So these saddles with a hole in.....
Discussion
...do they help prevent your little fella from looking like an aardvark's nose after a long ride?
I don't have a problem down there, but I don't want one either and I read once about how saddles cut off blood to your wedding tackle. I'm thinking about a new saddle so may switch to one of these as the effect of my standard one is not exactly, erm, flattering.
Anyway, just wondered if anyone had made the switch and if so what are the pros and cons. I'm talking road cycling on a roadie doing anything from 30 to 80 miles on a ride.
I don't have a problem down there, but I don't want one either and I read once about how saddles cut off blood to your wedding tackle. I'm thinking about a new saddle so may switch to one of these as the effect of my standard one is not exactly, erm, flattering.
Anyway, just wondered if anyone had made the switch and if so what are the pros and cons. I'm talking road cycling on a roadie doing anything from 30 to 80 miles on a ride.
Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 10th March 10:35
It varies on saddle and person
On commuting I use one of these https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
It puts all your weight on your sit bones, but I find there is very little room for error in the setup of it and should you get it a bit out it pokes my balls to buggery! So when fitted exactly right its really great, when I had it wrong for a few weeks I had to get an ultrasound to check there was no damage! (all clear and good health)
on my main road bikes I have just a standard sell italia qbik , when I replace them I will with one with a cut out for comfort
Make sure you have decent quality shorts with adequate padding I say.
Also spend time out the saddle , especially on rough sections of road and ramp up the distances in a steady fashion to ensure your bike fits you correctly.
On commuting I use one of these https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:AN...
It puts all your weight on your sit bones, but I find there is very little room for error in the setup of it and should you get it a bit out it pokes my balls to buggery! So when fitted exactly right its really great, when I had it wrong for a few weeks I had to get an ultrasound to check there was no damage! (all clear and good health)
on my main road bikes I have just a standard sell italia qbik , when I replace them I will with one with a cut out for comfort
Make sure you have decent quality shorts with adequate padding I say.
Also spend time out the saddle , especially on rough sections of road and ramp up the distances in a steady fashion to ensure your bike fits you correctly.
I have just swapped from a specialized S-workes Troupe with a hole (which broke) to a Fizik Airone which has no hole and I would say that once set up right the Fizik is as comfortable as the Troupe. The Troupe broke on either side of the hole as the amount of material there is very sparse. The Fizik has taken a bit of setting up, tilting up too much and your nadds suffer, tilting dowm an you soon notice it on your arms and wrists (I am only taklking +/- 10 deg )
The biggest comfort differance is getting saddle the corerect width for your sit bone, that should make sure that the pressure is taken on the sit bone and your nadds
The biggest comfort differance is getting saddle the corerect width for your sit bone, that should make sure that the pressure is taken on the sit bone and your nadds
Click on the link below.
It's got loads of info about how these saddles can help. Also clears up just what your 'sit bones' are!
I've used a Selle SMP for a few years now - since having a thrombosis in my undercarriage! (Could've killed me.)
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/0...
It's got loads of info about how these saddles can help. Also clears up just what your 'sit bones' are!
I've used a Selle SMP for a few years now - since having a thrombosis in my undercarriage! (Could've killed me.)
http://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/0...
Soop Dogg said:
I've used a Selle SMP for a few years now - since having a thrombosis in my undercarriage! (Could've killed me.)
Blimey! That sounds terrible. I've got a Selle SMP arriving any day, after six weeks off the bike due to damage down there.
I'm still getting a tingeling sensation a few days after a ride so I thought I'd give one a try - I'll report back once I've put some miles on it. (it's either a saddle with a hole or time to take up fishing)
TwistingMyMelon said:
when I had it wrong for a few weeks I had to get an ultrasound to check there was no damage! (all clear and good health)
You have my sympathy. Sounds like what I've just been through.The trouble was once everything had gone numb I just carried on riding.. it wasnt until around mid-week when the sensation came back that I realised how bad things were. (a bit like pins and needles... but much worse.. it hurts more once the pressure is off).
I got the all-clear too and I'm taking things very slowly - I've done a few mild rides. tweeked saddle angles, which all seem fine during the event, however the following days there is still discomfort. (as my post above - hence the interest in Selle saddles)
How was your recovery TwisingMyMelon?
TwistingMyMelon said:
I am tempted to try my local Specialized shop, they have a sit bone guage and offer several saddles n different widths.
Thats all well and good, but you might be lumbered with only having specialized saddles. I have done this recently and I've just taken the second one back as I just can't get on with them 
Finding a decent saddle is a nightmare. My next port of call is going to be a Fizik Aliante or a Charge Spoon. I have a Giant Defy with a saddle that I really like, so I am trying to replicate that.
I didn't really have a recovery tbh. Thankfully my pain at its worst was at Christmas and my partner just had a baby (also have 2 x teenagers) I normally take 2 weeks off cycling round Christmas and do weights instead. The pain originally just started by getting aches in my right ball in the evening when I sat down, it just felt a bit uncomfortable not numb. It lasted about 4 months intermittently . It worked fine and I had a daughter born during this time ! After a while it got worse I saw 2 x female drs who thought it was a bit inflamed, then it got worse . I was given antib's in case of infection, I started googleing all the things it could be and it put me off for cycling! I was s
t scared!
After a month of waiting , had an ultrascan and they found nothing at all out of order. I've been cycling heavily for 25 years (im 32) so was happy for that.
I think the ball and tubing was inflamed through trauma caused by cycling. I think it was because I was doing my commute on bike 3-5 times a week on an incorrectly fitted saddle , I used to hammer down the bridleways flat out on a rigid MTB on the saddle , I think doing that everyday whilst sat down caused the trauma.
Either way all feels fine now. Its frustrating as there are loads of saddle options out there, there is too much choice, it is difficult to drill down what you need
The NHS was very good, and all the diagnosis was correct. It was frustrating having to wait a month for a scan, but as there were no lumps I was hardly life threatening. The drs weren't upto date on cycling either, when I mentioned I was a keen cyclist they just said "well stop then". But no complaints from me
t scared!After a month of waiting , had an ultrascan and they found nothing at all out of order. I've been cycling heavily for 25 years (im 32) so was happy for that.
I think the ball and tubing was inflamed through trauma caused by cycling. I think it was because I was doing my commute on bike 3-5 times a week on an incorrectly fitted saddle , I used to hammer down the bridleways flat out on a rigid MTB on the saddle , I think doing that everyday whilst sat down caused the trauma.
Either way all feels fine now. Its frustrating as there are loads of saddle options out there, there is too much choice, it is difficult to drill down what you need
The NHS was very good, and all the diagnosis was correct. It was frustrating having to wait a month for a scan, but as there were no lumps I was hardly life threatening. The drs weren't upto date on cycling either, when I mentioned I was a keen cyclist they just said "well stop then". But no complaints from me
bakerstreet said:
Fizik Aliante or a Charge Spoon.
Me and all my 'lot' all use Aliantes, fantastic saddles, mostly on Defys too fwiw. Nice wings with a bit of flex and that handy clip system too and matching Fizik bar tape is comfy as well as OCD compliant.Charge Spoon might be a bit too padded but if it works then great, they are very cheap. I have a Madison Flux on one of my mtbs, it's the same thing, done some very long rides on that without issue (except rub from the stupid stitching). Hours on a road bike in the same position is rather more demanding though.
Wow! Sorry to hear of the injuries lads. Glad you're all on the mend. This confirms it's time to take my saddle more seriously.
I got back into riding in 2012 aged 35 but did nothing at all last year due to a house move/renovation. Dug the bike out last weekend and had my first ride for over a year. 25 miles which was surprisingly alright apart from my undercarriage and butt. A lot of this will just be the usual saddle-sore but having read a couple of things I thought I'd ask the question.
Great info and links posted above thanks, so I'm definitely going to visit a couple of shops for a new one. I'm also currently on a Selle Italia Q Bik. It felt hard as hell when I bought it but I'd never had a road bike or ridden since I was 15 so I just went with it. I definitely want to check bone width down there then and do it properly.
Cheers for the help.
I got back into riding in 2012 aged 35 but did nothing at all last year due to a house move/renovation. Dug the bike out last weekend and had my first ride for over a year. 25 miles which was surprisingly alright apart from my undercarriage and butt. A lot of this will just be the usual saddle-sore but having read a couple of things I thought I'd ask the question.
Great info and links posted above thanks, so I'm definitely going to visit a couple of shops for a new one. I'm also currently on a Selle Italia Q Bik. It felt hard as hell when I bought it but I'd never had a road bike or ridden since I was 15 so I just went with it. I definitely want to check bone width down there then and do it properly.
Cheers for the help.
Tiddy1 said:
I have just swapped from a specialized S-workes Troupe with a hole (which broke) to a Fizik Airone which has no hole and I would say that once set up right the Fizik is as comfortable as the Troupe. The Troupe broke on either side of the hole as the amount of material there is very sparse. The Fizik has taken a bit of setting up, tilting up too much and your nadds suffer, tilting dowm an you soon notice it on your arms and wrists (I am only taklking +/- 10 deg )
The biggest comfort differance is getting saddle the corerect width for your sit bone, that should make sure that the pressure is taken on the sit bone and your nadds
This post illustrates exactly why it's completely pointless taking anyone's recommendation on saddle choice! The biggest comfort differance is getting saddle the corerect width for your sit bone, that should make sure that the pressure is taken on the sit bone and your nadds
I've had two bikes come with Fizik Arione saddles. No matter what I tried, and despite being in theory the right width for my sit bones, the first one was the most horrific experience my nether regions have ever been unfortunate enough to suffer. I replaced it with a Spesh Toupe (not the S-Works though), and have never looked back. Part of the agreed deal for the second bike was that they replaced the Arione with another Toupe before I picked it up...
Kermit power said:
This post illustrates exactly why it's completely pointless taking anyone's recommendation on saddle choice!
I've had two bikes come with Fizik Arione saddles. No matter what I tried, and despite being in theory the right width for my sit bones, the first one was the most horrific experience my nether regions have ever been unfortunate enough to suffer. I replaced it with a Spesh Toupe (not the S-Works though), and have never looked back. Part of the agreed deal for the second bike was that they replaced the Arione with another Toupe before I picked it up...
Oddly enough, I have ridden a couple of bikes with the Fizik Arione and I couldn't stand it. Granted it was a for a few miles, but it was enough! Shame as its quite common as a standard fit saddle.I've had two bikes come with Fizik Arione saddles. No matter what I tried, and despite being in theory the right width for my sit bones, the first one was the most horrific experience my nether regions have ever been unfortunate enough to suffer. I replaced it with a Spesh Toupe (not the S-Works though), and have never looked back. Part of the agreed deal for the second bike was that they replaced the Arione with another Toupe before I picked it up...
I've just joined a cycling club and I am hoping that I will be able to find someone who has either a charge spoon or a Fizik Aliante for me to try out. Buying bling for bikes is so much easier than saddles! I've just ordered a set of carbon bars for my new folding bike and those will be fine
TwistingMyMelon said:
I am tempted to try my local Specialized shop, they have a sit bone guage and offer several saddles n different widths.
I did exactly this at my LBS. £80 for a Specialized saddle which in my opinion is just 'ok'. Better than nothing I suppose. My new bike has come with a Fizik which I am looking forward to seeing what it's like on a longer ride (but I don't like the colour).TwistingMyMelon said:
I am tempted to try my local Specialized shop, they have a sit bone guage and offer several saddles n different widths.
I did that and i've been happy on my Romin Evo ever since. :-)Good number of guys in my club are running the same saddle (albeit in different widths).
Far too many variables to say "X works" or "Y doesn't", but that aside, yes I do, specifically an ISM Time Trial on the, uhhh...tim trial bike...and an ISM Attack on the road bike.
On the TT bike I had the standard Planet X time trial saddle, and after 15 minutes on the turbo trainer, it was hell. Utter, utter hell. A pain in the barse that'd arise almost immediately, and last 3-4 days, at times making me feel a little bit sick. No matter what I tried it just didn't work, and I put it down to the nose of the saddle. Switched to the ISM TT saddle and...gone!
For the road bikes I've always used Selle Italia SLR Flow saddles. No idea why really: took a punt a few years back and they seemed to work. However, with my last bike which was too long, I was creeping forward and placing a LOT of weight on said sam barse. Same problems. Switching to a better fitting bike (keeping weight back on the bones, on the mid/rear of the saddle as it should be) and suddenly the cutout really did work. The nose just got in the way however, so tried an ISM Attack out of curiosity, and so far, it's bloody good!
It just looks like something you'd expect Anne Summers to sell :/
On the TT bike I had the standard Planet X time trial saddle, and after 15 minutes on the turbo trainer, it was hell. Utter, utter hell. A pain in the barse that'd arise almost immediately, and last 3-4 days, at times making me feel a little bit sick. No matter what I tried it just didn't work, and I put it down to the nose of the saddle. Switched to the ISM TT saddle and...gone!
For the road bikes I've always used Selle Italia SLR Flow saddles. No idea why really: took a punt a few years back and they seemed to work. However, with my last bike which was too long, I was creeping forward and placing a LOT of weight on said sam barse. Same problems. Switching to a better fitting bike (keeping weight back on the bones, on the mid/rear of the saddle as it should be) and suddenly the cutout really did work. The nose just got in the way however, so tried an ISM Attack out of curiosity, and so far, it's bloody good!
It just looks like something you'd expect Anne Summers to sell :/
TwistingMyMelon said:
Thankfully my pain at its worst was at Christmas and my partner just had a baby (also have 2 x teenagers)... (im 32)....
Wow! You started early! A nice man with a nurse and a sharp knife ensured that I won't be having any babies when my existing kids hit their teens!
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