Top Ten Ways To Avoid A Sore Ass When Cycling On Your Road Bike

[@popup900]

I love how GCN has evolved. The videos used to be a lot drier and less humorous (not that I don't like the old videos but these are a lot more fun). You guys take the snobbery out of road riding and make super entertaining videos for fellow enthusiasts. Keep at it!

[@gcn]

Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos popup900.

[@curiousgeorge555]

popup900 Hear hear!

[@hxduck]

I love how blunt the title is :D straight to the point! I guess ill be leaving saddle sore "behind" me now. I feel there were loads of missed bum puns in this.

[@tombracegirdle8899]

I've suffered a lot from discomfort in the chamois region so here's my best advice:1a - saddle position is more important than saddle choice, you can spend a hell of a lot of money on different saddles but more often than not (in my experience) it's the position that causes the most discomfort. 1b - most people will tell you a high saddle will cause chaffing due to your hips rocking (and that's true), but a saddle that's too low will also cause problems. You'll tend to slump to one side of the other, putting too much weight on one sit-bone. If possible get a professional fit but if you can't afford it simply film yourself from behind on the turbo. If you're bouncing or slumped in the saddle = raise it slightly, if your hips are rocking = lower your saddle.2 - use HiBi scrub in the shower3- apply surgical spirit after a shower (both kill bacteria and reduce the risk of chaffing turning to sores)4 - shorts need to be very tight fitting, I'm 6ft and use xxs team shorts (doltcini), the slightest movement in the shorts will cause chaffing (to put it into perspective Small give me sores but XXS don't).5 - if you can't shower immediately after riding (ie you're at a race) use a wet wipe or baby wipe to clean your perineum. (oh and get out of cycling shorts as soon as possible).6 - don't sleep in boxers or anything similar, you'll chafe in your sleep.7 - runners boxers are great as they have less stitching and are a much more comfortable material (sure they're not as stylish as CK's but neither is putting your hand down your trousers every 5 minutes to re-arrange your package)Hope this helps anyone suffering with sores/chafing - Tom

[@MrKarloz97]

lmao. for a minute you had me on the pillow on your rear end idea.

[@sheilasorkar2371]

I'm gona follow that

[@salvadorestrada7504]

Me too

[@Traconian2]

Here's my list, which does not include Dan's strapon..... Start with a proper bike fit - This is critical Buy quality bibs/shorts and keep them clean Use a good anti-chaffing cream Shower after your ride - keep yourself clean Wear comfortable clothing post ride. Lose extra weight Ride faster - more power to the pedals reduces pressure on your bum Get out of the saddle occasionally, to increase blood and air circulation Find the right saddle - GCN should do a poll on saddles....

[@gcn]

Good list Kevin. Yeah it'd be interesting to see the most comfortable saddle in a poll.

[@markfebre2582]

Thanks!

[@martinodell5225]

The game changer for me is padded underwear.. Can literally sit on any seat and it be painless. Madison underwear is the one for me. Before the mads shorts use to just take the pain. first I was wondering why they was so comfy turns out they have underwear attached to the shorts😁

[@BT654321]

I have found a remedy for my sore biking bottom. The pain was so bad, I could not sit on the saddle at all. This remedy saved my 700k/7day bike tour. The remedy that worked for me is quite simple: get some pain reducing creme like Diclofenac and apply it after showering on the bottom. I have applied some more before I went to bed. In the morning after the first treatment, the pain was back to a minimum. I have applied some extra pain relieving creme before I started the next 120k tour the next day. I made it through that day with minimal bottom pain. This certainly saved my bike tour. I hope this helps you too! @ the GCN team: Keep up your great work. I absolutely love watching your videos!

[@countnulin3044]

It's already a month passed since I started hard cycling training, and I hoped this video will change my life... But I only found out that tomorrow morning I'll have my suffering experience again.

[@Biz2872]

Same! 😩😂😂

[@h.s.5995]

Use Vaseline

[@diefennecfox395]

Any Update

[@paintedpony2935]

You two are hilarious. I'm loving the bungie chord "strap on" cushion.

[@Arfonfree]

Thanks so much for the cushion idea, it works wonders. Using an ace bandage instead of tape makes it much easier to apply repeatedly, though. It works much better off-road, however. I have found that when car drivers are laughing too hard, they tend to swerve into you.

[@mrsderwood8547]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dronespace]

😂

[@jonathankeith524]

Thank you GCN. You've saved my arse once again. I will definitely use the pillow trick for my sensitive, yet well-seasoned buns.

[@FredPumpernickle]

Wow! this was almost no help at all

[@TheCandidCanadian]

+Michael L Yep, I forewent subscribing to GCN due to this waste of time video. If I wanted to watch crap comedy, I'd watch British politics instead.

[@nemo9396]

I think so too

[@iamnouser8071]

Michael L butthurt

[@Champagnebear]

Try putting a pillow in your pants looks helpful

[@rogerfloresdevalgaz]

Ok Karen

[@les8947]

I love how crude and honest the title is

[@kevinc1315]

You forgot saddle height. If your saddle is too high your hips will rock back and forth on the saddle creating a lot of friction and discomfort. Your knees should bend slightly when fully extended on the pedals (roughly 15 degrees).

[@galonthego]

Your video is a perfect blend of hysterical and informative. Love! I'm now a subscriber. Ride on!

[@NishantSengar]

I'm glad you made a video out of it, I started to get worried about my butt feeling sore and whether if that's normal or not

[@Sasan_Guitar]

this channel is awesome, binge watched a buncha episodes last night

[@Juan0003]

Did Dan just say "give me the strap-on" or did I misheard? On a serious note, you guys should do one on saddle selection and fit. Thanks!

[@gcn]

Unfortunately you heard right. I think (hopefully) he was referring to the fact that Matt strapped the cushion to him.

[@Juan0003]

Yeah... we'll leave it at that.

[@__-yw1hb]

Juan0003 maybe it's the FSOG effect

[@Juan0003]

Uhmmm... Sure gives another perspective on Dan taking it like a Boss!

[@desijatt9801]

I did a improvised version my self after looking at your cushion idea lol - I used a new car was sponge down my cycling shorts wow just made life much easier 🙌🏽

[@netfischer]

I know it´s a bit of a tradition to have special giveaways like the Dubai Tour jersey worn by Matt - but please, for the love of god, keep the pillow to yourself GCN!

[@ccarmelo1979]

This is a life saver when you need one the most!

[@nzovwachiweza5531]

My touche is still waiting to get used, but to be honest I don't ride alot but I will get the hang of it. And thanks for all your videos there are so much fun as well as practical......you guys rock 🤘🏿

[@myfrequencies1912]

I learnt the hard way recently that the comfy looking seat is not necessarily going to work best. Went from riding only at weekends to adding commuting to the mix & started to get very sore. Switched to a thinner firmer seat (Charge Spoon) & saddle sores are diminishing fast. Hooray.

[@sc4071]

My solution to the problem as a senior rider was to change to a Suspension Seat Post!! On my new Cube Hybrid. Worked wonders.

[@siquq]

These old vids are so funny! Well done.

[@Theosauruscycle]

You couldn't even be Arsed to give it the correct title.

[@TheJCTHEDUO]

Bad um chhhhhh

[@dee-jay-gee-bee7659]

Theosauruscycle Yep, noticed when he previewed it in the GCN show that Matt used ass instead of arse and it appears to not be a one-off. Tut-tut, we're going to be getting plenty of 'ass'es as it is, now we have Neal on board. Si & Tom need to redress the balance and make up the arse quota. We can't rely on Dan as he appears to favour silly words like patootie & caboose.

[@G_Dawg]

Well, seeing as they have pointed out in previous episodes that most of their subscribers are from the US I think you can allow them to occassionally use a few Americanisms, right?

[@dee-jay-gee-bee7659]

veedubjunky Not now they have a resident American for that, no! I still find it silly that they say bidon instead of water bottle; there's pandering to the French and then there's pandering to the French...

[@G_Dawg]

Dee-Jay-Gee-Bee Agree, Bidon is somewhat pretentious

[@darrenmichie4939]

Thanks for this, what a great channel, love my bike just love being out, What I like about this is it caters for every cyclist, to the lowest novice (me) to the elite guys and gals. Great stuff.

[@jefferywilkinson509]

Get out of your saddle on a regular basis is a great tip I got from a friend of mine

[@beachesbikescoffeecats1917]

I really love you guys. Your videos are so much fun to watch, and I am learning on ton! Thank you so much for always brightening my day! :D

[@paddlepower888]

I said good-bye to the cushion when I got a Brooks B-17 saddle. Weighs a ton, but I've lost that same amount on my gut in the week I began using it, bringing me back up to zero gain. I "broke it in" by doing the soak, oil and ride technique, instead of the real man's way of riding for umpteen thousand miles and applying pints of Brooks Proofide.

[@dinglerdangler]

what an intro! and what a channel! so pleased with these videos!

[@alistairmacrae4870]

Love their sense of humor. brilliant

[@nikok.8811]

The pillow in the shorts works for me, thanks for the tip.

[@dudethatknows67]

Baby powder works great too. Can combine with cream for extra cushion. Also stand and shift weight off of saddle when possible.

[@mikediscocyclomaniacs3833]

I have learned so much more about cycling. Thanks for all the info.

[@williamskinner2732]

Lofter : I don't want to make a video at this time. Basically, you take an inner tube, say 26x1/38 and you cut and seal the ends so each end will form an 'S' shape on top of the saddle. Hold this shape with rubber bands, inflate softly, and make a leather cover and securely fit over the inner tube. Then inflate the inner tube. You can have control over the shock asorbsion/ comfort of the ride by how hard you inflate the tube. This really works. I developed the idea about 10 years ago and have had no problems. I have 4 bikes and each has a saddle similar to this, I would not ride with anything else!

[@Simmville]

This is the best video about cycling gear EVER.

[@noelarmstrong1917]

Don't use chamois cream if you have a brooks saddle, it will work through your shorts and add extra lubricant to your saddle which will cause it to over stretch and will ruin the saddle.

[@bNaVSK]

for those who ride on good weather, a nice leather saddle like Brooks or Gilles Berthoud will work much better, even without chamois. Unfortunately its doesnt relly on rocket tech, its just pure physics and material properties.

[@lifefuny5531]

J

[@lifefuny5531]

MANG

[@Neon1880]

Joao Godinho wrong. Your ass will be sweating like never before if you ride a fucking leather saddle in the heat

[@mrhood8073]

3:52 makes me think you guys are trolling.

[@luidgioishi7953]

For 3 years I had a persisting issue with genital numbness, until I changed to 143mm specialized power comp saddle, and needless do say that stubby-nosed saddle was a massive gamechanger for me

[@dougefresh133]

I like the seat cushion in the shorts advice. 😃

[@ianjansenco]

I tried the pillows. It worked!

[@andrewbrewer7702]

Any time it gets too much, STAND UP when pedaling. Seems you forgot one. Blood flow gets restricted. Gotta let the blood flow back in. Down hill is always a good time to shift position and take the weight off by putting weight on the pedals and not on the saddle. And need we mention the forward saddle tilt ? Puts more pressure on the hands, but takes it off the derriere. Those pillows were a real crack up ! Thanks for doing these !

[@HerdingDogRescuer]

You guys are awesome! Stuffing the Union Jack down your shorts!! Too funny!

[@Diana-wg1tm]

I love this video. Especially when he had his drawers to the ground woo whoo . I'm going to have to watch that again!

[@chrisoliver6690]

After years of getting sores and ingrowing hairs between my leg and gentlemen bits after long rides, spending a fortune on bib shorts, saddles and cream and all the above tips followed to no avail. I discovered nothing but Compeed blister plasters stop the friction. Expensive but worth it.

[@williamskinner2732]

If you don't ride more than a certain minimum amount your bum does not get 'used' to the stresses and strains of cycling. As I have got older this same thing happened to me. I devised a wonderful hack/bodge for my saddles (I have more than one bike) involving a pneumatic interface between my bum and the bike. When I invented this I took several friends who had never ridden before on some long rides and nobody got a sore bum. I would now not ride a bike without one of my saddles. I would send you more details and a photo or two if I knew where to send them!

[@lofturhjalmarsson295]

make a video and put it on youtube..so , did you use bike inner tubes with some air taped on your saddle...

[@stinkymonkey9253]

Where was this, when I needed this

[@mirabellandia4757]

I love these guys - so funny and so helpful

[@khadijagwen]

My front bottom gets quite peckish and I get Urinary Tract irritations. Do you have any council for that?

[@simonacker]

Something that sounds dumb but actually has made a massive difference to me is staying hydrated. When you hear all the things about blood flow through the perineal region (a la Specialized BG Fit Saddles and all that jazz), when you're hydrated your blood is thinner. Thinner blood means your blood flows through that region a lot easier, which means blood doesn't build up as much. Might be different for some people, but it always works for me!

[@BombedNevada]

Oh...this is about cycling.

[@Snallis]

You guys make great videos! They are both informative and funny!

[@williamwightman8409]

It took me eight saddles to get it right on a standard diamond frame bike. Now I ride a two-wheel Cruzbike V20 and nothing ever hurts regardless of distance. Downside is I can ride near a peloton of diamond frame cyclists but never with them because the recumbent has essentially no bad air to draft off of and the handling properties of the two frames are different. The recumbent is fast as hell if you are watt challenged like me.

[@recyclespinning9839]

I never tried one but for touring, I think it would be not as visible because low??

[@JustinCrediblename]

I use the 1.7+ pound (800+ gram) 2" travel chinese NCX shock seatpost. It's absolutely wonderful. even at 120 PSI, I often find myself wondering if I have a flat tire.

[@reinanavarro4854]

You guys are so funny 😆😆totally enjoyed watching

[@zemekiel]

How about using a suspension seat post?

[@avnil]

waste of energy and could lead to backpain

[@JustinCrediblename]

@@avnil back pain from a shock seat post? whaaat?

[@steilkurbler4973]

@@JustinCrediblename never heard a mountainbiker argue about rear suspension hurting his back.... Yes it wastes energy, but can save your bumm, which means less pain = more power.

[@JustinCrediblename]

@@steilkurbler4973 agreed! less pain seems like a no-brainer unless you're in the middle of a race, and even THEN you might opt for less pain. heheh...

[@kathleenpovey333]

"A sore bottom is a sad bottom." Ain't it the truth!

[@ashwinmandan5]

Honestly, there is nothing sad than a British saying "ass" instead of "arse"

[@Skippy-id9yt]

Ha ha I know right , they spell arse like here (Australia) right.....

[@HeavymetalHylian]

Viewing in the US. It freaks me out watching him ride the bike down the road lmao

[@charliezdybek1882]

Why

[@jimbobur]

@@charliezdybek1882 because their roads are full of dangerous/incompetent/distracted because they're also texting (made all the more easy by all their cars being automatics that only need one hand to drive) drivers. A friend of mine lives in Texas and has a road bike they took with them when they moved there, but doesn't dare ride it on the Texan roads for fear of being run over.

[@charliezdybek1882]

@@jimbobur I live in America, Michigan to be more specific, we have the worst roads in the country (debatably) and I’ve never even heard of this happening, it’s not as common as you think and we aren’t all bad drivers, he’s just a pussy and doesn’t have bike skills or common sense because it literally takes no skill to not get hit by a car

[@Bigburt-]

@@charliezdybek1882 based michigander, 616 represent

[@Berus7777]

ROFL, I misread the title of this video as "Top Ten Ways to Avoid a STORE Ass When Cycling" - and assumed it was on avoiding unpleasant sales clerks when trying to purchase a spin bike. LOL Still a good video.

[@leahgordon1472]

The funniest and very informative. Thanks guys :)

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

One of those reasons I went to a recumbent bike so that I could ride as far as I want pain free and still be sitting in a comfortable seat at the end of 170 km. If you can get past peer pressure from your riding buddies , constant compliments from kids and just plain like to ride , this is an alternative. Come to the dark side and enjoy cycling pain free. BTW recumbents are banned from UCI events for a good reason. Aerodynamics.

[@MeyerowitzFamily]

Love the video. I'm not a fan of those padded bike short. I use a Komfy bike seat cover over my seat. It's also washable unlike those gel bike seat covers.

[@nashgawri4869]

This is by far one of the funniest GCN videos to date. LMAO

[@Lunarpollo5622]

The first few seconds of this video had me dying 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@alsimoncelli4535]

Watch all your shows, I find them very entertaining . It would be nice that you put your video links down below, because I watch on my iPad and I cannot click over there or down there. Thanks!

[@shawnreynolds2705]

:32 love that coffee/ tea mug.

[@MvagustaF]

I bought myself an adamo road saddle :) and I have to say while it is strange at first I really like it :) and helps a lot :)

[@pedallinraw]

Hygiene and keeping clean down below is vital as well,good idea to carry a couple of wipes and small amount of chamois cream in those all day rides,it's no joke getting saddle sores and a sore bum.

[@wplg]

I used two pair of shorts , and it worked nicely. Especially when my shorts started to wear down

[@johnh5259]

The number ONE way to avoid a sore ass from cycling is the Infinity Bike Seat. Seriously. I've been riding Infinity for over a year now, and I wish I'd had it since I first started 27 years ago.

[@frankieh9233]

I use "Petroleum Jelly" or vaseline on my shorts, it works amazing !!! a little sticky but gets the job done and smells good as well !! let me know if its the wrong thing to use !! i hope not ;)

[@frankieh9233]

Metin Emiroğlu yeah true. i can see some spots on the chamois .. i will take a look at that for sure, thank you so much !!

[@metinemiroglu1936]

***** Np, assos is what I use, it has some menthol feeling to it, plus, it's antibacterial, which is very important. And one jar lasts for a whole season. There are lots of other brands others use too.

[@frankieh9233]

Metin Emiroğlu so do you like cover the whole thing in it or just the sides of the chamois ?

[@jpoodle]

Metin Emiroğlu So the chamois gets dirty, but does it actually damage it? It still technically gets washed, so I would think that it would be ok.

[@frankieh9233]

jamesaka2 for me. ive been using it for 3 or 4 months now, its still like new, BUT like he said, there are some dark spots on my orange chamois. no smell nth tho !!

[@marsigli]

love that Battaglin bike!!

[@Altorac]

I ride my bike for leisure but my butt pain takes the fun out if it

[@archanasawarkar8858]

Stuffing the cushion down under was too funny

[@ConstantlyRepeatingMyself]

Great video(s)!! I love the humor you injected into this subject of riding :) Are there really people out there who do not wash their cycling shorts/bibs? That's like wearing the same underwear everyday...if you cycle everyday.

[@danpisula3531]

Good Stuff,love you guys.

[@Athenstrainman]

you guys are amazing, hilarious

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.

[@justinbouchard]

When Matt touched his nose on the inside of Dan's shorts I almost choked.

[@jump7052]

Not the main focus of the video but are those Shimano BL-1051 brake levers on the Battaglin at 1:31?

[@KevinJonessuprq87]

I'm surprised that shaving your nether region didn't make the list. Even with chamois cream and a decent saddle, coarse public hair is a huge source of friction. A safety razor, used liberally, has been one of my best friends and has done more to relieve saddle burn than any other solution.

[@MrJujitsu62]

Bahahahaha The pillows bit ... Very good idea but I might have to take a pass on that !!!

[@joshmccoy1522]

So funny. I was a full-time rider, and my recreational rider friends used to call me iron butt because I never had soreness. The last statement that you'll eventually get used to it apparently applied to me, but not them.

[@johnmain9503]

Probably the most disturbing yet informative video on GCN. 😱

[@toekneewood]

love the last 2 options ,they get my vote LOL,

[@peteg9403]

😂 I enjoyed watching. Great!

[@anthonymc76]

How about installing a suspension seat post. Cane Creek Thudbuster LT/ST or Cirrus Bodyfloat 2.1 are the ones to try.

[@alejandroarmenta9130]

I love your Stephen Roche's Battaglin bike. nostalgy

[@dragster9886]

I like the pillow idea.

[@georgegilles9008]

Great video. The pillow part is comical.

[@cokeman9135]

Get skins shorts or longs - most comfortable shorts. They might be costly but you won't get sore. Selle seats are comfortable to.

[@Finx5008]

+Coke Man Which seat or shorts work best for you, may not work for others. Sadly, it takes a lot of (expensive) trial and error to find the right stuff. I do use Selle Italia SMP Superflow seats, because after trying a lot of seats, that's what works for me. Other people I know have tried and hated them. It's all very personal.

[@1108star]

Like that Battaglin. Thanks

[@poolsidepapi]

thank you, from 2021!!

[@Daminous_Games]

Great tips 👍🏻👍🏻🚴🏻

[@Boyerobert]

Duck on a frozen pond..... love it...lol

[@KiraHunter2310]

Just did my trial route to work today and my arse is the only thing that is really aching! I am not exactly that fit but it looks like I am going to be riding 5 miles to work and home each way. Racked up 10miles today and my first day is tomorrow! I had a hot bath when I got in to help soothe the muscles. I need to grab some new gear to ride in though!

[@bubblelaber4909]

get work mates .. subscribed and thumbs up .... really needed help for my ass

[@rogers8472]

Hi guys another good video,, watch them all when time allows,, I find position on the saddle makes a huge difference, now then to the reason for this comment, The retro bike in shot behind the sofa clearly has a flat front tyre,, tut tut :-),, for the worlds best cycling channel is this level of front tyre neglect acceptable, of course it is, its nice that you lads actually do your videos in real life conditions and address issues that make a huge difference to.the hobby, P.s if you need a pump because all the budget was brown on road bike party 3 let me know :-) Jonathan Rogers

[@LosihoTTT]

It has flat tyres because it has the original racing tyres on it that are 30+ years old. It was mentioned in the "Retro v Modern Bike" video on the channel.

[@rogers8472]

Yes im aware of that the comment was mentioned in jest, but thankyou for your informative response

[@LosihoTTT]

Jon Rogers Your sarcasm is duly noted.