Very saddle sore

[Boon 51]

1 get your pelvic bones measured.
2 get the correct size saddle
3 get padded shorts or underwear (don't get a big padded MTB saddle for a road bike, better to have padding in the shorts).

it will take time to get used to any saddle but if it's a correct fit you should only feel slightly bruised at first, and you should only feel it when on the saddle, not running around complaining you can't sit on your bruised peaches on a normal chair. also, if your peaches are bruised on the next few rides out, after about 10 minutes you will probably find you don't notice it. If it's painful all the way, change the saddle. i know this because for the 1st three years (before i plucked up the courage to go into a "real bike shop", just in case they knew what they were talking about and thought i was an idiot! doh) i had a badly fitted saddle (too narrow). if i spent more than a week off the bike i bloody knew about it the next time i rode. Now, the first thing i do when changing saddles is get my pelvic bones measured, and if i'm off the bike for a month, and can expect to be a little bit bruised for the first couple of rides, but no pain that lasts more than 10 minutes after i've sat my arse in the saddle.

Beat me to it...
Get ya bum measured and make sure you have the right size saddle in the the first place.. then worry about which saddle.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

It was mine Andrew (then I sold it to you!). As I got fitter I'm sure my bum changed!

I'd like to thank your bum for the sterling prep work it put in for my bum's comfort.

 

[MattHB]

I'd like to thank your bum for the sterling prep work it put in for my bum's comfort.

 

[DooDah]

Remember a new saddle needs time to be "broken in" and might not become comfortable until after a period of time in use

I found that it was my bum that needed to get used to the saddle, and riding for longer periods. I use padded shorts and chamois cream (which is a revelation). I guess it took about three months of a very sore bum, but now I have no problems at all. That was all on the standard saddle that came on my Boardman.

 

[lavoisier]

Just to go off topic for a while. I notice on your Avatar MattHB that you are now a Dad. Congratulations hope mum and baby are doing well.
I just use the standard saddle that came with my Secteur. Very lucky I guess.

 

[Pale Rider]

Bob,

A possible cheap answer may lie close at hand.

The ride on the Brommie is rock hard, might be like a road bike although I've never ridden one.

I bought a padded cover from Steels in Newcastle and it has improved matters a lot.

Two things against it, it probably weighs as much as the forks on your bike and it looks a bit naff - not that anyone can see it when I'm riding.

 

[WobblyBob]

Thanks for all the advice again guys, i've just come back from my LBS (Steels) & been measured properly & it turns out i need a 155 large saddle size which has suprised me to be honest as i'm only a little fella .....but anyway after measuring my saddle on the bike i have a 143 medium fitted on at the minute.
I looked at some of the saddles they had & to be honest i did'nt fancy paying those prices so might have a look on ebay now i know my size, the guy in the shop even suggested swapping my saddle from my Spesh Crosstrail which i get on with ok, but i'm not sure it goes with the 'look' of my roadie
Or.......i could just man up & live with it for a while longer & see what happens !

 

[Psyclist]

A Spoon owner here, and have ran them on many of my bikes. To be fair I haven't gotten along with mine, not even after being broken in. So my next move is a Specialized Romin.

 

[black'n'yellow]

I know saddles are various shapes & sizes & they're as individual as gloves & shoes etc, but once you've been sized up how do you know which saddle will be comfortable for you barring a good length ride out on it ?
Or is it just a case of you pays your money you takes your choice ?

before you start shelling out for new saddles, is your current saddle set correctly in terms of level and/or distance from the BB ? Makes sense to get the basics right first - because if they're not right then you may find that changing the saddle makes no difference.

 

[lulubel]

an MTB saddle will have more padding, as it's needed to soak up the bumps more than on a road bike.

I use a road saddle on my MTB. If I tried to sit on any saddle over the bumps, I'd soon be taking a trip over the bars.

 

[MattHB]

I use a road saddle on my MTB. If I tried to sit on any saddle over the bumps, I'd soon be taking a trip over the bars.

And going over the bars on some of your rides might require some sort of parachute!

 

[WobblyBob]

before you start shelling out for new saddles, is your current saddle set correctly in terms of level and/or distance from the BB ? Makes sense to get the basics right first - because if they're not right then you may find that changing the saddle makes no difference.

Excuse my ignorance but ....distance from the BB ?
I had a mini fit when i bought the bike using a T.T. to get the correct seat height & he used a plumb line for angles & etc so i assume everything has been set correctly for me anyway.

 

[malcermie]

I suffered soreness until I stopped wearing underpants

 

[MattHB]

I suffered soreness until I stopped wearing underpants

And what about when cycling?

 

[malcermie]

And what about when cycling?

We all have or little secrets