Saddle Sores - Sorry maybe TMI

[cmac77354]

I bought my bike a few weeks ago, had a cheapo pair of shorts that I quickly discarded!! Bought a top of the line short which is so much kinder to my hiney.....but I get horrible saddle sores. At the advise of a cycling friend I bought some Butt Butter, this did help, but did not eliminate the problem.

Saturday I rode a little over 25 miles and was fine, however last night I rode 15 miles and now I'm covered front to back with saddle sores. Could it be my shorts are not the proper fit and they move around too much? When I got them, they fit fine, but now that I've been riding I'm starting to loose weight and inches so they are a little loser. HELP

[Starfish]

Wow, not sure what to say, except that I have never had this problem, and yours sounds extreme. I have had exactly one saddle sore in about 5 years of riding.

I did recently buy a new pair of shorts, and different brand, and I think I started to get a hint of a sore on Saturday. I think it is due to the placing of this particular shorts seam right in conjunction with a particular ridge on the saddle.

I am thinking that if you are having such extreme issues, the Butt'R is probably not going to fix it. I never use lube (although some folks swear by it).

I'm not sure what to say, except that you should not accept this as normal. Some combination of saddle/shorts change? Can you associate the sores with where the seams on the shorts are, for instance? Or maybe where a certain ridge on the saddle is?

[cmac77354]

Everything (seams, saddle, etc) seam to be located ok. The first 5 - 7 miles, I'm comfy, after that "things" start getting pinched. That's why I thought maybe my shorts have become to loose fitting and are moving around.

I've rodeo'd my whole life so saddle sores aren't anything new to me, but typically I just got them on my sit bones, not everywhere else!

[Blueberry]

The fact that they're everywhere makes me almost think it's an allergic reaction to something. I know some folks reacted to a PI short a year or so ago.
Loose shorts are not good - moving shorts = friction = sores. Are they anywhere pressure wouldn't be?

Good luck - that sounds miserable! I'd be inclined to see a doc, to get that many treated...

CA

[cmac77354]

I thought about an alergic reaction too, I didn't have this problem with my cheapy shorts, but then again they had a neoprene pad not a chamios pad. Maybe that's my problem, I don't know. I'm definately going to go by a smaller size and see if that helps. Thanks for the replies.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Are these actually 'saddle sores", are they bruises, blisters, or are they an all-over rash?

[Starfish]

Everything (seams, saddle, etc) seam to be located ok.

I was just wondering if the sores lined up perfectly along a seam line, etc?


I've rodeo'd my whole life so saddle sores aren't anything new to me, but typically I just got them on my sit bones, not everywhere else!

This is also odd to me...I have never rodeo'd, but spent about 20 years riding, including very long hard days over all kinds of mountains, and never had a saddle sore.

Maybe you're a hothouse flower! :p ;) (I know, I know, sores are no laughing matter!)

[cmac77354]

Are these actually 'saddle sores", are they bruises, blisters, or are they an all-over rash?

Maybe a combination, I can't exactly see them! Ok sorry this will probably seem TMI but here it goes, closer to my sit bones I have caluses (sp). moving towards the front in the crease where my leg meets my Labium it feels more like bruises and on the Labium I get bumps (hard knots). FWIW I keep everything shaved, but it doesn't appear to be an infected/irritated hair - I don't know, it's frustrating and embarrising all at the same time.

[velogirl]

shaving is a no-no for many female riders. I've found waxing or plucking are okay, but shaving is a sure-fire recipe for saddle sores for me. the hair folicles get infected too easily.

another thought, make sure to keep yourself clean -- both before you ride and after you ride. anti-bacterial baby wipes work great.



Maybe a combination, I can't exactly see them! Ok sorry this will probably seem TMI but here it goes, closer to my sit bones I have caluses (sp). moving towards the front in the crease where my leg meets my Labium it feels more like bruises and on the Labium I get bumps (hard knots). FWIW I keep everything shaved, but it doesn't appear to be an infected/irritated hair - I don't know, it's frustrating and embarrising all at the same time.

[alpinerabbit]

Are you rocking around on your saddle? Or are you fairly stable while pedaling.

[KSH]

Maybe a combination, I can't exactly see them! Ok sorry this will probably seem TMI but here it goes, closer to my sit bones I have caluses (sp). moving towards the front in the crease where my leg meets my Labium it feels more like bruises and on the Labium I get bumps (hard knots). FWIW I keep everything shaved, but it doesn't appear to be an infected/irritated hair - I don't know, it's frustrating and embarrising all at the same time.


I would get to a dermatologist. Have them checked out.

Now, I NEVER shave that area between my legs. When I do, I always get irritation and ingrown hairs. I trim it short, but NEVER shave it when I'm in cycling season. I know it's not as *hot*, but I really encourage you to stop shaving that area for awhile and see if that helps.

You need to try to look at them. Get a mirror that magnifies and do your best.

I had an area what was very painful just recently. When I would ride it would raise up and one time I squeezed some stuff out of it. When I wasn't riding, it went down, but it was hard inside.

I finally went to a dermatologist, she lanced it, drained it and it is fine now.

I also had a hard bump on the other side. She said that was an ingrown hair of sorts.

It's not really an exact science of what's going on down there. But if you can't scrub down there and get them to go away... get to a Dr.

[Triskeliongirl]

Check you saddle height. If its too high you abrade your soft tissues with every pedal stroke. Same for the saddle being too narrow, that causes your soft tissues to bear your weight instead of your sit bones.

[KnottedYet]

Are you still riding on the saddle that came with the bike?

Is it possible the saddle is too narrow or is shaped wrong for you?

[Aquila]

I think you're getting great advice so far.

I just wanted to add, that NOTHING is TMI when it involves our bikes and butts! We've all been sore, and everyone here is great about helping. :)

[sarahlou]

I use a homeopathic silica tissue salt for "the temporary relief of pimples, boils, ulcers," etc. and find that it really works well for me. I tend to get very big, deep, hard sores and after a few days of the silica pills feel much better. The brand I use is Schuessler, but I bought them in Australia and don't know if they are available in the US.

Good luck.

[cmac77354]

Thanks for all the replies. This past weekend I didn't have the problem. I really lubed up with Chamois But'r and it seemed to work.

[seeker]

Hi. I'm new here. I know a couple of your members from another site. They're always recommending that I come join you over here. I've lurked but never really needed to post anything. But I am now desperate for help and I've come to you.

I started biking in January and am training for a triathlon. My first sprint is in July. I have had saddle issues from the get-go. I've changed saddles. I've gone over this and over this with my LBS. They have been very supportive. We put my bike on the store trainer and tried several saddles. They sold me my bike and I was properly fitted.

So here's my problem and it is way tmi. I've tried to describe this to both the LBS and my coach but no one seems to appreciate my problem. When I sit on the saddle it splits my labia apart and all the pressure rubs right on my clitoris. I wear Peal Izumi bike shorts and I've also worn Sugoi tri shorts. I rode 30 miles today and it almost looks like I have 2 blisters on the lower part of my clitoris. I am constantly having to shift my weight to the back of the seat. When my saddle was completely level it was even worse. My coach tilted it slightly back and it took some of the pressure off and it was manageable. But my rides are getting longer and it has become unendurable. I currently have this saddle on my bike. (http://www.ravx.com/2007_product/pages_products_07/saddles_07/venus.html) I don't know whether I need a wider seat or a more narrow seat. The LBS thought maybe I need a men's seat. I'm 5'4" and weigh 125. I have no hips to speak of. I am starting to get a butt since I've been riding. The LBS told me I have more of a male body type than female and thought since I was narrow through the hips that maybe I should try a male saddle. But I think that will just make the labia splitting worse. I asked the LBS on Saturday if they could tilt my saddle back a little more. But they insisted it needed to go forward. But when I'm riding every ounce of pressure is on my clit. My coach coaches several women who use a Terry Butterfly seat. I asked him if I should try that seat. He's looked at my seat and feels it is a good seat.

Sex has obviously become an issue. Not only do I have the clitoral problems but my entire pubic area is bruised. It's been this way for 4 months.
Right now I'm riding between 60-90 minutes of trainer drills on Tuesday. 45 minutes of either trainer or road on Wednesday. Then 2 hours on Sat or Sun.
My time on the bike is only going to get longer. I have not been able to get any men to understand what my issue is. I've told them the exact same thing I've told you but they just don't get it.

So I've come to you in hopes of two things. One, you will understand where my pain is and two, maybe have a few suggestions.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. :)

[koala]

Wow, that sounds really awful. A couple of things jump out. One is your shorts. Tri shorts tend to have a really thin chamois, and PI's tend to have a really stiff chamois. My guess is neither one is helping in your situation, but they can make matters worse. Second thing is that you sound like you're pretty active on your saddle when you ride, you move around a fair amount. So you end up rubbing the front area more, and irritating it more, a vicious cycle. I would suggest less is more up front for you. Your cut-out looks small. There is better out there. Check out the Selle SMP line for h-u-g-e cut-outs. If there's nothing there at all, it can't irritate. Also, Selle San Marco makes something called an Aero Saddle. It has a big cut-out in a diamond shape that might just give your bruised parts clearance. Be sure it is the Aero, and not some other models that use the "arrowhead" cut-out as there is a difference in the front end.

I don't think you gain anything by going to the Butterfly. It is a soft saddle, and if you push on the cut-out you'll see it has a tendency to fold in under pressure & pinch in front. You'd probably be better off with something firmer that has as big a hole as possible but will still keep its shape if you shift around on it.

[mimitabby]

Hi. I'm new here. I know a couple of your members from another site. They're always recommending that I come join you over here. I've lurked but never really needed to post anything. But I am now desperate for help and I've come to you.

I started biking in January and am training for a triathlon. My first sprint is in July. I have had saddle issues from the get-go. I've changed saddles. I've gone over this and over this with my LBS. They have been very supportive. We put my bike on the store trainer and tried several saddles. They sold me my bike and I was properly fitted.

So here's my problem and it is way tmi. I've tried to describe this to both the LBS and my coach but no one seems to appreciate my problem. When I sit on the saddle it splits my labia apart and all the pressure rubs right on my clitoris. I wear Peal Izumi bike shorts and I've also worn Sugoi tri shorts. I rode 30 miles today and it almost looks like I have 2 blisters on the lower part of my clitoris. I am constantly having to shift my weight to the back of the seat. When my saddle was completely level it was even worse. My coach tilted it slightly back and it took some of the pressure off and it was manageable. But my rides are getting longer and it has become unendurable. I currently have this saddle on my bike. (http://www.ravx.com/2007_product/pages_products_07/saddles_07/venus.html) I don't know whether I need a wider seat or a more narrow seat. The LBS thought maybe I need a men's seat. I'm 5'4" and weigh 125. I have no hips to speak of. I am starting to get a butt since I've been riding. The LBS told me I have more of a male body type than female and thought since I was narrow through the hips that maybe I should try a male saddle. But I think that will just make the labia splitting worse. I asked the LBS on Saturday if they could tilt my saddle back a little more. But they insisted it needed to go forward. But when I'm riding every ounce of pressure is on my clit. My coach coaches several women who use a Terry Butterfly seat. I asked him if I should try that seat. He's looked at my seat and feels it is a good seat.

Sex has obviously become an issue. Not only do I have the clitoral problems but my entire pubic area is bruised. It's been this way for 4 months.
Right now I'm riding between 60-90 minutes of trainer drills on Tuesday. 45 minutes of either trainer or road on Wednesday. Then 2 hours on Sat or Sun.
My time on the bike is only going to get longer. I have not been able to get any men to understand what my issue is. I've told them the exact same thing I've told you but they just don't get it.

So I've come to you in hopes of two things. One, you will understand where my pain is and two, maybe have a few suggestions.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. :)

Seeker, i'd say you 're not set up right on the bike. If you were, you would have all your weight on your sit bones, not the front of your crotch.

I can't even imagine how you can ride that way for 5 minutes!

how about a photo of you on your bike from the side?

and here's a dumb suggestion; can't you position yourself so all your delicate parts are right over to the side a bit
so that the saddle nose isn't ON them?

And what kind of saddle is it?

[emily_in_nc]

I don't know whether I need a wider seat or a more narrow seat. The LBS thought maybe I need a men's seat. I'm 5'4" and weigh 125. I have no hips to speak of. I am starting to get a butt since I've been riding. The LBS told me I have more of a male body type than female and thought since I was narrow through the hips that maybe I should try a male saddle.

I feel your pain, though I have a problem with a persistent saddle sore in the area in the crease of my inner thigh. Anything down there that hurts badly is not right or normal. I once rode over 3000 miles a year without significant saddle issues.

I've just discovered that despite having small hips (34"), weighing 102-103, and wearing a size 2 petite, I actually don't have the "narrow sit bones" that I thought I had! My saddle sore started a YEAR AGO on a narrow saddle. I changed to a different narrow saddle. It never went away even when I didn't ride for three months in a row. I went to a dermatologist and got a cortisone injection right in the sore, which took all the pain away; however, after my second ride this spring, it came right back, angry and swollen as ever!

So yesterday I finally sat on my yoga mat in underwear and was finally able to see the problem -- my sit bones are actually wider than I thought. Maybe average for a female (about 130mm c-to-c), but a lot wider than I realized. If you go to a Specialized dealer, they can sit you on the "Butt-o-meter" (memory foam seat) so you can find out the same thing.

Based on my measurements, I now realize my narrow saddles are too narrow for me; as a result, my sit bones are hanging off the sloping sides and putting way too much pressure on the inside of the bones and soft tissue in the crease of my thigh.

So...while I don't think you can know (yet) what width saddle you need, it sounds like you need a much better cutout for your lady bits! The saddle I'm taking off my mountain bike has an amazing diamond-shape cutout, so comfy, never a bit of genital discomfort, but the saddle width is relatively narrow (140mm). If you figure out your sit bone width and want to try it, I'm going to be putting it up for sale here over the weekend (w/pictures, etc.). It's a Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround like this (http://www.bellatisport.com/shop/product/483/Selle_San_Marco_Atola_Gelaround.html). I'm not posting here to sell it, though, just to make a couple of points:

1. Don't assume because you're thin and/or have narrow hips that you have narrow, male-width sitbones.

2. With the clitoral issues you're having, it sounds like you need a much better cutout. Your clitoris should not even be touching the saddle if it is painful. I personally get very raw if I ride a saddle without a cutout for anything longer than short rides, and skinny, stiff cutouts are just as bad as no cutout at all. The diamond-shape cutout of the Atola is perfect for me in that area (just wish the saddle were wider in the rear!)

Good luck!
Emily

[OakLeaf]

It definitely sounds like you need a different saddle! The one you're riding is pretty narrow, and typically if someone's putting her weight on her genitalia rather than on her sit bones, it's because her saddle's too narrow.

Here's what I did: I sat on a piece of paper on my Pilates mat to make a butt print. (Sit on a low step-stool, or on a hard chair with your feet on a stool, to approximate a riding position.) While the indentations were fresh, I circled them so I'd have a permanent record of where my sitbones are. Then you can take that print and lay it over any saddle and see whether it's wide enough to support you.

Then there's pear shaped vs. T-shaped saddles, and the shape of the cut-out to consider. Just like trying on clothes, there's no substitute for trying on saddles. Many LBS's and many saddle makers will let you return a saddle that doesn't work for you.

I have to say this: your coach may be very good at teaching you to get stronger and faster, but he obviously knows nothing about saddles if he thinks he can look at one and say "it's a good seat" and therefore it ought to work for you. If he hasn't measured your sitbones, the Q-angle of your femurs, and the dimensions of your soft tissues :eek: he has no idea what saddles might work for you and what ones wouldn't.

[seeker]

Thanks ladies. I see your point about the cutout, however I am putting all my pressure on the nose of the seat, not over the cutout. That is why I thought tilting the seat back would help. When I had the seat level, my bits were right at the tip of the seat. We tilted it back slightly and now my bits are almost to the cutout but not quite. I wanted the LBS to tilt it back some more and they wouldn't do it. They don't think that will solve my problem. But they don't have a clitoris either.:cool: And yes I do move around a lot because I'm trying to shift my weight to the back of the seat.

I have tried shifting things around but I can't seem to keep my labia from separating. I know I'm not seated properly but I'm not sure what to do. I can't sit on a folding chair or a wooden bench without sitting on a pillow. If I sit directly on the hard chair, I'm sitting right on my sit bones. I don't have much padding there. I actually keep a pillow in my car because I can't handle the church pew.:eek: So I know if I were sitting on the saddle properly, I'd probably feel it in my sit bones. But I don't. It's all up front.

I'll see if I can get a picture but that might be a problem. DH is not supportive of my biking. And I'm not sure he can even operate the camera. I'll have to work on him.

If you have any more suggestions, please give them to me. As I mentioned in my first post, my tri coach has seen me on the bike. He thought I was seated properly. He didn't understand my discomfort and I was finally able to talk him into tipping my seat back. The LBS have seen me on my seat numerous times and they also feel I'm seated correctly so I don't know what the heck to do. I was hoping a simple saddle change would fix the problem.

emily, I may get in front of the mirror and see if I can measure the distance from sit bone to sit bone.

Thanks.

[seeker]

I just read your post Oakleaf. I will get these measurements. Thanks. :)

[OakLeaf]

Just to clarify, do measure your sitbones. The other things make a difference but aren't easily measured, any more than they are before you try on a pair of jeans.

[sundial]

Yes, by all means have your sitbones measured. Check and see if your bike shop has a butt-o-meter to measure your sit bones.

[OakLeaf]

Read Knott's comments on sitbone measurement here. (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=290758&postcount=6)

[aicabsolut]

Hard bumps sounds to me like the typical saddle sore cysts. That you're also chafing on the sit bones and you feel like things are being pinched indicates that these shorts do not fit you, that the material is irritating, and the seams are probably getting in the wrong places.

If they feel at all loose in the chamois, they do not fit right. Go with a smaller size.

You may need to see a dermatologist about the cysts. In the meantime, I find that a combination of hydrocortisone cream and neosporin post-ride helps a lot, and keep using the chamois cream when you ride (in different shorts). My derm gave me a prescription for antibiotics to take the next time I have a saddle sore developing. She says it should clear up before it gets all huge and gross. We'll see if that works. Some people have had luck getting theirs injected with cortisone. Severe ones may require surgical removal.

I also say be careful of shaving there if you're getting any chafing.

[VeloVT]

I ride a saddle without a cutout. I had many more problems with chafing, bruising, pinching, pressure WITH a cutout than I have since I started riding saddles without cutouts (I've had good luck with a few different Fizik saddles). We are all different, and I know many if not most people swear by cutouts, but they aren't right for everyone... Just something to consider, you shouldn't necessarily take it for granted that you will be most comfortable on a women's saddle or a saddle with a cutout.

Good luck!!! Sounds like your saddle is no fun right now!

[Kano]

Recently, I went into my LBS, convinced I needed to try a narrower saddle with a different shaped cut out.

Bike Guy John came out of the service department, and asked how he could help. So, I explained my situation. He asked if I'd bought the bike along. Nope, I hadn't -- I can put a saddle on my bike, didn't figure there was any need.

I want to see you on the bike before I'll sell you a saddle, he said. "I think it's a reach issue." I thanked him and said I'd be back in a couple of days with the bike.

I have the same saddle and I'm much happier on it now. I have a shorter stem that's been angled up a bit more, and my saddle is farther back, down a bit lower, and angled a bit differently. No charge for the hour of his time or the parts.

Except that I bought some socks, and dragged DH in to figure out his wheel problem the other day.

We may still change the saddle, after I put more miles on it with this set up, but it's MUCH better than it was!

Maybe someone else needs to look at you on your bike, along with the possibility of a different saddle?

Karen in Boise

[aicabsolut]

My bike came with a saddle that was too narrow for my sit bones, so I wound up putting more pressure in the wrong area. This led to bruising and soreness on the pubis, but not chafing or pinching in the crease of the leg or on the sitbones.

I then switched to a wider saddle. Things were better, but then I started getting chafing in the hot months.

I finally switched to a harder, thinner racing saddle (still with a cutout), and a lot of the chafing and pinching went away, because I now have the maximum stability under my stibones. Now the only problems I have are definitely correlated to the shorts--seams, looseness in the chamois area over time, or the fabric covering the chamois. I can only do so much about that, because I go with what the team gets. I just try to get the snuggest fit that I can and lube up.

FWIW, I ride with the saddle pretty nose-down for a girl. My crit racing position is even lower than where I may put it for long rides in the fall, to make it even more nose-down and comfortable when I'm in the drops. I don't think I'll have to move this saddle any, though, because it's gotten very broken in and molded to me, unlike the others.

[Trek420]

That is why I thought tilting the seat back would help. When I had the seat level, my bits were right at the tip of the seat. We tilted it back slightly and now my bits are almost to the cutout but not quite. I wanted the LBS to tilt it back some more and they wouldn't do it.

Seeker, without seeing you ride I really can't say for sure. Nobody here could. And I'm not a wrench or bike fitter. It's just an impression from reading your posts between your feeling like you should slide back, tilt the seat back, all that movement. When I ride my upper body is fairly still.

So go ahead and measure those sit bones, find a seat. If it still hurts maybe a seat post with the right set-back amount. But if you're not having fun on the bike I'd find a new and different shop for a fitting.

It's supposed to feel gooooooooood when you ride and be fun :p :) and after the ride :rolleyes: ;)

[KnottedYet]

Somebody mentioned that your reach might be too long, and that's what I'm kinda thinkin' too. Sounds like your pelvis is trying to move forward or collapsing forward, and tilting the saddle is supporting it and forcing it back.

A new saddle (especially one that fits) will likely make a lot of difference, but I'd also look into bike fit and core strength. Your reach might be too long for your structure or too long for your core to support.

(now you have a gazillion things to check, don't you feel reassured? :rolleyes:;) )

[Trek420]

Your reach might be too long for your structure or too long for your core to support.

New saddle and a set of matching PI arm-short'ners? :rolleyes: ;) :cool: we can shorten our reach?

[KnottedYet]

New saddle and a set of matching PI arm-short'ners? :rolleyes: ;) :cool:

Nuh-uh, arm-lengtheners! :p

[Trek420]

Can I get leg-lengtheners? Do they sell them on TE?

Ah never mind, I'd need a new saddle, new bike fit, even a new bike and I finally got that figured out .... :p If i need longer arms or legs I know where I can borrow them from a tall person. :p

[seeker]

I haven't found anything soft to sit on to measure my butt imprint. I'm going to look for some foam today.
My coach, whom I trust, watched me on the bike when I first bought it. He tilted my handlebars forward. He said I was reaching too far. I couldn't get into the drops at all and reach my brakes and I could barely reach the hoods. My bike certaily looks a bit different from most road bikes. When I had my bike into the LBS last week to see about a new seat, they freaked out when they saw the handlebars. Remember, the had fitted me with it set up properly. They kept blaming my seat issues on the moved handlebars. I told them I was much more comfortable with the tilted handlebars, I felt I had more control of the bike, my ride was smoother and my butt issues were not as severe. They didn't buy it. They believe in a tradional set-up. Well then I had a conundrum. I like and trust my coach. I've made huge gains with him and I've ridden with him. Plus I pay him for his advice. It doesn't make sense to me to listen to the LBS guys when I'm paying to listen to someone else. My coach rides, he's riding an Ironman this weekend. And he successfully coaches other men and women. When he moved my handlebars, he said, "it looks funny but your fit is much better".
My bike is a Jamis Ventura. It is women specific.

I haven't given up. First I need to get a butt imprint. That is on my agenda for today, that is if work doesn't get in the way.:rolleyes:

Oh, and just so you know, I don't have a freakishly large clitoris. Honest. It looks like an average clit. I just think I may not have enough tissue in front to protect it.:o Sheesh, I don't even talk to my Gyn this way.

[KnottedYet]

My coach, whom I trust, watched me on the bike when I first bought it. He tilted my handlebars forward. He said I was reaching too far. I couldn't get into the drops at all and reach my brakes and I could barely reach the hoods.

Yup. Reach too long.

Can we play with a picture (from the side) of your bike, and one of you (from the side) on your bike? There are so many chickies on this board who have so much knowledge (and the same general anatomy) and have done so much wrestling with their own saddles and set ups, that I'm sure there will be a few great ideas bouncing around if we get some pictures.

(besides, any excuse to see bike pics, eh? ;) )

[Trek420]

It doesn't make sense to me to listen to the LBS guys when I'm paying to listen to someone else.

I'm sure your coach is fine, and I'm sure he's a fine athlete. I don't have a coach but I have an amazing LBS. (see Seven vs. Habanero thread).

If my wrench said "we're setting you up this way, and this is why (he always explains it)" I'd do it. You pay a coach but a great shop is priceless.

[seeker]

If my wrench said "we're setting you up this way, and this is why (he always explains it)" I'd do it. You pay a coach but a great shop is priceless.
My LBS are the ones who set me up where I couldn't reach my brakes!

Ok, measurements. Inner edge sit bones - 3 inches
Outer edge sit bones - 6.25 inches.

Do these measurements tell me anything?

No pic as yet. That requires cooperation from DH. I might be able to get one tomorrow.

[KnottedYet]

Ok, measurements. Inner edge sit bones - 3 inches
Outer edge sit bones - 6.25 inches.

Do these measurements tell me anything?

No pic as yet. That requires cooperation from DH. I might be able to get one tomorrow.

Cool!

Ok, first I convert to metric, cuz that's just the way my brain works. 6 1/4 inches is near enough to 16.5 cm to make my brain happy.

Saddle width: take your outside measurement and add a centimeter or two to either side to give you a saddle width that will completely support your sitbones (lifting you off your soft tissue) and give you wiggle room to shift as you change position and effort.

16.5 cm plus 2 cm (1 cm each side) is 18.5 cm
16.5 cm plus 4 cm (2 cm for each side) is 20.5 cm

That gives you a saddle width range of 185mm-205mm or 7 1/4 inches to 8 inches.

Saddle top contour and profile: T or Pear, curved or flat, narrow nose or wide nose, I don't know any shortcuts to figure out what works best. It seems to come down to trying a saddle, making note of the shape and contour, assessing comfort, trying another saddle, etc. There are pretty distinct chafing patterns for mis-fits. (like a saddle that is too pear-shaped will chafe in the "panty-line" of your buttock)

Cut-Out: I found this groovy cut-out home test, and don't remember where. So, my apologies to the universe for my plagiarism. Sit in perfect posture on the forward half of a hard wooden chair clad only in your underwear. Keeping your back straight, hinge forward from your hip joints until you can rest your elbows on your knees. If your soft tissues in this position are getting smooshed against the chair seat, you need a cut-out. If it feels like you could sit this way for a while, you might need a saddle wide enough to support your sit bones completely (like the chair is) or a saddle with less padding to bulge upward and crush into your tissues (like the plain wooden chair has no padding).

Edit to add: I went back and looked at the link you gave to the saddle you have now. 138mm (5 1/2 inches) doesn't really match up well.
(When you find a saddle that fits buy a couple. Your bones are what matter, and they'll stay pretty constant... unlike the saddle styles! Seems like as soon as anyone finds the perfect saddle, that one goes out of production!) Oh, and hip width rarely has a hot correlation with sitbone width for women. Tiny women can have wide pelvic outlets and vice versa. Nobody can really look at a woman and determine what width saddle she needs, they gotta get all intimate and measure those critters one way or another! :eek:

[Trek420]

My LBS are the ones who set me up where I couldn't reach my brakes!

Well, sometimes LBS and even wrenches within LBS are like saddles, or dating or whatever analogy you want to use. Sometimes you have to kiss a few frogs. But when you find a good one .... priceless. :D :p

Till then there's always TE gals to try to help. :)

[MsBelle]

Have you tried the Pearl Izumi shorts with the chamois? And, yes, when they start feeling a little loose time to size down. Also, never ever wear underwear with them of any kind. Have you been doing that?




I bought my bike a few weeks ago, had a cheapo pair of shorts that I quickly discarded!! Bought a top of the line short which is so much kinder to my hiney.....but I get horrible saddle sores. At the advise of a cycling friend I bought some Butt Butter, this did help, but did not eliminate the problem.

Saturday I rode a little over 25 miles and was fine, however last night I rode 15 miles and now I'm covered front to back with saddle sores. Could it be my shorts are not the proper fit and they move around too much? When I got them, they fit fine, but now that I've been riding I'm starting to loose weight and inches so they are a little loser. HELP

[seeker]

I'm using Pearl Izumi with the chamois. And I don't wear underwear at all. Even when I'm not wearing bike shorts. I'm pretty much a bra-less, panty-less gal. :D

Ok, I'll do the cut-out test when I get back from the gym.

Thanks.:)

[KnottedYet]

your sit-bone width (6 1/4 inches) and saddle width (7 1/4 to 8 inches) is in good company on this board. Quite a few of us have tried several saddles in these ranges. After you do the cut-out test, let us know what you think you might be looking for and we can give you some ideas of places to start.

Knot-on-a-210mm-width-no-padding-narrow-nose-T-shaped-no-cut-out-suspended-saddle.

[Trek420]

My road and commuter are both Sella Italia. My commuter-mobile has no cut out, road does. I like both. Previously I tried, loved, wore to shreds Terry saddles, Avocet OS2 MTB* gel saddles... When you find the saddle you love get a few. My LBS says both of my current "love at first sit" saddles are no longer produced.

He has a few stored for me in a climate controlled vault in Switzerland:) Right Chris?

Then there's the ever illusive saddle-chamois-shorts symbiotic relationship. That saddle you love can become the saddle you love to hate with the wrong shorts. But let's start on your saddle and fit.

Trek-doesn't know how wide her sit bones are just knows the saddles she likes-420

*no reason not to use a MTB-specific saddle on a road bike if it's the one that fits you best. It's under your azz, who sees the logo? :rolleyes:

[seeker]

Ok, when I lean forward just until my elbows touch my knees, I'm completely smooched. If I keep leaning forward, soft tissue is against the seat but not as smooched.

I noticed today that I'm not as smooched if I'm completely down in the drops. But I can't sustain that position for more than 5 minutes or so, especially if I'm working hard. If I'm up on the hoods, I'm much more smooched.

Still working on a pic. I have an @ss for a DH. This is not a new quality in him. It's his baseline personality.:rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

So, it sounds like to start you need a 7 1/4 to 8 inch wide saddle with a cutout.

I'm guessing light and minimal padding would be a plus, and probably a "T" shaped flat profiled saddle.

Ok, y'all, let's find her saddle! :p

(other than a Brooks B68 Imperial, which won't be out for another few months.)

[seeker]

Ok, I've been looking at saddles all over the internet. I cannot find anything 7 1/4 to 8 inches wide. I looked at Brooks saddles and they don't have cutouts. Specialized has some nice saddles but I can't really tell how wide the cutouts are from the pics. I've looked at Terry Saddles too. I don't mind spending over $100.00. I'll pay what it takes to be comfortable.
Any suggestions?

[Trek420]

What saddles does your LBS carry? If few is there another shop?

My LBS has a 30 day no questions asked (well, he will ask questions) warranty. I could walk in, say my current saddle is bleh and try another one. And if I don't love that try another .... fortunately I've always liked the ones he installed.

It's one thing to look online but another to sit on the thing.

[sundial]

Besides the Brooks saddle, I came up with this (http://www.masherz.com/products/sellesmp/trklady.htm).

[Trek420]

I forgot this one, the Koobi. Spazzdog (who lurks here. Hi Spazz!!!!) loves the Koobi. They are not in stores, it's all online. But she'll ride no other saddle and says all is well "down there" on a Koobi

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=1318

[KnottedYet]

And there's the Terry Rosie (7 inches is close enough!) which is backordered.
(just the fact that it's backordered sends the message I hope saddle designers get, that women need wider saddles out there!)

And the Topeak Allay, but they haven't learned yet (like Terry did) that wider doesn't necessarily require *more* padding.

Both have cutouts. (unlike Brooks, until the Brooks B68 Imperial comes out in the Fall.)

www.koobi.com has a pretty interesting selection of widths, padding levels, and profiles. The widest I found in my quick glance was 160mm, but they had cutouts out to the end of the nose. Kinda interesting.

[seeker]

I like the SelleSMP. Does anyone have one? Or know anyone who uses one? I've never dealt with Masherz. Are they pretty good about returns?

[Thorn]

The SMP Lady Strike is the only saddle I currently ride. There are several of us on the board that ride it. This thread probably has one of the better summaries:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=20637&highlight=selle

My opinion summary...it is just a teensy bit too soft, but definitely not poofy. It is a little wide in the nose so some days it chafes a little on the thighs. I've learned which shorts work well with it and have minimized that issue. But the cutout is wonderfuly wide and is the real reason it is my current saddle of choice (but, yes, I'm standing in line for the B68 Imperial).

When you set it up, keep the sit area of the saddle flat. When you do that, the nose will look too much "nose up". That is OK. The cutout takes care of it.

I bought mine from bikemania. I haven't had to return anything from there. I'm not sure how it would work as nothing ships from bikemania--everything always ships direct from the manufacturer.

[OakLeaf]

Specialized has some nice saddles but I can't really tell how wide the cutouts are from the pics.

Measurements from my 155 mm Lithia. Don't know if the cutout is the same on their other saddles. HTH.

[sundial]

Knot, I first thought of Koobi but figured it wasn't available in the size you wanted. One of our competitive cyclists swears by Koobi.

I've had good results with Specialized but the largest width is 155 mm. Many are touting the Toupe as one of the great saddles Specialized offers. Specialized saddles are basically flat and I've had no issues with pain on the inside of my sit bones, much less the girly parts. Terry saddles seem to taper too quickly and I always had sit bone pain. :(

[seeker]

Thanks for the link Thorn. I did read through that thread and it seems there were quite a few opinions.
And then the Koobi owners swear by the Koobi's. In comparing the Selle and the Koobi, it looks like the Selle has a wider cutout. Would you say that's an accurate assessment? I am not a visual person so it's kind of hard for me to tell by the pictures.

I've only found the Selle at Masherz and the main Selle site. So I'm guessing I would need to order from Masherz. Decisions, decisions. :eek:

[Thorn]

The Selle SMP line probably does have the largest cutout around (although there is the ?Arione? that someone pointed in another thread with a nice cutout). But the Koobi and Selle SMP are very different saddles with very different shapes. The Selle SMP Lady Strike is wider in the back than any of the Koobis.

Except for its cutout (which looks very interesting to me, but, alas the rear is too narrow for me...sigh), the Koobi is a more traditionally shaped saddle. That is, relatively flat nose to tip and side to side. All saddles vary in their curvatures, but the Selle SMP really stretches the limits of curvature rear to nose.

[newridder]

i, too, have problems like seeker. i got the bike to lose weight but that area is terribly painful when ridding. t have tried diff saddles; was fitted on bike- had the problem then. fitter used butt measurer. had another fitter in diff state take look. he tilted saddle back-- helped a little. tried the wonder seat but could not stay on bike when sudden stop. losing interest in biking. thinking of trying diff shorts-- any advice.

[KnottedYet]

Newrider - try doing the self measurements for your sit bones, and the cut-out test. Tell us what you get for those (sitbone span and yes/no cutout). Tell us what saddles you tried and what you liked or didn't like about each.

Someone here has probably dealt with finding a saddle similar to your needs, and will be able to help!

(and how does the saddle you have now feel if you ride in unpadded shorts?)

[Kano]

(and how does the saddle you have now feel if you ride in unpadded shorts?)

This is a good question Knotted!

My little tale kind of asks the reverse: what happens if you do ride in padded shorts? -- on the possibility that newrider hasn't discovered the joys of padding yet!

I'm riding a 143 Specialized Ariel saddle comortably in the right shorts, and the other day, went on a 3.5 mile ride in "street shorts" and standard issue underwear. What the heck, it's only the post office and back, right?

HAH!

My butt, where I sit, is fine. Creases at the groin are still unhappy from the elastic in my undies, which was covered with fabric, and other parts, well, they got the seam of the shorts, and there's still grumbling, days later. (no serious damage, it was only 3.5 miles, after all!)

When I started riding, I didn't want to be out where the world could see me in them, but those lycra shorts we who get bikes to help us with the battle of the butt like to avoid are VITAL to our riding pleasure! Newrider, if you're not wearing padded shorts yet, find some -- and my suggestion is to make sure the pad doesn't have a seam that hits any creases! For a while, you might be happier doing what I did at first: padded shorts with others on top of them. I've seen several people here say they prefer skorts with the padding inside. (yeah, they're expensive, but the money is well-spent!)

Karen in Boise

[newridder]

i used a specialized initially but it was too painful. i am now using a terry butterfly cut out, but the cut out does not seem to be as long as the one shown by another rider. i will try to get measurements tomorrow. i am very new at this and not sure i know how to measure the butt on the saddle. thanks for responding

[newridder]

Kano, thanks i may try the pads on pads. i could not ride without padded shorts. i ride in canari. but a friend told me today about pants that are pricey but well padded. i can't remember the name but the trademark looks like a scorpion. the pants are supposed to keep the body at a certain temperature and are supposedly very well padded. i enjoy riding but when the pain becomes so unbearable i stop riding. i stop shortly after starting and can't seem to become a "rider." i sincerely welcome your thoughts.

[OakLeaf]

i am very new at this and not sure i know how to measure the butt on the saddle. thanks for responding

Search for "butt-o-meter" or "measuring sit bones" and "cut-out test" on this board, it's been discussed a lot, including earlier in this thread.

At the bike shop, Trek and Specialized dealers have a gel-filled pad that you sit on, the gel changes color in response to your body heat and pressure. At home, sit on something that will take the impression of your sit bones (a piece of paper, a yoga mat, or both) on top of a hard, flat surface like a straight chair or an uncarpeted stair. Measure both the center-to-center distance and the outside-to-outside distance between your sit bones.

While you're on the hard, flat surface, bending forward as though you're in riding position (elbows on knees or farther), pay attention to whether the position is squishing your soft tissues. If so, you probably want a saddle with a cut-out.

When you shop for a saddle, look for ones that are somewhat wider than your sit bones - at least 1 cm on either side, to allow for a little wiggle factor and also to account for the curvature of the saddle.

The shorts you're talking about are Castelli. I'd get the saddle sorted first, personally.

[Kano]

Kano, thanks i may try the pads on pads. .


Oh, Newrider, I didn't mean padded shorts on top of padded shorts -- I had regular shorts on top of the padded ones, so no one would see me in lycra!

Some of the problem is a new-to-riding bottom, at least for a while, I think. And if the seat's not right, well...

I haven't decided today if I need to go see my bike guy again about mine or not. After yesterday's ride on what had to be boulder-seal, I'm feeling much like either my saddle position is still wrong, or my saddle is just wrong. On the other hand, my ride Saturday did NOT leave me feeling battered. Or maybe it did, just nowhere near as badly, since the roads were much smoother!

Karen in Boise

[JaneE]

I've been having the same issues as Seeker and have been back and forth to my LBS several times over the past week searching for saddle-nirvana.;)

DH and I are in the process of gearing up for some touring/camping this summer and as we've gone on longer rides my current saddle's shortcomings have become painfully obvious. Up to two hours on the bike and all was (fairly) well. More than two hours and the squirming, discomfort and constant shifting around would get discouraging. I'm a little freaked out at the possibility of not being able to find a saddle that's comfortable for long days of touring but our favorite bike-tech has repeatedly assured me that the right saddle for me is out there somwhere. I'm going to hold him to his word.:)

I did sit on their Bontrager "***-o-meter" ;) in the shop so we started with at least that basic information. So far I've tested (and returned) a Specialized Lithia and a basic Dolce. Right now there's a Jett on my road bike and after about 25 miles on it this morning I'm actually feeling a little hopeful. I'm going to scootch it forward another quarter of an inch and test it again but the "up-front" pain I've been having with the other saddles seems to be relieved to a large degree.

I'm fascinated by the Selle SMP Strike. If this Jett doesn't work out that will be one that I'll definitely want to try!

Guess I don't really have much to offer other than support (it's definitely a process...no short-cuts) and commiseration. :) When I was younger any old saddle seemed to be just fine. Now (a few decades and a few kids later...) things obviously have slipped and slid a little and need more tender support and consideration. :D

Hang in there!

Jane

[Tabby]

Hi, I'm new here and glad I found this exchange. I am new to mtb, since April, and experiencing saddle discomfort as discussed here. After my first 2 rides I mentioned it to a couple ladies who are mentoring me, they say to give it a bit of time til I have some miles in, move the seat a bit and see how I feel then, but toward the end of my rides (6-8 miles) it is just relief to get off the bike. I hope to find a fix, because I love riding and don't believe it should be this uncomfortable. I will begin working with some of the suggestions here and hope they help. But it's true ... this is a TMI topic, yet one that needs discussed and only another woman who has had or is having the problem can help with. The LBS guys just don't get it!!

PJ

[cmac77354]

Hi, I'm the original poster of this thread. Just thought I'd fill everyone in on what finally solved my problem. Even though I had bought top of the line shorts with super padding, the seams were what was causing my discomfort. After several washing and lots of Chamois Butt rubbed into the padding everything softened up and I wasn't irritated anymore. Make no mistake, there were days I thought I'd never get back on my bike because the discomfort was so bad....I was determined and suffered through it anyway:cool:. Good luck to all of you that are having the same problem. And many many thanks to all the wonderful advice I received.

[seeker]

I just wanted to give an update and thank all the women who have given me so much helpful information. You saved my hoo-hoo from destruction.

I bought the Selle SMP Strike TRK Lady Saddle. (http://www.masherz.com/products/sellesmp/trklady.htm) OMG! It is so much better. It finally arrived this week. I rode on the trainer for an hour and there was not one bit of pressure on the front. I felt some discomfort in other areas but I think that's because I've never put any pressure on my sit bones. It's all been up front. I think I just need some road time to get used to the different feeling.

I also gave up on my LBS. I went to a bike store about 40 miles from home. It is not too far from my drive to work so I loaded up the bike and took it over there. The shop is a one-man operation and the owner is fantastic. He spent an hour and a half with me yesterday. He understood the exact location of my pain. He moved my seat back, moved my handlebars forward, moved the clips on my shoes. He also said I need smaller handlebars. Even though my bike is female specific, I can't reach my breaks when I'm down in the drops. He says I have small hands. :rolleyes: So he's going to shop around for some handlebars. He said I'm still too far forward on the bike but he said we'll work on that when I change the handlebars.

I fell down last week. It was one of those slam on the brakes, not get unclipped quick enough and fall over situations.. Oh well. Anyway, unbeknownest to me, my derailleur was bent. He fixed it for me. He also lubed my chain and said it was too small. That's why I grind in the small gears. (I had taken my bike into my LBS and asked about the grinding. They said that happens when you use the small gears.:confused:) So he ordered me a new chain. He checked my breaks, took my rear wheel off and checked everything back there.

It was amazing. He was very thoughtful. He'd sit and watch me pedal. Move something. Have me pedal somemore, move something. He went over my bike from one end to the other. I bought my bike at my LBS and I've taken it in 4 different times in the last 6 months and they've not spent a total of one and a half hours with me. I bought all my accessories from my LBS. I've spent a lot of money there and I've not had the kind of attention I received my this man. And no, he wasn't flirting. He is simply a professional.

And this guy only charged me $60.00 for the entire service. I told him I owed him more than $60.00. He told me he wasn't worried about it because he knew I'd be coming back to his store and spending money. And he's right!

I never thought I'd get this saddle situation straightened out. I asked around about the Selle SMP Strike and no one had heard of it. Even my new bike man had never seen anything quite like it. Had it not been for the ladies on this site, I never would have known about it. Thank you so much for your time and patience. :D

[sgtiger]

Yay! You found YOUR saddle.:cool::D The sit-bone soreness will fade as your saddle breaks in and your tooshie gets used to having weight put there as opposed to where the weight was before.:eek: It, also, sounds like you found an uber cool LBS. I'd keep him. Heck, I'd probably propose to him.:rolleyes:;)

[KnottedYet]

When you find your saddle, buy a couple extra!!!

(I'm not kidding! Saddles change, so buy extras of the one you like before it gets superseded by something else!) (well, unless it's a Brooks... then you're stuck with the same models for a century or so :eek:)