Excruciating Saddle Pain

mdsfx

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 ass 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?

cooldad

Weird saddles. Try a normal one.

mdsfx

cooldad wrote:

Weird saddles. Try a normal one.

My first saddle, the Terry FLX, was relatively normal, but I didn't like the pressure at the center when sitting on the nose, hence my change to the split saddles.

jermas

It can take time to adapt- due to shifting all your weight onto your sit bones. The ISM saddle should be set slightly lower than a traditional saddle which could make it more comfy. Also make sure it's far enough back.

robertpb

Sounds like you haven't done a sit bones test, that's the first thing to do if you think your saddle is not right.

zefs

Some people recommend adding 20-35mm to the sitbone measurement. So for me that I measured 133mm my recent change to 155mm saddle has been positive. Also make sure you are sitting "in the saddle" and not "on the saddle" like a great youtuber has recommended:

https://youtu.be/uZtbRpoSB94

kajjal

Measure your sit bones and look for a saddle with a decent cutaway. I am very tall and standard saddles that come with bikes become painful after an hour.

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.

mdsfx

Thanks for the feedback everyone (and the video). Will measure my sit bones and go from there. I'm sure this is the result of rushing into a saddle purchase without educating myself.

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.

zefs

The angle might seem fine but if the pelvis is rotating it could cause further issues.

mdsfx

zefs wrote:

The angle might seem fine but if the pelvis is rotating it could cause further issues.

Rotating back/away from the front (more upright)?

zefs

mdsfx wrote:

zefs wrote:

The angle might seem fine but if the pelvis is rotating it could cause further issues.

Rotating back/away from the front (more upright)?

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!

fenix

Are you saying that teh whole time you've had the bikes (since last year) you've not got further than 20 miles on the saddle ?

Do you have a normal bike or just the TT ? What kind of mileage have you put in ?

mdsfx

Fenix wrote:

Are you saying that teh whole time you've had the bikes (since last year) you've not got further than 20 miles on the saddle ?

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.

fenix

A TT bike is great for racing - but its not my choice if its the only bike i have.

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 ?

mdsfx

Fenix wrote:

A TT bike is great for racing - but its not my choice if its the only bike i have.

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.

fenix

If your TT Is more comfortable and yet the saddle pain is Excruciating - what was the road bike like ?

mdsfx

Fenix wrote:

If your TT Is more comfortable and yet the saddle pain is Excruciating - what was the road bike like ?

Have you ever heard of the Spanish Inquisition?

mdsfx

Update: After measuring my sit bones and reading up a bit, I'm giving a couple new saddles a whirl. ISM PR which is wider and has more padding and the Fabric Tri which is pretty flat and firm.

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!

fenix

What width tyres do you have on there ? And what PSI are they run at ?

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.

mdsfx

700x23@110, but this was even happening on the trainer. Also, if you're using your hamstrings at all, I'm not sure how much pressure would be alleviated...?

svetty

mdsfx wrote:

... this fabric saddle is like sitting on concrete. The PR on the other hand feels like a cloud...

I only get a sore a**e if I'm doing long slow rides and sitting up a lot - hence not pedalling hard enough to partially unload the saddle. If your legs are burning you don't notice your backside

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....

fenix

mdsfx wrote:

700x23@110, but this was even happening on the trainer. Also, if you're using your hamstrings at all, I'm not sure how much pressure would be alleviated...?

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 ?

mdsfx

I see what you mean. Yes I always lift off my saddle if I see a rough patch coming. I think most of my issue was using a saddle that was simply too narrow, but I'll find out Saturday when I can put some time in. Very interesting point about tire pressure. Maybe I'll drop that a bit.

fenix

I've never even measured my saddle width and I can only think of one saddle over the years that I just couldn't get on with.
Sometimes I've slapped a new saddle on and done 100m as the first ride. (thank you Fizik Arione).

mdsfx

45 minutes riding and tweaking the PR2.0 and it was a very comfortable experience for once! So far so good

chunkytfg

mdsfx wrote:

45 minutes riding and tweaking the PR2.0 and it was a very comfortable experience for once! So far so good

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.