Pain In The Butt

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwroubaix [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I recently had my sit bones measured at a lbs and it turned out I needed a wider saddle.

On what basis was it decided that you needed a new saddle? Was there something wrong with the old one?

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I've had it about 2 weeks now and did a 30 mile ride today. After about 15 miles the pain and discomfort were nearly unbearable. I feel pain in my sit bones and then i get numbness in my whole undercarriage area.

It's pretty clear that this shape doesn't suit you 15miles is not far.

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What do I need to do, the saddle should be a better fit.

Why should it be a better fit? What scientific evidence is there to suggest that there is a corelation between the sit-bone separation distance (provided it is even measured corectly) and the kind of saddle you should ride?

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The seat(Specialized Alias) has a cutout in the middle which should help numbness.

Again, what scientific evidence is there to suggest that a hole in the middle of the saddle will help "numbness" ?

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Do i need a more padded saddle?

I have no idea since I can't (and really don't want to) see your nether regions.

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I'm on the bigger side, 6ft 230 pounds.

Again, weight alone will have very little bearing on saddle choice.

I don't mean to heartlessly deconstruct everything in your post but this is an example of the popular misconception that there is some kind of shortcut or rule to deciding on the right type of saddle. To be honest, if there is one, it hasn't been found yet.

Thus far the only reliable way to establish the right saddle is trial and error. This is the key reason why pros jelously guard their prefered models. It is quite litereally their [censored] on the line, and it takes time (and a lot of painful kilometers) to find the right one. Some have been known to buy a box of ten saddles to make sure they will still have their favourite sddle for years to come.

From my own experience I have owned at least eight different models of saddle from four or five different makers. The journey to the one I ride now has also included several loans from others too. The one I have now is very good for me, but I may be able to find a better one.

One thing I have learned, from looking across the broad spectrum of roadies and their saddles, is that extra padding is (in general) not the answer to saddle issues. The only bnefit to be obtained from padding is that it will mask the underlying problem for a little while. The underlying issue is that the shape is wrong. Aside from this padding just removes the stable platform which a saddle is supposed to provide, increases the likelihood of chaffing and sores on long rides, an serves to restrict freedom of movement.

If you had less problems on your old one, then go back to it. If it was okay in the first place then there is really no good reason to change.

I was having the same problems with the saddle before, which is why I made the switch. That's pretty costly trying to find the right saddle, does everyone go through this?

The folks at your LBS should realize that a lot of people need to try several saddles to find the one that fits them the best. Just take the one you bought back and trade it for another one.....do this until you find the right one. If your LBS won't do that then you need to find one that will........but, keep in mind that the saddle you end up with may have been used by other people who were also trying to find the right saddle, and that shouldn't have any impact on how it performs, but you may see some indication that it has been previously installed.

Softer saddles aren't what you should be looking for. What happens with those is that your sit bones sink in, and the stuffing can begin putting pressure on the soft bits inbetween. The cutouts are kinda there to counter that happening. Also, a saddle, as opposed to a seat, isn't meant to carry your whole weight continuously. You're "expected" to generate enough downward force with your legs to carry some of that weight. As a somewhat heavier guy, you'll rest heavier in the saddle than some skinny bloke, even if you're pedalling with the same force.

As for me, I don't look for a "comfortable" saddle any more. Saddles are only comfortable in relation to other saddles. If bike saddles were truly comfortable we'd find them used as seats in other places too - which we don't. But they shouldn't be outright painful.
Then it's the issue of acclimatization. If I've been away from my bike for more than a week, I'll be sore after the first rides again. Even with a good saddle you need some time to adapt.

The bright point is that there's no correlation between saddle cost and saddle comfort (with the possible exception of Brooks). And your butt can't read price tags. As long as you stay away from the mushy, scooter-like saddles, you can try whichever saddle you come across, as long as it will mount up to your seat post.

Saddles with cutouts or slots are really more designed for women, who have a lot more trouble with compression of the genital area than men. The Brooks B17 or B17 narrow actually works better than any new saddle I own. Reason is because the saddle is very firm and thus your sit bones are not sinking into the padding; they are actually holding your soft tissue up and away from the center of the saddle. The cutout/slot in modern saddles is a band-aid solution to problem of excessive padding. I can ride farther on the B17 than on any of the fancy, new-fangled saddles I have. With your weight, the B17 should be ideal.

BTW I have a Specialized Alias and it's really light but nowhere near as comfy over the long haul as the B17. Only reason I don't use a B17 on that particular bike is it is very heavy as compared to the light frame and I am trying to keep that bike as light as possible. But for trekking the B17 is the gold standard.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by doiturself [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Saddles with cutouts or slots are really more designed for women, who have a lot more trouble with compression of the genital area than men. The Brooks B17 or B17 narrow actually works better than any new saddle I own. Reason is because the saddle is very firm and thus your sit bones are not sinking into the padding; they are actually holding your soft tissue up and away from the center of the saddle. The cutout/slot in modern saddles is a band-aid solution to problem of excessive padding. I can ride farther on the B17 than on any of the fancy, new-fangled saddles I have. With your weight, the B17 should be ideal.

Understandably, your statement should be prefaced that you're expressing your own opinion and not necessarily universally applicable to all.

I've used a Selle SMP saddle (wide channel, and very popular) with great success, and I would challenge your statement that women have more compression issues in the genital area than men. Which sex (on average) weighs more and has more "jewelry" to compress on a saddle anyway?

IMO, saddle/butt/short issues can be rectified most of the time by a obtaining a proper bike fit. IME, a reduction in saddle height (increments of millimeters) will eliminate these issues in short order...

I disagree that I need to preface my statement with any kind of disclaimer; this an Internet forum and of course all the advice here should be considered BS!

Just because guys have a pair dangling doesn't mean their stuff is more complicated; the deal with ladies is blood flow and the fact that the pressure is directly on the genitals. Imagine folding your package back and sitting on it and you will get an idea of what gals have to deal with. Women have far more blood vessels and circulation issues in the high pressure perineal and crotch area than men do and thus numbness and pain are more frequent for the ladies. Men, of course, have the penile nerve to worry about which can create much more serious issues over the long term if injured, but women are more likely to experience pain and/or discomfort due to a poor saddle fit or improper adjustment.

Women often benefit from angling the nose of the seat down a couple of degrees more than men would want it and from a bit wider saddle as their hips are usually wider.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by doiturself [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I disagree that I need to preface my statement with any kind of disclaimer; this an Internet forum and of course all the advice here should be considered BS!

Just because guys have a pair dangling doesn't mean their stuff is more complicated; the deal with ladies is blood flow and the fact that the pressure is directly on the genitals. Imagine folding your package back and sitting on it and you will get an idea of what gals have to deal with. Women have far more blood vessels and circulation issues in the high pressure perineal and crotch area than men do and thus numbness and pain are more frequent for the ladies. Men, of course, have the penile nerve to worry about which can create much more serious issues over the long term if injured, but women are more likely to experience pain and/or discomfort due to a poor saddle fit or improper adjustment.

Women often benefit from angling the nose of the seat down a couple of degrees more than men would want it and from a bit wider saddle as their hips are usually wider.

LOL! Didn't intend to put pressure on any of your nerves. I'll simply agree to disagree with your opinion(s)...carry on...