Weight loss = need new seat?

[Geonz]

Welp, it might just be that the seat in question is just plain *old,* but then I was wondering whether that 15 pounds I've sweated off this year might be the reason why my assorted parts are getting mashed and my butt is sore after 50miles when that wasn't a prblem before. I'm wondering what kind of adustments would help (tho' I tried angling differently and it didn't seme to help) or if age of a seat would make it harder... or if it's an old seat that has conformed to my previous shape and that's the issue...
any thoughts?

[RoadRaven]

How "old" is your saddle?

I don't know much about weight loss and saddles, but gonna give my two cents worth anyway :p

I have had my Dolce saddles for 2 and 3 years now. In that time I have "deliberately misplaced" 8 kgs (15-16 or so pounds?). I have found my seats more comfortable if anything and I guess that is because I have less weight on the saddle itself when I sit.

I think (I am only postulating here and am fine with being corrected) that if I had carried alot of weight in my buttocks, then I might have a wider seat to support not only sitbones well, but also the extra flesh. And as my bottom shrank, I might need a narrower seat.

The upshot is, if your saddle doesn't feel right, try out some other ones.
It may not be weight loss that is affecting your comfort - it could be that you have changed your position on your bike, or your form/fitness, and you need to alter either the position of your saddle, or the saddle itself...

Good luck...
:)

[Blueberry]

Welp, it might just be that the seat in question is just plain *old,* but then I was wondering whether that 15 pounds I've sweated off this year might be the reason why my assorted parts are getting mashed and my butt is sore after 50miles when that wasn't a prblem before. I'm wondering what kind of adustments would help (tho' I tried angling differently and it didn't seme to help) or if age of a seat would make it harder... or if it's an old seat that has conformed to my previous shape and that's the issue...
any thoughts?

I think it depends on the saddle. Yes, they break down. Terry saddles in particular I know do. The age could make is "squish" faster, so it doesn't cushion as well. Could also be that you need to congratulate yourself with a new saddle:)

CA

[lauraelmore1033]

I don't know if it was just a coincidence that the need for a new saddle was accompanied by weight loss or not, but I'm thinking you are right. I was perfectly happy with the saddle that came with my bike (I don't even know what it was) until I lost some weight and even the shape of my butt changed. I suddenly needed a wider saddle, 'cos the old one just wanted to slither into places that it didn't used to--and that was rather painful. But it also could have been that the saddle had broken down... I don't know.

[HappyAnika]

I shed about 10 pounds between last season and this season and noticed my saddle wasn't "fitting" as well as before. I could feel the sit bones in my butt much more this season. Luckily my problem was easily remedied by a minor tilt and a scooch (forward or back, I can't remember, but my knee-over-pedal alignment is still fine, and no pain anywhere to indicate a problem). My saddle was new last summer, so I knew it wasn't deteriorating. If adjusting your current one doesn't help, I'd go saddle shopping.

[Grog]

Same for me. The saddle that was fine one year was really uncomfortable the next when I had my new, reshaped butt on. :)

[batsheva]

i used to have a BMI of 31+. Some years later my BMI is 20.
With less fat on my butt sitting down is more uncomfortable in general-- even in a cumfy armchair it gets uncomfortable much more quickly than when I was bigger. Sitting on ANYTHING is much more uncomfortable when you have lost weight IMHO-- not sure there is any solution to this-- unless I put weight on again-- think I will live with the slight discomfort though!!

batsheva

[SouthernBelle]

The lack of additional padding may not be overcome completely.

But one other thing....how are your shorts fitting now? You may need new, or different, shorts.

[Triskeliongirl]

I have noticed this too. After losing 22+ pounds(not sure exact amount since been away from a scale for 2 weeks and biking lots....) I am feeling my sit bones more. I think its the lack of padding. But, I also think its cuz I need new shorts. My old ones are too big and the pad is bunching, which gave me a saddle sore. When I get back from cape cod, new shorts are in order. I would mail order but I need to do some trying on first.

[slmdunc]

First of all - congrats on the weight loss! It makes sense to me that you would feel your sit bones more now.

Look for a bike shop that has a saddle-fitting tool, which is basically a type of "memory-foam" seat. You sit on it, adjusting yourself to make sure you're on your sit bones, and then hold it for a few moments so that it makes an indention. Get up, and there is a little ruler that will tell you your size. It's genius!

Come to think of it... you could probably do it on your own with a piece of the same kind of foam. Just measure from the middle of each indention. Good luck!

[Geonz]

I went into my bike shop after confirming that yes, indeed, this puppy gets uncomfortable by 10 miles. I tried to analyze my riding and figured that with less gut I'm bending over a bit more ... but basically there seemed to be more weight and pressure in the wrong places. I was even pondering the fact that thanks to doing my cattle-prod duties (I've been instigating some rides iwth a couple of buddies ... ) I've done about five times as much fast riding as ever before in any given season and ... maybe I was learning to... and leaning to... oh, road bike position? (I have a fast hybrid.)
welp, that seed just might have been planted ... we'll see...
... but I went in and my bike guru says "let's see." And he asks "what's that lump on your seat?"
And now that he has sawed off that screw, my seats not.... ahem... screwed up so the problem may be solved - going to ride hard tomorro and find out ;)
I could have spent a chunk of change on a seat... so often dealing ith an LBS *saves* money.

[batsheva]

...finding an unexpected screw at the LBS... :-)

[Geonz]

Indeed!! He took the offending thing to the back of the shop, trimmed it, and came back with it, saying "it's ten inches now!" and of course there were a few stray "I hope this is good for you" comments along the way...
I'm going to log some long miles today so we'll see how comfy it is. Now to hop down to the bike shop with those cookies...

[RoadRaven]

...finding an unexpected screw at the LBS... :-)

OK... I zipped in here last week but didn't log in... and I read this... and I am still having school-girl giggles about it...

Niiice one, Batsheva!

[batsheva]

and we havent heard a word from her since she went for her 'good hard ride'..

do you know which bike shop she goes to???
perhaps they could help me out...

batsheva
an aucklander in orlando

[Geonz]

Oh, my... should I explain about the seat on my red bike? I dropped by earlier this year 'cause I'd tried to raise it and didn't have the muscle, and figured they'd have the power... welp, I was duly informed that "that seat isn't going anywhere tonight." My guru got out the Penetrating Catalyst but it still didn't budge... at which point the owner appears, saying "it will need repeated applications." So, there I was, forced to drop in almost daily for repeated applications of that penetrating catalyst... yes, there's a song in there somewhere! It's a good thing to develop a relationship with your local bike shop employees :) :)
(The cool thing was he also said "you want to ride a *real* bike?" b/c I'd ridden my big bike to work and then somebody'd emailed a faster ride, and loaned me his carbon fiber bike, which I *had* already written a song about without ever riding one - http://bicyclecu.blogspot.com/2007/05/note-to-self-bring-camelbak-with-light.html - but yea, they're that good...)
We did have a good, hard ride. I had a personal first, tho' it wasn't intended - when I pulled off the front at the very end, we'd lost half the group :( The good news is I like being strong enough to do that (and my female parts hadn't been massacred 'cause the seat is much better!), but had we knocked off 5% I think they would have hung in there. Gotta get used to my own strength :)

[RoadRaven]

batsheva
an aucklander in orlando

Somehow I had missed this info... Aucklander... as in Auckland NZ?
You're a long way from home girl!

*Rave waves across the oceans to Bat*

[batsheva]

yes, auckland as is auckland, new zealand...
yes-- orlando is a long way from home. miss living in devonport. dont miss the rain!!

kia kaha!
batsheva

[Geonz]

Saw my bike guru today wearing the T-shirt he'd picked up at the Fixie gathering that said "powered by fat" with a bike logo. He inquired about the seat - it's much better, tho' yesterday's 52 miles had me still a little bit mashed. I think I've just got to mash back, which is a lot easier when you're mashing seat instead of a big screw :-)
Meanwhile the LBS guy who loaned me the bike is up at TRekWorld - so if you go there and see a fellow with a very pale ponytail, ask him if he's Peter from Champaign and give him a hug and say "from Sue!"