[somno]

I have been riding seriously for several years and have used several non-bib shorts (currently alternate several pairs of Pearl Izumi Elite). After about 30 miles, I get significant chaffing in both upper inner thighs/crotch area (worse on the right than left) and must use something like Vaseline to prevent irritation of my skin.

I have been fitted for this bike (not a high end fitting) and otherwise feel comfortable. The only unusual thing is that I need to go very forward on my seat even after using a 0 setback seat post.

Anyone have any ideas how to fix this problem?

 

[Mandeville]

I have been riding seriously for several years and have used several non-bib shorts (currently alternate several pairs of Pearl Izumi Elite). After about 30 miles, I get significant chaffing in both upper inner thighs/crotch area (worse on the right than left) and must use something like Vaseline to prevent irritation of my skin.


I have been fitted for this bike (not a high end fitting) and otherwise feel comfortable. The only unusual thing is that I need to go very forward on my seat even after using a 0 setback seat post.

Anyone have any ideas how to fix this problem?

Either poor fitting shorts/bibs or improper seat fit or both. The need to move forward on the seat suggests seat adjustment/fit issues.

I never in many years of riding had any problems until I started "messing" with my seat adjustment. Now I have friction related skin issues as well as saddle soreness. For the first time in my life I got some chamois creme to tide me over until I solve the seat problem. Chamois creme is great stuff. But in normal weather I caution that you use it to bridge you through a problem as opposed to having to use it for every ride--especially if you ride a lot in terms of days a week, etc. You also whatever the problem need to stay off the bike for at least several days to heal up before starting back with your proactive action to correct the problem and use the chamois creme to assist you while you find the solution: seat, shorts, bib, whatever.

 

[CyclingVirtual]

Only advice/suggestion I can add to the above is to
1) Make sure seat is flat
2) Avoid saddles that have stitching or other that is not smooth.

 

[mikerp]

Let's see - "chafing refers to the irritation of skin caused by repetitive friction, usually generated through skin to skin contact of multiple body parts."
I'd be looking at fit issues between you the rider and the bike (you state you have to move forward - this could be a sign of sitting too high), it could be a fit issue with the gear you are wearing (too loose), it could be a body issue (fat).
As to Vaseline - there are plenty of posts on it's use or recommendations to not use it.

 

[Got Time]

In addition to the other suggestions: could the saddle nose be too wide for you?

 

[Upnorth]

All the other suggestions are good. If you want option to Vaseline - Body Glide is product you need. Best place o find it is at running stores or hiking bot dealers. It used for avoiding hot spots anywhere you have friction. Comes in speed stick, good stuff.

 

[somno]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Body fat is not an issue since I am a little over 6 feet and weigh 160.

The seat could be a fraction too high but not by much as it is quite comfortable to peddle (except for the friction in the crotch area) and my biking friends have observed that my leg extension seems reasonable.

My saddle is a Specialized Toupe 143 that was sized at the shop for me and I use a level to make sure it is not pointing up or down.

I will look into the Body Glide product but would like to figure out how to avoid this problem in the first place.

 

[wim]

It may not be "chaffing" or have anything to do with "peddling" action. I've had a similar problem once and it turned out to be a reaction to a special laundry detergent I only used for hand-washing bike shorts made worse by the fact that I failed to completely rinse the stuff out of the fabric after the wash.

 

[Meejum]

Good suggestions here.

Do you ride with a saddle bag that attaches, often with a velcro band, to the seatpost? Had issues with shorts getting worn out along the inner thigh because my legs would slightly graze the strap around the seatpost. Had no idea that they were ever brushing against it. Chopped off the strap and it all went away.

 

[tvad]

There is missing info from the OP. As has been mentioned above, chafing is caused (primarily) by repeated rubbing. It would seem fairly simple to determine what is rubbing. That this has not been determined is perplexing. We need more detail.

Leg rubbing saddle. Leg rubbing saddle bag. Loose shorts material rubbing leg. Man parts rubbing leg. If it's not one of these, then I'm stumped.

In any case, I'd recommend applying an over-the-counter cortisone cream like Cortaid after your morning shower and before retiring to bed. Also, chamois cream or "bag balm" applied liberally to the affected area before rides would help.

 

[Srode]

Did you recently have the fit done on the bike and if so did the problem start right after the fitting?

The only time I have had this problem was when I was trying out different saddles - Adamo saddle in particular were too wide as I wasn't staying on the nose like they are generally designed to be ridden. Their website did suggest lowering the saddle a bit if that was an issue, but I ended up with a different saddle so didn't need to go that route. I do know that for me anyway, when I had chaffing on one side and not the other it was because I wasn't sitting centered on the saddle.

If you have a disparity in body symmetry like leg length you might have a tendency toward positioning off center unconsciously to accommodate this which is causing the chaffing on one side.

 

[Trek_5200]

I have been riding seriously for several years and have used several non-bib shorts (currently alternate several pairs of Pearl Izumi Elite). After about 30 miles, I get significant chaffing in both upper inner thighs/crotch area (worse on the right than left) and must use something like Vaseline to prevent irritation of my skin.

I have been fitted for this bike (not a high end fitting) and otherwise feel comfortable. The only unusual thing is that I need to go very forward on my seat even after using a 0 setback seat post.

Anyone have any ideas how to fix this problem?

I noticed some outside chafing on my bike shorts, but not on my thighs themselves. I always assumed this is normal wear and tear on bike garments and ignore the issue. Unless you are over-weight, I think this is just par for the course.

 

[ibericb]

At the top of my list would be:

1. bicycle fit (saddle position)
2. saddle design/style.

If both of those are right for you and your anatomy, the chaffing shouldn't happen if your basic form and technique are appropriate.

 

[Migen21]

In addition to the hardware suggestions (shorts, fit, saddle, etc...), I'd suggest slathering yourself with grapeseed oil and then apply some chamois butt'r on top of that.

I had terrible chafing issues prior to learning to lube up.

 

[ibericb]

I'd suggest slathering yourself with grapeseed oil and then apply some chamois butt'r on top of that.

As an alternative to expensive and difficult to get chamois creams, go to the baby care section of your nearest big box superstore and find A+D Diaper Rash Cream (the blue box). It is generally the same ingredients as most chamois creams, readily available about everywhere, and it has worked for me in the past when I was working through saddle/fit issues.

 

[Migen21]

As an alternative to expensive and difficult to get chamois creams, go to the baby care section of your nearest big box superstore and find A+D Diaper Rash Cream (the blue box). It is generally the same ingredients as most chamois creams, readily available about everywhere, and it has worked for me in the past when I was working through saddle/fit issues.

Admittedly, commercial chamois lubes are expensive. Grapeseed oil however is not.

$8 US for a 16oz bottle, which should last you a long long time.
Amazon.com : Now Foods Grape Seed Oil, 16 Ounce : Grapeseed Oil : Beauty

The reason I like to supplement the grapeseed oil with a cream, especially on longer rides, is because it tends to have more staying power. The grapeseed oil soaks in fairly fast. The combination of the two seems to last quite a long time.