Is this a saddle thing or a fit thing?

[berkeley]

I have been riding a giant FCR for a few weeks now. It's a "compact road" with the more upright geometry (which is what I need for my back issues).

The bike is very comfortable except for one aspect - I get this wicked pain right at the top of my hamstring/bottom of my rump - sort of where the two meet. When I climb hills, I feel like I'm whacking the backside of my leg into the seat almost, and I'm assuming that's the source of the pain?

So my question is - is this an indication that my seat is too forward? Currently, I feel good as far as where my reach is and how my knees track, so I don't really feel too far forward. Or should I look at a different saddle altogether?

Not really sure if this is an indication of one over the other (hence the post in the newbie section :P ).

Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

If everything else is groovy except for your hamstring attachment, I'd be inclined to blame the shape of the saddle.

Some folks like pear-shaped saddles. (looking down at it from above, it has a gradual transition from nose to cantle. Kinda like a tear drop)

Some folks like T-shaped saddles. (looking down at it from above, it has an abrupt transition from skinny nose to wide cantle)

What works best for a person depends on a lot of things. One of them is certainly the unique placement and angle of the head of the hamstring.

Two riders can look exactly the same, ride the same width and length saddles, but need different shapes.

I don't know of any shortcut to deciding what shape a person needs. Just trial and error.

[berkeley]

Thanks!

I'll see if I can try out some different saddles and see if that helps. :)

[MtnBikerChk]

Is this where I get to say "told ya so?" LOL! ;)