Pains when riding

[mimitabby]

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

[bluerider]

you might need to get a different saddle. When I got my tandem
the seat on it was a woman's seat with a cut out. I knew that no amount of riding was EVER going to improve that agony. I went through 3 other saddles before (including a Terry butterfly) before i said the heck with the cut outs
i want a BROOKS!
and lived happily ever after.

Yeah! Happily ever after sounds good...

The weird thing is I've had this saddle before...and it never really gave me problems...so I hope it's the fit and not the saddle...

Most times I appreciate the unique differences of my body, but sometimes that uniqueness takes longer to find the perfect fit!

[Kathi]

Bluerider, I understand about wanting to ride distances at this time of year. I got my Serotta 2 weeks before my bike tour (400 miles) in N. Dakota.

I was really concerned because my longest day on the tour was going to be 80 miles and my longest ride this season was only 54 miles and I had a new bike and a hurting knee. Then the bike fitter said don't be so gung ho!

Anyway, it all worked out.

I'm sorry you're not happy with your new bike as I love mine the more I ride her. She just feels so comfortable and fitted perfectly to me. I didn't think I could get a stock frame to fit me well, that's why I did custom. I'm so glad I did.

[bluerider]

Bluerider, I understand about wanting to ride distances at this time of year. I got my Serotta 2 weeks before my bike tour (400 miles) in N. Dakota.

I was really concerned because my longest day on the tour was going to be 80 miles and my longest ride this season was only 54 miles and I had a new bike and a hurting knee. Then the bike fitter said don't be so gung ho!

Anyway, it all worked out.

I'm sorry you're not happy with your new bike as I love mine the more I ride her. She just feels so comfortable and fitted perfectly to me. I didn't think I could get a stock frame to fit me well, that's why I did custom. I'm so glad I did.

Thanks Kathi. I'm glad you finished the tour!!!

I went back tonight and the owner was awesome, spent half an hour tweaking the saddle and my positioning and making me ride before I left the store. Apparently the saddle was positioned too forward, essentially scrunching me up so moving it back alleviated the nose off my sensitive bits.

I wish I had the $$$ for a custom but amazingly I've owned two 47cm have fit me very well, plus or minus my saddle woes!!!

[Kalidurga]

I went back tonight and the owner was awesome, spent half an hour tweaking the saddle and my positioning and making me ride before I left the store. Apparently the saddle was positioned too forward, essentially scrunching me up so moving it back alleviated the nose off my sensitive bits.

You're right that it's quite a journey, and it's not even just the saddle and position. Before my fitting, I had decided that it was a saddle/position/chamois geometry riddle, and I failed math! Let us know after a couple of rides if the adjustments you got did the trick.

[bluerider]

Hi everyone,

A brief update on the pains....I rode comfortably for a little while after my last adjustment and now the pains are back...but it's really strange, I've developed saddle sores on my left side only...how does that happen!?!?!?!?

I have really good shorts and use Chamois Butt'r religiously. I'm a fairly experienced rider. The rest of the bike fit feels great. I feel comfortable, stable, and everything fits okay. How can it only be one side that is creating an issue?

I am planning on changing the saddle from the Selle Italia Lady Gel to a San Marco Glamour Aspide. I find the Lady Gel too wide in the rear and the cutouts only comfy when I find that sweet spot.

I rode 100km last weekend and almost cried when I got off the bike. The distance hurt but it was more the saddle that was pinching that hurt more.

I don't want to go back to the bike shop anymore...I sound like a whiner...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Won't you consider trying a Brooks leather saddle? Look at the saddle threads- the Brooks have more fans than any other saddle. I'm a true believer myself.
My 2 cents: having to sit on all those lumps of gel and foam is probably what's hurting you...

(remembering my one AGONIZINGLY PAINFUL 2 hour ride on a borrowed soft cushy foam so-called "comfort" saddle)