Soreness

[leulamax]

I am tempted to look at the bike shorts you're wearing.

Are they the right size? They should be fitting, which probably means smaller than what you'd spontaneously buy. You have to get the smallest shorts you can fit yourself into, hence keep the chamois in its place. A properly fitting bike short should prevent pinching.

Also, a common cause of vaginal issues on the bike is not squeeky clean shorts. They have to be washed after every single ride, no matter what, especially if you are prone to infections. Some wear underwear under their shorts and wear the same shorts a few times, but if you're anywhere near prone to infections, I'd avoid doing that (both the underwear and the wear-again).

I'm also not sure what you mean by "internal". Chamois Butt'r and the like are certainly not meant to be worn INSIDE your vagina, but they can be spread on your vulva area.

Good luck!!

This is interesting that you say this. I have a pair of tri-shorts that don't seem to cause as much irritation, but I always thought that I just didn't ride as hard.
However, should a new saddle prevent the bruising type feeling?
Thanks!

[leulamax]

Tucker - I do have a Bontrager saddle. I am going to put a Specialized saddle on the bike and see what happens.
Thanks for all your help everyone!

[KnottedYet]

You shouldn't feel bruised or injured by your saddle, whether it's on a road bike, hybrid, mountain, unicycle, WHATEVER.

Put your old saddle on the new bike, and just see how it feels. Wear your favorite shorts and see if that makes it even better.

It's a place to start.

Then come back and tell us how it goes. We've all been through the what saddle/what shorts/what lube/what placement fandango, and we're full of ideas!

[Kano]

The saddle that made my bottom happy on my "hybrid" comfort bike was a bummer on my road bike -- the sit position is so very different...

I am doing pretty well with my Specialized Ariel that's a bit narrower than the saddle that I had on my old bike -- so far, anyway, and as long as I wear the thinner chamois. Oh, and the smaller ones rather than the ones that my measurements and the ones on the sizing charts say should fit!

Karen in Boise