How long does it take to get used to a saddle?

mrmutlee

Hi All,

Being new to cycling, I was wondering how long it will take for my backside to get used to the saddle or should I consider looking for a new one. I know this will vary wildly with different people but I just wanted to get an idea of how other newbies are fairing with saddle sore.
I have been riding for about 6 weeks on weekends only and have built up to doing 20 miles last saturday and 25 on sunday, however, I'm finding that I do ache a bit down below. Things are improving but not sure whether to continue and see how things go or try a different saddle.

Any advice/experience would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Bobbinogs

Are you wearing shorts/tights with a pad (and going commando)??

Once you are used to it, doing a 25 miler won't need a pad, etc., but as a beginner I would recommend it. Also, try and get out of the saddle every now and then as that helps the circulation. Might also be worth checking the tyre pressure. If you are running 23mm at 120psi then you may be feeling a little bruised down there (see other threads about tyre pressure, tyre width, etc.).

mrmutlee

Yes, I'm wearing tights with padding and going commando!
tyre pressure is at 100psi, which I think is about right. thanks for the advice about getting out of the saddle - will do and see how this feels..

logitech208

With regular use you will get use to it, on my MTB I have a big squishy comfort saddle that now feels very odd when I ride it.

sungod

it can take several weeks, probably varies a lot according to the individual, and how much/often you ride, unless the thing is absolutely awful, i'd wait at least 3-4 months before thinking about a saddle change

early on, i think the main thing is to avoid getting bruised, that'll hurt and it'll take longer to get used to things, aim for a gradual build up, maybe try to do a few 30-minute rides during the week as well

make sure the saddle is the correct height and position, if it's wrong it can put more strain on knees etc.

excessively padded road saddles can result in *more* pressure on the areas where you don't want pressure, imho best is one that's the correct width for your sit bones and with the least padding that you find comfortable

fwiw i find an unpadded saddle the most comfy, something i'd never have believed/expected when i started

mrmutlee

Thanks for the advice all. I'll give it some time and see how things go.

carl_p

3-4 months of pain doing only 20-25 miles? I think not.Give it another month, then ditch it if necessary. You can get a Charge Spoon for £20.

jameses

I found it took about a month to break in my Spoon (commuting 2x10 miles a day, 45-60 mile ride on the weekends) on my commuter; far less for the saddle that came with my Spesh (BG Riva), although that may be because I was already used to a slightly firmer saddle. Both are comfortable now.

neeb

Where is the pain / discomfort? If it's over the sitbones, you'll adapt eventually, although good shorts will help. If it's in the perineum area (no polite way to describe this - the area between your tackle and your a-hole) then you need to change your setup and/or get a different saddle.

giant_man

A few more longer rides should tell you if it's the saddle for you or not. The Charge spoon may not be the right choice either. Eveyone's ar$e is different, that's what you have to remember here.

rick_chasey

You should be able to work out what kind of pain it is.

If it's that dull 'i've been in the saddle for a while' ache, then it will take time.

If it's 'Christ, my balls are chafing', then it's a different problem.

cougie

Some saddles you cant get used to at all. I'd persevere a bit longer, and then if its still a pain in the ass - try a Charge Spoon - most people can get on with them and its cheap. Even if it doesnt suit you - you could sell it on and not lose much.

nferrar

If it's just pain from bruising then can take a few weeks (ideally you need to ride a couple of times a week though), if it's chafing then that won't go away you need to check shorts/saddle position/saddle itself

marcusjb

Saddle height has been mentioned, but also look at fore/aft position and angle of the saddle.

It only takes something to be a couple of mm out and it can cause big issues for you.

Unfortunately, there aren't many hard and fast rules - but, in general, most saddles are level or ever so slightly nose up. Fore and aft is harder, but try adjusting this a few mm and see if that helps.

But don't persevere with a saddle for months - once your position is right for you, and the saddle is still not working, give up and try something else. Talk to your bike shop - they often have bum measuring devices that will help point you in the right direction.

Most of my recommendations will be deeply unpopular here on a road forum as I use Brooks on most of my bikes (but do use a Charge Spoon on my fixie commuter - it's actually quite comfy for a non leather saddle!).

When you are riding, make sure you stand on the pedals occasionally and let some pressure off the sit bones.

If your issues are chafing - then look at what you wear, check the saddle for any nasty seams etc. Keep everything clean down there - don't blow loads of cash on expensive botty cream - Conotrane is good stuff (little audaxer's secret there for you!) or Sudocrem at a push.

Finally, as weird as it sounds, the double edged sword of being a new cyclist is that more of your weight is on your sit bones, so your bum isn't yet toughened up that much and it's having to support more weight. As you get stronger, you will lift ever so slightly and the saddle will be supporting slightly less weight (part of the reason a big strong pro can ride a real razor blade of a saddle).

Good luck with it all - don't dispair, it can take time to find the right setup and saddle - but once you have found the right saddle for you, stick with it on all future bikes!

pblakeney

Hopefully less than the 10 years since the previous post.

thedirector135

pblakeney said:

Hopefully less than the 10 years since the previous post.

I'm putting the seat from the Raleigh twenty on the cannondale