Advice from (male) cyclists needed.....

Originally Posted by speedplay

Being built like this wont help either...

That's one proud-looking squirrel

Originally Posted by mattSV

Get some cycling shorts, and wear a pair of baggy 'cargo' shorts over the top if you feel a bit ghey wearing just the cycling shorts.

+1, works for me on my MTB, no chafing problems here!

Are you sure you've thought this through though Jabba? No chafing = no excuse to get a nice young lady to 'massage' lotion into the affected area

[Jayneflakes]

I sell cycle shorts to chaps every other day, it is not hard to explain why you need certain products and it is not at all embarrassing.

Firstly the saddle. Some one already mentioned the Body Geometry one by Specialized, but there are others just as good. Look for a saddle with a defined groove down its length, this will prevent you crushing the main nerve in your perineum, which once crushed can lead to penile numbness, erectile dysfunction and problems urinating.

A pair of padded shorts will give you cushioning against your saddle and will move with you to prevent chaffing, however not every one likes lycra, so you can buy a pair of padded briefs that go inside cargo shorts. Be careful though which shorts you use, if the seam running under your bum is big, it can raise a pressure sore.

Try as many saddles as you can, you want one that supports your pelvic arch. Women have a wider pelvis and need a wider saddle which is why they differ. A male saddle is usually slightly narrower and a little longer.

As for shorts, look out for brands such as Fox, Specialized, Pearl Izumi and some of the mainstream shop brands in places like TopShop who now stock cycle gear.

Hope that this is of use for you. Also for further information on cycling related damage to male parts check out some research by the Metropolitan Police a couple of years ago who studied the damage done to Male Police Officers on push bikes.

Vaseline before you ride...now now perv's.
Or E45 i used to find helped.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by mattSV

Get some cycling shorts, and wear a pair of baggy 'cargo' shorts over the top if you feel a bit ghey wearing just the cycling shorts.

Or get some mountain bike style "baggies" they look like normal shorts but have the padded undershort in them.

If you go down the proper cycling shorts route go commando and you might wanna invest in some chamois creme it helps prevent chaffage...

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by cuffy

Vaseline before you ride...now now perv's.
Or E45 i used to find helped.

i've also recently returned to cycling and I was a keen racer like speedplay. But even I have found the rurn to the road some what painful!

I'm riding in my cycling shorts, but I bought a specialised Body geometry saddle, which was an improvement over my other saddle.

Plus I rub in a little Sudocream to that area which gets sore. It's for babies nappy rash, but it also contains a mild anesthetic to sooth the discomfort. It's great pre and post ride.

Don't use vaseline as it traps bugs and nasties which will lead to saddle sores, not recommended.

Halfrauds do the special padded cycle underwear if you don't want to go down the lycra route. Buy two pairs, as keeping them clean is estential to preventing saddle sores

Originally Posted by Jayneflakes

.....this will prevent you crushing the main nerve in your perineum, which once crushed can lead to penile numbness, erectile dysfunction and problems urinating.

Sod that for a game of tin soldiers.......any one want to buy a bike?

Thank you all for the advice so far. Once question not yet answered (although hinted at by Mr Wheel) - what undies are best if one doesn't want to go commando?

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Jabba

. Once question not yet answered (although hinted at by Mr Wheel) - what undies are best if one doesn't want to go commando?

Ones like I recommended at Halfrauds, you can wear them like normal skiddies under track bottoms, shorts, frilly dresses etc

They do boxers or normal Y front brief types

Im using one of these again this year:-


Fits my ar$e lovely I tend to use pace shorts when I can get them too.
Dont make the mistake of wearing anything under padded shorts either, commando is the only way!
Any sort of undies can bunch up and can also trap sweat making you more sore.

Originally Posted by maviczap

Plus I rub in a little Sudocream to that area which gets sore. It's for babies nappy rash, but it also contains a mild anesthetic to sooth the discomfort. It's great pre and post ride.

Some of the lads I ride with use Metanium. I remember it being good for nappy rash (and yes, I do mean from when my kids were little!).

Will look at a different saddle too, the one on my bike is quite wide whereas my ar$e isn't. Honest