Padding'

[interferingma]

Long term cyclist. Cycled at uni, in London, and now on longer rides for fitness. But the longer rides are killing me.
What shorts or leggings do you ladies use! My Liv chamois shorts just aren't good enough. Ouchhh!

It's a very personal thing unfortunately - one person's ideal is another's nightmare. But for what it's worth, I'm an Alė fan and I've never had a bad item of clothing from them.
Don't forget that it could be a bike fit or saddle issue rather than your shorts though. Sometimes even small alterations in position can dradtically affect comfort so it might be worth getting a professional bike fit. Saddles are again a personal and unfortunately a potentially very expensive thing. Some shops have trial saddles you can borrow for a bit to save you making an expensive mistake, or it might be worth asking friends if they have any you can try. Lots of my friends rave about the Selle Italia Lady Gel flow saddle but I found it the most uncomfortable I've ever been on a bike, it just doesn't suit me. I ended up doing my entire 10 mile commute out of the saddle when I tried one as I just couldn't bare to sit on the bloody thing. But my friend loves hers.I favour a Fizik Luce personally but it all depends on your anatomy.
Hope you get it sorted and get back to enjoying your cycling.

Also, are you using a good chamois cream? I tend not to bother for short rides but if I'm going to be out more than an hour or so I usually put some on and I think it does make a difference. Some people don't find any benefit but it's a fairly cheap thing to try, so you've not much to loose by giving it a go if you don't already use it.

I second using Chamois cream. I never used to use it but now anything over 20km and find it great. Also, have ur shorts worn out. The padding can compress after a while or through bad washing. Apart from my club shorts, I have a great of shorts from dhb and find they have been perfect for many 100km+ rides

Thanks all. I have just purchased a chamois cream (a natural beeswax one so i hope it works!). My shorts should be fine because they're newish. But I've also ordered some new ones because ... well, its my birthday soon!
i will Experiment with the chamois cream as soon as it arrives and let you know
Also - knickers or no knickers? I have only just learned that some don't wear underwear and it helps. My mind is blown!

have you measured your sit bones and made sure your saddle is the right shape for you?

No i have not, @Ifailed. How would I do that? Sorry if that's a stupid question!

Definitely no knickers I'm afraid. I find Liv shorts are not the best quality. If I were you I would try some castelli ones.

Nooo......don't wear knickers! The pad is designed to go next to your skin. Before you change anything else, stop wearing knickers and see if anything improves.
Here's a couple of links tgat might be worth reading
www.cyclinguk.org/saddlepain
www.liv-cycling.com/global/campaigns/how-to-deal-with-discomfort-down-there/19728

Do NOT wear knickers!

Agree with the chamois cream.

Shorts are all down to the individual. Some people rave about DHB - they kill me!

I use rivello and castelli. I like the padding and cycle long distance. 50-100 miles in them.

If you are still getting pain then I would think about a new saddle as they too can vary from person to person and some people need to have a proper saddle fit x

@interferingma,
most decent bikeshops have a device for measuring your sit bones, it's like a gell-filled flat cushion that you sit on to leave an impression. From that you can measure the gap between the bones and get a saddle that suits you.

No knickers! I wear Rapha or Ale and find them comfortable and have a little less padding which I prefer. I’ve never used chamois cream and been fine.

I use a Fizik Luce too. I find the narrow nose really suits me- my old saddle was pushing my thighs apart causing pain. I’m relatively petite with a fairly narrow hip.

I'd just like to report back that I've just gotten off my bike after a long ride with NO KNiCKERS, just the chamois shorts. And I feel fine! Problem solved!
Who knew? Clearly not me!
Thank you everyone!

@interferingma

I'd just like to report back that I've just gotten off my bike after a long ride with NO KNiCKERS, just the chamois shorts. And I feel fine! Problem solved! Who knew? Clearly not me! Thank you everyone!

Glad you found a solution! Happy cycling!