General: saddle sores

I know this is a touchy subject, no pun, but I have several different bikes each with a different saddle and I switch up daily. I get the worst saddle sores and want to know if other people have found a way with dealing with/ treating them. If you know what I am talking about, you know its not a comfortable situation.

I ride everyday in multiple types of pants and a couple different saddles and I know exactly what you're talking about. I've noticed that certain jeans will make it worse depending on where the pockets/seams are - anything between your skin and the saddle will start to rub your ass in the wrong way. You especially have to be concerned on where your "sit bones" contact the saddle - the most pressure is applied here. If you ride your saddle too high your sit bones will move up and down too much causing unnecessary rubbing.

As far as saddles are concerned - this could actually be your main problem, it was for me. I've certainly noticed that my Selle Turbo SLR saddle is the WORST for causing sores and always causes me pain on long rides (its a bit narrow and its smooth leather so I'm constantly sliding around). I actually just switched to a Selle San Marco Regal saddle and have had no problems what-so-ever - its perforated leather so its kind of sticky which keeps my butt in the same spot preventing any potential rubbing action. If you still have problems after you've sorted your saddles - try using neosporin after you shower and before you ride.

Also check Rivendell bike works - they have a good article here on saddle sores: http://www.rivbike.com/article/misc/saddle_sores
Rivendell also has an article somewhere about proper saddle height by measuring your pubic bone height which could cause some problem as well (but it seems like you have plenty of bikes which seem to be adjusted properly).

good luck!

Body Glide, but not the warming one. Whatever you do, DO NOT USE THE WARMING ONE!

If you aren't wearing spandex, there is no hope. I've been getting saddle sores on any ride over about 80 miles. I tried using A&D ointment, and that helped a lot. I did a 250 mile ride, and the saddle sores were manageable. I was going to try dznutz. I've also heard that the current Assos creme is good.

nos selle italia flites FOR THE WIN!!!

FYI: all road seat are meant to be ridden in cycling shorts. wearing shorts under your jeans isn't exactly the greatest thing, either. andsince you all have a reputation to uphold, go to REI and pick up some cycling boxers.

they have a light padding that will help a ton and you won't have to worry about looking like a fred.

lycra for the win.

I've been wearing a pair of Cannondale baggies for the last couple of years and just got some Zoic knickers. The seamless crotch goes a loooong way to help. Split-tailed saddles seem good, too.

i don't think any saddle truely works for riding without lycra. more like a "this will work, i guess"

depends on what kind of riding you do, i suppose. i commute in lycra b/c i live in las vegas and i'm not bringing another set of clothes to replace the soaked clothes i'm wearing. when i go out on a "ride" ride, lycra wins again.
sure, if i'm riding to the bar or to do errands, i'm not gonna put on my shorts.

i've also got the same seat on every bike i own, so i guess it's different.

Posted By: the rabbinos selle italia flites FOR THE WIN!!!

FYI: all road seat are meant to be ridden in cycling shorts. wearing shorts under your jeans isn't exactly the greatest thing, either. andsince you all have a reputation to uphold, go to REI and pick up some cycling boxers.

they have a light padding that will help a ton and you won't have to worry about looking like a fred.

+1 for the Flite, +1 for those REI liners. Although, I by no means have large thighs...and the grippers are silly tight. I picked up the brief model too. They took some getting used to (I haven't worn anything but boxer briefs in 15 years) but I like them better. More range of motion under shorts.

What kind of pants do you wear on a regular basis? I still find the mass amount of "lycra or nothing" opinions here kind of rediculous. If you're going on a 50 mile joy ride, then fine, but in my daily life I find no reason to cover myself in spandex, and I don't have any issues what so ever. I do find different types of pants to be more comfortable than others. If I'm getting off work and have on a pair of dockers that are semi loose fitting, I may have to reposition on my seat once or twice until I get settled, but a pair of well fitting jeans has never left me anything outside of perfectly comfortable and saddle-sore free, and that has ranged anywhere from $12 plastic nitrox seats on ebay all the way through Aspide nighttrains that weigh nothing. Any saddle will hurt if you put too much weight on it, but obviously that seat isn't really meant to be anything but a guide for your butt.

I get the whole function over fashion thing, but I consider jeans or normal pants pretty functional when I have to eventaully park my bike, and walk into an office filled with co-workers, and plenty of people I don't know. If public opinion wasn't an issue, I wouldn't even be wearing pants to work, so jeans still look pretty functional in my opinion.

It's the same reason so many people still use tennis shoes with clips and straps. I know technically clipless pedals are more efficient, but so it not riding around with an extra pair of shoes in my bag.

padded shorts have made a world of difference for me. i have a crappy cheap-o wtb saddle, and have no problems commuting long distances with it while wearing my padded shorts. I just throw cargo shorts on top of them and forhry about em'

I run a SPD clipless setup now, and don't think I can ever go back to using clips/straps. They feel way better on longer rides, and solved some clearance issues I was having on tight turns (I broke an adjust MKS clip that way). The shoes aren't too terrible for walking around in either. I have a pair of specialized MTB shoes, and the cleats are recessed enough that they don't feel too awkward when walking around. I keep shoes at my work to change into, even though I'm fortunate enough to have a job I could go barefoot at if I *really* wanted to

I just wear them under my cargo shorts, and even then I only wear solid black. I don't care to look like a bag of skittles exploded in a load of my wash. People who color coordinate their outfits with their bicycles just look stupid in my opinion, but to each their own I suppose.

I definitely need to invest in a new saddle for the conversion I'm riding. I have a piece of crap cheap-o wtb saddle on it right now, and my ass felt like hamburger after 80 miles today, even with the padded shorts. It's worked well for me so far on long distance city riding (houston is pretty friggin' huge), since I at least hop out of my saddle every now and then when standing at a light, but long distance rides into the rural areas with it are a pain in the butt.

I simply use what works for me. I’m not interested in “what looks cool” this year. With me it’s all about function & comfort.
If you can pull off sporting the latest cycling fad AND have it work well for you without spending too much, then you consider yourself lucky my frend.