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Ive been testing saddles and took a good look at my lithia and noticed the identions on the saddle are crooked...not centered on the seat. Is that abnormal? I feel centered when I ride. Apparently, I am sitting to the left.
And...during testing new saddles, my left wrist has started to hurt and my right hamstring feels like I've worked it. Way harder than normal. Could it all be related to finally centering my sit ones on the test saddles?
Maybe the saddle was not properly centered?
Do you have any mild spinal curvature?
The fact that you are not usually centered on the saddle could be caused by unconsciously compensating for (a) asymmetry in your legs such as leg length difference, or (b) asymmetry in your hips. I'd be willing to bet that both of the mentioned possible causes are fairly common in people.
I adjust for my asymmetry by slightly pointing the saddle to one side and it makes a huge difference in my comfort. Other people might adjust for their asymmetry by shifting their position on the saddle to one side or the other. Either way, your seated position should be one that is comfortable for you (as opposed to being text book perfect).
If the saddle is centered and you are not I also recommend a good fitter who is also a physical therapist who will look at the mobility and asymetry of your hips.
For years I sat sideways on my saddle, more noticeable as my bike fit got better. It was noticed by my bike fitters but they were not qualified to work with my body to remedy the situation. Finally, after much pain in my lower back, hips, knee I went to a PT who did bike fits but tried to figure out what was causing all my pain. Turns out I had a locked SI joint which was rotating up and forward. After he adjusted it I felt centered on my bike. My fitter also said my saddle was too wide for my hips so he put me on the Specialized Ruby. Everything is great until my SI joint goes out on me.
With my last PT besides my SI joint issues, I found out I have a weak, left glute/hip, and an unstable right hip, which rotates backward, and a very stiff lower back all of which I'm now working on.
Not sure how all this translates to riding my bike but working on changing these issues is making a huge difference in the strength in my glutes and legs and my movements when I ski.
My PT says I've probably had the SI joint issues for years, maybe from an injury when I was a kid.