Health / Bike Type Issue

Problem: a history of serious chronic urethral/vulvar pain...."intersttitial cystitis" and "vulva-dynia" were the eventual diagnosis. I have been " knock wood" FINE for the last 8 years or so. But I also have not ridden a bike or drunk any red wine....:o

I posted yeterday about my Trek 7000 vs Trek Pure dilemma, and I've gotten more clarity...at least around the edges.... So with your indulgence, I'll try the question again, because I feel really stuck.

I have 2 bikes in my yard and one of them is going back to bike shop.

1. The Pure is a "pudendum pain free" ride...besides normal new butt bone syndrome...It naturally puts me in a posture that keeps pressure off. But I feel its limitations...GREAT for cruising along flat roads...my hilly neighborhood provides a challenge...as will many of the bike paths nearby. Yes, I can probably build up the muscle to make it work. I just don't like it as much as ...

2. The 7000 has already reminded me of why I stayed away from bikes for years....but I also know more now about posture, sit bones and the possibility of the right saddle. I just LIKE it better; its more fun to ride, I can stand up on the peddles and just sail around. I think it's cuter too...:rolleyes: I was able to find a place on the saddle that works with a lot of consciousness in that direction...and went out for about a half hour but I still felt a little sore last night, and even this morning.

I am holding out the idea that there exists an adjustment and a saddle that would make it as easy on my peas-princess sensitive parts..(haha..should be pee princess..) as the Pure.

Jen's husband..the trek dealer thought it was possible....and that made me really happy!!! but I need some gals who have been in the same dilemma to help me understand the boundaries of what is and what isn't possible. My sex life could be at stake ...again....

I am looking at the Brooks saddles ( a saddle that moves the pressure on the sit bones and off the vagina consistently seems a better bet than cushioning....

PLease talk to me about this! and Thank you for what you've already suggested...it got me much farther yesterday than I had been the day before! (for some reason I couldn't post on the "roadwork" thread last night...???)

elk

Any discomfort you feel should be around your sit bones not in your soft tissue. don't give up and certainly don't accept this as part of cycling. I find the harder and smaller saddles are much more comfortable. The softer ones just seem to create friction and pressure in places I don't want it.

thank you Stacie:) sometimes support can get one through!!

I never really had problems until recently. I had a Fizik Vitesse which was a great saddle but I was having chafing problems. I recently got this used from a TE person: http://www.sellesmp-bicyclesaddles.c...k_man_lady.php

I LOVE this saddle. Granted it's funky looking but it is the comfiest saddle I have ever ridden on. I know if you search the saddle threads you will find a ton of info. This doesn't touch any soft parts at all and once it's adjusted right, it doesn't even feel like a saddle. I see you're in the PNW, if you ever want to test ride on it, let me know. You might be able to find one used if you like it but even new, they aren't that much.

I don't know of anyone who has tried this saddle on their bike personally, but the idea of this saddle is intriguing. I saw it advertised in a biking magazine.
Here's the link:
http://www.moonsaddle.com/Gallery_s/7.htm
Hope that helps!
Ouch!

teigyr, that looks very interesting. Did you get the men's or the women's?

Any good saddle that fits you,(not just a Brooks) should position you on your sit bones and not on your soft tissues. Though some of us don't have, shall we say tall enough sit bones to not still get some soft tissue squashing.... Personally I have a strong preference to riding a saddle with a cutout. I can do a saddle without one for short rides, but you won't see me on a non cutout saddle for a longer ride. (I also like the ventilation aspect on hot days... though the cold spray in wet condtions is not entirely appreciated...)

Zen, I got the mens. The mens was narrower so it seemed like it would suit me better. It isn't perfect - the expensive models have less padding and are sized differently so some day I'll probably pay $200-$300 for a saddle. I figured I'd give this one 6 more mos or so and if I still love it, I'll get the upgraded model. On my bike it looks a LOT like a Klingon warbird.

Eden, never thought about spray :eek: have only had the saddle a few months and it's been summer the whole time. Oh my...is all I can say. I'm kind of cringing thinking about it. And I'm imagining a whole new pattern of dirt marks on my shorts!!!

I'm intrigued by the cut out...but I can't quite see how it works....do you "fall into " it? hover above? does it really take the pressure off?

Does it work as well on us plush models as it might with the leaner meaner girl?

:p
elk

As with any saddle, on a saddle with a cut out your sit bones should sit firmly on the saddle - the cutout (or on some saddles just a groove) should take any pressue still present on your softer bits away. If you are falling into the cutout I'd say its too large! (the cutout that is). What it means for me is no more mashed soft tissues. Some people report rubbing on the edges of the cutout, but I haven't had any issues with that.

Ok I'm making a list...

...can I assume that I'm getting pretty unanimous support for keeping the 7000 and returning the safe, but not as much fun, Pure????

I tend to go for old fashioned...I'm one who would LOVE a bike that my grandmother would have ridden...:D .... so I have the brooks on the list....and now I'm thinking about the An Atomica....

Tyger, your saddle scares me...:eek: !!! !! but I'll keep it on my list anyway


Selle AnAtomica LD Titanico
Brooks B67s?
The Spongy Wonder.....gotta try it....http://www.spongywonder.com/bicycleseatfacts.htm
that moon seat looks intriguing too!

ta!
elk

Elk - please go to a Physical Therapy clinic where they know both women's pelvic issues and bikes! (like mine!)

There are so many options!

Do you have a PT already? I can send him/her some contacts and resources. Would you be more comfortable working strictly with the biking angle? Then I would recommend Eric Moen PT north of Seattle, who is one of my heroes. Wanna work from a pelvic and bike standpoint and live in the Seattle area? PM me and I'll tell you where I work.

BTW: those nose-less seats are mighty difficult for me to ride, cuz you can't use your thighs to control the bike. I really use the nose of my saddle, so I'm biased in that direction. "Your mileage may vary." And if that's the only comfy seat you find, more power to ya! Have you considered a recumbent? I had one for a few years and really liked it. Someday I'd like another (faster) one.

Edit: I have a working relationship with a specialty store here in Seattle that can help with "sex life" issues. They are also an excellent resource. Don't be shy! www.babeland.com And while my clinic doesn't handle sex therapy, I can recommend a practitioner that does.

I think you are a treasure chest of info!!! I will go to babeland and see what's going on...BTW I'm in Portland...
thanks, K!

elk

:o I had a totally different idea of what babeland was...!!!! not that it's not intriguing.....!!
:p

Like I said, you can't be shy!

They aren't medical, and they are the first to admit it, but they do sell "exercise" equipment.

For vulvodynia and IC, you might better of with a PT. (biofeedback can be a great help) But for "sex life" issues, I would send someone to Babeland. They are a fabulous resource. They even have seminars for medical staff! They know more about sex than I ever will....;)