is that every one of my shorts/bibs (10 total, old and newer) are worn pretty significantly on the left side seam. Chafing on right, worn shorts/bibs ONLY on the left. Told bike fit guys this and they had nothing to say..
i have always used armor all on my saddle before every ride. it makes the seat a little slippery and reduced any rubbing issue i have ever had. this doesn't work as well on very humid days because of the stickiness and sweat.
??
Armor-Alling your saddle may be your problem. Making your seat "a little slippery" probably allows your butt to slide to and fro with every pedal stroke, leading to saddle sores. My suggestion is to ditch that (IMO, bizarre) saddle treatment and see if that helps.NJcycler said:i have always used armor all on my saddle before every ride. it makes the seat a little slippery and reduced any rubbing issue i have ever had.
i have no saddle issues at all. i never ever get saddle sores and ride 200-300 miles a week.wim said:Armor-Alling your saddle may be your problem. Making your seat "a little slippery" probably allows your butt to slide to and fro with every pedal stroke, leading to saddle sores. My suggestion is to ditch that (IMO, bizarre) saddle treatment and see if that helps.
3000 miles so far this year and never a problem.
thanks anyway but i'll keep doing what works for me.
Note that NJcycler is not the OP - that was NYBigfoot!
Thanks for all of the replies so far...
as for leg length discrepancy, bike fitter and chiro checked it out and they both found that they were the same.
One fitter was in Myrtle Beach the other near Bethyl Connecticut (used BG Specialized with video)
And I have tried moving my saddle a little to the right of the stem and also to the left various degrees.
Do you think that there is a fitter relatively near me (60-90 miles) that could correctly diagnose my problem and fix it?
as for leg length discrepancy, bike fitter and chiro checked it out and they both found that they were the same.
One fitter was in Myrtle Beach the other near Bethyl Connecticut (used BG Specialized with video)
And I have tried moving my saddle a little to the right of the stem and also to the left various degrees.
Do you think that there is a fitter relatively near me (60-90 miles) that could correctly diagnose my problem and fix it?
Did you change detergents?
This doesn't sound like a fit problem to me, it sounds like a skin problem. Perhaps you were marginal in fit but something else came along to irritate your skin and now you can't shake it and cycling perpetuates it.
Have you been to the doctor? It could be a fungus or some other type of skin irritation that has nothing to do with your current state of cycling. It just doesn't like it.
Fine for 5 years and then problem. If you've changed nothing on the bike and in your wardrobe (or how you maintain your clothes), I have a hard time believing it has anything to do with the bike.
This doesn't sound like a fit problem to me, it sounds like a skin problem. Perhaps you were marginal in fit but something else came along to irritate your skin and now you can't shake it and cycling perpetuates it.
Have you been to the doctor? It could be a fungus or some other type of skin irritation that has nothing to do with your current state of cycling. It just doesn't like it.
Fine for 5 years and then problem. If you've changed nothing on the bike and in your wardrobe (or how you maintain your clothes), I have a hard time believing it has anything to do with the bike.
Have you tried taking a break just long enough to let the chaffing heal completely? Then, get back on? Have you been to a dermatologist to determine that it is, in fact, chaffing and not something else (like eczema, for example)?
Are you treating the chafing with anything after the ride? This stuff works pretty well for skin issues in the taint area. Some people use it for chamois creme as well.
http://www.brucemedical.com/laskpr.html
http://www.brucemedical.com/laskpr.html
Yeah, I got the posters mixed up. Getting old (69) sucks. Apologies to to NYcycler and NYBigfoot.ukbloke said:Note that NJcycler is not the OP - that was NYBigfoot!
i agree that it sounds like a skin problem. why all of a sudden after 5 years. weird.
No different type of detergents....it only gets chafed/worse when I am riding.
Been to Dermatologist for the infected hair follicle removal (OUCH!) but so needed...he suggested just slab some vaseline down there...
I have taken many breaks throughout the year...some breaks are a month or longer, some are a few weeks.
I am still convinced that it is something wrong with my body. WHy the chafing ONLY on right side? Why are ALL of my shorts wearing on the left side ONLY? Its like I am not sitting squarely on saddle or something.
I am having a difficult time researching the BEST bike fitters in my general area
Been to Dermatologist for the infected hair follicle removal (OUCH!) but so needed...he suggested just slab some vaseline down there...
I have taken many breaks throughout the year...some breaks are a month or longer, some are a few weeks.
I am still convinced that it is something wrong with my body. WHy the chafing ONLY on right side? Why are ALL of my shorts wearing on the left side ONLY? Its like I am not sitting squarely on saddle or something.
I am having a difficult time researching the BEST bike fitters in my general area
Getting old don't suck, dying young does!wim said:Getting old (69) sucks.
Tell me about it. My older brother checked out at age 3 (run over by a car) eight days after I was born. Judging from the photographs in the family album, he would have easily kicked my ass in a 200-meter sprint...velodog said:Getting old don't suck, dying young does!
/w
ukbloke said:Note that NJcycler is not the OP - that was NYBigfoot!
doesn't change a thing- it's still weird!
I just dont feel like it is a skin problem. I mean, it is, but I believe it is caused by something else. But if I knew for sure, I wouldn't be asking for help. So I am definitely open to ALL possibilities. My lower back has bothered me for years maybe its that...who knows? Thanks again everyone! Keep the thoughts coming...
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