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Bicycling/moisturizing my 'chamois' in my shorts

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Expert: - 2/6/2012


Question
Looking for an over the counter product, easily obtained, inexpensive that can 'remoisturize my drived up cycling shorts without creating boils and funguses.  any ideas??? Thanks

Answer
Hey Jim,

In the "old days" we would use lanolin that you could get from most drug stores or bike shops. It brought the natural chamois back to a nice plush, albeit a bit slimy, condition! There was a product out there called Chamois Cream, if I recall correctly, that did the same thing. If you do have real chamois I would see if I could find Chamois Cream or lanolin.

Another thing that we did way back when was always hang our shorts out to dry, chamois side out, in the full sun. I think the idea was that it would kill the bad things that could start growing.

The new synthetic chamois I am not sure, quite honestly. I have never had a synthetic one "dry up" like the real ones did. I have some ideas, Udder Cream or Bag Balm, but I think it would be best to seek out the manufacturer of your shorts and see what they have to say. I would hate to have you ruin an expensive pair of shorts!

Speaking of Bag Balm that is what I started using years ago for long days in the saddle. It is petroleum jelly with antiseptic properties. The few times I didn't use it I paid for it in the end. (Sorry!) I don't apply it to my shorts but myself. There are other products out there Chamois Butt'r, Beljum Budder, and a few others. More sophisticated ingredients than my Bag Balm and I don't know if it works any better. You may have objections working a petroleum product into your skin, however.   

Update: I just Googled Chamois Cream and lanolin cream and found them both. Lanolin is about half the cost.

Ride!

Tad

(Disclosure: I have no affiliation with any company mentioned above)  

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Tad Hylkema

Expertise

I can help you with bicycle fitting problems (proper fit, numb hands, etc.), Buying help (Which type of bike, brand, so forth), basic repair problems (Flat tires, poor shifting, noises, etc.), technique questions (How to climb better, how to ride in traffic...), and even basic training questions (first race, long tour, or just a weight loss program). Some repairs are better left to the experts, we used to call this category "home repair gone bad." However, many fixes are simple and can be done by most. I will simply tell you if you should try it or take it to a shop. I will even help you ask the right questions when you walk into a shop so you can feel more confident. If I don't know an answer I can find out and get back to you.

Experience

I have worked in bicycle shops or the bicycle industry since 1984. I started racing around that time but rode bicycles and did some touring before that. I have managed large shops in the upper Midwest, been invited to join a professional team as mechanic, which I turned down so I could open my own shop. I have built wheels for two US National Champions. I have also been a consultant to retailers and manager of a bicycle fitting system company here in the US. My greatest joy is helping people get into riding and be more confident about their riding and bicycle.

Publications
Various regional enthusiast publications.

Education/Credentials
Doesn't really apply but I do have a BA in English/History (Both very marketable - that is why I stayed in bicycles!) And had been working on my Master in Education before I thought better of that.

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