[jackhannaford]

Hi all,
I wanted to ask some advice regarding saddles (I imagine this is a hot topic on all CC forums!). Both of the bikes that I have purchased in the last couple of years (Scott Metrix 40 & Cannondale CAAD 8 Sora 7) have had saddles which are unbearably uncomfortable for me after about 10 minutes riding.

With these 2 stock saddles, the discomfort came in the ‘delicate’ area, rather than my bottom itself. To remedy this after some internet browsing I purchased a Specialized body-geometry Ronin saddle (http://images.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/a6e/ea2/929/68963/specialized-bg-romin-evo-pro-saddle.jpg) which has resolved the initial pain but I can’t ride for an hour without having an incredibly sore behind and, now that I am on a drop-barred bike it can cause some chafing.

I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a reasonably priced saddle that will protect the crown jewels but not hurt my arse so much? I could just go for a more padded version of what I already have, I suppose. All input (constructive!) welcome 🙂

Cheers,
Jack

Topic

[HalfWheeler]

Maybe you should look at the
Maybe you should look at the problem holistically rather than focusing on saddles/shorts.

If your bike fit is poor this may cause problems. Perhaps your putting too much pressure on you nadgers because of the position on your bike (saddle too high/low/forward/tilted, etc).

A bike fit would also help in other areas (avoiding injury to tendons, maximising power, etc).

[Kadenz]

CXR94Di2 wrote:Saddles with a

CXR94Di2 wrote:

Saddles with a decent centre cut out or no nose saddles are best type, they instantly remove central pressure, place weight upon sit bones, then its just a case of time cycling shorter trips initially till you adapt.

If the problem is your ‘crown jewells’ (rather than your buttocks) I doubt if gradually building up distance will solve the problem if a central cutout hasn’t done the trick.

You’re more likely in that case to do damage to the artery, with possible long-term problems that I will not spell out.

[Podc]

I’ve been slowly moving my
I’ve been slowly moving my saddles forward to get my butt on the wide bit rather than sitting on the nose and getting pressure on the soft tissue. Knees are way forward of the pedal spindle, but it is more comfortable for me. Recently added a very slight nose down tilt too and that is also helping.

Should add that I do spend most of my riding time on the drops.

[Martyn_K]

A good LBS will likely have
A good LBS will likely have some test saddles that you can borrow for a time period. Fizik provide their authorised dealers with a range of bright yellow ones, all you will need to provide is a valid payment card number as security.

I think Bontrager have a buy once/ swap for another policy on their saddles.

[jackhannaford]

Hi All,
Thanks again for all
Hi All,

Thanks again for all of the comments. The Selle Italia seems a similar shape to the Fizik one I had been looking out but minus a cut-out. The conclusion is that saddles are impossible to judge without plonking your arse on one and having a go. I’ve played with different bib shorts (now have an excess) and also some chamois cream but no avail.

Think I’ll bite the bullet and go to the LBS this weekend with my card and see what advice I can extract..

Cheers again guys,

Jack

[therevokid]

depends where the chaffing
depends where the chaffing occurs.
If at the vertu top inside edge of the thigh I’ve found that saddles which are mostly
flat from center to nose with a small kick up at the tail stop this particular chaffing
when set flat from the center forward … fabric’s scoop flat elite and shallow elite are
my current fav (on 4 bikes so far !!! used their online sizing page)
Saddle setup can cause issues when swapping from mtb to road etc.
The angle on my mtb is much more nose up than the road bikes. sounds odd but
i think it’s purely position on the bike, i.e. you’re more upright on the hybrid/mtb.

try playing with the angle of the saddle, good shorts and chamois cream first 🙂

[Martyn_K]

I ride the Selle Italia X1
I ride the Selle Italia X1 saddle. Nothing special about it apart from it works for me.
I never understand trading off comfort for weight on a saddle.

[CXR94Di2]

Saddles with a decent centre
Saddles with a decent centre cut out or no nose saddles are best type, they instantly remove central pressure, place weight upon sit bones, then its just a case of time cycling shorter trips initially till you adapt.

[jackhannaford]

Hi Martyn, thanks for the
Hi Martyn, thanks for the advice. I had heard the same about more padding so will avoid falling into that trap. I might pop to my LBS on Saturday to get my sit bones tested. I didn’t get fitted for the BG saddle – i tried my stepdads which felt comfortable and then bought the same one, maybe I only had a brief romance with the shape and wasn’t suited to it long term.

I’ve also changed from mtb / hybrid use to road use so I wonder if that might be a source of my chafing issue, or have something to do with the discomfort I’m experiencing.

Shorts etc feel good, I have invested in them and keep them up-to-date (no decades old ones!). I think I will get a fitting. I am intruiged by the Fizik VS X range of saddles – the Antares looks good and the slightly more padded version could be about right for me but I will go to my LBS first, its a shame that Fizik don’t list their stockists.

Saddles are indeed! My friend has my old stock saddle and loves it, for me I cant last for more than 10 mins without having to stand.

Which saddle did you settle on, out of interest?

Thanks again,

Jack

[Martyn_K]

Firstly, more padding is
Firstly, more padding is probably not the answer. Your rear will sink in to the saddle resulting in more pressure on the sensitive areas. Your sit bones really need to perch on a saddle, your bum should not really envelope the saddle.

OK.. so you bought a Spesh BG saddle, was this after being measured up on their fitting system?

If so, you probably have the right saddle and just need hours in the saddle. In this instance you may need to look at your shorts and chamois cream the areas that chaff. If you were not measured when you bought the saddle then i would advise that you get this done before doing anything else.

Saddles are very personal. One mans armchair is another mans razor blade. I stumbled upon a saddle that works for me and swiftly bought 3 of them. Summer bike, winter bike and one for taking away for hire bikes.

[Author]

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