Saddle sore

Road Rob

Well, more saddle-numb, really, after 100km round the Peak District. Is it saddle position I need to alter (just can't seem to get it right) or is the only solution to post-ride penile numbness a new saddle? Currently have a Rolls on my Dawes Galaxy. What do you experienced distance-riders use?

:oops:

alfablue

I suspect the answer is a Brooks or a Specialized Avatar/Alias/Toupe or a Fizik Arione

nun

Road Rob wrote:

Well, more saddle-numb, really, after 100km round the Peak District. Is it saddle position I need to alter (just can't seem to get it right) or is the only solution to post-ride penile numbness a new saddle? Currently have a Rolls on my Dawes Galaxy. What do you experienced distance-riders use?

:oops:

I've ridden Brooks saddles for many years, however, in the last year I've been upping my
mileage to weekend centuries and I've found that I get a saddle sore (deep tissue hardness
and pain) on the inner side or my right buttock. I find the only way to cure it is to stop riding for a week and then to ride out of the saddle a few times every hour.

vernonlevy

Road Rob wrote:

Well, more saddle-numb, really, after 100km round the Peak District. Is it saddle position I need to alter (just can't seem to get it right) or is the only solution to post-ride penile numbness a new saddle? Currently have a Rolls on my Dawes Galaxy. What do you experienced distance-riders use?

:oops:

Brooks B17. Not given me problems in 6000 miles of cycling over the past three years.

I do a minimum of a 100km ride most weekend and have not had any comfort problems.

alfablue

I have a Spesh Avatar - it did cure the numb nuts problem, which was my original reason for buying it (and about the 6th seat I have bought to try and fix the problem!) though it could be a bit comfier, its the best I have tried. I do want to try a Brooks sooner or later because many people swear by them for ultimate comfort, though there isn't a specific "lurv" groove.

I have seen the Selle Anatomica, which (apart from the cost) is also tempting, it combines the self-moulding properties of a Brooks with a groove (they also have a service to modify Brooks sadddles). Looks tempting - might be the ultimate comfortable saddle (or the holy grail!)

Tourist Tony

I've tried various saddles over the years, including a Spesh Body Geometry and two Terry saddles, a Liberator and one on elastomers (which felt as if it had snapped; horrible)
The Liberator is still in service on the MTB, but my two main bikes have B17a, a Champion Special on George and a B17 Narrow on Marjorie. I spent years trying to find a better saddle, after the theft of my last road bike c/w Brooks, and should have simply stayed with them.

Pete Beer

I use Brooks and Lycette saddles. After a while they are really good. I've heard good things about Rolls, so can I suggest padded pants from Wiggle. Worth their weight in gold.

Road Rob

Thanks all for your advice and suggestions. D'you think there's anything to be gained from fiddling around with the position of the Rolls any more before splashing out on a replacement?

ps numb bits no longer numb, to my great relief!

dannyg

I've just changed my saddle after suffering from a groin absess...i can tell you that wasn't good. I've got a Bontrager CRZ+ HC Sport and it's like riding an armchair, superb comfort. They also do a race model which is a bit narrower too.

fluff.

Worth fiddling with a bit before abandoning, if you're finding yourself on the nose alot try moving it back instead of forward. My favourite saddle is an old Turbomatic, quite similar shape to Rolls, but I have a funny looking solution to the numb bits problem on my fixie, it works as well.

FOGcp

I have seen those double nose saddles before and fancied giving them a go.
Anybody know where youcan get them in the UK?

fluff.

I got mine with a Terry Dolan bike, their web site is showing them for sale but looks a bit dated, probably best to ring them. Alternatively, http://www.trybike.co.uk/carbon-bikes/seats-seatposts/ seem to be selling.

bike_the_planet

Well, more saddle-numb, really, after 100km round the Peak District. Is it saddle position I need to alter (just can't seem to get it right) or is the only solution to post-ride penile numbness a new saddle? Currently have a Rolls on my Dawes Galaxy. What do you experienced distance-riders use?

I am a recent convert to a hard saddle with a perenieum cutaway. Like many, I suspect, I had always assumed that a soft saddle would be more comfortable. But, just like your favourite armchair, you sink into a soft saddle, meaning that bits that aren't supposed to support your weight end up doing so. Soft saddles always put pressure where I didn't want it.

A hard saddle with a cutaway ensures that your weight is only supported on your sit bones and nowhere else.

There's growing evidence that frequent bouts of penile numbness due to perenieum pressure may not be entirely benign. Long term exposure to this can lead to permanently damaged nerves and arteries. Try a hard saddle.

culverwood

I have two Brooks B17 and a Terry Liberator like Tony, except although I have had no problems with the Brooks I keep going back to the Terry having done more than 5 long tours on it without numbness or sores. I just do not want to take a risk.

daviddd

I get penile numbness on any saddle, not all the time but occasionally, but it only lasts a few minutes (unfortunately lol)