New bike - one slight issue...

Nerrep

Just bought myself my first road bike - a Trek 1.5D. I love it; it has quickly become elevated to the height of 'one of my favourite things' - and that's just from looking at it.

Went out for my first (and very short) ride (6 miles ish) this morning, and noticed a bit of a problem; namely that the saddle seems intent on boring me a vagina. I am not a girl, so this is rather uncomfortable. In more detail, my weight seems to be sat on the area between my arse (where I sat on on my old MTB, comfortably balanced on the base of my pelvis) and my dangly bits (which I now feel the blood rushing back into whenever I stand up on the pedals). The bike was set up properly by a dealer, but I can't help thinking this isn't quite right; what would a reasonable solution be? I was thinking of pitching the saddle forward a bit?

I also only truly realised how terrible the roads near me are this morning. In terms of hitting lumpy bits of tarmac, small potholes, and speed bumps, how will my bike fare? It's not very comfortable, but I can deal with that. A wheel exploding, on the other hand, might be a bit less enjoyable. Is it okay to ride over the rough bits at speed, or is it a case of slow right down if they can't be avoided?

Thanks,

topdude

Hi, the saddle / arse interface is always a tricky one to get right

First, make sure the saddle is either flat or slightly lower at the front, this will throw more weight on to your arms and relieve your backside a bit.
Second, maybe the saddle is too far back, try it forward a little.
Third, is it the correct height, the basic legs straight with heels on pedals is a good starting point.
Fourth, maybe your bars are too low, it might pay to raise them until you get used to the lower riding position.

Regarding rough roads it is better to avoid hitting them at speed if possible to avoid damaging the tube or rim.

Just a few pointers, i'm sure others will be along soon with more suggestions

neeb

You definitely don't want your weight to be concentrated in that area (the perineum)... It sounds like the saddle on the bike really doesn't suit you and/or the setup is wrong. You need a saddle that concentrates your weight on your sitbones, like it sounds as if your MTB one did.

There are many interacting factors that influence whether this happens, including shape of saddle (needs to be wide enough at the back to support your sitbones, and it helps if it is slightly raised at the back), saddle position (not too far back or too high and not tilted, although some people such as myself find that a very very slight forward tilt helps), wearing proper padded cycling shorts, general position on the bike (a big drop in height between saddle and bars may cause problems or may solve them depending on other factors.... it actually helps to be more stretched out as your weight is then distributed more towards the front of the bike, but not if this causes the front of the saddle to put pressure on the perineum).

You need to experiment a lot and perhaps try several different saddles to get it right. It's well worth the effort, as when you find the right saddle/setup it is possible to spend hours in the saddle without any pressure issues/numbness at all. You also find that as you get stronger you put less pressure on your ar*e as the action of pedaling is always counteracting the force of gravity of your body weight on the saddle.

<<edit - looks like topdude has given much the same advice!>>

Surf-Matt

Nerrep - quite bad roads around here too but getting more confident at just unweighting over them. I think they can take a bit of stick.

My saddle (new Allez Elite 2010 with Spesh Rival saddle) was instantly comfortable - so much so that I didn't even notice it on the first ride. I'd get a new one for yours pronto.

Marko1962

The original saddle on my Focus was like a razor blade and was quickly changed. The next saddle I bought had a slot down the middle to relieve pressure in the perineum area but was relatively flat across the top so my sit bones took the weight. This saddle was great for the perineum area but the pain in my sit bone areas was unbearable after 30 miles or so, so that one is now redundant in my garage.

I now have a saddle that has the slot and is a little more rounded in profile, it suits my bum and I can quite happily ride on it for upwards of 70 miles without too much discomfort.

The search for the ideal saddle can be a hit and miss affair, it would be ideal if you can get your hands on a few different saddles and try them all out...

Anonymous

The cheaper Bontrager saddles are notoriously uncomfortable...

Nerrep

Went out for another (short - I'm sweating wine after a slightly messy one last night) ride today. I found that I can get on my sit bones, but have to arch my lower back quite a lot to rotate my pelvis vertically to do so. Does this seem to suggest saddle angle as the culprit?

keef66

I switched from my original Italian Selle somethingorotherrazorblade to a Charge Spoon saddle. They are meant for mtb's but look OK on a road bike, and cost just over £20. No cutout, but I now find I sit comfortably on my sitbones instead of the nerves and blood vessels supplying my genitalia. :shock:

Charge also do a similar lighter, racier Knife model, but I have no personal experience of that one.

Surf-Matt

Tilt it forwards slightly beyond horizontal - often cures saddle woes.

chuckcork

Invest in a Brooks saddle.

Thousands of miles now on mine and if I get a sore ar$e its from the length of time on the bike, otherwise very comfortable.

kingrollo

Don't forget to report the potholes to the local council - they will repair them. They usually have a form on the web which lets you do this easily & quickly.

rinko

NapoleonD wrote:

The cheaper Bontrager saddles are notoriously uncomfortable...

Not sure how cheap the one on my 1.7 was - but it was horrendous for me (even with padded shorts) and was changed for a bikehut padded version within 2 days. Blessed relief!

bice

Well I am fine with my Trek 1.7 Bontrager. It feels quite padded after my stretched old Brooks. But then I like that too. I reckon if you are new to it, road bike saddles will cast a sharp light on the place where the sun don't shine.

Nerrep

kingrollo wrote:

Don't forget to report the potholes to the local council - they will repair them. They usually have a form on the web which lets you do this easily & quickly.

Oh I wish! The roads rounds here are massively potholed from start to end, and the council occasionally close an entire road for three days, and resurface the smoothest ten metres (or the left hand third for twenty meters as is a new favourite). Still haven't got round to changing the saddle angle; definitely want to avoid buying a new one if possible though... Was intending on getting the Trek 1.2 and walked out with the 1.5, so fund are a 'little' stretched.

jedster

Charge also do a similar lighter, racier Knife model

I've seen those and I have a Charge Spoon which I like. But I have to ask, what marketing genious thought that "knife" was a good name for a saddle. It's really not the mental association that I'm looking for when I buy a saddle...

keef66

Must admit I went for the Spoon partly because of the bargain price and partly because the Knife sounded just wrong

Charge name all their stuff after kitchen implements / accessories. Other saddles include Ladle, Poacher, Stool and Bucket. Bikes include PLug, Mixer, Stove and Tap, and they have bar tape called U-bend and grips called Sponge. Genius.

Steve_b77

Just liek Cove and their bike names, Hustler, Handjob, STD etc.

back OT, try a charge Spoon, they're exceptionally comfortable.

I've just put an Outland El Rey on one of my MTB's it looks ace/very uncomfortable but is indeed very comfortable