Numb groin - scary!

Va Va Boom

On Saturday I took part in a charity turbo trainer cycle. I was on the saddle for about 4 1/2 hours. I did it on my new summer bike ( a 2010 moda stretto ), it's my first time on it.

Since then I've had a tingling numbness in my groin. I've been cycling for about 3 years and have done many 4+ hour rides and have never had this before.

I've been reading that it can be caused by incorrect saddle positioning, but I'm so worried now that I'm thinking of splashing out £200 on a selle smp composit saddle which I read is a great saddle for reducing pressure on your nuts.

Have many of you experienced this, and if so how long does it take for the numbness to subside as it's been 2 days now and it still feels odd ( although I think it's improving slightly). Also, is the saddle worth the money?

Thanks for your replies.

Secteur

It is known that impotence rates are higher in regular-cyclists due to chronic compression of the perineal vessels by bike seats, so I'd say the best seat is a good investment!

Down the Road

Does it happen on the road?

Turbo trainers fix the bike in 1 position and you tend to move around it more than on the road where you move in harmony.

Go for a decent ride and see if it happens.

Usual cause of this is the tip of the saddle is too high. ie saddle is pointing up or is too high.

Va Va Boom

@down the road, no it's never happened to me on the road, this is the first time. I guess it's the combination on a brand new saddle, Mayb a fraction to high & the turbo trainer on a hard surface. I just hope it goes away soon as I have another charity cycle due for this Thursday

Monty Dog

Probably due to spending too long in one position - on the road you tend to get out the saddle more which allows for bloodflow - if you were sat in the saddle for much of that 4 hours then some degree of numbness isn't surprising. See how you go on the next few rides before taking any further action - dropping the nose of the saddle a touch would be the first action.

DCowling

I have never been on a turbo trainer but assume that the back end of the back is "jacked up" slightly and therfore are you constantly tilting forward and need to adjust to suit this

Headhuunter

Secteur wrote:

It is known that impotence rates are higher in regular-cyclists due to chronic compression of the perineal vessels by bike seats, so I'd say the best seat is a good investment!

I think that was proved to be a load of old hogwash actually! It was a scare mongering rumour by some "professor" about 15 years ago who wrote an articlr which made its way into world newspapers, however other research since has indicated that it's utter rubbish...

Thebigbee

Secteur wrote:

It is known that impotence rates are higher in regular-cyclists due to chronic compression of the perineal vessels by bike seats, so I'd say the best seat is a good investment!

What an advert for cycling... lol

Anonymous

Down the Road wrote:

Usual cause of this is the tip of the saddle is too high. ie saddle is pointing up or is too high.

This is what I've done, looking at my bike the nose of the saddle looks like it's actualy pointing down slightly. Especaily if your saddle is a lot higher than your bars this forces you sit more on your sit bones. I found it more comftable all round and also rubs the in side of your legs less.

Anonymous

Headhuunter wrote:

Secteur wrote:

It is known that impotence rates are higher in regular-cyclists due to chronic compression of the perineal vessels by bike seats, so I'd say the best seat is a good investment!

I think that was proved to be a load of old hogwash actually! It was a scare mongering rumour by some "professor" about 15 years ago who wrote an article which made its way into world newspapers, however other research since has indicated that it's utter rubbish...

I've read it's more likely to effect casual cyclist on more sit-up-and-beg bikes where more weight is on your saddle. So it's less likely to effect the more serious cyclist were more weight is going through the pedals and bars. (Don't know how true this is, but it kinda makes sense).

Secteur

Well, for my own sake and every other cyclist;s - I hope I am mistaken & it has been disproven!!!

Pross

I feel more pain in the groin area in a half hour turbo session than 4 hours on the road. 4.5 hours on the turbo is a long, long time and I'm not suprised it has left you a bit numb. Did you have a block under the front wheel to get the bike level?

austin_parratt

Hi,

I only get this problem on the turbo, as suggested, it certainly helps if you get the bike level.

On the road, depending on the route, I am in and out of the saddle. This would obviously help ...

Va Va Boom

I had a trusty Argos catalogue under the front wheel to help the level. It's been 2 days now and it's still not 100 % yet but getting there. After this turbo ride on Thursday I'm not planning on doing anymore, just road riding now the weather is improving.

dov2711

Really interested in this post as I have been off the bike for a year(ish) due to groin pain which has the medics arguing that its either prostate or a pelvic spasm issue.

Feedback on the bikes part has ranged from 100% caused it and dont even look at a bike through to lets wait and see and the most popular for me is when you feel ready try 8-10 miles and monitor post ride pain and we should get you back riding in time.

Treatment has ranged from hospitalisation, physio and more pills than you can imagine ranging from paracetamol through to morphine.

Saddle wise I have now put smp trk on the mountain bike and lite 209 on road bikes. Tried the smp glider which wasnt for me (up for sale if anyones interested in seeing if it will work for them its white)

I wear assos shorts and ptreviously rode toupe saddle.

Glad your not riding before you feel ready and I wonder how many other cyclists work with numbness and who has beaten pain of a significant level/duration as success stories on line are hard to find.

Scaremongering about cycling causing prostate pain are however easily sourced.

Pokerface

dov2711 wrote:

Saddle wise I have now put smp trk on the mountain bike and lite 209 on road bikes. Tried the smp glider which wasnt for me (up for sale if anyones interested in seeing if it will work for them its white)

Just a note on the SMP saddles - I tried an Evolution which was good, but traded it in for a Forma which is perfect. All of 5mm difference between the 2 I think - but that's all it took to get a 'perfect' fit. No padding whatsoever on them, but because it supports me via my sitbones - don't need it.

A good saddle that fits you is the best investment for your bike.

kieranb

if you don't want to go down the really expensive saddle path, check out rido saddles. I had some saddle problems and went through a number of different designs etc until I tried the original rido, now my 4 bikes all have a rido saddle on them. Looks wise they aren't great but they have recently released a new 'race' version which is better looking but then again costs more than the cheapy original. I don't think you can get the cheap original one anymore. Again, like all saddles, not for everyone.