Help - Saddle/seat

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

Went for my 2nd ride after 25 years....the story continues !!

My backside (seems to be the bones) is soooo sore......I really need a more comfortable seat.

The seat on the Carrera Vulcan is 29cm long and very thin and just 14cm wide.

What are my options?

Change the seat
Gel cushion cover

Help.
IceBoy

I cant ride today.....too sore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gooby]

You will find the gel cover will rup you worse. They are utter halfrauds rubbish.
You will need cycling shorts, lycra type and for the sake of decency put some baggies over the top (Endura Humvee's are great). Do not wear jeans or fashion shorts, the seam config will rub you silly.
Try a better fitting saddle, best I have found is a fizik gobi.
You could try some chamois cream - asos is the best

Next - MTFU. It WILL hurt. You will need a few rides / months to "harden" to the rigors of riding.

[OneDs]

Padded shorts + MTFU + more rides, if that doesn't work there are plenty of alternatives but gel covers are a no no, it really is down to your anatomy so no one can recommend a saddle for you, just go to a decent LBS tell them you think your current one is too narrow and can you try a few on for size. They might even measure your arse for you (sit bones) and make a recommendation.

[IceBoy]

MTFU - what is this?

Also it is not rubbing but more like bone ache in the middle of my cheeks !!

I will get padded shorts today and try a different seats too.

Thanks
IceBoy

[ShredderXLE]

I have always found that gel covers are rubbish - the gel just gets squished to the sides or ends and you are no better off.

The key is a pair of decent padded cycling shorts (yes lycra) - worn without pants but under baggy shorts / jogging bottoms. Or buy a pair of baggies with the padded lining stitched in them.

You can also get fairly wide sprung saddles which are better than the gel covers but a very slightly sore @rse is just one of those things until you get used to riding regularly.

[itsnotarace]

Your arse needs to MTFU, if it still hurts in 2 weeks time then buy a new saddle.

[Gooby]

IceBoy said:

MTFU - what is this?

"man the f**k up"

[Kermit power]

You've missed the option of "persevere with it for the next couple of weeks".

If this is only the second time you've ridden a bike in 25 years, then your arse will hurt like buggery (fnarr!) the first few times out.

If you change saddles now, you might well end up changing a perfectly good saddle for one which actually doesn't suit you as well, just because you're responding to your body's natural (and temporary) reaction.

[rhinochopig]

How tall are you? If you're quite tall your ischial tuberosities, i.e. your sit bones, will be too wide for a standard saddle, so you may want to invest in a slightly wider one. Spesh BG stuff is very good for getting the fit right.

But, you will have a numb bum after such a long lay off, so bear with it for a while.

[BliarOut]

rhinochopig said:

How tall are you? If you're quite tall your ischial tuberosities, i.e. your sit bones, will be too wide for a standard saddle, so you may want to invest in a slightly wider one. Spesh BG stuff is very good for getting the fit right.

But, you will have a numb bum after such a long lay off, so bear with it for a while.

Wider saddle? You could get a paper cut from mine

Another vote for MTFU here

[IceBoy]

Thanks Guys!
MTFU as we speak, I was going to drive to the bike store but will ride, although I might be forced to ride in a standing position a little bit!!
IceBoy

[Kermit power]

IceBoy said:

Thanks Guys!
MTFU as we speak, I was going to drive to the bike store but will ride, although I might be forced to ride in a standing position a little bit!!
IceBoy

Just so long as you're only going there for padded shorts and not to get a new saddle yet, you should be OK!

[rhinochopig]

BliarOut said:

rhinochopig said:

How tall are you? If you're quite tall your ischial tuberosities, i.e. your sit bones, will be too wide for a standard saddle, so you may want to invest in a slightly wider one. Spesh BG stuff is very good for getting the fit right.

But, you will have a numb bum after such a long lay off, so bear with it for a while.

Wider saddle? You could get a paper cut from mine

Another vote for MTFU here

You do have to be careful though because if you are a bit of a wide load, then your sit bones straddle the seat rather sit on it, which inhibits the blood flow to your old chap and creates numbness. For most people this isn't a problem, but for the very tall or wide loads, one size fits all is definitely not the case.

[Gooby]

IceBoy said:

Thanks Guys!
MTFU as we speak, I was going to drive to the bike store but will ride, although I might be forced to ride in a standing position a little bit!!
IceBoy

The aim is not to rub blisters and sores on to your man garden, If it hurts that much - stop. Build it up slowly. If you attack it too vigerously you risk doing real damage that will take time to heal and keep you off the bike. Build it up slowly. Take a day off, see how it feels tomorrow with your new cycling shorts. Pretty soon you will be able to do an hour, then 2 etc etc.

[BliarOut]

And always go commando!

[khushy]

set your saddle up properly . . .

ALL saddles are designed to be set exactly horizontaly - so - set your bike on a level surface - adjust your saddle using a spirit level until its exactly flat (front to back) then go and ride - wearing some proper cycling shorts and NO UNDERPANTS!!!!

NOW - if the pain you are getting is towards the fornt of your pelvic area - tilt the front of the saddle by a TINY amount and test ride again - keep moving the saddle by TINY amounts until you get NO PAIN.

VICE VERSA if the pain is towards the rear.

Basically - you are adjusting the saddle until it fits your arse - eveyones arse is different - but start from horitontal and follow the above and you will be fine!

Also make certain that your saddle height is adjusted properly too - consult an expert if in doubt.

If you get stuck - get in touch via PM.

khushy

[khushy]

khushy said:

set your saddle up properly . . .

ALL saddles are designed to be set exactly horizontaly - so - set your bike on a level surface - adjust your saddle using a spirit level until its exactly flat (front to back) then go and ride - wearing some proper cycling shorts and NO UNDERPANTS!!!!

NOW - if the pain you are getting is towards the fornt of your pelvic area - tilt the front of the saddle by a TINY amount and test ride again - keep moving the saddle by TINY amounts until you get NO PAIN.

VICE VERSA if the pain is towards the rear.

Basically - you are adjusting the saddle until it fits your arse - eveyones arse is different - but start from horitontal and follow the above and you will be fine!

Also make certain that your saddle height is adjusted properly too - consult an expert if in doubt.

If you get stuck - get in touch via PM.

khushy

PS - you will also have to ride more - so that your arse gets used to riding - LOL twice in 25 years!!!

[Bugeyeandy]

http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

All you need to know. As for setting the saddle with a spirit level

[BliarOut]

Modern saddles are designed to be used level. That's always a good starting point.

[Bugeyeandy]

I know and that Sheldon brown article says so but using a spirit level strikes me as taking it a little too far