Seat problem

hawkins445 said:

I have always had a problem getting a comfortable seat. Please recognize that as one gets older, the personal cushioning turns to flab. Beyond that, I now have a sciatic nerve problem. Even the seat on the bike at the YMCA hurts after 20 minutes or so. My butt, thigh, and lower leg are in significant pain after riding on a car seat for 1-1.5 hours. I don't want to give up cycling, but after 10 miles my butt feels like it is sitiing on a RR rail. I do not wear cycling shorts, but have tried the liner type underwear worn by mountain bikers. It doesn't help much.

Well what are you riding on right now? Are you solely at the gym where you do not have the option to change the saddle? Or are you talking about your personal bike where you have the option of changing the saddle.

Now here's what. I would actually try out a cheap bicycling short. I think you should get one in the range of $30-$40 at your LBS. It's absolutely worth it. It will be a revelation if you haven't used it before.

Now here's the kicker. People think that there should be support from the flab/meat on your butt. There should be not much contact between the saddle and your butt. You seat should be in perfect contact with your sit bones. Most LBS should have methods that they use to measure the distance between your sit bones. The bones are on the saddle and you do not feel any pain at all.

Here's my personal experience. I got a trek and was riding on their bontrager saddle. Didn't like it at all even though it was moderately cushioned. I bought the inform saddle. The elite saddle hat Bontrager has to offer but didn't like it at all because it was essentially the same shape. Then my LBS suggested that I "try" some of the fizik saddles that he had (Spine Concept). I tried the three saddles they had to offer each for one day. Settled on one of them and haven't looked back at all. It's like a glove for my a$$. I don't feel it for long rides and I mean LONG rides.

So I would suggest that you talk to your local bike shop and see if they have some saddles that they have on a trial basis. I know that there are these orange fizik saddles that you can try at pretty much every bike shop (okay maybe every other bike shop).

Finally having said that. Make sure you are sitting on your sit bones not on the muscle/flab on you posterior else the same hurt is going to continue. Give it a shot! See if it helps.

Finally, this is what the wise say, when you find a saddle that you like, but two of the same and wrap one in a ziploc bag and store in a cool dry place.

Cheers,
K

a bike "saddle" is not a seat or for sitting on. It is used to straddle the bike, keeping proper leg positioning during pedaling and helping to maintain your balance - not many people I know can balance while sitting without a chair 😄

hawkins445 said:

I have always had a problem getting a comfortable seat. Please recognize that as one gets older, the personal cushioning turns to flab. Beyond that, I now have a sciatic nerve problem. Even the seat on the bike at the YMCA hurts after 20 minutes or so. My butt, thigh, and lower leg are in significant pain after riding on a car seat for 1-1.5 hours. I don't want to give up cycling, but after 10 miles my butt feels like it is sitiing on a RR rail. I do not wear cycling shorts, but have tried the liner type underwear worn by mountain bikers. It doesn't help much.

How long does it take you to ride 10 miles?

What kind of bike AND saddle are you using?

How long does it take for you to "recover" after you dismount?

An obvious solution would be to buy a recumbent or Catrike.

Another option is a BROOKS B67 saddle.

BTW. One problem may be that your saddle is too low and/or your riding position may be too upright for riding distances longer than a few miles.

hawkins445 said:

I have always had a problem getting a comfortable seat. Please recognize that as one gets older, the personal cushioning turns to flab. Beyond that, I now have a sciatic nerve problem. Even the seat on the bike at the YMCA hurts after 20 minutes or so. My butt, thigh, and lower leg are in significant pain after riding on a car seat for 1-1.5 hours. I don't want to give up cycling, but after 10 miles my butt feels like it is sitiing on a RR rail. I do not wear cycling shorts, but have tried the liner type underwear worn by mountain bikers. It doesn't help much.

Start with a bike fit. If that doesn't help, next see a professional if you indeed have a medical problem. A Doc, a physical therapist, a Chiro.

Probably not as simple as a saddle design.

I agree totally on geeting the bike fitted. If the seat height is not correct, if the seat is too far back, stem too short, too long etc.
That being said the search for the elusive perfect saddle is a personal issue and akin to finding the perfect mate.
There will always be a few flaws and something new may look better.
I can tell you that I have had good luck with the Terri saddles as a far as long distance comfort.
The reality is that comfort and bike saddles are not compatible terms but pain should not be either.
Good luck.

See a physio. My guess (not professional) is that you have a piriformis problem.

Then, or in tandem, see a bike fitter. Improper bike fit is likely to be at least part of the problem.