Saddle "Issues"

Ladies -

I'm new to this forum but hoping someone can help me here. Sorry that my first post will be a "personal matter"...but figured one of you could help!

I'm experiencing some "burning" when I ride...much like a bladder infection except that it's not. Once I stand up or get off my bike, it's gone....but while I'm riding, it makes for an unpleasant experience.

I'm thinking that I might try a new saddle (would love recommendations)...but looking for suggestions or anyone else who may have had a similar problem.

Thanks in advance!

Hey there Jaycee!
When I just started riding ( and i am still very new ) I had the same exact problem, but mine was worse than just burning. I literally couldnt sit without being in pain. So what I did is bought a new saddle with a coutout after reading this forum. It might be not as good for you as it is for me, I think you should definatelly give a try to a few saddles and figure out which one you like. Another problem might be your bike fit, which I am sure will hear more educated information from more experienced ladies here. But I hope it works out for you, keep us posted

I have the Terry Butterfly which works well for me. It has the cutout and is the perfect width in the back. Everyone's different so you really just need to try a few out and see what works best for you.

You may also want to look at your seat position and height. If the nose of the seat is even slightly tilted up it can be very painful. It might look level but make sure.

you may want to read through the whole seperate saddle boards we have here.

I've experienced this "OMG I think I have a UTI!" burning problem as well. It was resolved by switching saddles.

I find hours in the saddle are not too thrilling either. I also have the Terry Butterfly and think it's a great saddle but the trick (for me) is not to sit on the saddle hour after hour, stand, move around, go up and down hills which changes the pressure and in all cases invest in a very good saddle, great shorts ( I love Sugoi high end womens shorts) and by all means get a good bike fit so you aren't supporting your pubic bone on the front of the saddle. All this being said, unless we are riding mostly hills I find cumulative mileage just hurts after a while! :(

I'm happy with my saddle (Lib Ti Race) and normally have no discomforts at all. I recently got a new pair of cycling shorts from REI. I had quite the uncomfortable ride! The padding was insufficient and scratchy and I was very uncomfortable. What I'm saying is, the problem may be the shorts and not the saddle. Just a thought.

(I am returning those shorts to REI pronto!)

Before you buy a new saddle, try different adjustments on the one you have.

Tilt it forward/backword/lower it a smidgen... you get my point.

My seat was lowered just a tiny hair... and the pain I had went away completely!