Adjusting to Saddle issues

[LizF]

I've been working with my LBS to find a comfortable saddle. I've been reading the posts here (very helpful!). The LBS has been switching them around for me & I'm on about my 3rd or 4th saddle. Other salient facts: road biking, newish to the sport, starting to "up my game" & am currently working on increasing speed as a recreational rider.

Biggest problem is hiking my butt back to avoid labial bruising. Minor problem some light numbness after riding that resolves itself overnight. Most recent is a men's specialized gel toupe, 143, which is the best yet, but....

So here's my question: How much scooting around, re-arranging my butt, dealing with minor numbness & bruising is to be expected? My seat bones have toughened up quite considerably & they tolerate this saddle fairly well.

Hubbie says scooching around is to be expected. LBS says keep trying. What do y'all say?

[mimitabby]

if you're moving around this much, i wonder if the saddle is in the right place.

If you're bruised already it will take a while, but when you have a saddle you like, it's instantly better, bruises and all.

[tulip]

If your natural position is more forward than your saddle's setup, I'd move the saddle forward. The saddle should support your sitbones where they are; you shouldn't have to move your sitbones in order for the saddle to support them.

I don't scooch, and I have no problems. When I'm on my bike, it's very comfortable. Have you had a professional fitting on the bike?

[OakLeaf]

Sometimes a different stem can really change the way you sit on a saddle, too.

I wouldn't expect bruising or a lot of moving around once you've gotten used to a saddle. I'd be particularly concerned about the numbness. You don't want to permanently damage nerves down there!

How many miles do you have on your current saddle? How many miles on your road bike this year (roughly)?

[LizF]

Yes, I've had the bike fitted at the LBS. They say that if I move the saddle forward, my knee won't be lined up with pedal correctly. They use a plumb line to measure this. Tipping the nose down does solve the problem with the soft bits, but puts a lot of strain on wrists & shoulder (which has some lingering tendonitis).

The scooching is to take pressure off of the girlly bits.

I've put about 8-900 miles on the bike this year. I've tried each saddle for at least 100 miles over 2-3 rides (Minimum).

[tulip]

Sounds like perhaps our toptube/stem combo is too long. As Oak suggested, have you looked into a shorter stem? This problem may involve more than the saddle. There's no need to be uncomfortable. The bike shop folks, bless their hearts, may not be aware of the level of discomfort. Otherwise, they would obviously help you get the right fit. And of course, they wouldn''t have sold you a bike that is too big just because they had it on the floor...

[koala]

If you're scooting back on the saddle, the simple answer is that your front parts do not like that particular cut-out. The rest of what you described confirms that diagnosis, so when you ride you end up trying to get away from it.

If you like the Toupe, why not try the Ruby in the 143? You seem to like the rest of that saddle, just not the men's cut-out. The women's cut-out is quite different. It is an hour glass shape, which might give you plenty of relief in that area & eliminate the bruising.