your bike or your love life

I suppose this topic (Most Hated Saddles) is as good as any...

Today's New York Times has a story about how bike saddles can have adverse affects on the libido of men and women. Here's a link; I've tried to make it so that you don't have to register to read it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/he...=5070&emc=eta1

Of course, as usual, most of the research done has been mainly done on men. But many of us have males in our lives whose libidos are important to us. :)

This seems to be a pretty valid argument for a noseless saddle.

"your bike or your love life?"

what? you mean I can't have both? :( :o

Have you guys seen any noseless saddles?

Im trying to imagine what they look like. :)

Actually, I have seen such a saddle. My dad, who is 94, still rides his bike. Recently, the prostate cancer condition that his Dr. has been watching worsened and his numbers got higher. He found on the web (believe it or not, he is the web Master of our family) a saddle that is just two kind of knobs that sit under the sit bones. This is what he uses now. He recently opted for a treatment that involves a lowering of testosterone and more estrogen (my menopausal sister said of his hot flashes 'welcome to my world') and this has worked wonders, his numbers are way down now. Anyway, he swears by the saddle thingie.

It stands to reason that anything that causes a loss of blood flow & numbness should be a red flag......causing me to wonder why something hasn't happened sooner regarding this health issue? Especially since it relates primarily to men and their ability to perform?

~doorah~

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Originally Posted by wabisabi

Actually, I have seen such a saddle. My dad, who is 94, still rides his bike. Recently, the prostate cancer condition that his Dr. has been watching worsened and his numbers got higher. He found on the web (believe it or not, he is the web Master of our family) a saddle that is just two kind of knobs that sit under the sit bones. This is what he uses now. He recently opted for a treatment that involves a lowering of testosterone and more estrogen (my menopausal sister said of his hot flashes 'welcome to my world') and this has worked wonders, his numbers are way down now. Anyway, he swears by the saddle thingie.

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Wow good for your dad to still be riding his bike. It sounds like the saddle he uses is perfect for him. Did he find it hard to get use to?

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Originally Posted by Trek420

"your bike or your love life?"

what? you mean I can't have both? :( :o

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Ha! No, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. Got you to read the post, though, didn't it?

That's sort of the effect that the story headline had on me. :)

I'm very disappointed in the NY Times, they're normally far more through in thier research and reporting. That article is something I'd expect in USA today. :mad:

Rates of impotence are HIGHER in non-cycling males, due to obesity, diabetes, etc. The story is entirely one sided. Not to mention that at higher speeds, the nose of the saddle is necessary to steer

Levi Leipheimer, Ivan Basso, and a bajillion other pros have kids, and they're on their bikes 40 or more hours a week. The only effect this article will have is to encourage people NOT to take up cycling. :(

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Originally Posted by RedCanny

I suppose this topic (Most Hated Saddles) is as good as any...

Today's New York Times has a story about how bike saddles can have adverse affects on the libido of men and women. Here's a link; I've tried to make it so that you don't have to register to read it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/he...=5070&emc=eta1

This seems to be a pretty valid argument for a noseless saddle.

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Do you think this is why Viagra ads appear in bicycling mags?
I always thought it was a bit weird that they were there but perhaps this is why.

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Do you think this is why Viagra ads appear in bicycling mags?
I always thought it was a bit weird that they were there but perhaps this is why.

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Naw, Viagra advertises in all kinds of men's mags, and lots of men over 40 cycle b/c running has ruined their knees. Viagra targets active men and you'll see ads for it wherever you find those men - it's in ski mags etc also.

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Originally Posted by doctorfrau

Naw, Viagra advertises in all kinds of men's mags, and lots of men over 40 cycle b/c running has ruined their knees. Viagra targets active men and you'll see ads for it wherever you find those men - it's in ski mags etc also.

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Let's also add that cycling mags usually have tons of advertisement for sex-gizmos, "learn the ropes", "herbal" treatments to increase potency, etc.

Part of it is, yes, the targetting of men in general.

Another part of it, I think, has something to do with men active in cycling (and other sports actually) being quite interested and worried about performance in ALL areas of their lives...

Well, ladies, I think the more I cycle the more my libido kicks in, but maybe it's just a middle age thing that really has nothing to do with cycling. I know I'mway more intereseted than my hubby who sits at a desk all day.

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Originally Posted by gretassister

Well, ladies, I think the more I cycle the more my libido kicks in, but maybe it's just a middle age thing that really has nothing to do with cycling. I know I'mway more intereseted than my hubby who sits at a desk all day.

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Ditto. I got back into cycling this summer, and my libido seems to be all the better for it (also noticed by my S.O.). I think I'm just generally happier when I'm putting my "thunder thighs" to good use.

I mean, on the bike. :D

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Wow good for your dad to still be riding his bike. It sounds like the saddle he uses is perfect for him. Did he find it hard to get use to?

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I don't think so; I am more worried that he uses hearing aids (which he has been know to shut off) and rides on the streets! When he was in his 80s someone did hit him, but he didn't have many injuries, and settled for a nice new hybrid bike. And, then, there was the rollerblading.... :eek:

I think this is the seat:

http://www.solutionbicycleseat.com/t...solution2.html

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Originally Posted by wabisabi

I don't think so; I am more worried that he uses hearing aids (which he has been know to shut off) and rides on the streets! When he was in his 80s someone did hit him, but he didn't have many injuries, and settled for a nice new hybrid bike. And, then, there was the rollerblading.... :eek:
I think this is the seat:
http://www.solutionbicycleseat.com/t...solution2.html

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thanks for posting that. Its interesting to see new ideas. Looks a bit scary for us balance challenged ones though. I could see myself falling off the front. :D

I think when the going gets tough you would slip off in front, or settle for a position with not your sitting bones on it, but behind it, crushing more soft tissue - doesn't it look like a bar stool to you?

http://www.solutionbicycleseat.com/seat_11x1.jpg

and to balance it off you'd take more load on your forearms. (judging from the videos....)
I doubt that this would be a solution for long rides.

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Originally Posted by Grog

Let's also add that cycling mags usually have tons of advertisement for sex-gizmos, "learn the ropes", "herbal" treatments to increase potency, etc.

Part of it is, yes, the targetting of men in general.

Another part of it, I think, has something to do with men active in cycling (and other sports actually) being quite interested and worried about performance in ALL areas of their lives...

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I've been checking out runner's mag since I'm trying to cross-train, and they are just as prevelent there too. I've even seen a couple in Backpacking mag.

Does anyone have a problem getting 'turned on' after riding? I feel that I have little or no sensation...like riding has desensitized me. Problem is, my SO has the opposite problem!

YES.

To put it in a way even my SO will understand, I tell him, "Listen, I just spent the last some odd hours with a large piece of plastic shoved up my crotch and now the last thing I want is something else shoved up there."

It's not that my saddle hurts, it's just like what you said, I think at the point after a long ride I get a bit desensitized.

And also, that's not to say at all that my libido has dissipated in general. It just goes on vacation for the span of 1-2 hours after a long ride. Maybe though that is my body's way of trying to retain some energy... (After that though, we're good to go! :p )

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Originally Posted by lynnepin

Does anyone have a problem getting 'turned on' after riding? I feel that I have little or no sensation...like riding has desensitized me. Problem is, my SO has the opposite problem!

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http://www.roadbikerider.com/bookstore.htm#eArticles_
if you have time (and the 4 bucks) to read this article, you will discover that your poorly designed saddle is compressing some pretty delicate nerves down there. Further, this damage can last longer than the couple hours you are describing. Just from reading on this forum, I am amazed at how many women
are having serious problems from sitting on bike saddles!

Your SO probably enjoys looking at all the spandex :)

I usually am high and smiling after a big bike ride, so being turned on is not a problem at all. I can (sometimes) be a little sensitive down there though so gentle touch would be the key.

I'd seriously consider trying other saddles. What seems "normal" for now may actually be dramatically improved with a different saddle.

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

http://www.roadbikerider.com/bookstore.htm#eArticles_
if you have time (and the 4 bucks) to read this article, you will discover that your poorly designed saddle is compressing some pretty delicate nerves down there. Further, this damage can last longer than the couple hours you are describing. Just from reading on this forum, I am amazed at how many women
are having serious problems from sitting on bike saddles!

Your SO probably enjoys looking at all the spandex :)

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I got that article. Thanks so much for the link. I am trying out some new saddles to see if any of them makes a difference. I am currently trying out the Selle Italia Ldy without the cutout. I remember how much attention my SO paid to finding the perfect seat b/c he was having numbness problems...who knew I would have the same issues? Now it's my turn to find the perfect saddle!

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Originally Posted by Trekhawk

Have you guys seen any noseless saddles?

Im trying to imagine what they look like. :)

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I have a "Spiderflex" noseless saddle that I like so far. No chaffing, thighs don't even touch, no burning of the 'you know', and it's adjustable (tips) to the front or back and I do SO not miss that nose up front! Check out the Spiderflex website. I ordered it out of Canada.

Maybe it's b/c I'm a youngin' and spend a lot of time out of the saddle, but I tend not to have a problem getting turned on (or I get turned on a little and end up mauling my s/o!)

...anyone else have that 'issue'? *blush*

Yes.

(blush)

Yup, when I ride my Huffy with the big saddle (complete with springs in the back) I have problems. :rolleyes:

LOL Knotted- I read that and started cracking up- everyone walking by my desk must've thought I finally went off the deep end!

*Off-Topic Thread Hijack. Sorry y'all!*

AAAAAAAAAH! Kitsune, i just clicked your link to your donation page! My hair used to be exactly like that! AAAAAAAAAAAH!!! When I didn't have helmet-head I had gorgeous red spikes.

I started growing it out this winter, and now it's almost past my earlobes. I look like a nun. (a red-headed nun, but a nun nonetheless)

AAAAAAAAAAH!!! Knotted!
That's a pic from last year, when I had gorgeous red spikes! DP has 'encouraged' me to grow my hair out, so it's quickly approaching my earlobes!
(I'm going to be getting a hair cut, though... more for my sanity than hers- I just can't dig the nun look!)

*you may now return to your regularly-scheduled "Biking Makes My Bits Numb vs. Biking Makes Me Randy" forum thread*

Thanks Kit :p for giving me the go-ahead to say...

:o
no probs here - for partner or me...
:cool:

this thread has been static for so long, but every time I run down the forum list and see "your bike or your love life" I think "my bike IS my love life"!!:D

Especially with a well-fitted Brooks saddle. Nothing (or almost nothing) has you feeling so close to flying!

Well it doesn't have to be your bike OR your love life ... what about recumbents? They're.. less invasive.

Or, if your bike *is* your love life...
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...219#post138219
(DO NOT CLICK IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DIRTY SENSE OF HUMOR)
(stolen from the Humor thread)