Tell me the truth about pain

[WrensMom]

Is it inevitable? Or are there any of you out there that truthfully do not experience any pain (crotch) when riding?

Here's my story:
Back several years ago, I was wrestling with the decision to buy either a new regular bicycle (like possibly a Terry) or a recumbent, because I was in constant pain with my current ride, despite trying a variety of saddles. I ended up buying the recumbent, because I just wasn't convinced that a regular bike could be comfortable, and if I was going to spend the cash, I wanted it to work for me. I do love my recumbent, but I still feel that there are times when a conventional bicycle would be preferable, for some reasons (visibility, manuverability). I am thinking that I would like to have a conventional bike for commuting and riding around in the city, and keep the recumbent for touring. Also, I have been off all bikes for several years now (for no really good reason, and several silly reasons) and am getting back into it now.

So, is it a matter of trying more saddles? (there is always another one) I did an online fit kit type thing at wrenchscience.com, and it told me that the conventional bike I have is not bad. I just want to know if my expectations are too high, and if I need to learn to accept ouchiness "down there" as part of the deal.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Is it inevitable? ... I just want to know if my expectations are too high, and if I need to learn to accept ouchiness "down there" as part of the deal.

No your expectations are not too high!
It's a combination of the right saddle and the right saddle placement. Unfortunately - as you already know - the right saddle for me may not be the right saddle for you. Have you looked at any of the discussions in the Favorite Saddles topic (scroll down, it may not be showing when you enter the forums)? There is quite a bit of good information (and experiences) there.

--- Denise

[Bad JuJu]

No! Riding your bike should not be a painful experience. In fact, if you're going to tour, you need to be able to be comfy in the saddle for miles and miles.

Do you have an LBS you trust? Some of them will let you "borrow" a saddle and exchange it if it doesn't work for you. Also, talk to someone there about your bike fit--ask if they'll put your bike on a trainer and check your position. Then you can talk with them about changing components to fine-tune: handlebars, stem, saddle, offset seatpost, pedals, etc. I like the wrenchscience.com site too, but it's no substitute for discussing your bike fit with someone face-to-face.

Hey, get back on your bike and have fun!

[mimitabby]

Is it inevitable? Or are there any of you out there that truthfully do not experience any pain (crotch) when riding?


So, is it a matter of trying more saddles? (there is always another one) I did an online fit kit type thing at wrenchscience.com, and it told me that the conventional bike I have is not bad. I just want to know if my expectations are too high, and if I need to learn to accept ouchiness "down there" as part of the deal.

I can't imagine what an online fit kit can do to show you that your saddle is at fault!
However, go to Wallbike.com and check out their brooks pages. Just read what the other riders are saying about their experiences with their saddles. Wallbike has a 6 months return policy.. And they are friendly too.

[WrensMom]

Thank you for your responses ! I was reading some more stuff about bicycle fit and pain, and it does seem to indicate that the saddle is the most likely culprit. I was reading some stuff about measuring the distance between the sit bones, and choosing a saddle which is wide enough to support them appropriately. Based on how it feels when I ride with my current setup, my guess is that my saddle is too narrow, thus not supporting my sit bones at all, so I end up riding on my pubic bone--ouch !

Mimitabby--sorry, I didn't mean that the online fit kit had anything to say about saddles--I just meant that according to it, the rest of the geometry looks pretty ok. That Wallbike outfit sounds cool--can't argue much with a 6 month return policy

I am heading off to read in the Favorite Saddles part of the board now.

Thanks again, I really love these boards already. So many helpful and friendly female bikers

[Nanci]

My advice is don't buy a big squooshy poofy saddle, or a big gel seat cover. Anything you sink into, while maybe more comfie at first glance, will put pressure on your girlie bits.

Nanci

[mimitabby]

My advice is don't buy a big squooshy poofy saddle, or a big gel seat cover. Anything you sink into, while maybe more comfie at first glance, will put pressure on your girlie bits.

Nanci

I agree with Nanci.

Whereever you are sitting right now, do you notice your crotch hurting? if not
it's probably because the chair; soft or hard is supporting your sitting bones, which keeps your delicate parts UP OFF the chair.
m

[Kano]

OOOH! OOOH! What Nanci and Mimitabby said!

I'm new too, Wren, and had pain questions of my own the other day. My new bike (a "comfort bike," which in many ways IS very comfortable and is going a long way toward getting me hooked!) came with a big squooshy "seat," and it sure didn't take long for me to decide that was a horrible thing! It won't necessarily be girlie bits and sit bones hurting from a big squooshy -- at least in my experience! My next saddle was on my old bike, had a fairly significant amount of padding, but still lots less squooshy than the original. When I finally put it on this bike RIGHT, I discovered that it hurt the girlie bits, and wondered how I could have been content with it last year. (yup, I'm going to graduate from that hard knocks school someday!)

Right now, Wren, I'm trying a Specialized Dolce saddle. MUCH firmer and flatter than either of the two I've had on the bike so far, but I can tell it's a definite improvement, even if at some point I decide it's not quite right. I've got to admit, this is a bit of a surprise!

(I think it makes my bike go faster too! Maybe Earl SHOULD keep his big squooshy , so I can keep up with him! )

Karen in Boise

[li10up]

How long did you ride before deciding to switch to a bent? IMO you should expect to hurt a bit when first starting to ride. But after about 4 rides it shouldn't really bother you anymore. After that if you are still having pain then something is definately wrong! But pain at first is normal while your body adjusts to sitting on a saddle. I read somewhere - I think it was Bicycling magazine that many times when women start out they are sore, think it is the saddles fault and by a bigger saddle. They said that the wider saddle can be the cause of the problem. Sometimes a wider saddle is needed but sometimes a period of adjustment is all that is needed.

[WrensMom]

How long did you ride before deciding to switch to a bent?

Alas, I toughed it out for 8-9 years with a $300 Giant MTB with slicks before I got the 'bent

Also, TsPoet, there's nothing wrong with the 'bent. I love that pic of the high racer you posted. Mine is a '98 Haluzak Leprechaun. The reason I am still looking into a comfortable upright is just I just like both kinds of bikes, really, and would like to have a wedgie that fits and is fun to ride also.

Speaking of which, while I was cruising around the web in search of fit and comfort answers, I ran across these Bikes of Great Beauty called Rivendells. Has anyone seen these? They look really sweet, and their retroness (is that a word) really has some appeal as well. They appear to have been designed with comfort and practicality foremost. Actually, those saddles that Mimi mentioned would go great with them, too

[snapdragen]

Speaking of which, while I was cruising around the web in search of fit and comfort answers, I ran across these Bikes of Great Beauty called Rivendells. Has anyone seen these? They look really sweet, and their retroness (is that a word) really has some appeal as well. They appear to have been designed with comfort and practicality foremost. Actually, those saddles that Mimi mentioned would go great with them, too

Yes, we have some Riv girls here. Veronica is currenty touring on Fluffy. jobob has a small stable with Pokey and Dusty, in addition to hubby's Waldo and the Blue bike.

Yes, they are lovely Bikes of Great Beauty!

[emily_in_nc]

Is it inevitable? Or are there any of you out there that truthfully do not experience any pain (crotch) when riding?

Pain is entirely unnecessary! I could relate to your story because I always, always had crotch pain during and after riding on upright bikes back in the days before saddles with cutouts. I finally said "enough", and my husband and I traded in our upright tandem for a recumbent tandem. We later bought single recumbents (Easy Racers Toureasys). But I quickly became frustrated because whenever I tried to ride with anyone else, I'd whiz by them on the descents only to get left in the dust on the climbs. The bike was comfortable in many ways (to the neck, shoulders, hands, and yes, the girlie bits), but I developed tailbone pain, which was just as bad as anything I'd experienced on an upright bike, just shifted back a few inches!

I finally realized that since my bike weighed 38 lbs. and I weighed 105, I was never going to be able to keep up with my peers on hills, so I decided to give upright bikes another try. I bought a 21-lb. Terry Isis with a Butterfly saddle, and after the first few rides (where everyone will experience sitbone pain as that area "toughens up") I experienced absolutely NO pain in the nether regions. I rode my first century on this bike, and while other parts of me hurt, my crotch never did. And in 2004 I went on to do a nine-day, 565-mile tour (averaging close to 63 miles a day) on a Bike Friday Pocket Crusoe (and Butterfly saddle) without crotch pain.

So to answer your question, once you have a well-fitting bike, the proper position on it, and an appropriate saddle for your anatomy, you should no longer have pain in the girlie bits from riding an upright bike.

And I am not knocking recumbents; if I had had a light-weight one, I might still be riding it. But I'm really happy with upright bikes now and the recumbents have all been sold.

Hope this helps!
Emily

[pyxichick]

Seat angle makes a huge difference. I had mine adjusted so it was level rather than slightly up at the front, and the pain went away. After a few rides, the pain returned, and my boyfriend looked at my saddle one day and said "your saddle shifted back." He was right. When I moved it back to level, it was comfortable again. I probably wouldn't have noticed by looking at it, so now I use a level to make sure it's where it should be.

[Geonz]

You've gotten some good advice... I just want to add that my crotch doesn't hurt from riding my diamond frame - I did a 48 miles today, though there were a couple of breaks, and that was without cycling shorts. (Of course, that might just mean I have no nerve endings... 'cept I know that's not true either ) However, that is true of my steel bike, and not really true of the aljuminum one...but it's my butt that hurts on that one.
The wrong saddle does bug me ... but the right bike, saddle and fit should mean no pain.

[WrensMom]

Thank you for your replies! I am really feeling encouraged now. I have been out bike shopping for a new upright bike (I have another thread about that). So far I have found a couple that might be ok, but I am still looking for "the one". I plan on riding some more this weekend.

Emily--your story sounds quite similar to mine, even the tailbone pain. The tailbone started acting up after the birth of my daughter, and while it is less painful than the crotch pain, it's not fun either. I still really like my 'bent though, and I don't plan on selling it, at least not yet. Your success with uprights gives me hope!