Sit bone pain

Ouch! I am having a lot of trouble with bruising right under my sit bones on longer rides. I ride 35-50 mile group rides most weekends, and have been through a whole series of saddles. I'm currently riding a 143 mm Specialized Oura, which is like the Romin. Before that, I was on a Toupe, and had the same issue, plus the saddle sides were cutting into my thighs. Before that, I was on a Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow, and it was too soft and caused chafing. Before that I was on a couple of Brooks saddles and a Selle Anatomica

I commute on an upright mixte during the week to let my sit bones heal. I'm ok again by the next Saturday, and the saddle feels fine for the first 20 miles or so. Then it starts to feel like the seat is really hard and the bruising starts. It's not so much a skin issue, but more the underlying tissues. I keep hoping my butt will toughen up, but no luck.

I've tried changing the saddle height and the angle. I moved to a thicker chamois. I really want to be riding 80-100 miles by the end of the summer, but I don't think my butt bones can take it!

Any ideas for other things to try?

Thanks!
Gillian

There are others who will have more sage advice than I on specific saddles and issues but...

I get more pain in my sit bones in an upright position than in a road position, so I wonder if you're really letting it rest and heal (not that that's the 100% solution for sit bone pain). Would the saddle on the mixte work on your other bike? Maybe try that one since it isn't causing you pain? I'm sorry - that sounds very frustrating!

Thanks for your thoughts, Blueberry!

I ride the mixte to work because it lets me sit upright on a different part of my sit bones, and, since my commute is short, I can ride a brooks, and I'm not on it long enough to cause problems. But it's true that I might need more of a rest. I'm not very good at that :)

I'm wondering if this is a technique problem, at least in part. Like, maybe I stay seated too much at the end of a ride when I'm tired? Or maybe it's a fit issue?

Thanks,
Gillian

I had horrible sit bone pain on 11 saddles and after having one bike fit. I went to a second, very experienced, fitter who determined that I needed to be a bit more stretched out to bear my weight more evenly across my crotch. He put a longer stem on my bike. I was highly skeptical about bearing more weight up front but I gave the new position a try. He was right; I experienced immediate relief.

On the longer rides -- I assume you're riding a road bike -- is your weight on the ischial tuberosities or it is more forward, on the inferior pubic ramus?

There's a diagram of the pelvic bone in this thread that shows what I'm talking about:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=25615

Also, have you measured your sit bones?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

Confusing. Let's back up. Do you know your center to center and outside sitbone distance for certain? Is the 143 correct? I did use a 143 for awhile, and there was a lot more pressure on my sits because it was too narrow. The bones were too far to the outside of the saddle, so the pressure was painful.

Also sounds like you need a more T-shaped saddle due to the mentioned chafing.

Which Brooks saddles did you use? And why didn't they work?

Next, have you ever had any joint pain in your hips independent of riding?

Also, you mention moving your saddle height and fore-aft position, which makes me think you aren't in the perfect place to begin with. The saddle may be causing pain because you need a good bike fitting. I've had fittings by three different fitters, and only one actually knew what he was doing. :rolleyes:

Maybe start with measuring your bones, and schedule a fitting? Noticed this thread, lately. Looks like the most recent recommendation for your area is a fitter by the name of Michael Sylvester. :)

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I think Muirenn might be on to something. I ride a 143 Jett, and I think it's a hair too narrow because I end up with sitbone pain at 30+, but not all the time. I deal because going to a 155 results in chafing. (Non-Brooks (and Brooks-like) saddles get less t-shaped as they get wider because of physical constraints.)

I have the Affinity RXL and the only problem I've found with the carbon rails is that they are too big for the attachment mechanisms on quick-release seat bags.

I also tried the Affinity R and RL but both were too padded in the nose. I think the RXL could stand a bit more cushioning under the sit bones but the discomfort on long rides is totally bearable and having less padding in the nose is more important for me. It is by far the best saddle I've tried in recent years.

OTOH I gave both the R and RL to a friend and she preferred the R, which is the most padded of the three.

Bontrager offers a 3-day comfort guarantee so the risk of trying their saddles is minimal. An LBS that sells their products would have a measuring tool to help you figure out which width you need.

BTW I found that the Specialized Lithia was extremely painful because my weight was resting right on the edges of the cutout. That could be another possible cause of the OP's problems.

I looked at the Affinity. It looks pretty good, shapewise. I wish that divot extended further back, though.