Saddle pain - is this normal for a new rider?

[Flur]

After I ride I have soreness on the inside edge of my sitbones, and then inside and forward on the pelvic girdle along the bone. When I start a ride I'm sensitive in these areas b/c they are tender from previous rides, but once I get going I don't really have any noticeable pain (if I think about it I notice the soreness but it's not enough that my attention is repeatedly called to it). Both my sitbones are on the saddle. I don't have any sores, chafing or bruising. Is this normal for a new rider and I just need to condition my butt more to the saddle, or do I need to try a new saddle? I'm riding a Specialized Ariel 143mm and it has a nice cutout that I really like.

[KnottedYet]

I'm guessing your saddle is too narrow, no wiggle room and the bones aren't completely supported.

Stress to the pelvic floor leads to pain at the boney attachments, and pain on the "insides" of the sit bones.

Do what you want, but keep in mind that the saddle might not be wide enough for your riding style. (I assume you already did the measurements, and your saddle is wider than your sit bone outer span by a couple cms, and so is adequate for your anatomy.)

[Flur]

So I've decided to go with a wider saddle (155mm) but to stay with Specialized as the cutout is perfect for me. I'm trying to decide between the Jett (performance line, lighter padding) and the Lithia (enthusiast line, gel padding). I'm leaning towards the Jett b/c I think it will support my sit bones better, but I'm worried that there won't be enough padding for long rides. I'm averaging 12 miles/ride right now, but I'm working towards riding a century. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Thanks in advance

[ninerfan]

I have the Specialized Jett and recently completed my first century. My sit bones did start to get sore around the 70 mile mark, but I figure it was simply a function of sitting in the saddle for so long. It wasn't a soreness that made it difficult to ride and I would happily ride another century on my Jett.

The Jett certainly does have less padding so for me, at least initially, I kind of had to train my seat bones to get used to it. That, and a good pair of shorts!

Good luck!

[OakLeaf]

I have the Lithia. I could do with a little less padding up front, but I don't feel it has too much padding under the sit bones. The longest ride I've done on it is 105 (each day, two days back to back) - no sitbone trouble, a little minimal soft tissue pressure/rubbing. It was beautiful for my 64 today. I'm sticking with this saddle for now, but when it's due for replacement I'll probably get a Jett.

Flur, how soon do you plan to do your first century? Might it be possible for you to start with a Lithia and then "graduate" to a Jett as you get more miles and your butt gets tougher?

[Flur]

I'm not doing the century until next year, most likely, so starting with the Lithia sounds like a good idea. Although yesterday I had no pain with the Ariel, so I may keep it after all - we'll see how today goes...

[mayanorange]

Hi guys,

Hoping to piggyback on this with a couple questions. I've been a mtn biker since jr. high but haven't been riding much the last couple years- no good trails around here. There are some nice road rides and hubby and I were thinking about the MS150 next year, so we went out and got road bikes. I have been out on it enough to realize I needed to adjust the handlebar position (bad wrist wasn't happy), but I'm having issues finding a saddle. Previous mtn bikes had low end saddles- I think my Jamis Xcountry that I did many miles of crashing around the CA mtns on had a Velo plush something and I only got front end numbness after a really long ride, but nothing that didn't go away by the next day.

I've tried 4 saddles so far- SSM Glamour aspide, Specialized ruby 143, Specialized Jett 155, and WTB Speed She. I'm starting to think I'm a total wuss. Aspide after a ~3-4mi and Ruby after ~5-7mi (I need a computer!) had my sitbones hurting for 3 days afterward. I realize there should be some butt break-in time, but it's hard to build up muscle if I can't stand the saddle after 3 miles. I borrowed a trainer and tried the Jett and WTB and the Jett was too hard still in back and maybe the cutout was wrong- felt like I was sitting on 2 bars of steel. WTB padding level was tons better (butt was still unsure after the Ruby torture and a reminder from Jett) but it's a short length saddle and I felt like I was not supported enough. I did the specialized butt-o-meter somewhat unsuccessfully and they estimated me at 130mm, also had my husband palpate (biologists are handy) and measure and he said 145-150mm. 155mm seems to be ok, but maybe I need wider. Hoping for suggestions before I drive the LBSs too crazy. I was going to try the Dolce but the LBS guy insisted I try Jett.

Thanks!

[OakLeaf]

I was going to try the Dolce but the LBS guy insisted I try Jett.

WTF? Because the Jett is $105 and the Dolce is $53??? Or maybe he just didn't have a Dolce in stock and wanted to foist off on you what he did have?

If you were having that much sitbone pain you definitely want something with a little more padding! At least to give you a chance to toughen up!

Personally - I would find the Dolce too squishy for me, but I have a friend who rides upwards of 7,000 miles a year on her Dolce and LOVES it. She just buys a new one every year since they're so inexpensive.

If you like the general shape and cutout of the Specialized saddles, definitely try one of their softer ones to begin with!


ETA: if you were on your sitbones with the narrower saddles, and not putting your weight on the soft tissue, then those are probably plenty wide for you.

[mayanorange]

It wasn't a stock problem- I had the dolce in my hands and was trying to checkout with it, but he insisted I couldn't possibly want something that squishy. I guess I'm trying to find a saddle that's squishy under my sit bones but not too squishy up front. The 143 Ruby felt fine width wise and the 155 Jett honestly looked to be almost the same width as that one, and the WTB is the same width out back. The Dolce is only 155 and looks huge, but I guess I'm just going to continue swapping them out til I find one that works.

[sundial]

Try it! It flexes with each pedal stroke. One bike shop mechanic rode the MS 150 with it and said it was the best Specialized saddle yet produced. But then everyone is built differently too.

[redrhodie]

I rode my old Dolce saddle until it ripped apart. It was pretty comfy for a stock saddle. It's been a while since I had it, but I don't remember having any discomfort from it.