How long for the undercarriage to get used to cycling?

miurasv

I know we're all different but was wondering how long it takes for the undercarriage to get used to road cycling, if at all. Been riding about 10 miles a day, sometimes 20, for the last 2 weeks and it's still painfull. Although the pain is bearable I can't pedal constantly due to the pain. Been using Assos bibshorts (not the same ones everyday) for the last 10 days and a Fizik Arione Wingflex Manganese seat on my Scott Addict R4. Is there a more comfortable seat I should be using or is it still early days and too soon for the pain to have gone by now?

crankycrank

I've seen some people take a couple of months and others take over a year of steady riding to harden up to where they weren't in pain during a ride. There is also a chance that the saddle you have may not be right for you. Saddles are such a personal thing I doubt anyone could know what will work for you. Try sitting on some other saddles in shops or trying your riding buddies choice to see if the pressure points are reduced or eliminated. There is a good reason why hundreds of different types of saddles are sold by dozens of manufacturers. But don't be afraid to just give your current saddle some time and see if the pain starts to ease up.

giant_man

The more you ride, the more you'll get used to it. And your saddle. You could start cycling every other day but longer on those days too. That's what I would do actually. Less strenuous on the tackle mate.

Of course, you could try some chamois cream (not necessarily Assos) so you get a better 'bond' between the seat and the insert and it will be more comfortable.

It could be that your saddle is not the saddle for you as well. It's a VERY personal thing.

Mettan

miurasv wrote:

I know we're all different but was wondering how long it takes for the undercarriage to get used to road cycling, if at all. Been riding about 10 miles a day, sometimes 20, for the last 2 weeks and it's still painfull. Although the pain is bearable I can't pedal constantly due to the pain. Been using Assos bibshorts (not the same ones everyday) for the last 10 days and a Fizik Arione Wingflex Manganese seat on my Scott Addict R4. Is there a more comfortable seat I should be using or is it still early days and too soon for the pain to have gone by now?

You can always try padded undershorts aswell - just another option.

nickwill

Just a tip with Arione saddles. I've used them for the last 3 years, but IMHO they need careful setup.. I make sure that the nose of the saddle is level, rather than try to get it level along its whole length. This makes all the difference! A friend of mine was having problems after 50 miles or so, and this tip completely solved them!
It's worth giving it a try.

chuckcork

Ditto with the saddle setup, but I'd also suggest thinking about a different saddle.

On bikes I've had a racing and gel saddle that have been OK for shorter rides but too painful for longer distance, the best one I've tried is my Brooks B17 Special which I find gives me few problems other than what you'd expect if youd been sitting for 7-8 hours.

Expensive but well worth it.

strodey

Couldn't get on with the arione saddle so switched to 'one with a scoop' like on my mtb, made all the difference straight away! Have a selle italia xc gel flow on mtb, couldn't afford another one so have a cheap bontrager on the road bike, both have the scoop though and the same thing happened when first getting on mtb saddle without scoop, once changed the 'landing gear' stopped hurting!!

on the road

How long are you actually on the saddle for? (time wise)

miurasv

on the road wrote:

How long are you actually on the saddle for? (time wise)

Most of my rides are 10 miles long which takes me between 38 and 40 minutes. Sometimes I do a 21 mile ride which takes about 85 minutes.

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

cyclingfury

Let some air out of your tyres. I run 25mm on the rear at 90psi and I'm 14stone 4lbs. I get a lovely plush ride.

lorenzjorgensen

I think 2 weeks is too short a time for your backside to get used to something it has never done before. I started serious road biking 6 months ago, and I can honestly say that it took me a couple of months before I did not really notice any pain any more. I always use padded Pearl Izumi shorts. I spin or ride about 4-5 times a week. You may find that hte more often you do it at the beginning, the less time your bott has to "heal", or you may find that you just need to keep riding through it all. Different botts for different folks! Oh and by the way, I ride Giant Defy 1, 700x25 at 100psi, and I weigh 14st 4lb.

lorenzjorgensen

Oh and by the way, don't think that a padded seat is the right way to go. The road bikes these days have very well-designed shapes for your pelvic bones to sit on, even if they look like torture instruments at first. I ride a Giant Defy 1, and I have no intention of changing the seat. It is pretty comfortable.

Dunkeldog

Riding regularly - even just two or three times per week should see the pain diminish after a month or so. Give the bruising time to heal and you'd be amazed at what your body can adapt to. A cut-out saddle will help instantly with any 'interesting numbness' that might develop. I've got a Selle Italia Gel Flow on my sportive bike and a Specialized gel Toupe on the roadie. It was like sitting on a razor the first month with the Spec but it feels perfect now on rides of any length. Just stick with it but do give yourself time to toughen up!

on the road

You really need to be riding for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally 3 hours to get use to it.

With those short rides, its going to take a lot longer to acclimatise. I would suggest between 2 and 3 hour rides, but just 2 or 3 times a week. On the longer rides you'll find you have bruising on the undercarriage, but use the next day or two to rest the undercarriage and ride the following day, after a while you'll become immune to the undercarriage pain. And it'll happen more quickly then on the shorter rides.