How do you know when to get a new saddle?

[bluerider]

Hi there,

I've been riding on my stock saddle that came with my Trek 1500WSD for 6 months now. I've noticed recently that the nose is really hurting my sensitive areas. More pronounced when riding the dropbars and worse as the ride goes on. Should I look at getting a new saddle? I guess how did you ladies determine when to swop out for a new saddle? I'm planning on taking it into the LSB but I have problems asking the fellas about issues with my sensitive parts without getting embarassed?

[DeniseGoldberg]

Assuming that you've already checked the placement and angle of the saddle...

Yes, you absolutely should replace your saddle if you are having the kind of pain that you describe.

My bikes are all custom, so I chose the saddle in the beginning. But the last time I bought a non-custom bike, I switched the saddle before I even took the bike home. And since the saddle that came with the bike was new, my LBS gave me a credit to apply to a different saddle.

--- Denise

[emily_in_nc]

Yessssss! If your saddle is uncomfortable, and especially if it's getting worse and you're wearing good bike shorts, by all means go saddle shopping. You might want to check the "Favorite Saddles" and "Least Favorite Saddles" threads in this forum for ideas of what to look for and what not to look for. Three I like:

1. Terry Butterfly - my original favorite, a bit wide in the rear for me as I have narrow hips and sitbones, so I had some chafing problems in the rear, but comfy. The ti-railed version is pricy ($110) but very light.

2. Performance Womens Contour - a little heavier but very comfy and CHEAP. Often can be found on sale for $22.99 (reg. price $39.99). Narrower in back than the Butterfly but also has a cutout. I recently replaced Butterflies on my touring and mountain bikes with this saddle and am very happy with it, especially for the price!

3. Selle San Marco Atola Gelaround - firmer than the Butterfly and narrower in back, but with a very comfy diamond-shaped cut-out. Especially comfy nose (with a very thin layer of gel) and in the front. Can take some toughening up of the sitbones to get used to. Racy and hot! I recently replaced the Butterfly on my carbon-fiber go-fast bike with this saddle.

YMMV, of course. Good luck finding a new saddle!

Emily

[bluerider]

Thanks for your feedback Emily and Denise. I may try the seat adjustment/angle first at the LBS. It was fine over the summer and have done a metric century on it. Just recently I've developed this issue. I looked at the selle san marco's with the cutout and am not sure how having a cutout would feel. I guess I won't know unless I bring 'er in. I will plan on taking it in tonight.

Sue

[CorsairMac]

Thanks for your feedback Emily and Denise. I may try the seat adjustment/angle first at the LBS. It was fine over the summer and have done a metric century on it. Just recently I've developed this issue. I looked at the selle san marco's with the cutout and am not sure how having a cutout would feel. I guess I won't know unless I bring 'er in. I will plan on taking it in tonight.

Sue

If it's something that has just developed - could it be your shorts? As in are you wearing shorts that weren't designed for such long hours in the saddle?? I wore Bellweathers from March to about Aug when I started getting saddle sores!! something I had NEVER had and I wore those things for my first 1/2, my first metric and 3 of my centuries. The padding in the shorts had just worn thin coz they were cheaper shorts and weren't designed for that kind of riding. I've switched over to Performance Century Shorts and the saddle sores are all gone!

Just my .02

[Rakekay]

If it's something that has just developed - could it be your shorts? As in are you wearing shorts that weren't designed for such long hours in the saddle?? I wore Bellweathers from March to about Aug when I started getting saddle sores!! something I had NEVER had and I wore those things for my first 1/2, my first metric and 3 of my centuries. The padding in the shorts had just worn thin coz they were cheaper shorts and weren't designed for that kind of riding. I've switched over to Performance Century Shorts and the saddle sores are all gone!

Just my .02

What's your definition of saddle sores? I did my first century last weekend and ended up with horrid practically raw areas on both sides of my outer labia. After three days, the rawness finally went about but not it almost seems to be little bumps, one on each side. Is this just from too much time in the saddle? I've never had the rawness before, but I've had the bumps after long training rides of 60 miles or so. Do I need a different saddle? Or do I just need to "harden" up my private region with more time riding? It's been five days since my century and I haven't felt like I could get back on my bike yet due to the soreness. I'm using the saddle that came with my bike, along with a gel cover on top of it. I'm wonderng if the seam along the side of the gel covering just rubbed me raw after so much time on it during the century. Is it better to skip the gel covering and just get a different saddle?

[CorsairMac]

Saddle sores are like zits. Don't know how else to describe it. They are very painful bumps - I had one that was more like a cyst and hurt, man did they hurt. I used hydrocortizone (sp) creme on them to reduce the swelling. They were caused by the seams of the shorts rubbing right at the join. The pad had worn thin and the seams were fraying I guess since they were just entry-level shorts and never meant for what I was using them for.

Just as a footnote: after every one of my long distance rides - I rode the next day with no "saddle" issues and commuted to work the following Monday. I actually started developing the saddle sores during one of my morning commutes so I had a chance to heal them and get new shorts before my next long ride. Thank Goodness! LOL

I would guess it's either your shorts or your saddle - especially if you're still having issues.

[Rakekay]

I would almost call these callluses rather than "zits." I think I'll just keep trying some new shorts and stick with the saddle I have for now.

[CorsairMac]

I would almost call these callluses rather than "zits." I think I'll just keep trying some new shorts and stick with the saddle I have for now.

Good Luck - let me now how it works for ya.

[bluerider]

Thanks CorsairMac. I think you're onto something there, my shorts have been through a wash pretty much on a daily basis since the beginning of summer and they don't hold up in the chammy area as they once did. I think trying new shorts may hurt me less than looking at a brand new saddle. My current saddle feels awesome in the rear and it's just where the nose is in contact with my sensitive areas that kills me.

Saddle sores sound really painful. I haven't had any...yet...and kudos for you for riding after that experience. I will try new shorts and not go chintzy. Shorts are an investment, right?!?! Right?!?! I must tell myself this as I click "buy" on those PI Microsensors.

[emily_in_nc]

bluerider, you might want to take a look at Performance Ultra shorts. They're a bit less pricy than PIs, and they have great chamois! They do run a bit shorter than some shorts, so might not be your piece of cake, but the chamois is especially comfy in the front. Here's a link if you care to check them out:

Performance Ultra shorts

Good luck and happy (and comfy!) riding,

Emily

[bluerider]

Thanks Emily. They look great and sure are easier on the pocket than the PIs. But as you mentioned the 5.75" inseam is a wee bit too short for me. I started off the season wearing shorter shorts and didn't like the unwelcome attention. I wear the Sugoi Evolutions now which have a 8" inseam which I feel much more comfy in. Thanks for the suggestion!

[CorsairMac]

These are the ones I"m wearing right now - they have the longer inseam, 8 panels and are 8 oz.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1220