New saddle/ stem?

Moominman2

Hi everyone,

About 15-20 miles into my rides, I tend to feel pain from being in the saddle (wrong shape?). I also constantly move my position on the saddle backwards, while the saddle itself is set forward.

I'm 5ft 9, have a 54cm frame and run a 90mm stem.

What's going on 'ere? Do I need both a new saddle to 'fit' me, and a shorter stem?

Thanks,
Luke

nferrar

I'd say you need a bike fit. 54cm frame doesn't mean much as where that measurement is taken varies between manufacturers but if it's the ETT then unless you have disproportionately long arms it might be a bit big for you, doesn't really explain why you move backwards though. The saddle position should be based on the BB/cranks/pedals rather than overall reach (i.e. the stem length shouldn't be a factor when setting saddle position). When you say the saddle is set forward, have you tried moving it back? Your sit bones should generally be on the wider part of the saddle at the rear.

diamonddog

IMO you need to speak to someone who knows about bike set up otherwise you could throw money at it forever and still not get it right.

diy

Could also try tilting the nose of your seat up a few mm to stop you sliding forward. TBH its impossible to know what the problem is without seeing it - hence the bike fit is a good recommendation after you have been through any self help based on guides to set-up.

But it could be how you sit, hold your arms etc..

Moominman2

Ok, thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'll just clear up what I mean by when I say I move back on my seat...I seem to always move forward so I'm close to the nose of the saddle unintentionally. This means I move myself back every so often so my sit bones are where they should be, at the wider part at the rear. I'll try tilting the nose up as you said 'diy'.

I ride a Trek 2.1 btw.

Thanks again,
Luke

kajjal

Treks have quite narrow saddles which be very painful if you have wider sit bones. Mine was very painful if I rode for an hour or more and the pain was right in the middle. I measured my self for a saddle and found I needed a wider one. Bought a Specialized avatar which has a cutaway and have had no pain since.

Have a read up on bike setup generally to get some idea's. It took me two weeks of adjusting to get my bike right for me and it has been fine ever since.

Moominman2

Sounds like the pain I'm having myself! I'll check out some saddles in that case to find one for me.

Cheers for the suggestions, I'll have a look at General bike set ups too.

Luke

diy

The thing is no saddle is going to feel right if you are not lining up the sit bone with the widest part.

You should also try different hand positions on the bars.

Grill

Moominman2 wrote:

Ok, thanks for the suggestions guys.

I'll just clear up what I mean by when I say I move back on my seat...I seem to always move forward so I'm close to the nose of the saddle unintentionally. This means I move myself back every so often so my sit bones are where they should be, at the wider part at the rear. I'll try tilting the nose up as you said 'diy'.

I ride a Trek 2.1 btw.

Thanks again,
Luke

If during the course of riding you're naturally sliding forward in the saddle, it probably means that it's two far back (or it's nose down). I ride with a saddle quite far forward because that's just the way I ride. You may need to slide it forward.

diy

Yep me too - I even switched to an inline post as I was running out of rail. I think for me it goes with a slammed front. Oddly I find I get less back ache with a more extreme riding position.

keezx

That's not so odd.
To the contrary what people in general believe a stretched/low position gives LESS strain on the back.

ai_1

Keezx wrote:

That's not so odd.
To the contrary what people in general believe a stretched/low position gives LESS strain on the back.

But more on the neck!