Which padded shorts for MY problem

[Dave7]

Your saddle may just need to be moved a few mm back , forward , up , down , tilted to help so doesn't mean moving it from the position you are happy with . It could just be a little tweak .

Also is the soreness a sore as in blisters / rash rather than pain from sitting ?
( for me )

Soreness is a pain.........absolutely no blisters or chaffing.
I did decide (after the last ride) to raise the saddle 1/2" which I will do.

 

[Dave7]

Another quite universal saddle which may work is the Specialized Toupe. Don't some Specialized shops have loan saddles in Bright yellow for you to try. If not a 2nd hand one on ebay might be worth a punt, at least you can sell it on for what you've bought it for.

Good point..........thanks.
I am trying one of the Kontact saddles on a 30 day return basis...........if that doesn't work I will resort to ebay.
Nearest Specialised shop is 20 miles away

 

[Dave7]

Dave - are you significantly overweight?

I was, by about 4 or 5 stone, and I used to get painfully sore in the same way as you do in about the same distance.

I made minor adjustments to my saddle setup, and they helped a little. What completely fixed the problem was losing the surplus weight. I put it down to two factors - reduced the vast bulk pressing down on that small area and having less bum blubber to get squeezed about in the way that Yellow Saddle described over-padded saddles and shorts bunching up.

Not really over-weight. I could do with losing perhaps 1/2 stone** but at 68 years and enjoying a few beers I feel entitled to that
I am 5' 7" and 10 stone 7 Lbs.

 

[Dave7]

Realising that we are all guessing I think you are talking about the fold at the top of the legs between scrotum and leg? If so this area is certainly problematic if you are carrying a few extra pounds. As I said I am guessing but I think the way to solve the problem I describe is to make sure this area is dry.

No.........further back and either side. It is on/in the side of the sit bone.
As I say, I am maybe 7 Lbs over weight but at 68 years old am entitled to be

 

[ColinJ]

Not really over-weight. I could do with losing perhaps 1/2 stone** but at 68 years and enjoying a few beers I feel entitled to that
I am 5' 7" and 10 stone 7 Lbs.

No, that weight sounds ok.

Since the discomfort is inside of the sit bones, I would suggest that you try a wider saddle, or adjust your current saddle so you are sitting on a wider part of it.

I use Fizik saddles (Ariones) and find that setup is critical for me to be comfortable.

 

[ayceejay]

So. age/flexibility related - have a look at this http://www.fizik.it/spineconcept/ and although it may not be totally relevant it may help with deciding if this is a problem of a pressure point or something else.

 

[Dave7]

So. age/flexibility related - have a look at this http://www.fizik.it/spineconcept/ and although it may not be totally relevant it may help with deciding if this is a problem of a pressure point or something else.

Thanks...........I have previously looked at that site and according to it I have the correct style/type.
Although TBH.....there wasn't a section on "old farts saddles"

 

[Dave7]

No, that weight sounds ok.

Since the discomfort is inside of the sit bones, I would suggest that you try a wider saddle, or adjust your current saddle so you are sitting on a wider part of it.

I use Fizik saddles (Ariones) and find that setup is critical for me to be comfortable.

I am leaning towards that thought and (as I say) an about to order a Kontact saddle on sale or return basis.

 

[Lemond]

Where did you have the saddle fitting ?
I ride at 80 psi which is the lower end of what my tyres say..............maybe I should try at 70psi...........what pressure do you ride at ??

Google "bike fitting cheshire" and you'll see there are quite a few places offering a service in your area.

As others have said, small changes can make a big difference. They all add up. The place I went to here in Suffolk offered a separate saddle fit service, which was well worth it. My original saddle and my new saddle look very similar in terms of shape and size, but the difference in comfort is huge. Decent shorts make a big difference too, and I always use chamois cream no matter how short the ride (had chaffing once and it's something I don't ever want to repeat).

With regard to tyre pressures, I dropped the back from 120psi to 110psi and the front from 100psi to 95psi. Definitely feels better. Maybe your pressures are too low?

How long have you been riding?

 

[Dave7]

Decent shorts make a big difference too, and I always use chamois cream no matter how short the ride (had chaffing once and it's something I don't ever want to repeat).

With regard to tyre pressures, I dropped the back from 120psi to 110psi and the front from 100psi to 95psi. Definitely feels better. Maybe your pressures are too low?

How long have you been riding?

Its my first year of "serious" i.e. lengthy rides.
How would lower psi help ?

 

[vickster]

Wouldn't having the tyres too soft on a roadbike also potentially cause discomfort as well as making cycling harder work in general
Perhaps look for a pair of last year's premium shorts from Assos or Castelli being sold off. Assos have an outlet site and castelli are often reduced on the cafecastelli site

 

[Lemond]

Its my first year of "serious" i.e. lengthy rides.
How would lower psi help ?

Let me start by saying that I'm no expert...and what worked for me might not be right for you. I used to inflate tyres to the max...120psi front and back...which delivered a very "solid" ride. Dropping the pressure means that the tyres "give" a little bit and you get less vibration when you ride over something. I've only made small drops in pressure but I've definitely noticed the difference in my wrists and backside.

Personally, I think three things are happening: I'm getting fitter, stronger and more used to hours in the saddle...I've invested in better quality clothing and shorts...and I've invested in a proper bike and saddle fit. Add all those things together and the difference in comfort has been huge. It's never going to feel like I'm sitting on the sofa, but it no longer hurts when I'm in the saddle.

 

[User269]

Different shorts, saddle, or tyre pressure won't make any significant difference to your problem. So what solutions does that leave?

 

[ColinJ]

Different shorts, saddle, or tyre pressure won't make any significant difference to your problem. So what solutions does that leave?

Standing up ...?