Saddle(vagina) issues... advice please

[karaboss88]

Okay so yesterday I went on a 25 mile ride total. It's 10 miles to the place I went, hiked up the mountain 2.5miles jogged back down the mountain, then another 5 miles around the mountain on my bike and 10 miles back home.. On my way back home my vag really started feeling raw at the front(feel good place..lol) By the time I got home I was very swollen and raw. I called my LBS to ask them what I should do and the guy was like well you shouldn't be riding your bike that far in the first place... I have a Giant Escape which is a hybrid commuter bike. I got the bike for commuting around town and to school but I also like to go to the local mountain and downtown which is a good 25-30 miles and he told me when I purchased this bike that it would be great for that but now the douche is telling me something completely different. This saddle fits sooo much better then the last one I had, I don't get chafed inner thighs, my sit bones aren't killing me. Should I look into getting a new saddle, or should I try tilting the seat forward or back or maybe changing the position of my handle bars? Really irritated with the douche with his "1970 Schwinn" prancing around and doesn't know ****... Sorry venting... He's really pissed me off if you can't tell, when I purchased the bike he tried to put me on a xs frame and I have a 29.5 inseam and am 5'5.. Anyways, what do you suggest as far as the issue?? :confused:

[zoom-zoom]

If your inseam is 29.5 an XS may not be all that far off...perhaps a little bit too small, but I have a similar inseam and my mtn. bike is an XS...I got a good deal on it brand new. I'd probably fit just as well on a S (I've ridden a S Salsa Mukluk, but a friend who has nearly identical measurements to mine rides an XS).

Does your saddle have a cut-out? If your sit bones don't hurt (I assume you're a fairly new rider?) I wonder if you're putting enough pressure on them. I get badly chafed from a lot of cut-outs, but without a cut-out I suffer seriously bad pressure up-front. My pelvis seems to be rotated forward with spinal lordosis, so I have a dickens of a time resting my weight fully on my sit bones. Could this be a potential issue for you, too?

Maybe your reach is too far for some reason, though that would surprise me, given your height and bike size, unless the stem is really overly long.

[karaboss88]

Yea I am a pretty new rider, only a year now. I do tend to lean more forward because it feels better on my neck and shoulders after an accident I was in when I was 16 so I guess I'm probably not putting enough pressure on my sit bones.. And the bike the guy had me purchase was actually a medium frame which I'm JUST able to stand over with maybe an 1.5 gap. They didn't have any small frames and the xtra small they couldn't get the seat post high enough to keep my knees from being extremely cramped.. Stupid question I'm sure but I know zero females that ride... But how do I learn the proper way to sit? Can I go into the LBS and have them show me and if so what do I say??

[karaboss88]

Okay awesome... I'm going to take it up there, maybe take it to a different shop though. Thanks for the help!!!!

[westtexas]

Another thought I had was that your seat may be too high. I had a similar issue as you when I first started riding and when I went to be fitted the guy was amazed I was able to ride at all. My hips were rocking from side to side with each pedal stroke and thusly smashing my lady bits to pieces in the front. You can always try lowering your saddle and see if it doesn't help. For me, it was instant.

Also keep in mind you can put chamois cream up front too to keep the irritation down.

[tzvia]

What were you wearing? When I do a short commute to work (5 miles) I can ride wearing work pants (designer jeans and slacks) provided it's not the middle of a hot summer. Anything longer, or in the heat, and the padded cycling shorts come out. That padding can really make a difference in a good cycling short. I also use shea butter to keep from chafing down there- where my rear meets the seat and the spots where seams may chafe. If you were just wearing regular clothing like shorts and underwear, it can rub you raw on the longer more arduous rides where you could be sweating and clothing can be sticking and rubbing instead of sliding against your protected skin.