Saddles, ouch

in message
<[email hidden]>,

D.M. Procida (') said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

No. And contra what the shop droid said, a firm saddle that's the right
width for your pelvis is what you need. You may be more comforable with
one with a fart hole, although personally I never have been.

Quoted message said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes. 172.5mm is probably the most common length, and frankly most people
can manage with that, but some tall time trialists like 180mm or even
longer, while some smaller people do better with 165mm. There are
various magic rules about how long they should be in relation to the
length of your mother's maiden aunts forearm, but frankly for most of us
we just go with what came on the bike, and those who can't probably need
to do some quite expensive experimentation.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'Victories are not solutions.'
;; John Hume, Northern Irish politician, on Radio Scotland 1/2/95
;; Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1998; few have deserved it so much

in message
<[email hidden]>,

D.M. Procida (') said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

No. And contra what the shop droid said, a firm saddle that's the right
width for your pelvis is what you need. You may be more comforable with
one with a fart hole, although personally I never have been.

Quoted message said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes. 172.5mm is probably the most common length, and frankly most people
can manage with that, but some tall time trialists like 180mm or even
longer, while some smaller people do better with 165mm. There are
various magic rules about how long they should be in relation to the
length of your mother's maiden aunts forearm, but frankly for most of us
we just go with what came on the bike, and those who can't probably need
to do some quite expensive experimentation.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'Victories are not solutions.'
;; John Hume, Northern Irish politician, on Radio Scotland 1/2/95
;; Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1998; few have deserved it so much

D.M. Procida said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

Get one with a hole in the right place so there's nothing in the wrong
place.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yep, different strokes for different folks, sheldon covers the subject IIRC.

Quoted message said:

Daniele

D.M. Procida said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

Get one with a hole in the right place so there's nothing in the wrong
place.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yep, different strokes for different folks, sheldon covers the subject IIRC.

Quoted message said:

Daniele

[email hidden] (D.M. Procida) of Apple Juice,

Cardiff said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes they do. My little legs go much better with the short cranks on my
tourer than the standard ones on my everyday old MTB with slicks. When the
MTB goes to bike heaven I shall be trying to do a deal to get short cranks
on a hybrid.
--
Get your facts first; then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

[email hidden] (D.M. Procida) of Apple Juice,

Cardiff said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes they do. My little legs go much better with the short cranks on my
tourer than the standard ones on my everyday old MTB with slicks. When the
MTB goes to bike heaven I shall be trying to do a deal to get short cranks
on a hybrid.
--
Get your facts first; then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 16:39:53 +0100,

(D.M. Procida) said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me). If so,
and the saddle on the bike is a bloke's, then you may be more comfy
with a woman's saddle. AFAIUI, they tend to be a little shorter, and
broader at the back. I swapped the saddle on my new Ridgeback for a
girlie saddle, anyway, and it's growing fairly comfy now that I'm
getting used to it.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

I dunno about that, but someone else will.

Good luck 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 16:39:53 +0100,

(D.M. Procida) said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me). If so,
and the saddle on the bike is a bloke's, then you may be more comfy
with a woman's saddle. AFAIUI, they tend to be a little shorter, and
broader at the back. I swapped the saddle on my new Ridgeback for a
girlie saddle, anyway, and it's growing fairly comfy now that I'm
getting used to it.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

I dunno about that, but someone else will.

Good luck 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

Nope. I had pressure on the perimeum[1] whenever I went down on the drops.
A saddle with no saddle (eh?) where the pressure was (Oh.) put a stop to
that. I don't have any problems on bikes with a more upright position, so
think it was a combination of the old saddle and the lower handlebars.

While you're buying a new saddle you might as well get one that fits your
sitbones too - no point it being less than perfect if your paying good
money.

[1] The region between the scrotum and the anus in males, and between the
posterior vulva junction and the anus in females.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

Nope. I had pressure on the perimeum[1] whenever I went down on the drops.
A saddle with no saddle (eh?) where the pressure was (Oh.) put a stop to
that. I don't have any problems on bikes with a more upright position, so
think it was a combination of the old saddle and the lower handlebars.

While you're buying a new saddle you might as well get one that fits your
sitbones too - no point it being less than perfect if your paying good
money.

[1] The region between the scrotum and the anus in males, and between the
posterior vulva junction and the anus in females.

Peewiglet said:

Quoted message said:

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me).

Well, no, actually, I don't know of any girls called Daniele. But thanks
for the advice anyway.

Daniele

Peewiglet said:

Quoted message said:

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me).

Well, no, actually, I don't know of any girls called Daniele. But thanks
for the advice anyway.

Daniele

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 23:18:29 +0100,

(D.M. Procida) said:

Peewiglet said:

Quoted message said:

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me).

Well, no, actually, I don't know of any girls called Daniele. But thanks
for the advice anyway.

Daniele

Oops! Sorry.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 23:18:29 +0100,

(D.M. Procida) said:

Peewiglet said:

Quoted message said:

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

It sounds from your name as though you're a girlie (like me).

Well, no, actually, I don't know of any girls called Daniele. But thanks
for the advice anyway.

Daniele

Oops! Sorry.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"D.M. Procida" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

No, more padding may well not be the answer. What you need is a saddle that
*fits* Look at the saddles the pros use as they spend day after day in the
saddle - are they padded? No, they aren't. They are thin and hard - and they
fit the individual rider. Fit is the most important thing. Example - my
everyday bike - when I got it, the first few times I rode it it was *agony*
I felt like I was sitting on a knife. When I got off the bike I could hardly
walk, and a ten-mile cycle ride would force me off the bike. I couldn't ride
any further due to the pain. I changed the saddle to a Terry's Liberator
TiLite and it was instant comfort. The saddle fits me and is not hugely
padded.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

No - you need a saddle that fits.

Quoted message said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Oh yes - crank length is important too.

Cheers, helen s

Quoted message said:

Daniele
--
Apple Juice
Chapter Arts Centre
Market Road
Cardiff CF5 1QE

"D.M. Procida" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I tried a Ridgeback Rapide Velocity today from The Bike Shed here in
Cardiff. It's so quiet! It felt very nice, after my ancient Raleigh
Pioneer Classic. The saddle was one thing I didn't much enjoy - the
riding position meant that my delicate parts were somewhat mashed up by
the front of the seat.

The fellow in the shop said that it could be replaced with another with
more padding, but I simply want less saddle in that region, not more
padding - even the softest padding is harder than my soft parts.

No, more padding may well not be the answer. What you need is a saddle that
*fits* Look at the saddles the pros use as they spend day after day in the
saddle - are they padded? No, they aren't. They are thin and hard - and they
fit the individual rider. Fit is the most important thing. Example - my
everyday bike - when I got it, the first few times I rode it it was *agony*
I felt like I was sitting on a knife. When I got off the bike I could hardly
walk, and a ten-mile cycle ride would force me off the bike. I couldn't ride
any further due to the pain. I changed the saddle to a Terry's Liberator
TiLite and it was instant comfort. The saddle fits me and is not hugely
padded.

Quoted message said:

Am I likely to suffer this kind of issue whatever saddle I choose, in a
riding position with lowish handlebars?

No - you need a saddle that fits.

Quoted message said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Oh yes - crank length is important too.

Cheers, helen s

Quoted message said:

Daniele
--
Apple Juice
Chapter Arts Centre
Market Road
Cardiff CF5 1QE

Steph Peters said:

[email hidden] (D.M. Procida) of Apple Juice,

Cardiff said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes they do. My little legs go much better with the short cranks on my
tourer than the standard ones on my everyday old MTB with slicks. When the
MTB goes to bike heaven I shall be trying to do a deal to get short cranks
on a hybrid.

Save up the pennies and get a good chainset of the right size. Then
move it from bike to bike as you change bikes.

I have a TA Carmina (was supposed to get a Vega but the shop made a
mistake) which is very nice, completely modular and comes in short
sizes (as short as 150mm).
Not cheap at over 100gbp but definitely worth it.

...d

Steph Peters said:

[email hidden] (D.M. Procida) of Apple Juice,

Cardiff said:

Incidentally, the other thing I found unusual about the bike was that
the cranks felt much shorter - is this something simply to get used to,
or do people with different legs and bodies do better with different
length cranks?

Yes they do. My little legs go much better with the short cranks on my
tourer than the standard ones on my everyday old MTB with slicks. When the
MTB goes to bike heaven I shall be trying to do a deal to get short cranks
on a hybrid.

Save up the pennies and get a good chainset of the right size. Then
move it from bike to bike as you change bikes.

I have a TA Carmina (was supposed to get a Vega but the shop made a
mistake) which is very nice, completely modular and comes in short
sizes (as short as 150mm).
Not cheap at over 100gbp but definitely worth it.

...d

Quoted message said:

[1] The region between the scrotum and the anus in males, and between the
posterior vulva junction and the anus in females.

<schoolboy>

snigger snigger...

he wrote "anus"

snigger snigger...

<\schoolboy>