New saddle issues... when to see a doctor?

[Blue_Fedora]

Sadly I tried out a new saddle on a 58.5 mile ride this past Saturday. Lesson Learned!!! The pain was pretty bad the last 20 miles but the last 7 or 8 had me ready to cry. No matter how I adjusted, the girly-bits were all smooshed up - even after re-arranging and tucking many times. I was in a tremendous amount of pain that day but now 48 hrs later I'm still numb on one side. While I have experienced saddle pain from the girly-bits being smooshed (hence my search for a new saddle) this is the first time I've been left numb from the experience. I'm wondering how long this might last... and... at what point do you actually go and see a doctor about it?

Any help/feedback is appreciated (oh, btw, I'm now looking at demo-ing a Selle SMP Avant saddle in hopes it will be a winner!).

ETA: The saddle was a Terry Damselfly

[Biciclista]

I'd give it a couple days. Make an appointment today for later in the week with an option for canceling if you get better in a few days?
that sounds like some saddle. what kind was it?!

[Blue_Fedora]

I'd give it a couple days. Make an appointment today for later in the week with an option for canceling if you get better in a few days?
that sounds like some saddle. what kind was it?!

It was a Terry Damselfly I had really high hopes for it but drats it's not "the one". I should've included that info when I wrote it but I've now updated the original post in case anyone else was interested.

[KnottedYet]

Blue, post up your measurements and preferences. There is a wealth of experience with saddles floating around on this board and someone here can probably recommend a saddle or two to try.

Give us:
1. Your outside ischial tuberosity span
2. You center-to-center span
3. The results of your "cut out" test
4. Whether you prefer pear or T saddles


About the nerve damage; please call your doctor today. It's been 2 days since injury and you're still numb, that's not good. If your own doc can't see you today, maybe someone else can? At this point, the concern is to treat the damage if possible so that it doesn't become permanent. Don't be surprised if you are prescribed some meds. The doc may also need to do what feels like a pelvic to be sure you haven't damaged any other neural branches.

And, of course, you need to ride a saddle that fits you better so it doesn't happen again.

[Zen]

2. Your center-to-center span

I need enlightenment on this one, please.

[DarcyInOregon]

When I was going through the process of getting my perfect saddle back in 2007 the Terry Damselfly was one I tried. I made it one mile down the road and the pain was so tremendous I turned around and went back. I shipped up that saddle and sent it back to Terry. I ended up with a Selle An-Atomica, which is the saddle that gives me perfect bliss for long rides.

[Miranda]

The Terry Damselfly is the skinny one. That would never work with my sitz bones. I'd be riding my pubic bone no matter what.

My Terry saddle that I *love* is the Tri Gel version.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/saddles...tri-gel-saddle

It is wider than the Damselfly. And has a bit of gel to provide more cushion for long rides. As well as imo the more expensive leather cover gives the saddle a different feel, vs. the cheaper cromoly tri gel version.

Things bigger than the saddle to consider are: does your bike fit you? if your bike fits... is the fit itself dialed into you?

The best saddle in the world can quickly become the worst if these two above things are not true.

SO been there, done that... feel for you... good luck!

[Blue_Fedora]

Hi Miranda,
Yes, the bike fits... had a professional fitting at a very reputable LBS where they made lots of adjustments. I just bought it about 4 weeks ago... the regular tech did the initial fitting at the time and the store owner did the "pro-level" fitting about 3 weeks later once I had my new pedals & shoes.

The stock saddle (Selle San Marco) wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world but it was certainly bearable. Doing a half-century on it didn't induce anywhere near even 25% of the pain of the Damselfly.

I found a LBS near my office that has Selle SMP testers so I'll be heading there tomorrow afterwork. I'm also intrigued by the Selle An-Atomica after doing a bit of reading up on it.

I know the measurement of my sit-bones but the center-to-center span that KnottedYet mentions? Not even sure what that means let alone how to measure it! LOL!

[KnottedYet]

sorry I was vague!

The ischial tuberosities are about 1-1.5 cm wide. The outside measurement is from the outside of one to the outside of the other. That span helps you figure out how wide the overall saddle must be (add some wiggle room for shifting around for cornering and such, like 1-2cm each side)

Center to center is the weightbearing part of the tuberosity, like the contact point, where you put the most pressure on the saddle. This is what you get if you sit on a butt-o-meter. Your c-to-c should match the saddle cheeks c-to-c, your contact points should match the engineered contact points of the saddle. (in the center of the domed portions of a Serfas Niva, for example, rather than missing the dome and hitting on the slope, thereby causing the padded dome to mash up into the soft tissues) C-to-C may only matter for saddles with topographically interesting top surfaces, not so much for flat or unpadded top surfaces where there isn't doming and grooving and cut-outs.

[Blue_Fedora]

Just wanted to update this thread. I ended up buying a Selle SMP saddle a few days ago. My first ride was a few times around the block just to get a feel for it. It felt good!

DH (who has never complained about his stock saddle) was so intrigued by the design of the SMP that the next morning he took my bike out to give the saddle a try. He ended up liking it so much that he ordered a Selle SMP for himself! He said he never realized how good a saddle could feel until he rode a different one

I have my first metric-century coming up next weekend so this morning I thought I'd do a short 10 miler to see if that short distance still felt ok. It felt SO ok that I did 28 miles and only cut it short because I was riding solo and needed to go potty!

The Selle SMP saddle rocks my world! I felt no pain at all, just pressure on the sit bones which I figure is normal given that it's a new saddle and a new-to-me saddle. For once I could actually ride while thinking about something other than my crotch!LOL! LOL! LOL!

I've learned so much from this forum - thanks everyone Oh and btw, after a full week I think the numbness in my crotch is starting to subside.