A big HELLO (first post) and saddle issues

Flasheart · March 2009

Hi everyone
I read the forums everyday lunchtime at work (not allowed to post on Forums..as IT Section are Fascists) :evil:
I've been riding my Ridgeback Supernova hybrid on a 20 mile round trip once or twice a week for around 18 months.
This weekend i finally bought my first road bike since I was a teenager (*is old fart at 43), a Cube Aerial. After 2 days and 40 miles I love the bike but here's the rub (literally) I feel all bruised in the nether region..

Is it that I have been a big softy and have gotten used to having a seatpost with suspension and a gel anatomical saddle? I spoke to the LBS that I bought the bike from and I was told that built-in "fracture Lines" would give after a 100 miles or so and that I would be more comfortable. Now was the guy talking about the saddle having fracture lines or my ar*e? :shock:
Is he corrrect or should I shop for a new saddle?
Any advice would be appreciated..

pdstsp · March 2009

Welcome Flasheart
I've no idea about the fracture lines as I'm a techophobe, but, like you I took up this road lark later in life and it did take a few weeks for the old nethers to adjust and toughen up. Presumably you're using some decent padded shorts?

Enjoy, and if the saddle remains a problem then change it - nothing should stop your enjoyment

giant_man · March 2009

Hopefully as pdstsp has said, you are wearing bib shorts or tights with padded insert AND NO UNDERWEAR!?

The insert takes the place of your undergarments so no need for underpants or boxers or whatever you wear.

Also your saddle. The saddle you are currently using may or may not be the saddle for your bum. It's a personal thing. Some people go from saddle to saddle literally years trying to find their perfect perch. The 'fracture lines' you have been told about sounds like typical marketing crap you get from some LBSs. I wouldnt' take too much notice of that if I were you.

Hope this has helped.

ride_whenever · March 2009

Some saddles do have fracture lines, fizik spring to mind. And it does indeed soften up a bit after a hundred miles or so, but it doesn't make a huge difference.

wolleur · March 2009

Not sure about fracture lines, but i am sure it's worth shopping around and experimenting with saddles. Soft gel is not necessarily good, it's the fit that counts.

Specialized BG saddles are good as they can supply different sizes depending on the distance between your sit bones, make sure you get measured up first with the specialized bum measuring device at a spesh dealer.

Finding your perfect saddle could seem expensive in the short term, but it's well worth it. I've also heard on here that some shops let you try out saddles?

Bad fit= Uncomfortable, sore nether parts, bike stays in garage
Good fit= Love your bike, fly along, get fit, grin much.

TiBoy · March 2009

Welcome Flasheart, thats a very nice looking bike you have got yourself, hopefully you will know what its like to have a nice light bike.
I have always been lucky with saddle choice, all I would say is good quality shorts are worth the investment, Assos are great but I have some nikes that I good in the Ribble (I think) which are really comfy up to 50-60 miles. Also comfy looking saddles very rarely are, my best one at the moment is a specilized toupe which is just carbon with a token bit of fake leather over it, I also have a charge spoon which I find great for long distance (only £20... bargin). As with the previous advice your local bike shop is possibly your best bet because they will also be able to check the set up to make sure you saddle etc are in the right place.

Enjoy your bike.
Mat

kingrollo · March 2009

Never heard the fracture lines theory - good shorts usually do the trick. If not then look at saddles - some have cut outs Selle SMP - Or the specialized BG Toupe is another well rate saddle.

Don't know if you are using a carbon seatpost - which may help a little - there are also seatposts with built in cushioning for road bikes - these are pretty expensive though !

giant_man · March 2009

ride_whenever wrote:

Some saddles do have fracture lines, fizik spring to mind. And it does indeed soften up a bit after a hundred miles or so, but it doesn't make a huge difference.

Please reveal all about fracture lines ride_whenever. I have a Fizik saddle and wasn't aware of this 'feature' on their saddles.

Flasheart · March 2009

Thanks for the warm welcome and the headsup.

Firstly, yes I do wear padded cycling bibs. De Marchi short onces for warm weather and Altura Windproof longs for cold weather., ( much to the amusement of my kids)
The Cube Aerial has carbon forks but no carbon seatpost. I do notice that the carbon forks do dampen the vibrations compared to the alloy forks on my Ridgeback Supernova, so there may be something to think about in that area.

I took my new toy into work yesterday to show a couple of the guys. That was painfull, and lead to my initial post this morning.
This afternoon as In was walking home from work (1/4 mile) I thought.."no wind, sun's still out, lets MTFU and give it a shot"
I have to say, it wasn't as bad as it was. I managed 16.5 miles in 3/4 hr and it wasn't that unpleasant. In fact I damn well enjoyed it.
I live in the New Forest in Hampshire, it is deceptivly hilly, and some of the big open areas of the heath get some nasty crosswinds up at times, but I think I do okay all in all.
I'm not on the light side 14.11 stone and 5'8" down from 16.5 stone at Christmas and Asthmatic. Cycling has reduced my blood pressure to a level where my doctor is off my case and I can now do the whole of my circuit WITHOUT using my inhaler.
I'd recommend getting a bike to anyone

bobtbuilder · April 2009

As mentioned above, saddles are a personal thing, and you may have to try a few to find your perfect perch.

However, this can prove a costly exercise, so before you switch, I would give your existing saddle a bit more time. When I have been off the bike for any length of time, I still get the bruised undercarriage feeling when I start riding again. This is no reflection on my saddle, as when I am riding regularly, I do not suffer this at all, and find my saddle very comfortable.

If you can stand it, give your saddle another 5-6 rides before making any hasty changes.

CiB · April 2009

How hard are you? Hard as nails? Harder? Try this. I broke mine...

Flasheart · April 2009

Think it has titanium rails to lighten it up a bit or add rigidity ?

anweledig · April 2009

Take a look at Brooks for saddles. A range of sizes (narrow/wide etc) to suit, they take a little while to 'adjust' to your a*se but then...... you forget all about your saddle and just ride.

FSR_XC · April 2009

This weekend i finally bought my first road bike since I was a teenager (*is old fart at 43),

I have to say, it wasn't as bad as it was. I managed 16.5 miles in 3/4 hr and it wasn't that unpleasant. In fact I damn well enjoyed it.

That's averaging over 20 mph . . . . damn good on your first road bike.

It took me nearly 100 miles to get used to my saddle (Specialized Alias), now I think it's very comfy.
I was lucky too, as the LBS gave me 2 to try when I bought the bike and my sit bones were checked.

Specialized and the Charge Spoon saddles always seem to be highly rated.

A big HELLO (first post) and saddle issues

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