backside is killing me

wdaley

Ive just bought a claud butler milano road bike i`ve not ridden a bike for a few years. I cycled home and my back side is now killing me. will this get any better or is a better saddle required? any suggestions would be helpful.

Slow Downcp

It will get better over time, but you may beneift from experimenting woth position. Is the saddle level? Also, good padded shorts if you haven't got any will help a lot

Pennyfarthing1880

Yes, it takes time for your backside to get used to saddles. I prefer Brooks leather saddles, which need running in of course for a few hundred miles depending on stiffness of leather. I treat on underside with neatsfoot oil a few times to get is more supple. However, you have to be careful and not overdo it and get it too soft and sagging. I prefer the B17 but it is a little wide and perhaps heavy if you have a lightweight bike. On my DeRosa I have a Brooks Swift which is a little stiffer but good, so I wear two pairs of padded shorts if I am out all day. It is best to break your backside (and a leather saddler) in slowly by not doing too much at once, say up to 10 miles each day, otherwise you will get sore. I apply Sudocreme nappy rash cream all the time and make sure I am totally clean at all times. I hope this helps - it works for me.

Pennyfarthing1880

Just to reinforce what Slow Downcp said, your saddle height is very important since if you are too high you will rock and create soreness. The most simple starting point is to sit on the saddle and make sure you are level and your heal should just reach the pedal at its lowest position. Then fine tune for comfort.

sicrow

I bought a new specialised roubaix earleir this year and the saddle (Toupe Gel) was horrible to start with - only because it was different to what I was used to. 4 months later its the most comfy saddle I have had

As other posts have said give it a month or two and plenty of time sat on it and i'm sure you find it fine - if still unhappy after a couple of months then swop it

CrookedCucumber

I think for many people a lot of the problem is not in the saddle at all, but in leg strength. If you're spending a lot of time freewheeliing, and always using very low gears, you'll be taking all your weight on your backside. If your legs are always spinning, and against significant resistance, you'll be carrying a greater part of your weight on your feet.

cyclingfury

Agree with all the above replies, and would add that a quick and simple solution is that if you are currently pumping your tyres up to the max, run them with a little less air for a while as this will substantially add to your riding comfort.