Help please: Comfort question

[just4fun]

I'd just like some advice with regards to increasing my cycling comfort. Over the last 3 years that i have been back in the saddle, i have always had the same problem. I have tried numerous saddles from thin racing to wider gel filled 'comfy' saddles but i cant relieve the pain i feel when cycling. I dont get sores or rubbing abbraission but i still cant get comfy on the saddle which is something i assumed would get better with time. I always wear padded cycling shorts and i have adjusted my saddle to what i believe to be the correct height. I always thought the lack of comfort was due to lacking much 'natural padding' but last year i put on weight which didnt solve the problem.
My knowledge of anatomy is weak but i would describe the area of pain/discomfort to be the top of my hamstring (if i grab my bottom its a hands width down)
Any ideas how i can alieviate this please?

 

[Steve Austin]

Is this a muscle pain or a bottom pain?

 

[just4fun]

cheers for the speedy reply steve, im not entirely sure though,my bottom itself doesnt hurt but my sit bones hurt if i push them - more so on my right side- (and the flesh around them on the top of my leg) it feels like pushing a bruise. if is relevant i cycle 7 miles a day 5 days a week which isnt lots buy any stretch.

 

[Wigsie]

I would do a search on here http://www.bikefitting.com/English/Frame.aspx and find an LBS near you to ensure the bike is set up correctly (i dont just mean frame size). Ok it may cost £50 ish but thats the price of buying another new saddle.

It may be that too much pressure is on your Bum and amending the geometry could alleviate this. Alternatively try some other mods like suspension seatpost, but if new rubber and different seats didnt help i doubt this will.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Austin]

I get this sort of thing, I think its just one of them things...

You could try always wearing clean shorts, minty arse lard, different saddle but you may find its a problem that goes. I been riding 30 years and i've never solved it.

 

[just4fun]

Thanks for the website wigsie i'll have a read of that in a sec. i've also just called the LBS but sadly and they say the dont offer a fitting service, im suprised as the owners race regularly themselves so i would of though can offer this service. However they have said i can try and return any saddle i dont get on with. Geometry is something i didnt consider and might be and issue as i currently am using the size down i need, due to the fact with giant sizing im 1" above the max for small size and am the very lowest hieght of medium and found it hard to get on my medium when i had all 3 panniers full. However im buying a new bike next month which wont have so many bags etc on so will look at the med size before commiting to purchase.

 

[just4fun]

I get this sort of thing, I think its just one of them things...

You could try always wearing clean shorts, minty arse lard, different saddle but you may find its a problem that goes. I been riding 30 years and i've never solved it.

maybe thats the answer... its normal! i will get some new shorts in the hope that the padding is better. failing that i'll attach an office desk to the saddle post

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I would take a two prongs approach here. As suggested get a LBS to ensure that your bike is sized and set up correctly for you and also do some stretching exercises with emphasis on the hamstring. This link may well be of help to you http://www.physioroom.com/prevention/stretching4_18.php

I'd just like some advice with regards to increasing my cycling comfort. Over the last 3 years that i have been back in the saddle, i have always had the same problem. I have tried numerous saddles from thin racing to wider gel filled 'comfy' saddles but i cant relieve the pain i feel when cycling. I dont get sores or rubbing abbraission but i still cant get comfy on the saddle which is something i assumed would get better with time. I always wear padded cycling shorts and i have adjusted my saddle to what i believe to be the correct height. I always thought the lack of comfort was due to lacking much 'natural padding' but last year i put on weight which didnt solve the problem.
My knowledge of anatomy is weak but i would describe the area of pain/discomfort to be the top of my hamstring (if i grab my bottom its a hands width down)
Any ideas how i can alieviate this please?

 

[philr]

without padded shorts i find anything over 30 mins hard work on the bottom,

mind you when i test rode a few bikes i found a huge difference in comfort from one bike to another, i test rode, several spesh and 1 bianchi. the one i found the most comfortable was the spesh sirrus, i was told the saddle was a design intended to prevent penile numbness and also makes it a lot more comfortable, being a newbie i must accept the advice from the LBS as correct, but it felt more comfortable than the rest anyway.

 

[yello]

maybe thats the answer... its normal!

My personal take on it - yes, to a degree it is. If you think how long you are seated for, there are not too many seats that you'd be comfortable in for that length of time.

Take any chance to get out of the saddle, even if only for a few seconds, and you'll find that restores a bit of comfort, not for long but every little helps!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I can only imagine the advertising campaign

i was told the saddle was a design intended to prevent penile numbness

 

[jimboalee]

The problem has probably and most likely been brought on by not stretching correctly.
The problem is aggravated by a reduction in the length of the main nerve from your brain to your big toe.

Stretching each musclegroup is a good idea. Stretching the nerve is also a good idea, often forgotten by low mileage riders.

To stretch the nerve, Sit down on the floor and hold a twisted towel around the ball of your foot. With a straight leg, pull the towel while attempting to touch your forehead on your stomach.
You will feel the 'stretch reflex' and some discomfort in the back of the leg.

Your Doctor may tell you it is mild Sciatica.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

That is a new one on me. I used to do the legs straight, hands around feet and forehead to knees version.

To stretch the nerve, Sit down on the floor and hold a twisted towel around the ball of your foot. With a straight leg, pull the towel while attempting to touch your forehead on your stomach.
You will feel the 'stretch reflex' and some discomfort in the back of the leg.

 

[philr]

I can only imagine the advertising campaign

yes i had to laugh when the salesman also said they use the same saddle for ladies bikes.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

My mind is now going into overdrive

yes i had to laugh when the salesman also said they use the same saddle for ladies bikes.