Is a saddle supposed to hurt this way?

[cindywon]

After going thru numerous saddles I finally found one (Specialized Jett) that didn't hurt my girly bits. Now I'm faced with ANOTHER problem :( The bones around my girly bits hurt and feel bruised, is this to be expected? Or is there a saddle out there that really won't hurt anything?! :confused:

[mimitabby]

your sit bones DO need to get conditioned. Gradually increase your saddle time and you will get better.

[IFjane]

Cindy - I recall when I first started riding that my sit bones felt bruised the first few times I rode, so yes, I think that is normal. Don't worry - it will go away. I'm glad you found a saddle that doesn't hurt the tender parts! Sometimes it can be quite a hunt to find one. Enjoy!

[cindywon]

It's not actually my sitbones tho, but the bones (mostly to the side, left & right), of my girly bits... do those ever hurt for you guys?

[mimitabby]

no. sounds like it still doesn't fit right then :( the sit bones are, well, you know.

[SalsaMTB]

Nope, shouldn't hurt the bones around the girly bits. Have you tried playing with the angle and/or position of the saddle? If not, give that a whirl. Try angling the nose down a little and maybe move the saddle up a tiny bit in the rails (maybe you're sitting too far forward in the saddle?).

I had the type of pain you're describing with a saddle that had a cutout. There was just too much pressure on the area around the girly bits. Nothing helped, I eventually got rid of it and found one without a cutout that I liked. But, I would suggest playing with the a little before moving on to the next since everything else feels comfy on it.

[cindywon]

Yeah thanks :) I guess I'll play around with the angle a bit more... this saddle hunt is HARD!

[Nokomis]

It's not actually my sitbones tho, but the bones (mostly to the side, left & right), of my girly bits... do those ever hurt for you guys?

This is Exactly my problem. I'm so sorry you are suffering there - have you found the 'special' underthings to wear that don't cause additional rubbing the day after a ride? ugh. Plus the bruised & sore tendons that run thru that region - owie owie ow some more. I almost want to find some skeletal anatomy diagram to identify the name of those bones when talking saddle pain & poor fit.

Sit bones - the ones we should be using - they are further back in the butt, yes? So as when one sits on a wood chair or hard surface, can feel it back there. I'm fairly certain that these are the bones that are Supposed to support me on the saddle.. but apparently pigs will fly before any shop owner will clarify that. :confused:

I've used a gel measuring tool (specialized or terry?) to figure out how wide that span is, and applied that to my saddle shopping. I've ordered a Brooks B68 and I'm going to try that on my road bike, and am doing some serious finger crossing that this will help solve the problem for me. If this works, I'll give all of my justification & quasi-scientific reasoning on how I selected the saddle.

I hope you find your solution soon ~ meanwhile... ice packs? :p

[cindywon]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Yes, those tendons around there aren't exactly happy with me. This is the first saddle I found that doesn't hurt my girly bits tho :( Usually it's only when I'm riding in the drops or lower that I find the pressure around those tendons/bones... *sigh*

[SalsaMTB]

Have you tried calling a few of your local shops to see if anyone has a saddle demo program? It seems like a much cheaper alternative to buying and selling new saddles.

The perfect saddle I've found....the WTB SST 2K. It's not soft, but gosh, WTB did something right with it. There is no channel, but the shape of the saddle puts zero pressure on the girly bits and it supports my sit bones nicely. Of course, we all have different bodies, so what works for me might not work for you, but I thought I would mention it because WTB doesn't make it anymore, so it's really cheap online. It could be a good one to try if your current doesn't work and there aren't any demo programs around you.

http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=190

Although, you might find you like it and then, well, WTB doesn't make it anymore so you'll have to stock up or find a new one once it's time to replace :)

[mimitabby]

Have you tried calling a few of your local shops to see if anyone has a saddle demo program? It seems like a much cheaper alternative to buying and selling new saddles.

The perfect saddle I've found....the WTB SST 2K. It's not soft, but gosh, WTB did something right with it. There is no channel, but the shape of the saddle puts zero pressure on the girly bits and it supports my sit bones nicely. Of course, we all have different bodies, so what works for me might not work for you, but I thought I would mention it because WTB doesn't make it anymore, so it's really cheap online. It could be a good one to try if your current doesn't work and there aren't any demo programs around you.

http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=190

Although, you might find you like it and then, well, WTB doesn't make it anymore so you'll have to stock up or find a new one once it's time to replace :)
the price is right! you can't lose by trying this one!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

It's not actually my sitbones tho, but the bones (mostly to the side, left & right), of my girly bits... do those ever hurt for you guys?

Yes, on long rides if I haven't been riding alot lately- I have gotten sore there. It was just temporary and went away with riding more often and longer. :)

[Lifesgreat]

but I thought this seat (http://www.realseat.com/) was kind of interesting. . . ;)

[michelem]

The areas labeled "B" are the sit bones; it sounds like you are having pain at the areas labeled "A", correct? According to this diagram, your saddle is too narrow. I believe the Jett comes in three widths, so you might want to try the next one up (if you are not already at the largest size). I would hope your LBS will allow you to swap out your saddle until you find the right size. Hope this helps . . .

[Nokomis]

...Usually it's only when I'm riding in the drops or lower that I find the pressure around those tendons/bones... *sigh*

This statement makes me wonder if it's due to pelvic tilt while in the drops? I know there are far more knowledgable riders here that could address this aspect.


michelem - that image is perfect! My seat weight is all on A ~ yowza. Now to not freak out about the possibility of option C... something new to research & avoid!

[cindywon]

michelem, yeah, I'm definitely feeling pain in the (A) region. The only weird thing is it really only happens when I'm in the drops. Ah well, I'll play with it a little bit more and see how it goes. Thanks

[KnottedYet]

Cindywon - I can't tell without looking at you, but I'm guessing you are losing your neutral pelvis position when you go into the drops. (if it only hurts in the drops). This could be just a posture habit, or it could be core that needs more strengthening, or it could be bars that are just too low for your body mechanics (making you get lower than your body can do functionally).

The easiest thing to try is to hold in your lower abs (like when you cough or laugh) and go into the drops. Do you still land on the hurting part? (if "no", then you just have a habit or core strength to work on) If the only way you can stay off the painful part is to curve your back, or if you just can't stay off the painful part at all, then the next idea to try is raising your bars.

Saddle postion comes into play here, too. (like you may be sitting on the nose part a little more if your reach is too far, etc.) I'm assuming your saddle is in a good position for you. But if you can, get someone to observe you on the bike.

I'm sure you've seen this book recommended a gazillion times, but I'll wave it around again just because it's such a good book: Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists.