Bend36 is named after the 36 hairpins on the Passo dello Stelvio (when you're climbing from Bormio; there are 48 on the other side) and it's a brand that's been developed in part by Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso. Between them they should know a thing or two about staying comfortable in the saddle. It feels cooling on the skin, yet not greasy or overly wet, with a texture like wet clay. Then again, there's clay in it, along with beeswax and cocoa butter. Chamois cream will usually also have anti-bacterial properties which may help prevent saddle sores developing or getting severe. Should you always use chamois cream? With a Cycling Weekly subscription you can improve your performance with our expert practical, nutritional and training tips

I did once have a saddle issue, trying to ride up a ridiculously steep ramp, ran out of momentum couldn't reach the ground. Keith Bontrager on chamois creme from about a decade ago (still worth a read): http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/riders/2006/diaries/keith/?id=keith0606Cyclists are prone to chafing below the waist, and more specifically, their inner thighs and glutes because of repetitive rubbing against their bike seat, which can lead to saddle sores. BeElite chamois cream effectively prevents chafing – but is unsuitable for those with nut allergies. Kaden Gardener / Our Media A ride substantially longer than usual do is similar. Your undercarriage may be toughened up for 50- or 60-mile rides and you may have done enough training you’re confident of completing a century, but the extra distance can make you sore enough that the last few miles are no fun at all. Chamois cream to the rescue, preventing a sore bottom. Could chamois butter make an old chamois comfortable again? Yes it could. How to Use Chamois Cream So how do I apply this chamois butter? As you pedal, your sit bones sink into your saddle, settling on the sturdiest surface available so as to provide the most power to your pedal stroke. The more foam you add, the harder they’re going to press to find that power—ultimately leading to soreness.

What I also like about it is that it soothes already-chafed skin. So, when I forget to apply it before a ride, I shower once I return and apply the cream afterward. I've been using Ultrabee chamois cream for a few years now. Good alternative with only natural ingredients It's worth noting that it's well known for the cooling effect that it gives to the skin - some riders like this, others don't. One of our testers found that it wasn't a welcome sensation in the early miles of a chilly ride, but they got on well with it the rest of the time. I have been using a product for well over 8 years now, called Body Glide. It’s similar to a deodorant style applicator. Just rub it on the areas that you have chafing issues. Comes in a standard deodorant size, and a smaller bottle size for taking with you. Almost as mysterious and magical as shaved legs is this substance known as chamois cream or chamois butter (or even “butt butter”).It’s easy to prevent the worst of the problems, though, just by changing a few shorts-related bad habits. Proper bike chamois use can not only extend the life of your (likely expensive) shorts, but it can also keep your nether region a whole lot happier on and off the bike. There is also a women's specific version, which aims to cater for "women’s more neutral skin pH" - however, neither of our two female testers have had issues with the unisex formulas, so whilst nice-to-have this isn't a product we feel is a 'must have' for women, based on our experience. Buyer's guide to chamois cream What is a Chamois?

Here are some of the most common chamois mistakes cyclists make—and what experts say you should be doing instead.For hygiene reasons, don’t ‘double dip’ by taking another scoop with the hand you’ve used to rub in the cream. The simple answer is that if the cycling shorts are new enough that you are still wearing them today, the chamois is probably synthetic. If it looks anything like the one pictured to the right, it’s synthetic. Then why should I use chamois butter? The other downside is the pot style. This does encourage the 'double dip', but this isn't a big issue as long as you use one scoop at a time, and don't share it with your friends! there was no mention of the differences between men's and women's chamois creams in the article, Elite for example do a women's version which does not contain menthol or other irritants