New road bike so uncomfortable!

hitchen92

I've just bought a new Bianchi Nirone 7 and it has a San Marco Ponza saddle (white). I've only ridden the bike a couple of times due to the saddle being unbearably uncomfortable as soon as i start to ride! I've been away from bikes now for about 18months and never had this before? Have I got the setup of the saddle wrong or is it just this saddle that is uncomfortable?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kris

citrus_

Saddles are quite a personal thing, with different people liking and hating different things. Although if you've been away from bikes for so long, then the chances are that your bum has got a bit softer than you remember it.

logitech208

I had this saddle on my bike and I have managed to cover nearly 1000 miles on it with a very sore arse after each ride.

I have just swapped it out for a charge spoon and OMG what a transformation it has made its like sitting on a cushion now.

charliew87

I have that bike and saddle combo. My first ever road bike so not sure what is normal, but I've been happy with it. Bit sore afterwards sometimes, and first jumping on the next day is never that comfortable but nothing I wouldnt expect.

Giraffoto

. . .the saddle being unbearably uncomfortable as soon as i start to ride! . . .

. . . is a sign of something seriously wrong in the shape or position of the saddle. If you'd just gone soft, it would get uncomfortable as you went along. Play around with the height and position to see if it gets any better, but if you and your saddle can't agree, one of you has to change!

g00se

I bought a used Ponza by mistake off of ebay (looking at wrong reviews).

When i looked at the right reviews for it (after putting the bid on), they seem to be unpopular as the centre of the saddle is quite raised and a lot of riders get numbnuts from them.

However, it's been absolutely fine over regular rides (though I've only done up to 50 miles on it at one go).

Anyway - just goes to show everyone'd saddle requirements are different. Best go to a local shop with a saddle measurer device (Specialized) to make sure you know what width saddle will work with your pelvis sit-bones. Then take it from there.

giant_man

Giraffoto wrote:

. . .the saddle being unbearably uncomfortable as soon as i start to ride! . . .

. . . is a sign of something seriously wrong in the shape or position of the saddle. If you'd just gone soft, it would get uncomfortable as you went along. Play around with the height and position to see if it gets any better, but if you and your saddle can't agree, one of you has to change!

+1 - this sounds like position and not the actual shape not suiting his ar$e, position needs altering (picture would help!), cos he's only been on it a couple of times ...

smidsy

As stated if hurting immediately probably angle/position.

Try moving the saddle so it sits flat or slightly nose down/up and see if any of those help.

Also try height and for/aft adjustment.

Have you considered a bike fit?

t4tomo

drop the saddle nose down a touch, especially if this is your first road bike for a while. As you lean forward much more on a road bike you need the saddle tilt to match it otherwise it presses into you gentleman's vegetables, which is not comfortable.

jeremybarker

I'm also new to cycling and had the same issue on exactely the same bike / saddle combo doing my first ride out. I've done three runs on it now and it's fine for me however i have as the last post suggests tipped the nose of the saddle down and made sure that the rest of the bike is also fitted to me correctly.

andy46

Some good replies here, do you use padded shorts?

njd37

Ive also got a San Marco Ponza saddle, not the same bike, but a different Bianchi. The saddle really isn't that comfortable, I've tried nose down it makes very little difference, after 50miles i can't wait to get off the thing, 35miles is about my limit on it. Ive done several thousand miles on it and am now on a search for something better - probably fizik

centimani

g00se wrote:

I bought a used Ponza by mistake off of ebay (looking at wrong reviews).

When i looked at the right reviews for it (after putting the bid on), they seem to be unpopular as the centre of the saddle is quite raised and a lot of riders get numbnuts from them.However, it's been absolutely fine over regular rides (though I've only done up to 50 miles on it at one go).

Anyway - just goes to show everyone'd saddle requirements are different. Best go to a local shop with a saddle measurer device (Specialized) to make sure you know what width saddle will work with your pelvis sit-bones. Then take it from there.

Ponza / Via nirone combo here too...the raised centre section isnt so noticeable on mine, but is very noticeable on my winter hack with a Ponza.
TBF, i find them quite comfortable, hence getting the second one for my hack. Yes, i have very very occasionally got numb parts, but regularly used to do 40 or 50 miles before getting uncomfortable.
As said earlier, one mans meat...

Sunderland Supporter

njd37 wrote:

and am now on a search for something better - probably fizik

Which particular fizik ?

Is your consideration based upon having tried the chosen fizik or hype ?

I had an arione for a short duration and ive sat upon more comfortable concrete slabs. Assbuster is precisely how Id describe the arione and no amount of adjustment could make it comfortable for me, there are of course riders who are ideally suited to that saddle and have no such issues. I recently picked up a mint leather San Marco Rolls for a paltry £25 and my ass is in bum heaven as ive found my desert island saddle

Please do be careful with your money when it comes to Fiziks and hype, those saddles arent cheap.

woodywmb

Wrap an inner tube round the saddle. Stretch the rubber to hold it tight in place like a giant elastic band. Then give the valve a few blasts with a pump. Make sure the valve is underneath. And it can be either Presta or Schraeder.

cougie

Some saddles are just plain evil. I can get along with most. It every so often I find one that just doesn't suit me.

Id try the charge spoon though - very cheap and most people get on with them.

Dancing Bear

to the OP - try a Selle like this

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-ma ... ow-saddle/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/selle-italia-xo ... loy-rails/

really comfy

cougie

Or for less than £20

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-sa ... ails-2011/

nickwill

Sunderland Supporter wrote:

njd37 wrote:

and am now on a search for something better - probably fizik

Which particular fizik ?

Is your consideration based upon having tried the chosen fizik or hype ?

I had an arione for a short duration and ive sat upon more comfortable concrete slabs. Assbuster is precisely how Id describe the arione and no amount of adjustment could make it comfortable for me, there are of course riders who are ideally suited to that saddle and have no such issues. I recently picked up a mint leather San Marco Rolls for a paltry £25 and my ass is in bum heaven as ive found my desert island saddle

Please do be careful with your money when it comes to Fiziks and hype, those saddles arent cheap.

Of the people I ride with, most of us ride Fizik Ariones. I've never found a more comfortable saddle. I did try an Arione Versus (with the pressure relief groove, and it nearly killed me). I quickly reverted back to the standard Arione. Saddles are such a personal thing that no-one can really advise you. If you want to try a different saddle, it's worth looking on ebay. Buy one and if you don't like it you will get something close to what you paid for it by putting it back on ebay.

joshr96

Try a gel cover. They are like a squidy cover that you place over your saddle and tie around the seat post. In my opinion they spoil the look hence why I have never bought one. I, however, used one on someone elses bike and they are very comfortable.

andrewjoseph

some places let you 'hire' several saddles to try over a week or so. you then may get a reduction on the saddle you buy.

Fizik used to have a no quibble money back guarantee if you took the saddle back with a set time, i think a month.

I broke two fizik saddles within 9 months. happy with my brooks swift and b17 on the mtb. however, the b17 is getting old now and I'm starting to get a few niggles with it.