Buttock pain - help please!!

dizzyduck

Went out for a four hour ride today along a canal with my first ever mountain bike. I bought second hand and the original saddle was damaged so I replaced it with this

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 138c003275

Anyway, I was fine for the first 3 hours or so, and then started getting increasing pain in my buttocks, specifically over the inner bony prominences on which I sit (the bony points felt just beside your scrotum on each side). I was cycling in pain for the last hour and afterwards could not even sit on the saddle anymore because it was too sore. It was a bumpy ride for the last hour, but I still don't think anyone should expect to be in that much pain!

My bike is a Specialized Hardrock Pro 2011, and I was not wearing any padded shorts.

Should I be concerned about this or, perhaps will the pain improve as the seat "wears in"? Do most cyclists need those padded tight shorts to prevent this type of pain? Would changing the saddle to something wider work?

I used to have a wider gel seat on my old hybrid bike before it was stolen and seemed fine with this. I did get a little tired in the area over long rides, but nothing like today where I could not even sit on the saddle anymore!

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

piker

This is a good read with plenty of facts.
http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

thel33ter

Basically keep trying saddles till you find one that works for you. Padded shorts are also a must, these are a good budget option.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IORZSHS350

mak3m

you just need to form some hard callouses

wouldnt worry about saddles till you are a few rides in and you know what your ass is up for. mines a bit sore this morning as i did three days riding, other times i can do 50-60 miles completley pain free

Beardface

Just keep at it.. I rode for the first time in 4 months this weekend (Medical issues), and only did 15-20 miles, and I feel like I've been gang banged by Big Dave and his homies today.

I used to happily do 40-60 miles, off road etc, without any problems, but as with most things in cycling, in time, things will get easier

Padded shorts are a must though.. chamois cream can help, but I've never been a fan of the whole 'lubing up' process of it. To me, there is something slightly strange about that. Each to their own though!

paulbox

I drove a brand new 5 series down to Somerset (from Hertfordshire) on Friday night, my @rse was a bit numb in that after 3.5 hours and that had lovely big comfy seats. You just need to let yourself get used to these things, don't start worrying about your saddle until you have done your bit.

And yes, padded shorts are sensible, give yourself some protection. You don't have to go for skin tight lycra, you can get some pretty good padded under/liner shorts. Check out the Endura ones on Chain Reaction Cycles.

FatCabbie

Im just like you, new to mtb and with the same bike. I used a Gel cover for the first couple of months and now im ok. Try one of these:-

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 138c003273

Deputy Dawg

thel33ter wrote:

Basically keep trying saddles till you find one that works for you. Padded shorts are also a must, these are a good budget option.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IORZSHS350

Those would work ok as undershorts with baggies on top.

These are a better budget option for mountain biking though .

thel33ter

Deputy Dawg wrote:

thel33ter wrote:

Basically keep trying saddles till you find one that works for you. Padded shorts are also a must, these are a good budget option.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... IORZSHS350

Those would work ok as undershorts with baggies on top.

These are a better budget option for mountain biking though .

That's how I use 'em, plus I got a small pair on sale for something like £13 8)

May have to take up that subscription now, looks to be a bargain

cooldad

FatCabbie wrote:

Im just like you, new to mtb and with the same bike. I used a Gel cover for the first couple of months and now im ok. Try one of these:-

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 138c003273

Don't do this. A saddle needs to fit your sit bones. These things will transfer the pressure to where you don't want it - the soft tissue.
Just ride and you'll get used to it.

dizzyduck

Thanks for replies. I subscribed to the magazine because it seems like a great offer, with the shorts being £45 RRP themselves!

As for the padded shorts, they seem to be out of stock in my size (XL) and cannot find them anywhere else for a comparable price. Any other suggestions? I do not mind paying a bit more for something of better quality. Wouldn't want to go too far over £60 though.

Deputy Dawg

The Altura Mayhem's in the offer have a padded liner.

dizzyduck

Deputy Dawg wrote:

The Altura Mayhem's in the offer have a padded liner.

that is awesome! may try and get two of them then..

Shaggy_Dog

You will not regret spending big money on a quality pair of bibshorts.

I'd rather give up my £4,000 carbon full susser than my £100 Endura Bibshorts

antfly

Get a saddle without a cutout, they just put more weight on your ar#e bones causing discomfort. Saddle angle is also crucial.

paulbox

Deputy Dawg wrote:

These are a better budget option for mountain biking though .

8) Nice one!

6 months of MBUK coming my way.

montarius

PaulBox wrote:

Deputy Dawg wrote:

These are a better budget option for mountain biking though .

8) Nice one!

6 months of MBUK coming my way.

You need to read the Terms and conditions.

Its a 6 month direct debit but a 12 month contract. So two payments of £21.

So 12 MBUK copies + £40 pair of shorts for £42

You can cancel within 60 days if you dont want to commit to that.

paulbox

Montarius wrote:

PaulBox wrote:

Deputy Dawg wrote:

These are a better budget option for mountain biking though .

8) Nice one!

6 months of MBUK coming my way.

You need to read the Terms and conditions.

Its a 6 month direct debit but a 12 month contract. So two payments of £21.

So 12 MBUK copies + £40 pair of shorts for £42

You can cancel within 60 days if you dont want to commit to that.

That's a bit naughty, just went back on to the site and the T&C's aren't exactly easy to find (for me anyway :oops: ).

To be honest, if the shorts are alright I don't mind the two payments to read some good old fashioned biased reporting...