Saddle advice - to help prevent 'numbness'

Recess

Hi folks,

I've performed a quick search on here, and now realise that much like other things, it's a sit and feel moment, rather than asking for suggestions on what makes a good saddle.

However, can anyone point me towards either the odd saddle, or what to look for to overcome what can only be described as a numb fella. 40 mile ride yesterday, and he's still not happy from it. I'm riding a Scott CR1 comp on the standard Road Pro saddle that comes with it. And I can really feel the pressure down there - especially on down-hills.

So - I think it's time to get something better to sit on. I was looking at first to road saddles with a cut out/groove to ease pressure - but wasn't too sure if this would help etc, so thought I'd pop on here and ask if anyone had any helpful thoughts - pointers or website references they could throw me to.

Thanks in advance, from me and the wee-man.

J

Flamme Rouge

This, after years of suffering, has been a joy.

http://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/sensat ... 00064.html

bikeit65

I have tried a few saddles and thought the Fizik Arione was comfortable until it broke in two, so after reading a lot of good things about the Specialized Toupe i got fitted at local shop and have been using it for the past year, if you decide on the Toupe make sure you get fitted at a Specialized shop for it, as it is available in three different widths,
no more numbness.

skyd0g

Before changing the saddle, you may want to check that it's at the correct height and level. I also take it you are wearing a decent pair of padded shorts?

Assuming you have already done that, the Charge Spoon comes up regularly as a recommended budget perch.

chriskempton

Bikeit65 wrote:

I have tried a few saddles and thought the Fizik Arione was comfortable until it broke in two, so after reading a lot of good things about the Specialized Toupe i got fitted at local shop and have been using it for the past year, if you decide on the Toupe make sure you get fitted at a Specialized shop for it, as it is available in three different widths,
no more numbness.

+1 for specialized toupe, but you can measure yourself to choose the width if there's not a spec shop near you (it's not difficult). The normal version (not the gel) seems better for most people.

NWLondoner

Bikeit65 wrote:

I if you decide on the Toupe make sure you get fitted at a Specialized shop for it, as it is available in three different widths,
no more numbness.

How do they actually measure you for this?

couldashouldawoulda

To get your width they measure the distance between your sit bones. You just sit on a foam pad type of thing and the depressions that remain are from you sit bones.

Some general points -
- I'd agree with the point about checking / changing the angle of the saddle.
- Saddles with a hammock shape (eg charge spoon) seem to suit most people but caused me the numb problem you describe. Saddles that are flatter (eg Selle SLR XC Gel / Spec Toupe or Phenom ) may help.

Recess

Hey folks.

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the saddles mentioned - in a shop to get some proper advice at the same time.

Wearing padded bib-tights, so that part's kinda taken care of, though saddle adjustment is probably worth looking at again. I know it's worse when doing descents (there's some huge climbs and decents in the Scottish Campsies where i do most of my rides) - so I wonder if position during these is ALSO a factor. (However, saddle still causes issues on flat rides too, just worse when it includes loads of steep descents).

I'll make sure to let you know what the end result is.... pun not intended.

J

pickled

I was getting numbness behind the 'package' if you know what I mean. Then I noticed the saddle was nosing down a tiny bit.
And I mean a tiny bit. It was just one notch on the ratchet from level.
Now It's a lot better but it comes back after about 40 miles.
Dreading the hunt for a new saddle.
It sounds an expensive endeavour judging from a quick search on here.

hopper1

chriskempton wrote:

Bikeit65 wrote:

I have tried a few saddles and thought the Fizik Arione was comfortable until it broke in two, so after reading a lot of good things about the Specialized Toupe i got fitted at local shop and have been using it for the past year, if you decide on the Toupe make sure you get fitted at a Specialized shop for it, as it is available in three different widths,
no more numbness.

+1 for specialized toupe, but you can measure yourself to choose the width if there's not a spec shop near you (it's not difficult). The normal version (not the gel) seems better for most people.

+1 from me, too.
I had Fizik Ariones on both my bikes, then suddenly started getting a little numbness near the end of my longer rides!
I tried the Toupe Team, very comfortable for me, so bought two BG saddles! One Toupe Team, for the best bike and one Phenom for the winter machine.
Hopefully I'll be cured forever...
Paid £100 for both, from small LBS, was very impressed.

chriskempton

couldashouldawoulda wrote:

To get your width they measure the distance between your sit bones. You just sit on a foam pad type of thing and the depressions that remain are from you sit bones.

I just felt for my sit bones with my fingers (sorry about this!) and measured the distance between my fingers. Worked for me anyway....

keef66

I tried the cheap option first, got a Charge Spoon for less than £20. Set it up dead level nose to tail (so the middle is a bit lower than either) and it's good for 50 miles which is as far as I've managed so far. And my shorts are pretty rubbish too. I'm aiming for better shorts and higher mileages, and if it stays comfy I won't be changing it.

Failing that, I was going to try the Spesh BG saddles next; have one of the cheaper ones on my mtb and my undercarriage gets on well with it

Splottboy

Ahhhhhh, the dreaded "Dick Death" eh? Terrys do some great saddles. I used one of their ladies type years ago, and found great relief. It was the best saddle I've tried by a mile.

Best shorts I've got are Nike ACG lycra, and the pad is pristine after nearly 10yrs.
All other shorts I've used are hammered.

Recess

Though I'm still going to check out the Specialized stuff, someone's suggested the Adamo Racing saddle as an option.

Expensive, but I'm not adverse to paying to save my fella.

Anyone have any experience with them? On paper, it sounds perfect, but interested in other user's thoughts.

J

bobtbuilder

I’ve just changed from a Fizik Arione which although comfortable to start with became much less so after 4 hours.

I’m now riding a Selle Italia SLC which is a beautiful ride. I hardly notice that I’m sat on it, which to me, is the mark of a good saddle. It’s a pricy bit of kit, but they do an SLK version (non-carbon) with the same measurements. You can get one here for £70:
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1327/Selle-Italia-SLK-Gel-Flow-Saddle.html?referrer=froogle&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid1327

doyler78

I had lots of problems with my Spesh Toupe however just getting the angle right helps (slightly sloping upwards for me). Even a tiny move in my saddle and I feel it so set up can be critical.

dilemna

For me the Specialised BG Sport 2 £25 or £14.99 from the Edinburgh Bike Co-Op when they had a sale a couple of months ago. I bought two to add to my one already. They have a groove down the middle as well and are very comfy IMHO.

Also saddle height must be correct as well as level and position on the rails. Also stem length. If you are stretching too far forward this could cause your Sid the Snake to loose feeling as you maybe leaning too far forward placing too much pressure on him.

Also, and this has made a big difference for me, was fitting a decent suspension seat post, setting it up correctly according to your weight. Means I can now ride 80-100 miles at the end of which nothing feels like it is going to drop off or has given up the the ghost apart from my knackered legs!! In fact I feel pretty fresh in seat region. I would recommend getting one but you will have to put up with a lot of ridicule from many roadie dicks who probably lost sensation in theirs' years ago.

No one has mentioned a Brooks yet, thank god :roll: .

Recess

Hey folks - thought I'd update with an.... update.

Got an Adamo Racing saddle on eBay for £60, which is £50 left than most stores. Put it on today - set it according to the video, went for a ride, spent the first 10 miles adjusting it - then it all fell into place.

Nice to ride on, no numbness down there, but I do have two very defined sore bits on m'arse.

Time will tell about that side of things, but the very fact little Recess was still with me when I arrived home is all I need to care about for the time being.

Incidentally, the setup video said that there'd be a breaking in period, and that rides over 30 miles would probably be best avoided at first. I went 40 today - and at 31, it started to hurt. So, listen to the video if you get one!

J

Russell160

To measure sit bones: use a slab of blu tak , warm it slightly on a radiator, sit on it, measure the width.
Re numbness, check out the Specialized Body Geometry web site. The medical explanation is that numbness is caused by restricted blood flow which is caused by pressure on the veins, hence the cut out to relieve the pressure.
I bought the Specialised Avatar Gel, but find it a bit too soft. The crucial thing is for your weight to be supported by your sit bones, therefore avoiding pressure on the euphemistically known soft tissue area. I will be trying a Toupe next.
I would recommend going into a bike shop and sitting on a s manhy different bikes as possible, no on eseems to mind if you ask first. Amazing how many OE saddles are really uncomfortable.

giant_man

Recess wrote:

Hey folks - thought I'd update with an.... update.

Got an Adamo Racing saddle on eBay for £60, which is £50 left than most stores. Put it on today - set it according to the video, went for a ride, spent the first 10 miles adjusting it - then it all fell into place.

Nice to ride on, no numbness down there, but I do have two very defined sore bits on m'ars*.

Time will tell about that side of things, but the very fact little Recess was still with me when I arrived home is all I need to care about for the time being.

Incidentally, the setup video said that there'd be a breaking in period, and that rides over 30 miles would probably be best avoided at first. I went 40 today - and at 31, it started to hurt. So, listen to the video if you get one!

J

Then obviously it's not the saddle for you then! But I think your position needs to be better and the only way you're gonna get that is to be measured at a bike fitting properly. A comfortable saddle is only half the battle for a comfortable position!

Recess

"giant wrote:

Then obviously it's not the saddle for you then!!

forgive me, but I don't think you got the point of my reply - I'm saying I DID like the saddle, and that apart from the two points on my sit-bones which the saddle is designed to focus on - everything else was fantastic.

It's definintely a different feel to other saddles I've used as I'm not sitting on padding - but once the pressure points on the sit-bones get used to it, it'll rock. and, like i said, for the time being I'm happy to 'wear-in' my sit-bones if it means I don't lose feeling elsewhere...

J

giant_man

A saddle should be comfortable, period. The two points on your sit bones which are giving you grief is cause for concern. Your sit bones will not 'wear in' for heaven's sake, because they're bone. If anything gives, it will be the saddle, and depending on the material used, it's possible but unlikely.

It's up to you mate, it's your ar$e and your saddle, but I maintain it's position, which you could alter very slightly to get the correct positioning of your bum on that saddle. And I still maintain it's not the saddle for you!

hopper1

giant mancp wrote:

Then obviously it's not the saddle for you then! But I think your position needs to be better and the only way you're gonna get that is to be measured at a bike fitting properly. A comfortable saddle is only half the battle for a comfortable position!

My first bike, bought without too much thought/advice, was very comfortable for over two years.
When buying a new bike, this year, I had a proper fitting and went with the advice... Numb nuts!
Recently bought a winter bike, different dealer, again, a bike fitting, very similar advice, bought a bike - Numb nuts... WTF!
I just discovered that the latest bike's saddle was 14mm higher than my 'old' bike.
Both new machines have 45mm less reach, too. :?

Robi45

Try a pair of under or liner shorts for extra padding and Charge Spoon. It did it for me after exactly the problem you have been describing.

But fact is, everyone is different and when it comes to saddles what works for one is no gaurantee it will work for everyone. But for sure set up is critical and I have used a spirit level to set mine exactly level.

hopper1

I lowered my saddle height today, by 14mm. I then stuck the bike on the turbo and did 1h30secs (FTP Test), so no jiffling about, and... All was well

dennisn

Flamme Rouge wrote:

This, after years of suffering, has been a joy.

http://www.rido-cyclesaddles.com/sensat ... 00064.html

Now that's a wild looking saddle. Glad you found something that works for you.

Beardy10

Prologo Nago PAS Gel works very well for me. My bike came with a Fizik and found it too narrow so my sit bones weren't doing the work.