Pains when riding

I plan on taking my bike in to ask the guys at the LBS but wanted to ask the ladies first...it's always hard to explain to the guys about women-specific pains...:o

I've noticed lower back pain and also I'm putting a lot of pressure on my crotch. I've "invested" in really good shorts and lots of Chamois Butt'r. I have the Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow and think the cutouts which are supposed to help alleviate pressure are causing the problem??? :confused:

I know I need something adjusted but don't know what. And maybe I need to get a new saddle? I can ride for two hours gritting my teeth at the end but I'd like to go for longer without pain...:(

Thank you...

bluerider, have you had a fitting? I've never experienced much low back pain, but before my fitting I was definitely putting too much pressure on the crotch area and ended up very sore during almost every ride. Since the fitting, between the adjustments to the bike and talking about my riding position, I've noticed a huge difference. I now sit more properly on my sit bones and only end up with crotch pressure if I go down into the drops and hammer.

I was worried about feeling uncomfortable discussing the issue with my bike tech, but I just said what the heck... If he's going to do his job right, I've got to be able to tell him what I'm dealing with.

And if you can, try to find a place that actually puts you on your bike on a trainer. I had a fitting where they took measurements and fed them into a computer to find out how to adjust the bike, and I felt no difference in my ride. The Serotta fitting, where the tech took measurements but could also actually look at how I sat and pedaled, was really the key to getting comfortable on my bike.

I consulted Andy Pruitt, causes of low back pain (if there are no physical problems) are frequently bike fit, specifically too long of a reach to handlebars, it can also be lack of core strength, or leg length inequalities.

I do not like saddles with cutouts and raising my handlebars solved the saddle issue.

However, if the issues are new, it sounds like the problem is bike fit.

I'm not sure about the lower back pain... but with the discomfort try lowering the nose a tad.

In general, the nose of a man's seat will be tilted slightly up from the horizontal, and a woman's seat will tilt slightly down from the horizontal.

I would suggest a bike fitting also to try and sort out the back pain...

Good luck

I use to have a good bit of low back pain when riding. It was a combo of needing the handle bars a bit closer and higher and core strength. Also I had to start really paying attention to actually USING my core strength instead of just letting my belly hang there :)

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Originally Posted by littlegrasshopp

Also I had to start really paying attention to actually USING my core strength instead of just letting my belly hang there :)

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Interesting -- how do you do that?

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

bluerider, have you had a fitting? I've never experienced much low back pain, but before my fitting I was definitely putting too much pressure on the crotch area and ended up very sore during almost every ride. Since the fitting, between the adjustments to the bike and talking about my riding position, I've noticed a huge difference. I now sit more properly on my sit bones and only end up with crotch pressure if I go down into the drops and hammer.

I was worried about feeling uncomfortable discussing the issue with my bike tech, but I just said what the heck... If he's going to do his job right, I've got to be able to tell him what I'm dealing with.

And if you can, try to find a place that actually puts you on your bike on a trainer. I had a fitting where they took measurements and fed them into a computer to find out how to adjust the bike, and I felt no difference in my ride. The Serotta fitting, where the tech took measurements but could also actually look at how I sat and pedaled, was really the key to getting comfortable on my bike.

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Hi Kalidurga,

Thanks for the tips. This is a new bike that I just bought last week. My last bike was a dream and never gave me a any pains. We did fit the bike on a trainer and he did all the measurements and the stringy thing with the weight on the bottom (?) to make sure my pedalling position was right. The thing is, I brought it back 3 days after I bought it and told them the seat was bothering me. They moved the saddle a little forward and raised the handlebars just a touch.

Not that I want to get graphic, but I feel like the "soft" bits are all on the nose and not in the cutout. I had this saddle on my previous bike and never had issues. The saddle is already a bit tilted down but it doesn't seem to be helping.

Especially when I'm down on the drops, I just want to scream!!!

And you're right, I'm just going to stop being embarassed about this kind of stuff and just go in there and tell it straight up.

Finding that magic saddle/position is such a journey!!!

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Originally Posted by Kathi

I consulted Andy Pruitt, causes of low back pain (if there are no physical problems) are frequently bike fit, specifically too long of a reach to handlebars, it can also be lack of core strength, or leg length inequalities.

I do not like saddles with cutouts and raising my handlebars solved the saddle issue.

However, if the issues are new, it sounds like the problem is bike fit.

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I agree! I'm so afraid of the first case (too long of a reach to handlebars), because I'm not sure what they can do fix that?

I hope it's not core strength as I'm pretty good at building/maintaing that over the summer but who knows...

*sigh* I just want to ride for hours and hours and not hate my bike afterwards....

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Originally Posted by RoadRaven

I'm not sure about the lower back pain... but with the discomfort try lowering the nose a tad.

In general, the nose of a man's seat will be tilted slightly up from the horizontal, and a woman's seat will tilt slightly down from the horizontal.

I would suggest a bike fitting also to try and sort out the back pain...

Good luck

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Thanks RoadRaven. I think the saddle is already tilteded a bit down, I think any more and I'll be sliding off! But yeah, I need to bring it in and just get really specific about my problems.

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Originally Posted by pooks

Interesting -- how do you do that?

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I am not littlegrasshopp, but I can tell you how I keep my tummy from hanging. I recall my pilatesa and yoga training. I make a conscious effort to keep my bellybutton pulled toward my spine and take deep breaths, always mindful of my core and my overall posture.

Everyone is a bit different in their shape and how they are put together.
I had read abou thow women's saddles do well when tilted a bit down at the nose. I set my Brooks up that way- just a BIT tilted down from horizontal.
It was awful for me! I kept having the feeling I was sliding forward and it made me put too much WEIGHT on my hands! I was literally using my hands to keep me from sliding forward- and this was the result of just a TINY bit of downward nose tilt! I readjusted my seat to be perfectly horizontal and the problem was instantly gone and I was comfortable!
Many folks say the more foam and pads and gel on your saddle, the more they become bumps that are pushing back against your tissues when you mash down on them. Again, everyone is different. I am comfortable on my plain leather Brooks with no padding or cutouts or gel pockets.

One thing I notice if I don't keep my abs pulled in is that more weight goes into my hands and I don't sit as strong on the bike. I roll along but am not as in control of the bike - more reactive. I just try to remember how I feel and what it feels like to pull everything in. I'm not talking crunching while riding - just making sure the core muscles are engaged. my torso lengthens and my breathing is easier and my back feels much better with the support!

I don't know if that helps at all. I'm still working on paying attention to my riding possition. I don't road ride - it's all mountain biking so I move around a lot. It's a constant effort to remember!

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Originally Posted by bluerider

*sigh* I just want to ride for hours and hours and not hate my bike afterwards....

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When I got my Serotta last month I planned a nice long ride on it the first day. My fitter told me to "take it easy" and do short rides for a while and allow my body to adjust to the changes.

Andy Pruitt says "most fit systems can get you within 2 cm of the ideal fit and if you're not comfortable keep working at it".

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

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Originally Posted by Kathi

When I got my Serotta last month I planned a nice long ride on it the first day. My fitter told me to "take it easy" and do short rides for a while and allow my body to adjust to the changes.

Andy Pruitt says "most fit systems can get you within 2 cm of the ideal fit and if you're not comfortable keep working at it".

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Thanks Kathi. It's so hard to though! I've been riding really well all summer and with the days getting shorter...I just want to maximize my ride time...

I'm taking her in today and let's hope for a pain-free weekend! :)

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

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Yeah! Happily ever after sounds good...

The weird thing is I've had this saddle before...and it never really gave me problems...so I hope it's the fit and not the saddle...

Most times I appreciate the unique differences of my body, but sometimes that uniqueness takes longer to find the perfect fit!

Bluerider, I understand about wanting to ride distances at this time of year. I got my Serotta 2 weeks before my bike tour (400 miles) in N. Dakota.

I was really concerned because my longest day on the tour was going to be 80 miles and my longest ride this season was only 54 miles and I had a new bike and a hurting knee. Then the bike fitter said don't be so gung ho! :eek:

Anyway, it all worked out.

I'm sorry you're not happy with your new bike as I love mine the more I ride her. She just feels so comfortable and fitted perfectly to me. I didn't think I could get a stock frame to fit me well, that's why I did custom. I'm so glad I did.

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Originally Posted by Kathi

Bluerider, I understand about wanting to ride distances at this time of year. I got my Serotta 2 weeks before my bike tour (400 miles) in N. Dakota.

I was really concerned because my longest day on the tour was going to be 80 miles and my longest ride this season was only 54 miles and I had a new bike and a hurting knee. Then the bike fitter said don't be so gung ho! :eek:

Anyway, it all worked out.

I'm sorry you're not happy with your new bike as I love mine the more I ride her. She just feels so comfortable and fitted perfectly to me. I didn't think I could get a stock frame to fit me well, that's why I did custom. I'm so glad I did.

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Thanks Kathi. I'm glad you finished the tour!!! :)

I went back tonight and the owner was awesome, spent half an hour tweaking the saddle and my positioning and making me ride before I left the store. Apparently the saddle was positioned too forward, essentially scrunching me up so moving it back alleviated the nose off my sensitive bits.

I wish I had the $$$ for a custom but amazingly I've owned two 47cm have fit me very well, plus or minus my saddle woes!!! :)

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Originally Posted by bluerider

I went back tonight and the owner was awesome, spent half an hour tweaking the saddle and my positioning and making me ride before I left the store. Apparently the saddle was positioned too forward, essentially scrunching me up so moving it back alleviated the nose off my sensitive bits.

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You're right that it's quite a journey, and it's not even just the saddle and position. Before my fitting, I had decided that it was a saddle/position/chamois geometry riddle, and I failed math! Let us know after a couple of rides if the adjustments you got did the trick.

Hi everyone,

A brief update on the pains....I rode comfortably for a little while after my last adjustment and now the pains are back...but it's really strange, I've developed saddle sores on my left side only...how does that happen!?!?!?!? :confused:

I have really good shorts and use Chamois Butt'r religiously. I'm a fairly experienced rider. The rest of the bike fit feels great. I feel comfortable, stable, and everything fits okay. How can it only be one side that is creating an issue?

I am planning on changing the saddle from the Selle Italia Lady Gel to a San Marco Glamour Aspide. I find the Lady Gel too wide in the rear and the cutouts only comfy when I find that sweet spot.

I rode 100km last weekend and almost cried when I got off the bike. The distance hurt but it was more the saddle that was pinching that hurt more.

I don't want to go back to the bike shop anymore...I sound like a whiner...

Won't you consider trying a Brooks leather saddle? Look at the saddle threads- the Brooks have more fans than any other saddle. I'm a true believer myself.
My 2 cents: having to sit on all those lumps of gel and foam is probably what's hurting you...

(remembering my one AGONIZINGLY PAINFUL 2 hour ride on a borrowed soft cushy foam so-called "comfort" saddle)

bluerider, if you figure it out let me know!! i only get pains on the left side of my . . . um . . . . nether-regions, too. i also only get foot pains on the bottom of my left foot, but i think that might be that it's the foot that takes all the weight every time i clip out (with my right foot) at a stop. i think maybe that one-leg-shorter-than-the-other phenomenon may be the reason for the saddle sores on only one side, too. don't know how to fix it or how to find out. any ideas out there?

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Won't you consider trying a Brooks leather saddle? Look at the saddle threads- the Brooks have more fans than any other saddle. I'm a true believer myself.
My 2 cents: having to sit on all those lumps of gel and foam is probably what's hurting you...

(remembering my one AGONIZINGLY PAINFUL 2 hour ride on a borrowed soft cushy foam so-called "comfort" saddle)

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Thanks Lisa. My local LBS don't carry Brooks. Can I buy this online? What do you like about the Brooks specifically? Based on a picture and nothing else, they look really padded? I like a stiff saddle and a narrower nose. But it does look like a lot of the ladies here like this saddle!

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Originally Posted by PinkBike

bluerider, if you figure it out let me know!! i only get pains on the left side of my . . . um . . . . nether-regions, too. i also only get foot pains on the bottom of my left foot, but i think that might be that it's the foot that takes all the weight every time i clip out (with my right foot) at a stop. i think maybe that one-leg-shorter-than-the-other phenomenon may be the reason for the saddle sores on only one side, too. don't know how to fix it or how to find out. any ideas out there?

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Thanks PinkBike. I'm glad I'm not suffering through this alone. But it is really strange. I just want it to go away!!! I am left-handed but that shouldn't have anything to do with it!!!

Btw, that book looks like the 2006 2200 Trek WSD? I am a Trek rider myself. :D

its a 2005 trek madone 5.2 (in the red/white/blue usps-type paint job, the "clonestrong"), i had it custom painted

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Originally Posted by PinkBike

its a 2005 trek madone 5.2 (in the red/white/blue usps-type paint job, the "clonestrong"), i had it custom painted

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OMG!!! I love it!!! Sorry, I totally had the wrong bike. But I love it!

Saddle sores/pain on only one side can be caused by a leg-length discrepancy. But I am sure there are many other causes.

Good luck!

Emily

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Saddle sores/pain on only one side can be caused by a leg-length discrepancy. But I am sure there are many other causes.

Good luck!

Emily

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Well, here's something interesting I discovered while fine-tuning the fit of my new B.67S (Brooks) saddle:

You know how the clamp for the seat has ridges for adjusting on both sides? Well, if you get the left and right side adjustments off by one notch, or a half a notch, or somehow just not exactly seated right on both sides, then one side of the saddle ends up a small fraction of an inch higher than the other, and one side can get sore from impingement while the other side is fine.

Ask me how I know. :)

Rebeccah

(of course, a leg length discrepancy can do it, too)

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Originally Posted by bluerider

Thanks Lisa. My local LBS don't carry Brooks. Can I buy this online? What do you like about the Brooks specifically? Based on a picture and nothing else, they look really padded? I like a stiff saddle and a narrower nose. But it does look like a lot of the ladies here like this saddle!

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Au contraire...it is NOT padded, it's heavy leather, and it slowly forms to the shape of your own butt as you break it in. I think the Brooks saddles have more comfortable fans here on the forum than any other type saddle. Read some of this thread, it has all the Brooks saddle info you'll ever need:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=1493