Saddle issues

[Catrin]

Problems in THAT area for two rides in a row now means I can't ignore this any longer. On my last ride a couple of days ago I ascribed the chafing to wearing a medium chamois liner when I KNOW I need a small. Ok, my bad. Today I pulled out my smallest bibs which fit me like a glove so I know that wasn't the problem.

Same problem, I can't seem to ride more than 4-5 miles before the problem starts, and 7 is about all I can tolerate. It isn't sit-bone problems, it is chafing, pain, and just a bit of numbness in my girly bits. It has got to be one of two things - either my chemistry has changed and I need a more moist chamois cream (I use a very dry lube that's been great for the last year), or my saddle is starting to break down and I've got some compression issues.

The chamois cream is easy enough to check out, I will get something from my LBS and see if it takes care of the problem. As far as the saddle, I've been riding a SI LDY Gel Flow since I got this my Gunnar in 2011 and have around 2500 miles on it. It seems to me that I shouldn't have this kind of problem after 1.5 years....especially since I didn't ride so much over this last winter/early spring due to injury. Has anyone else had a saddle start to break down after such a short time?

[indysteel]

How many miles does the saddle have on it? They do wear out over time. If it has a cut out, that area in particular might be wearing down. I get about 4-5k out of my Terry saddles.

[Catrin]

How many miles does the saddle have on it? They do wear out over time. If it has a cut out, that area in particular might be wearing down. I get about 4-5k out of my Terry saddles.

It has about 2,500 miles on it and there is a cutout. That part does seem to be a little hammocky so I compared that area with my mtb saddle (same saddle). The LDY Gel Flow does have a little give in that area, and yes, the saddle on my Gunnar has more give in that area and is softer than the one on my mountain bike. That has to be the problem, though it seems awfully soon for the saddle to start wearing down.

I guess for now I need to switch saddles between the two bikes and decide what to do come spring. I like the saddle, but it isn't cheap and if it is going to start wearing out after only 2,500 miles...

[emily_in_nc]

Even if you assume it's the saddle, I'd also try changing the chamois cream, since that's a cheaper fix.

[Catrin]

Even if you assume it's the saddle, I'd also try changing the chamois cream, since that's a cheaper fix.

I will certainly try it, it is a MUCH cheaper fix. It is quite possible my body chemistry in that area has simply changed and a dryer lube just isn't doing it for me any more... Pity though, today was probably the last 60 degree day in some time to come.

[Catrin]

A thought that could be cheaper in the long-run. Try a B-68 Imperial (with a cutout). That should fit you well and will last almost indefinitely. Now that you've been riding for a couple of years, it may be you can use less padding. And I'm sure you know they have a 6 month return policy at Wallbikes. Though it does sound like it's worn out. But a Brooks may be an improvement in several areas.

Hmmm, I've already had this thought. My earlier experience with a Brooks saddle was pretty bad - however it didn't have a cutout AND it was one of the short saddles. Basically the hardware was underneath my girly bits :o :eek:

I will keep this suggestion in mind. It is cheaper than my SI saddle and I like their generous return policy if it doesn't work. I hope a different chamois cream will take care of things - but I am not very hopeful.

Added: Wallbikes site says the B-68 models have been discontinued...

[Catrin]

That's good to know about the B-68 I! Need to get one for myself, then.

How could they do this? Arrgh!

Wallbikes is out of stock already...but I would have had to have put it off anyway.

[indysteel]

It has about 2,500 miles on it and there is a cutout. That part does seem to be a little hammocky so I compared that area with my mtb saddle (same saddle). The LDY Gel Flow does have a little give in that area, and yes, the saddle on my Gunnar has more give in that area and is softer than the one on my mountain bike. That has to be the problem, though it seems awfully soon for the saddle to start wearing down.

I guess for now I need to switch saddles between the two bikes and decide what to do come spring. I like the saddle, but it isn't cheap and if it is going to start wearing out after only 2,500 miles...

Duh; you indicated how many miles were on the saddle in your first post. I guess I didn't read carefully. Sorry 'bout that. I'd be surprised if the saddle was shot at 2500 miles. That's a bit premature. Try a different cream. I'm otherwise stumped as to the sudden onset of this problem.

[Crankin]

It could also just be your "dimensions" have changed with your recent weight loss. Your, ahem, parts may just be in a different place in relation to the saddle. Try the different chamois cream, and, maybe get some smaller (or different) shorts.

[Catrin]

It could also just be your "dimensions" have changed with your recent weight loss. Your, ahem, parts may just be in a different place in relation to the saddle. Try the different chamois cream, and, maybe get some smaller (or different) shorts.

hmmmm, I hadn't thought about this and that makes sense. The bibs I wore yesterday are the smallest that PI makes. I've still a bit of an apple shape so even if there are smaller shorts out there I doubt I could wear them. The Terry shorts liner I wore the other day are just too large (medium)- and they have a thinner chamois than the PI 3D. Hopefully a different cream will take care of it, shorts are expensive and I don't have the budget for experimentation.

[OakLeaf]

Weight loss is DEFINITELY a possibility.

But I still think saddle wear is a potential culprit. The one thing I really don't like about my Turbomatic is that it started showing signs of compression within 500 miles. Not nearly enough to make it uncomfortable for me, but creases in the cover were already visible. With my lack of seat time this summer it's only got 2100 miles on it now, but I can definitely see the possibility that it might be worn out within another 1000. If the fit were more marginal to begin with, then a saddle could become uncomfortable with less wear.

Hoping it's something less expensive though. :( And that you get it sorted soon.

[Catrin]

It could be the original saddle fit was more marginal than I realized - which would mean it wouldn't take much of a change to cause a problem. I really hope a different cream will take care of things for now, time will tell. Thanks for all of the ideas!

[malkin]

How long ago was your last Brooks trial?
You've probably increased fitness significantly since then.

[Catrin]

How long ago was your last Brooks trial?
You've probably increased fitness significantly since then.

It has been close to two years since that experiment, and my fitness is certainly increased since then - especially my core and leg strength. hmmmm I might go this route again if the new cream doesn't take care of things. Hopefully I won't have to, as I remember my search last time for the right saddle was lengthy and expensive.

[happyscientist]

Gel saddles are known for the gel shifting and rubbing in new places. Does your LBS have a test ride policy? Also, check to make sure the nose of your saddle hasn't nudged upward. Only a couple degrees can create pain very quickly.

[nuliajuk]

One of the local shops here has Specialized, and a whole wall of red and white Specialized test saddles that a person can sign out for a week or so and test. I personally don't get on with that brand and wish other manufacturers had the same setup, although I suppose it would take up a lot of space.
I do know that some shops have loaner saddles in the more expensive models. My husband test rode his favorite one that way before taking the plunge and buying one.

[Catrin]

I went through a long series of demo/loaner saddles early in 2011 before I found THE saddle for me - my SI LDY Gel Flow...the same one now giving me troubles.

I saw my fitter today and the measurements are spot on perfect, so nothing has slipped or somehow changed. He DID note that there are very noticeable signs of wear in the saddle right in the exact area where I am having discomfort and pain. This is a popular saddle, at least at my LBS, and he tells me the pattern of wear in my saddle isn't common. He suspects that there is something about my hips/how I sit on the saddle that is causing premature wear which is causing compression.

As I have the same saddle on my mountain bike with 1/4 the miles, we are going to switch them out and see if that takes care of the problem. Both of us are pretty sure it will, and if it does I will have a decision to make. If it really is how I sit on the saddle then I will likely have the same issue with other gel saddles. If I get a saddle that is more firm but has less give then that can cause problems as well. If I choose to go with leather then it will be the Selle Anatomica rather than a Brooks, but I am not ready to go there yet. It WOULD last longer than another SI LDY saddle...but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

At least I am glad that there is something obvious with the saddle & it isn't my imagination.

[malkin]

...He suspects that there is something about my hips/how I sit on the saddle that is causing premature wear which is causing compression...


I suspect there is something about how much you sit on that saddle. You ride like a fiend, girl!

[Sky King]

I suspect there is something about how much you sit on that saddle. You ride like a fiend, girl!

Haven't done any research but maybe we should start a thread about estimated miles before needing to be replaced... :)

[Catrin]

:)

I did return to a more...moist chamois cream yesterday and it seemed to make a difference. I still had some problems with the saddle, but it wasn't as extreme. It appears that there were two problems going on. Next Friday we are switching the saddles between my bikes as they are the same saddle and see what happens. The MTB LDY saddle doesn't have near the mileage and is obviously more firm in the cutout area so it will be a good experiment. My phone just died so I hope to be able to put off a saddle purchase until the spring...

[hulagirl]

I'd put money on the weight loss shifting things around!

REI sells the LDY (also my saddle of choice on my road bike) and they do usually have good coupons and sales if you keep your eye out. Plus their return policy is fantastic.

I'm currently beta testing a new Selle Anatomica saddle. It's my first dip into the leather saddles and I have to say, once the sit-bones stop screaming, it's pretty comfortable. UNTIL you get into your drops. The cut-out is not who-haa friendly at all. I find that I need shorts with padding on this saddle vs my LDY where I can ride in tri shorts, no padding in aero or in the drops and be fine.

Denise

[e3rdpower]

Haven't done any research but maybe we should start a thread about estimated miles before needing to be replaced... :)

I was wondering this myself. I'm sure there's a lot of factors involved.

[pll]

I will float two more hypotheses, which I did not see in the thread:

Hyp. 1: I will call this the "phase of the moon" hypothesis and it happened to me in the past. Each month, for a couple of days, my saddle would cause me all kind of grief. I suspect I was just more sensitive during said days... Unexpectedly, the lasting cure thus far was a new wheelset and plusher tires (Conti GP 4000 S, with 320 tpi).

Hyp 2: your weight loss may require raising the saddle just a smidgen to compensate for the loss of 'padding', so to speak. You might be sliding around a little more than before.

[Catrin]

I will float two more hypothesis, which I did not see in the thread:

Hyp. 1: I will call this the "phase of the moon" hypothesis and it happened to me in the past. Each month, for a couple of days, my saddle would cause me all kind of grief. I suspect I was just more sensitive during said days... Unexpectedly, the lasting cure thus far was a new wheelset and plusher tires (Conti GP 4000 S, with 320 tpi).

Hyp 2: your weight loss may require raising the saddle just a smidgen to compensate for the loss of 'padding', so to speak. You might be sliding around a little more than before.

#1 is out of the question since I no longer have any remaining parts of my former reproductive system - nice not to have to worry about that :)

My fitter found last week that my saddle post was a smidgen too high (about 1.5 mm), so that probably would have allowed for it? Unsure, but Friday we are switching to a far less used version of the same saddle, so we will see. I do appreciate all of the input and hopefully switching saddles will take care of things until at least spring. That being said, I need to ride my mountain bike this winter for some gravel road riding/training, so if this does solve the problem then I will still have a decision to make...