water_bugg2010-07-06 00:24:13 +0000 #1
I'm not sure if this classifies as a saddle sore or a chamois sore, but I have 2 rubbed raw spots on the bottom of my butt where the edge of my chamois hits. I've been hunting for a new saddle and have changed to a Specialized Lithia Gel - it's the right size, feels great, but on longer (50+ mile) rides I think it causes these abrasion problems. I say I think because the area in question is not in contact with the saddle at all, but I haven't had an issue before this. I wear Pearl Izumi shorts, so I don't think it's a chamois quality issue ... any thoughts on what might have caused this issue and how I can avoid it in the future?
ny biker2010-07-06 00:27:17 +0000 #2
Is there stitching in the shorts around the area where it hurts, and do you use any chamois cream?
Trek4202010-07-06 00:52:01 +0000 #3
Knot says that chafing pattern often comes from a saddle that has more of a pear-shaped transition to the nose than is suitable for the action of your hip joints.
zoom-zoom2010-07-06 01:42:43 +0000 #4
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trek420
Knot says that chafing pattern often comes from a saddle that has more of a pear-shaped transition to the nose than is suitable for the action of your hip joints.
Yep. And changing saddles to a more t-shaped one completely eliminated that sort of chafing for me, too.
OakLeaf2010-07-06 01:05:17 +0000 #5
The one pair of PI shorts I have, the chamois is really bulky. Bought them when I was just coming back to cycling, don't wear them unless everything else is dirty. The chamois could be the problem, if that's the case with yours.
But the saddle is a possibility as well. The Lithia is awfully squishy (I used to ride one), so combining it with a bulky chamois is a recipe for trouble IMO.
There aren't many saddles more T-shaped than the Spec' line, unfortunately for me and possibly for you. Brooks; SI Turbomatic, which is the one I'm probably getting when my Jett wears out; I'm not aware of any others.
water_bugg2010-07-06 01:05:28 +0000 #6
There is stitching in the area that rubs. I've never used chamois cream and am not sure if it would help my issue since it's near the edge of the chamois.
The Lithia is pretty squishy. Would it make sense to switch to another, firmer, specialized saddle or are all their saddles the same general shape?
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