Review: Bodyglide Cycle

For longer rides chamois cream is a must, but the stuff is a gooey mess to apply and can be a real pain to wash out of expensive cycle clothing. Bodyglide, billed as “the original anti-blister, anti-chafing balm,” offers an alternative; a deodorant style stick applicator with chamois cream close to the consistency of lip balm. But does it work?

The original Bodyglide was marketed as something you use head to toe to cut down on chaffing during activities like running, they now have multiple formulas dedicated to different body parts and different activities.

The cycling specific product adds d-panthenol (pro vitamin b) and fragrance to the otherwise same as original ingredient list:

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ozokerite Wax, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Tribehenin, Glyceryl Behenate, Stearyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Tecopherol (Vitamin E)

The former is present to nourish and moisturize the delicate skin spending hours mated to a bike saddle, the latter is there to make your butt smell better. None of the other Bodyglide products contain fragrance, which makes sense as this is the only one specifically designed to be applied to the butt.

I first tried applying it directly to the chamois which did not work well, the hard stick just slides right over the fabric. The cream is best applied directly to the skin and thanks to the design it’s far less messy than taking a handful of cream and smearing it up in there.

Once applied, the product stayed in place during moderate distance rides (40-50 miles), even in hot weather. It definitely has some staying power, I could even feel it on my skin when showering after a ride.

The minty fragrance is a nice touch. It kept the stick smelling good, even after rubbing it against my butt time and time again.

So how does Bodyglide stack up against traditional chamois cream?

Overall, Bodyglide Cycle works pretty well as an alternative to messier chamois creams. For longer rides I’ll stick to the gooey stuff, but for shorter rides it’s great. Where I’ve found Bodyglide really shines is indoor training. I can grab the stick, apply and get to riding without spending time in the bathroom fumbling around with messy cream and the need to wash my hands. Bodyglide Cycle has definitely earned a spot in the pain cave.