Seat is a real pain in the a*se, literally

[ambitionator]

The seat I have is hurting my underneath area to the extent that I can't sit on the seat now as it hurts to much, I've only ridden a couple of miles! I'm new to road biking and I'm not sure if it's set up right or the seat is too small etc??
My bike is below.
Also I don't own any cycling shorts yet, is this a key factor in stopping the pain?? Maybe the seat will be fine when I get a pair? Can anyone recommend a good pair to buy with generous padding that won't break the bank??

Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

Get your self some DHB padded shorts from Wiggle.

 

[young Ed]

saddle should be level (try the old spirit level if you have one) and your leg should have a slight bend at the knee when you are sat on seat and foot is clipped in with pedal and bottom dead centre
Cheers Ed

 

[young Ed]

Get your self some DHB padded shorts from Wiggle.

woohoo we have a real ian avatar back! thanks
Cheers Ed

 

[Saluki]

Padded shorts are key.
Planet X and Wiggle are your friends
It takes a couple of weeks to bed your bum in, so to speak. Keep up with the riding and your bum will soon feel a lot better. In the meantime a bit of sudocrem around your bits will help no end.

 

[DCLane]

Padded shorts work great - although different shorts work for different people. Try DHB from Wiggle, Shutt bib shorts who ianrauk likes. Me, my derriere seems to prefer Pearl Izumi's Quest shorts.

Also saddles differ. I've a new San Marco saddle which I detest but others like.

 

[snorri]

........although, I would suspect something wrong with the existing seat or bike set up if you are suffering pain after just 2 miles.

 

[ambitionator]

Defo need to get shorts or tights. Is tenn stuff any good?

 

[Profpointy]

I rather disagree with the padded shorts recommendations above. Whilst padded shorts are indeed "a good thing", and might mitigate slightly, far more important is to sort out the underlying problem and get the bike & saddle comfy, then just maybe think about special shorts.

Should be level, or just a merest down at the front and the right height. If this doesn't work, then it's trial and error for different saddles I'm afraid.

I favour Brooks leather saddles, specifically Team Pro or B17, but be warned, they don't suit everyone, and some folks seem to need lots of miles to break them in. Mine suited me from the off, and after 35 years or so since swapping to Brooks, I've never felt it worth risking a change to a different model so each new bike was with another Brooks, but I dare say (some) other saddles might also be OK. Whilst I do now wear cycle shorts even for commuting I managed perfectly ok ion the Brooks in ordinary trousers - up to 70 odd miles I guess,

By the way, nearly everyone agrees that gel saddles or padded saddles are "a bad thing"

 

[simon.r]

i've no personal experience, but Specialized are often recommended for having a bit of kit that can measure your sit-bones, then using that measurement to find you a saddle that 'fits'.

My opinion, FWIW, is as already said - decent padded shorts and time!

While there are bargains to be had from time to time, padded shorts seem to be one of those things that you get what you pay for. Until recently I wa a bit of a cheapskate with cyling clothing, but I'll now pay mid-price* and the quality, comfort and fit tend to be noticeably better.

*My definition is £30 to £40 for a pair of bib shorts, a bit more for tights or 3/4's.

Edit - these work for me, especially on typical autumnal days: http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Madison-Pel...aign=Adwords&gclid=CJPO7I2nh8ECFaYIwwodoGkABg

 

[robotron]

I put up with my Ribble supplied Selle Italia X1 for months and even with padded shorts it really hurt on rides over 30 miles, seriously painful. I thought it was me at fault and that I'd eventually toughen up but it got no better.
I changed it for the Charge Spoon that was on my MTB and it's been so much better since then, even up to 100k rides. Saddle soreness is a thing of the past.

There's no such thing as a good or bad saddle for everyone, just whatever fits you. Good luck!

 

[screenman]

Prof, I think saddle technology may have changed in the 45 years since you changed to a Brookes.

 

[ScotiaLass]

Defo need to get shorts or tights. Is tenn stuff any good?

I use Tenn undershorts (under my unpadded MTB baggies) and like them a lot.
I would however agree that you should double check the set-up of your seat etc.
I have tried 3 different seats on my mountain bike and have only now found THE one.
Use padded shorts and adjust your set up first.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I use a solid leather saddle (Alpha-1) and use Pearl Izumi tights this time of year when it's cold, and Bike Nashbar cycling shorts when it is hot. Both seem to have the same, or near same, padding. I tried lots of other saddles but went back to solid leather. Very happy with current arrangements on touring bike, and may try the same on 26" tourer. I don't think I'd have the same results on mountain bike, as I am more upright, so I'll probably move a Terry Liberator onto that. Saddle angle and fore/aft placement of saddle should be paramount among your considerations.

 

[Globalti]

The advice to set your saddle down at the nose is bad advice unless you want all your weight thrown forwards onto your hands. Flat or even a degree or two up at the nose, a well shaped saddle like a Charge Spoon will cradle your pelvic bones comfortably.