Funny shaped seats any better?
Discussion
So I've recently been getting back into cycling and enjoying it! Problem I'm having is that I can't do over around 2 hours due to getting so sore from the seat. I can't lean forward without crushing my nads on the saddle. I've tried double padding but the seat is so uncomfy.
The seat itself is a standard boardman seat that came with the bike. Should I be looking at a similar shape saddle but with gel padding? Do they make much difference? or does anybody use something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ism-adam...
Cheers
The seat itself is a standard boardman seat that came with the bike. Should I be looking at a similar shape saddle but with gel padding? Do they make much difference? or does anybody use something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ism-adam...
Cheers
In short, you don't need to spend a fortune on a funny shaped saddle to get comfy on the bike. Initially it takes a while for you backside and muscles to get used to sitting on your sit bones rather than your 'cheeks'!, this is usually a painful few weeks and never really goes away entirely but becomes much more bearable in time.
The first thing would be to check your position on the bike, if you are too far forward/back you won't necessarily be sat on the supportive part of the saddle which could cause a degree of discomfort. Also, a poor bike fit may result in you moving around in the saddle and putting pressure on specific area's of your posterior resulting in 'hot-spots' which can lead to saddle sores.
The second thing would be to check that the saddle is correct for the width of your sit bones, if you have wide sit bones and a narrow saddle, or visa-verse, you won't get the support you need in the right area.
Both of the above could cause a lot of discomfort and saddle sores, if you have a decent LBS pop along and have a chat and think about a bike fit. A bike fit might cost you £100-ish but you are looking at spending that on a saddle which may not fix the issue, plus a well fitting bike should eliminate or reduce shoulder pains, wrist pains and lower back issues.
Oh, and as for gel saddles I would steer clear - I find them extremely uncomfortable! A well fitting saddle with minimal padding, coupled with a decent set of bib-shorts is about as comfy as you can get (relatively speaking)....
The first thing would be to check your position on the bike, if you are too far forward/back you won't necessarily be sat on the supportive part of the saddle which could cause a degree of discomfort. Also, a poor bike fit may result in you moving around in the saddle and putting pressure on specific area's of your posterior resulting in 'hot-spots' which can lead to saddle sores.
The second thing would be to check that the saddle is correct for the width of your sit bones, if you have wide sit bones and a narrow saddle, or visa-verse, you won't get the support you need in the right area.
Both of the above could cause a lot of discomfort and saddle sores, if you have a decent LBS pop along and have a chat and think about a bike fit. A bike fit might cost you £100-ish but you are looking at spending that on a saddle which may not fix the issue, plus a well fitting bike should eliminate or reduce shoulder pains, wrist pains and lower back issues.
Oh, and as for gel saddles I would steer clear - I find them extremely uncomfortable! A well fitting saddle with minimal padding, coupled with a decent set of bib-shorts is about as comfy as you can get (relatively speaking)....
Can you touch your toes?
A large part of being comfortable on the bike comes from being both strong enough (as people have said), and also flexible enough.
You need the saddle to be far enough back to allow your upper body to be balanced as you lean forward to grasp the handlebars - but you'll need your hamstrings to allow you to lean forward.
Most people when new to cycling have their saddle too high and too far forward, and then have to have their bars way up in the air to get halfway comfortable - and possibly end up fitting a shorter stem.
Do some stretching, move the saddle down and back (if it's up and forward), focus on getting a balanced, comfortable position.
A large part of being comfortable on the bike comes from being both strong enough (as people have said), and also flexible enough.
You need the saddle to be far enough back to allow your upper body to be balanced as you lean forward to grasp the handlebars - but you'll need your hamstrings to allow you to lean forward.
Most people when new to cycling have their saddle too high and too far forward, and then have to have their bars way up in the air to get halfway comfortable - and possibly end up fitting a shorter stem.
Do some stretching, move the saddle down and back (if it's up and forward), focus on getting a balanced, comfortable position.
Thanks for your detailed response both, my balls are paying for my new hobbie especially after 2 hours commuting on a motorbike. I've got a few hours planned in the saddle tommorow morning so I will do some adjusting before hand! If it persists I will pop down to Evans cycles and see if they can help. I was reluctant to pull the trigger on a £100 saddle without really knowing.
What does a £100 fit consist of out of interest? What else is adjustable bar the saddle?
What does a £100 fit consist of out of interest? What else is adjustable bar the saddle?
To some degree all of the contact points are adjustable- a good fitter will have a stock of seat posts with varying degrees of lay-back, and stems of various lengths and angle.
They absolute priority is to get your saddle position exactly where it needs to be in relation to the pedals, then go from there- essentially you dial in saddle then move bars to where they need to be for your activity level, fitness, flexibility.
Have a read on Steve Hoggs website, apply some of the basic principles yourself- a set of Allen keys is all you need to make some significant changes.
They absolute priority is to get your saddle position exactly where it needs to be in relation to the pedals, then go from there- essentially you dial in saddle then move bars to where they need to be for your activity level, fitness, flexibility.
Have a read on Steve Hoggs website, apply some of the basic principles yourself- a set of Allen keys is all you need to make some significant changes.
To some degree all of the contact points are adjustable- a good fitter will have a stock of seat posts with varying degrees of lay-back, and stems of various lengths and angle.
They absolute priority is to get your saddle position exactly where it needs to be in relation to the pedals, then go from there- essentially you dial in saddle then move bars to where they need to be for your activity level, fitness, flexibility.
Have a read on Steve Hoggs website, apply some of the basic principles yourself- a set of Allen keys is all you need to make some significant changes.
They absolute priority is to get your saddle position exactly where it needs to be in relation to the pedals, then go from there- essentially you dial in saddle then move bars to where they need to be for your activity level, fitness, flexibility.
Have a read on Steve Hoggs website, apply some of the basic principles yourself- a set of Allen keys is all you need to make some significant changes.
I suffer the same problems as Yammy.
I have 3 bikes and it's pretty much the same with all of them. I have tried adjusting without any significant change. Also shorts, creams etc. The most comfortable is my folding bike which does have Gel in the saddle, but perhaps more significant is the fact that I sit more upright on it.
So, I think Dammit is on the right path. At 63, I am pretty inflexible and so am probably sitting more on my nuts rather than my sit-bones.
Can anyone suggest exercises to improve flexibility around the lower back?
I have 3 bikes and it's pretty much the same with all of them. I have tried adjusting without any significant change. Also shorts, creams etc. The most comfortable is my folding bike which does have Gel in the saddle, but perhaps more significant is the fact that I sit more upright on it.
So, I think Dammit is on the right path. At 63, I am pretty inflexible and so am probably sitting more on my nuts rather than my sit-bones.
Can anyone suggest exercises to improve flexibility around the lower back?
To be fair I'm a big bloke. 17 stoneish although I am fairly flexible, maybe not in the right places tho.
I have googled some stretching routines so I'm going to start doing them before I cycle I think.
One thing to note is that when my hands are on the top bars it's fine but as soon as I start leaning forward to grip the lower bars is when it feels like I've put my balls in a vice.
Cheers for the time spent replying. I will have a go myself and stop in the cycle Shop mid cycle of I'm still having issues! I will report back
I have googled some stretching routines so I'm going to start doing them before I cycle I think.
One thing to note is that when my hands are on the top bars it's fine but as soon as I start leaning forward to grip the lower bars is when it feels like I've put my balls in a vice.
Cheers for the time spent replying. I will have a go myself and stop in the cycle Shop mid cycle of I'm still having issues! I will report back
Don't mention ability to touch your toes on a cycling forum, it's one of the (numerous) things that drives them into a frenzy.
Personally I find a perfectly horizontal plain saddle, no holes, cut outs, flipped up back sections or gel bits, works really well for me. I'll naturally move around and change position without thinking about it, as the saddle doesn't force me into a specific location.
Personally I find a perfectly horizontal plain saddle, no holes, cut outs, flipped up back sections or gel bits, works really well for me. I'll naturally move around and change position without thinking about it, as the saddle doesn't force me into a specific location.
I found these videos very helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE3XyTXUIxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7j9LUVJrjA
My girlfriend recently got a saddle after we measured her up and now experiences no discomfort at all, even on long rides. I've always just put up with a sore arse, but no more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE3XyTXUIxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7j9LUVJrjA
My girlfriend recently got a saddle after we measured her up and now experiences no discomfort at all, even on long rides. I've always just put up with a sore arse, but no more!
Little update. Dropped the saddle angle forwards so it was perfectly horizontal and it was miles better! Put in a good 20 miles without any discomfort so very happy.
I will be bringing the bike in and putting it back on the turbo trainer tomorrow and an hour on that is when its normally at its worst, so we will see.
Any recommendation on thick padded bibs? I bought a b-twin one from decathlon which is OK, but im using it with my other shorts as well.
I will be bringing the bike in and putting it back on the turbo trainer tomorrow and an hour on that is when its normally at its worst, so we will see.
Any recommendation on thick padded bibs? I bought a b-twin one from decathlon which is OK, but im using it with my other shorts as well.
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