Some things you don’t want to mix up. Paceline products Chamois Butt’r and their new Eurostyle Embrocation, for example.
The folk that make the ‘go to’ anti friction/chamois treatment, have introduced a muscle warming creme.
The localcycling.com news crew goes through A LOT of embrocation every year…yes, cyclocross consumes a lot of the hot stuff, but we use it year round.
Warm up oils/creams/embrocation are used less frequently by U.S. riders than their European counter parts (hence the name ‘Eurostyle’), but that’s changing rapidly. Thanks to the cult of CX, many domestic riders are adding embrocation to their tool bag.
We started testing the Eurostyle in late 2011, just as the weather turned the corner to blustery winter days. A two race weekend of chilly races in Topeka, Kansas followed by a Christmas Week of three more races gave us the opportunity to check Eurostyle out in racing conditions.
Four of the events were cold enough, that leg warmers were used over the embrocation, one race was warm enough that the embrocation was enough.
A note: one of our testers likes their embrocation ‘hot’…and that was the formula we sampled. There was plenty of heat, and it lasted from warm up, until well after the races.
Eurostyle Hot compares very favorably to some of the warmer formulas we’ve tried. Used on the lower back and legs it massaged in well. A big bonus is that it’s make up doesn’t require large globs like some of the ‘greasier’ or paraffin based embrocations do. A tub should last a lot of rides, making for a good value. That’s a plus in a household of cyclocross racers.
With CX season over, but long base miles in the forecast, embrocation should become an essential part of those epic pre-season rides. Add comfortable warmth with out the bulk of an additional layer.
Do note, the tub that Eurostyle Embrocation is packaged in is identical to the tub the Chamois Butt’r is packaged in. The paceline folks clearly mark the top, but look before you apply!
Eurostyle ‘Hot’ Embrocation gets our nod of approval. An excellent product right from the introduction. Stay tuned for our look at the slightly milder ‘Warm’ formula, AND what just may be the next ‘Have to have’ product for cyclocrossers, a skin cleanser specifically made to remove embrocation. If you’re an embro user, you’ll know why. If you’re new to embro, one post event shower and you’ll understand.