Saddle problems

Keyringkey

Hi all,

I am doing a lot of cycling and like some cyclist I have pains in my backside from being in the saddle for a few hours. Can anyone please advice what is the best method to reduce this soreness.

Any good advice with be used. My back is like a Japanese flag to say the least.

Thank you

TheHound

Not sure there's much you can do other than try different saddles.

There's no magic saddle that fits everyone unfortunately.

But I like selle Italia flow saddles.

meanredspider

Assume you're using good padded shorts and wearing the shorts directly next-to-skin? And using a chamois creme (like the Assos stuff)? Other than that, the saddle might not suit you.

Sutton_Rider

You don't say exactly what pains you have, is it the sit bones. If so I have the same problem, I've been through 6 different saddles in 1500 miles, 3 different types of shorts, but find there's not much between them, after 2 hours I would rather stand than sit. Having said that the Charge Spoon works best for me, it gets good reviews.

kajjal

Where is the pain ?

How long does it take to appear ?

Anything under an hour suggests you have the wrong sized and type of saddle. Have a read up on how to measure yourself for a saddle.

simon_masterson

Unfortunately this can be difficult to diagnose - possible causes include suboptimal saddle height, fore-aft position and your position on the bike, before the shape of your saddle and the shorts you wear.

As a rule, I would definitely say that you should be able to ride in complete comfort in standard, affordable shorts (c.£50 - e.g. DHB) for at least a few hours, without the intervention of chamois cream. If you are confident that your height and fore-aft are right, you could either go to a bike shop, or buy some saddles.

What saddle is it you have? Do you perceive that it's too wide or narrow?

class5700

have you done a rough DIY bike-fit to make sure the saddle is positioned correctly? you should be able to get it close to the optimal position just by yourself. do a search on saddle height and position if you think you could improve this.

alternatively, you could just think about how you move around on the saddle during a ride. if you find you are often at the front of the saddle, move it forward a few mm. if that's not enough, another few. play around with it and see if that improves things. not worth buying a new saddle if your current one can be made to fit.

pinarellokid

Lower the saddle,, in a bike fit I had mine lowered 45mm. Felt horrible at first but is ace now and the issue has gone, I'm slightly faster too. I can't believe I was so far out on the seat height, Quick test is to unclip and pedal on your heels, you should be able to do it with no issues when height is roughly right

KevChallis

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-get-your-seat-height-right-14608/

ForumNewbie

pinarellokid wrote:

Lower the saddle,, in a bike fit I had mine lowered 45mm. Felt horrible at first but is ace now and the issue has gone, I'm slightly faster too. I can't believe I was so far out on the seat height, Quick test is to unclip and pedal on your heels, you should be able to do it with no issues when height is roughly right

That is quite a difference - were you really stretching to your pedals before it was lowered the 45mm?

pinarellokid

It felt right to me I liked the way my toes pointed down on every pedal stroke

KevChallis

You toes don't want to be pointing down to the floor!! Mine don't really point down at all.

pinarellokid

Mine don't after the cycle fit last year.

KevChallis

pinarellokid wrote:

Mine don't after the cycle fit last year.

Not surprised it was taken down so much HAHA

Keyringkey

TheHound wrote:

Not sure there's much you can do other than try different saddles.

There's no magic saddle that fits everyone unfortunately.

But I like selle Italia flow saddles.

Thank you for your suggestion, I will do some research on that one.

Keyringkey

meanredspider wrote:

Assume you're using good padded shorts and wearing the shorts directly next-to-skin? And using a chamois creme (like the Assos stuff)? Other than that, the saddle might not suit you.

I did not think about cycling without my boxer short on, but will try that now. Tried to find chamois creme, but no luck at Boots or super drug. I do have some E45 Creme. Thank you

Keyringkey

Sutton Rider wrote:

You don't say exactly what pains you have, is it the sit bones. If so I have the same problem, I've been through 6 different saddles in 1500 miles, 3 different types of shorts, but find there's not much between them, after 2 hours I would rather stand than sit. Having said that the Charge Spoon works best for me, it gets good reviews.

Thank you, I will look at the Charge Spoon, mind you i am in the saddle for a few hours at a time. Might buy a couch lol.

Keyringkey

Kajjal wrote:

Where is the pain ?

How long does it take to appear ?

Anything under an hour suggests you have the wrong sized and type of saddle. Have a read up on how to measure yourself for a saddle.

Where is the pain? lol. well where my bottom connect with the saddle, lol. It starts to hurt after about 3 - 4 hours. Thank you for your comments

Keyringkey

Simon Masterson wrote:

Unfortunately this can be difficult to diagnose - possible causes include suboptimal saddle height, fore-aft position and your position on the bike, before the shape of your saddle and the shorts you wear.

As a rule, I would definitely say that you should be able to ride in complete comfort in standard, affordable shorts (c.£50 - e.g. DHB) for at least a few hours, without the intervention of chamois cream. If you are confident that your height and fore-aft are right, you could either go to a bike shop, or buy some saddles.

What saddle is it you have? Do you perceive that it's too wide or narrow?

Yes, I think I need to try several types and methods to find the comfort and I will certainly look at some quality shorts.

Selle Italia nekkar plus. before that i was using the saddle that came with the bike, Carrera TDF LTD

The saddle seems to fit and its on the narrow side.

Thank you

ForumNewbie

Keyringkey wrote:

Kajjal wrote:

Where is the pain ?

How long does it take to appear ?

Anything under an hour suggests you have the wrong sized and type of saddle. Have a read up on how to measure yourself for a saddle.

Where is the pain? lol. well where my bottom connect with the saddle, lol. It starts to hurt after about 3 - 4 hours. Thank you for your comments

I am also having difficulty finding a comfortable saddle. If you have no problems for the first 3 to 4 hours, you're not doing too badly.

beski

Charge Spoon works for me, got one on my MTB & Road Bike. Padded shorts are a must.
I think some discomfort after an hour or two is expected (for me anyway), altering position on the saddle now & again helps.

Keyringkey

Thank you for all your comments.

I have solved the saddle sore problems now and cycling after 5 hours i receive no saddle problems.

Use a cream E45 and bought a new saddle type PHENOM Comp Body Geometry, Padding level 2, weight 260g and width 143mm

I cycled 71 miles using this saddle and cream and it worked for me.

I hope this information helps someone who has problems with their saddle soreness. 8)