I Hurt Here . . More Saddle Questions

So the past couple of days I've been searching the website on everything I can about saddles. I mentioned when I posted my new bike pics that I wasn't too crazy about the saddle but that I would give it a chance. It had been a while since I had ridden and have been back in the saddle the past two days. I don't know my sit bone measurements just yet and my tender bits don't seem to have a problem.

So according to this picture, I am hurting mostly in Zone 4c and the bottom of Zone 3:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S...lvis-pubis.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S...lvis-pubis.jpg

I don't get blisters or anything like that it is more like a bruising and if I sit in certain ways I can feel the dull pain. I read on someone's thread that this reminded them of a seat that they had that was too narrow. I'm starting to wonder if that's the case for me. Even on my old hybrid I traded out the seat for one of those big, cushy seats. I thought it was the padding that I liked but maybe instead it was that it was wider. What do you ladies think? I know I probably need to shop around for a new saddle but I'd like to know where I should start. Does my pain there mean my seat is too narrow?

oh Knot, where are you?

You should wait for Knot to weigh in here; but you're right about the padded saddles. The padding makes it worse, but the wideness makes it better. there are trade offs. And some padded saddles are VERY wide where you really want them to be narrow so they rub somewhere else.

While waiting for Ms Knot, measure out your sit bones. Then measure the sitting portion of your saddle.

Classic symptom of too narrow is when you get off the bike after riding, you feel like your nether regions need to fall back into position. For me, it was that the tailbone area hurt like the dickens after I'd get off the bike. Riding wasn't that big of an issue, but stopping....ooooh, that hurt for a good 5 minutes.

Besides a wider Brooks, wide, yet not quite too much padding, saddles are Topeak's Allay and Selle SMP Lady Strike. Specialized also has a 175mm saddle but it is a bit poofy.

Knot will know.

But in the meantime, it could just be that you are a bit sore. I've felt that before and when my riding consistency picks up it goes away.

The bottom of zone 3 is where your weight should be.
if you're feeling pain over in 4c maybe it's too far fore/aft.
You got the bike at Proteus, yes? Surely they fit you correctly.
Go back and talk to Jill.

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Originally Posted by tulip

Knot will know.

But in the meantime, it could just be that you are a bit sore. I've felt that before and when my riding consistency picks up it goes away.

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Yeah, I'm wondering if that's the case or if I truly do need another saddle. I'm sure Knot will know. I've read some of her other posts regarding the topic and sometimes it's a bit over my head but she always has good info.

First of all, the ischial tuberosities need some training if you haven't been on the bike in awhile. It will feel like bruising. The first few days after a long period off the saddle can be painful but it should go away if you are riding frequently and regularly. If not, wrong saddle. This is the only place on your butt where that bruised feeling doesn't necessarily mean "wrong saddle."

The pain in Zone 4C I would describe as a saddle that is either too narrow and/or not flat. If you crouch down behind the saddle, is the surface flat or does it slope from a crown? Obviously, I don't know which is causing your pain but when you choose a new saddle you'll want to consider this shape as well as the width.

I, myself, describe this as a feeling of a hatchet head forcing my pelvis wider and wider in an attempt to split it in two.

Padding can cause its own problems. It collapses and chafes or puts pressure in the wrong areas. I personally like an Avocet Air 02 40 because it is very wide and flat in the back and then has a very sharp transition (t-shape) to a very narrow nose. Very little padding and a nice anatomic channel to take pressure off the genitals.

F8th637, I actually have exactly the same problem. Well - for me it's mostly my "4c" region. I even feel like I'm getting scar tissue lumps at that region. It hurts so bad lately I can't even sit the next day after a bike ride :( I still haven't found the reason for this.

cindy, read my post above about the slope of a saddle from side to side. Your weight could be on 4c because of slope to the saddle.

The only place your weight should really be is right on your two sit bones. Not between them, and not on your front soft tissues.

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Originally Posted by zencentury

The bottom of zone 3 is where your weight should be.
if you're feeling pain over in 4c maybe it's too far fore/aft.
You got the bike at Proteus, yes? Surely they fit you correctly.
Go back and talk to Jill.

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Yes, I got the bike at Proteus. Everything else aside I definitely think they fit me correctly. I haven't yet told them about my saddle issues. I may have to do that.

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Originally Posted by cindywon

F8th637, I actually have exactly the same problem. Well - for me it's mostly my "4c" region. I even feel like I'm getting scar tissue lumps at that region. It hurts so bad lately I can't even sit the next day after a bike ride :( I still haven't found the reason for this.

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cindy, I agree. I think it mostly hits me in my 4C region. Maybe together we can figure out what's going on.

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Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl

The only place your weight should really be is right on your two sit bones. Not between them, and not on your front soft tissues.

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Yes, I feel like it's BETWEEN my sit bones mostly, Bleecker, and less so at the bottom of Zone 3.

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Originally Posted by F8th637

Yes, I feel like it's BETWEEN my sit bones mostly, Bleecker, and less so at the bottom of Zone 3.

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

cindy, read my post above about the slope of a saddle from side to side. Your weight could be on 4c because of slope to the saddle.

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My magic 8 ball says "needs different saddle"

Wow, so does mine! What are the odds? :p

Do your Magic 8 balls say that my seat is too narrow?

Hallooooo?????? Did you read post #7 about width and slope? :p:p:p

I just can't help myself but...
[silly]
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html
[/silly]

smilingcat

Oh sorry! Blonde moment! I thought you guys knew something I didn't.

This is the saddle: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

And it looks like it is NOT flat and is 130 mm or 5.1" wide.

Thank goodness for the titanium rails or it would weigh a ton!

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

I just can't help myself but...
[silly]
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html
[/silly]

smilingcat

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Ok, I do look down at my saddle sometimes to make sure it isn't stone. :P

May I recommend Meg McKilty's Falcon X?

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Originally Posted by zencentury

May I recommend Meg McKilty's Falcon X?

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LOL I did see she's trying to get rid of one and that you love yours. I did say I spent a few days reading all the posts about saddles, didn't I? :D

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Originally Posted by F8th637

And it looks like it is NOT flat and is 130 mm or 5.1" wide.

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AAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!

(just kidding.... kind of)

My magic 8 ball also says you need a different saddle. After you get your measurements (and that is a barrel of fun in and of itself!) let us know what they are and we all shall be your virtual personal shoppers! :D

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Originally Posted by F8th637

Oh sorry! Blonde moment! I thought you guys knew something I didn't.

This is the saddle: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

And it looks like it is NOT flat and is 130 mm or 5.1" wide.

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Well, no freakin' wonder! I know several people who love that saddle but most are men -- or the hipless mountain goat we know and love as yellow.

I bet Jill at Proteus would be a big help.

It's so interesting how different everyone's preferences are. This saddle (WTB Rocket V) came stock on my cx bike and while I didn't LOVE it, I thought it was pretty comfortable, and definitely not UNcomfortable. I replaced it mainly for cosmetic reasons (it's a bianchi and I put a celeste-colored arione on it, much sexier looking. though I am an arione fan anyway).

I've never measured my sit bones but based on my (generous) hip width, I'm guessing they're not narrow. Yet I much prefer narrower, pear-shaped saddles to T-shaped saddles. My new bike came with a wider & more T-shaped "wsd" Fizik Vitesse, which I thought was comfy at first but after a few longer trainer sessions, I've decided to replace with an arione. arione is much comfier for me, trainer-tested :eek:.

I'm not in any way trying to contradict what others are saying about width and shape. I'm sure they are right. But everyone is different and you just don't know until you try. I actually am curious to know why I'm such a freak (apparently).

I have noticed that most if not all the reviews raving about this saddle are men. That's why I thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm seriously have a time trying to get my sit bone measurements. I can't get a good read no matter what method I try here at home. I even tried to get my husband to help me and we just burst into laughter at my compromising position. I must have too much padding to get a good read. From what I can tell it looks like I'm somewhere between a 5" and a 5.5" or thereabouts but I could be totally screwing this up too. I have always had wide, curvy hips so I thought my measurement would be wider. The saddle is a 5.1" according to the link. Maybe I'm not sitting far back enough on the saddle? I may have to go sit on the Butt-o-meter at the local Specialized shop. Do they charge for such a thing?

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

we all shall be your virtual personal shoppers! :D

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That's right :D That's the best part of TE. All the fun of shopping for bikes and cycling gear but with other peoples money.

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Originally Posted by liza

I've never measured my sit bones but based on my (generous) hip width, I'm guessing they're not narrow. Yet I much prefer narrower, pear-shaped saddles to T-shaped saddles. My new bike came with a wider & more T-shaped "wsd" Fizik Vitesse, which I thought was comfy at first but after a few longer trainer sessions, I've decided to replace with an arione. arione is much comfier for me, trainer-tested :eek:.

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Iliac crest span has a very limited relationship to ischial tuberosity span. (and greater trochanteric span is a whole 'nother ball game! As is hip joint/Q angle!)

The butt knows what it likes. If you are having distress with your current saddle, a good way to start looking for alternatives is via ischial tuberosity span. If you've already solved the issue, look no further!

But gawd's honest truth is nothing works as well as plain ol' trying it out!

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

But gawd's honest truth is nothing works as well as plain ol' trying it out!

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But endlessly talking about it and never doing anything is so much cheaper. And less effort. :cool:

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

The butt knows what it likes.

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Or, to put it another way (and with apologies to the screenplay writer), The butt wants what the butt wants. ;) Sorry, I couldn't resist.

And on a more serious note, BTW, Performance seems to have a sale going on on selected saddles (and pedals, too).

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Originally Posted by Bad JuJu

And on a more serious note, BTW, Performance seems to have a sale going on on selected saddles (and pedals, too).

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Haa haa, I just got that e-mail too!