Undercarriage problems

[Northern Exile]

With a change of assignment, my central London cycling commute has lately increased to c. 6.5 miles each way from < 2 miles. (I don't do any recreational cycling.)
I'm finding it quite hard going but hoping that with time it will get easier as my fitness improves.
Meanwhile though there's an acute problem.
My 52-year old perineum is not faring well, to the extent that I have noticed blood in my semen.
Now I know this has been covered in a previous thread, I have read that, so let me just say:

• I know I need to go to the doctor to make sure there isn't some other cause, take it as read I will, but for the purpose of this thread please let's just go with the assumption that it's due to the cycling;
• never mind how I noticed it in the first place, that's not relevant, and most of the jokes have already been done in the previous thread.

I'm riding a Brompton with the original standard saddle. I'm riding in my standard work attire - wool suit trousers - with ordinary cotton pants underneath. I'd really like to avoid the palaver of changing in and out of "proper" cycling gear.
So far I've considered:

• padded undershorts (I've ordered a pair of dhb Earnley ones from Wiggle to try - I think I can just about cope with changing my undies when I get to the office);
• a different saddle e.g. Rido R2 or Selle Royal Ergogel Relaxed?

I'd welcome any input about clothing, saddles or any other perspective on the problem.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

saddle angle, saddle width, correct seatpost height will all make a big difference.

It sounds like something in that mix is wrong as your weight should not be on your perineum but on your sit bones. Sat on you sit bones you can wear normal clothes no bother, and dress for the destination not the journey.

I'd go to a Specialised dealer and get your sit bones measured, armed with this knowledge I'd check the width of the saddle and if necessary buy a new one (Spesh saddles come in a variety of widths/lengths and levels of compliance - take a look at their expedition plus, it's like a sofa!). Or one of the Selle's, whilst me being me I'd think about a Brooks...

Get someone who knows what they are doing, I'd recommend Velorution in c.London, to check and adjust the saddle angle, and show you how to do it, and if you need changes make a series of small ones rather than one big change.

Get same lovely peeps to help you with your seatpost height, you may have too much weight on your R's through having it too low or too high.

 

[Banjo]

With a change of assignment, my central London cycling commute has lately increased to c. 6.5 miles each way from < 2 miles. (I don't do any recreational cycling.)
I'm finding it quite hard going but hoping that with time it will get easier as my fitness improves.
Meanwhile though there's an acute problem.
My 52-year old perineum is not faring well, to the extent that I have noticed blood in my semen.
Now I know this has been covered in a previous thread, I have read that, so let me just say:

• I know I need to go to the doctor to make sure there isn't some other cause, take it as read I will, but for the purpose of this thread please let's just go with the assumption that it's due to the cycling;
• never mind how I noticed it in the first place, that's not relevant, and most of the jokes have already been done in the previous thread.

I'm riding a Brompton with the original standard saddle. I'm riding in my standard work attire - wool suit trousers - with ordinary cotton pants underneath. I'd really like to avoid the palaver of changing in and out of "proper" cycling gear.
So far I've considered:

• padded undershorts (I've ordered a pair of dhb Earnley ones from Wiggle to try - I think I can just about cope with changing my undies when I get to the office);
• a different saddle e.g. Rido R2 or Selle Royal Ergogel Relaxed?

I'd welcome any input about clothing, saddles or any other perspective on the problem.

I used to get numbness of the genitals until I swsitched to a Ritchey Bio saddle. This is the type with a slot cut out of the middle soo no pressure on the perineum at all.

My initial plan was to try the Ritchie then change for a better Bio saddle if it cured the problem.
It has cured the problem and proved fine on long rides so it has earned its place on the bike now.

 

[Damaged Hero]

I am also having the same problem with blood in my semen.Frightened the life out of me,but a quick google of the problem and it seems it can be quite common and lists cycling as a possible cause.But to be on the safe side i am also off to the Doctors this week.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Definately consider a saddle change, I'm a big fan of the basic Brooks saddle, but they're a bit like Marmite.
I also have a cheapo plastic Selle Italia saddle on another bike and that's fab as well... you just have to see what works
Bike set-up is the other thing, making sure you're properly positioned to be on your sit-bones... read on:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[TheDoctor]

I have to say, the standard Brommie saddle doesn't work for me at all, with the upright position.
I soon swapped it for something a bit wider and softer.
I then put the Brommie saddle on my road bike!!
Aldi and Lidl have padded cycling undies from time to time - they help, and don't 'bulge' in an unseemly manner. My workmates didn't notice and take the p1$$, and they're the type who would...

 

[Northern Exile]

A month and half-ish later, here's an update.

I absolutely accept the points made about bike setup, but with a Brompton the options to adjust are quite limited.

I found the padded undershorts to be very comfortable but even so I've found that I don't wear them often because of the faff of changing in and out of them. I think they would be worthwhile if I had a longer commute.

I bought a BioFlex Ozone Saddle and I'm quite pleased with the comfort, quality and looks of it for the price. Also it can go a bit further back than the standard Brompton saddle which seems to be better for me.

I'm paying more attention to my seating position, and to getting my weight off the saddle when going over speed bumps, cobbles and suchlike.

Touch wood, no problems currently.

 

[The Jogger]

It might have been a bit of bacteria causing the problem, good the problem seem's to have ceared up. Did the commute get easier?