Excruciating Saddle Pain
mdsfx
Posts: 13
I started riding road/TT bikes last year for the first time and I have yet to become used to my saddle. I've been fitted to my TT bike by a reputable Triathlon bike shop and they did a fine job (everything else feels great!), but my censored hurts like hell after 15-20 miles to the point that I have to stop. It's brutal.
The used bike I purchased (used Orbea Ordu) came with a Terry saddle, but I switched over to an ISM PN1.0 because the Terry felt too firm. I had also tried the PR1.0 at the shop, but thought it was too wide because my inner thighs are scraping it a bit. I'm thinking though that the PN1.0 saddle I have is actually TOO narrow and that my weight is on too much of soft tissue causing the pain. I've cycled with both padded cycling shorts and no padding at all with no luck.
I have another ISM saddle on the way to try only because I found a good deal, but I feel like this is keeping me from putting in miles and don't know what to do. Any advice?
The used bike I purchased (used Orbea Ordu) came with a Terry saddle, but I switched over to an ISM PN1.0 because the Terry felt too firm. I had also tried the PR1.0 at the shop, but thought it was too wide because my inner thighs are scraping it a bit. I'm thinking though that the PN1.0 saddle I have is actually TOO narrow and that my weight is on too much of soft tissue causing the pain. I've cycled with both padded cycling shorts and no padding at all with no luck.
I have another ISM saddle on the way to try only because I found a good deal, but I feel like this is keeping me from putting in miles and don't know what to do. Any advice?
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Less likely is your saddle is too high forcing you too far toward on the saddle, usually this will give various aches and pains as well as you over stretch you legs and body in general.
To the reply above, I don't think my saddle is too high considering the angle at my knee at 6 oclock, but that's a good thing to be aware of.
It should be stable and not rock from side to side. If you are experimenting with your bike fit it helps to put the bike on a trainer and try different positions (even better if you educate on bike fit first from correct sources).
Try to see how each part feels under effort and you get a good idea of what your body is doing so you can tweak further. Hope that helps!
Do you have a normal bike or just the TT ? What kind of mileage have you put in ?
Basically, although I'm not sure I would ride much farther than 25-30 at a time. It's a TT. Only rode about 850 miles last year, having spent more time running and swimming.
You're not doing enough mileage to do great bike times anyway - so you may as well be on a road bike with a more relaxed position and just the fact that it should be comfier would get you better times.
Are you racing Olympic Distance ?
Funny enough, I feel more comfortable on the TT in aero position than more upright in my previous road bike. Only sprints for now, but I may change to Olympic for the Chicago.
Praying that one of these will help!
Edit: this fabric saddle is like sitting on concrete. The PR on the other hand feels like a cloud. Ill give it a long ride this weekend to see how out goes. Seems extremely promising. Thanks for all of the info everyone!
Your legs should act as shock absorbers somewhat - so when you get to rough surfaces they're absorbing the vibrations - rather than sitting in the saddle like a sack of potatoes.
Another factor is whether you periodically stand on the pedals for a minute or so to allow bloodflow to the compressed areas. Soft saddles for me are waaaaay worse than firmer supportive ones....
110PSI might be a bit much for you - I used to use about 90 PSI for 23mms and now I'm lower again on 25mm tyres. Much comfier.
It's odd to have so much pain from the saddle. Any shots of you side on cycling ?
It's easy enough to alleviate pressure from rough roads just by lifting partially off the saddle. I take it you're not doing that ?
Sometimes I've slapped a new saddle on and done 100m as the first ride. (thank you Fizik Arione).
Personally I can't stand the ISM saddles. Tried them when I first got a TT bike and was tubbed raw after barely 10 miles overtime I rode the bike.
I now use a Fizik Arione Tri saddle on the TT bike and I love it. Have done 3 ironmans along with various other races and training on it and its lovely.
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