I have never done a survey (till now) on this subject, but I have often thought about it. Why? Because I don’t use chamois cream and never have. I do know one or two riders who slather the stuff on even for a 50km ride, but I didn’t even have it ‘down there’ for my 18.5 hrs at the Tour de Mont Blanc (although I will admit it felt like a fiery inferno under the bibs in the last few hours).
So…gimmick or actually something useful? My guess is that this stuff is necessary for pro cyclists (or the few maniacs I know who ride nearly as much as them), simply because they are on that saddle so much. For the rest of us, it’s probably something we do to make us feel like a cyclist, like shaving our legs or being proud when we’re skinny. Or maybe we just like the “ice-blue freshness” that you get after application.
So who uses this stuff? You?
The Vicious Cycle 
I haven’t had any rides long enough to take the tube out but I have been known to slather it when its a hot day on epic climbs and long, long days in the saddle. That being said, you have to ask John about my experience with DZ Nuts prior to one of our climbs of Ventoux back in 2012. It was Epic!
Oh, I was nearly going to add that story to the post, Pierre…I remember it well!
Oh my Gosh, I never laughed so hard listening to John describe it!
If I expect to be out there more than 4 hours, I begin to consider using it. Over 6 hours, I definitely grab some. Over 8 hours, I may bring some small packets for a refresh in a local porta potty/toilet. You spend a lot more time in the saddle than I do, so perhaps you have “toughened up!”
I certainly see the difference between the beginning of the season and the middle, when I can take more punishment ‘down there’. I would say going up to 4 hours without the goop puts you in the minority.
Very useful for multi day rides, when things otherwise get really raw (last time was 1500km in 5 days across France). For single day rides I don’t usually bother.
Right, I can see that being the case. I did 30 days across Australia without anything in 1996 and there was all sorts of nastiness down there by the end.
I only needed that one really bad saddle sore to become a lifelong user of butt cream. Hell, I put that Sh*t on even if I’m riding to the corner store.
I’d probably be a convert if I ever had one of those.
I have never used it but I stop to take pictures a lot and that gives my bum a break.
That’s wise and obviously has health benefits.
Tesco own brand Cocoa nut cream body lotion, £1.50 for 200ml that does pretty much what all the expensive cycling specific ones do
This is good to know, although I’m not sure we have Tesco in Nimes.
Move, better weather here in sunny and hot UK !!!!
Anything 2hrs+ I’m pretty likely to be using the cream. Anything over 4hrs I’d probably carry extra to top up. Udder cream is my favourite.
https://amzn.eu/d/fxrI7Og
That cream looks reasonably prices, too, although the picture of the horses on the label threw me for a loop!