Saddle sores plague cyclists who spend significant time in the seat. Preventing them beats treating them, but both require attention to causes and solutions.
What Causes Them
Friction, pressure, and moisture combine to damage skin. Poor saddle fit concentrates pressure in wrong places. Bad shorts allow rubbing. Sweaty conditions soften skin and increase damage.
Saddle Selection
The right saddle matches your anatomy. Width matters – sit bones should support your weight. Shape affects pressure distribution. What works for someone else may not work for you.
Quality Shorts
Cycling shorts with good chamois padding reduce friction and absorb moisture. Cheap shorts cause problems. Spend money here – your comfort depends on it. Replace shorts when padding compresses.
Chamois Cream
Anti-friction cream applied before riding reduces skin damage. Multiple products exist with varying formulations. Find what works for your skin. Apply generously to contact areas.
Hygiene Matters
Shower soon after riding. Get out of sweaty shorts immediately. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Clean skin heals faster and resists infection better.
Position Adjustments
Saddle tilt, height, and fore-aft position all affect pressure points. Small changes can eliminate problems. Professional bike fitting addresses these systematically.
Build Time Gradually
Your body adapts to saddle pressure over weeks of riding. Jumping into long rides before adaptation causes problems. Increase duration progressively and allow recovery between rides.
Treating Problems
Take time off when sores develop. Keep affected areas clean and dry. Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment helps minor cases. See a doctor if infections develop or sores don’t heal.
