Saddle Discomfort and Lady Bits

[indysteel]

I'll echo what everyone else has said. I prefer a cutout too. I don't know if my girly bits are especially large; I've never done a side-by-side comparison with anyone else!

Bike fit, seat angle, handlebar height, chamoise, etc. make a difference. I prefer the Sugoi RS shorts for whatever reason. The chamois works for me. Also keep in mind that saddles--like just about everything else on a bike--need to be replaced periodically. Saddles with cutouts break down even faster. I only got about a year out of my first Terry, which is consisent with what others have reported. Depending on how much and how hard you ride and the conditions you ride in, you may need to replace the saddle more or less often.

[Crankin]

I had the same issue a couple of years ago when I got a new bike and the geometry of my position changed. In fact, when I went for my annual exam, the dr. said I had "lesions"she couldn't figure out from what. I knew immediately! I bought the Terry Falcon X also, and I have had no issues since.

[equus123]

I might think about trying the Falcon X. It's the same company and general size with the saddle I currently use. I would just be afraid going with another company altogether.

I'll update everybody once I get the new saddle. Thank you!

[SlowButSteady]

Mmm. I'm shopping for new shorts now. I'm pretty restricted in what I can buy because I'm an XL (Misses size 16 to 18).

I've been using Terry shorts but current pair "bunches up" to the left of the midline. Last couple of times that I rode--it didn't hurt when I was on the bike, but when I got off, for about 24 to 36 hours afterwards, it burned when I urinated and when I bathed. It only burns on the left side. Hence, I've been thinking it's the shorts, but the bike is new, saddle is new. I've been in for one fit adjustment and possibly need another, though I'm not able to ride enough right now to tell.

I have chamois buttr but haven't been using it on shorter rides (under an hour-hour and a half). I guess I need to use it regardless of ride length.

My friend who is a a consistent winner/age group placer in marathons, half-marathons and triathlons agrees and we both understand how/why someone would consider something as radical as labia reduction surgery. I imagine this is a "normal" anatomical variation and more common than we ever thought about.

The older we get, the further down all of it hangs!!!

Good luck finding a saddle that's comfy.

[RoadRaven]

SbS... there is alot of discussion here about whether women should wear male or female specific shorts.

I am guessing I am a similar size to you (I weigh 99kg and am 5'10") and all my shorts are mens design.

They fit, they don't bunch and they last well. They could be an option if you haven't tried them out.

[Pax]

SbS... there is alot of discussion here about whether women should wear male or female specific shorts.

I am guessing I am a similar size to you (I weigh 99kg and am 5'10") and all my shorts are mens design.

They fit, they don't bunch and they last well. They could be an option if you haven't tried them out.

I wear mens shorts as well and usually buy the inexpensive ones with minimal padding. Seems the more padding there is the more it wads up and rubs.

[RoadRaven]

Yeah... same as you too Queen - the thicker the pad the more difficult it is for me to get comfy - though I do want a bit of padding

For me, getting the seat at the right angle, the right tilt and the right ammount forward/back on the post is perhaps more important now I am understanding more about how I fit on a bike (only taken me nearly two years of racing to finally realise this is what works for me!)

[linkbeak]

I having started using the ReSkin product after I read about it in this thread. It really does the trick for me. They are expensive but worth it for me. They now have some distributors here in the US -- I was able to get the distributor here in Portland, OR to ship to me direct.

Linkbeak

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Wow Joyce, this is your second post here in.... five and a half years on TE?
What a chatterbox!

[corey]

I'm right there with you! I have tried to express to my husband how uncomfortable I am with my saddle (it's the one that came with my bike) but he doesn't think I could possibly have it as bad as he does w/ HIS anatomy. (Apparently, riding on tiny little seats with the twig & berries crammed into skintight pants isn't so comfy for the men, either.)

Personally, riding on my stock saddle has given me SO much pain that I haven't gone riding in over 4 years. I kind of became hopeless. I started out with NO knowledge of proper cycling gear and I am ashamed that I gave up so easily... but riding just HURT! (I'll spare you the details!)

I'm now educating myself about the multitude of options that I actually have as far as making myself more comfortable while riding.

Needless to say, the first thing on my shopping list (well, besides KNICKERS) will be a new saddle.

I'm so glad this thread was posted & that it has so many responses that are helpful. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has experienced discomfort with her 'lady bits'!

[rowboatgirl]

Thanks guys! I guess it's off to get a new saddle before my century in September! And the "how to measure your girly bits" advice is AWESOME! I wasn't quite sure how to go about that whole process!

Oh and I'm riding a Giant FCR 2 W...I know it's not a super fast, awesome road bike, but it's a start and I'm going to ride it as hard and fast as possible until I can afford an upgrade!

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I know from experience that you gotta take care of what you sit on. I always thought a chamois was so important well now I'm finding out that all it does for me now is sand the bits and they aren't really happy about that at all. I got a kidney infection from poor hydration and just being sloppy about hydration and hygeine (okay I fell asleep and didn't shower after) so I'm on the bench. I'm one of those women that if I don't urinate and rinse after sex, bike riding and swimming I'm sure to get either a UTI or a kidney infection if I ignore it. But for me, the big change I'm finding is riding with just normal shorts that are tight, such as a pair of Russell athletic shorts. Try it if you keep getting the bits sanded, you might not need the chamois at all. Now for mtn biking, I'm fine with a chamois, it's just when I ride on the road I can't take the chamois. I have a Terry Butterfly on my mtn bike and the stock saddle on my commuter bike. I'm switching the butterfly back and forth now as well because well, that stock saddle is not nice. It's really crazy how the cutout makes such a difference!

[SuperTiff]

Hi all, I'm new here!

For what it's worth, I had a similar problem with the non cut-out saddles - after 2 hours or so, everything just goes numb - butt, nether regions, and it started to creep down my leg. I found relief with the Specialized Toupe saddle. It has a cutout and looks like the world's skinniest, skimpiest saddle, but the way the whole shell of the saddle flexes, it's incredible and solved my numbness issues....definitely worth a shot!

[Ramdoride]

I'm new to forum and joined specifically because of the sore girly parts. Last year did the Southern Tier trip with WomanTours and was in the saddle for 50/58 days. For almost all of those days (like many of my fellow travelers) I had saddle pain. I tried switching saddles (went to Serfas) mid-tour and it was no better. When I returned home, I tried Terry Butterfly, and had even more pain. Switched to Selle Italia and rode out the season with it, satisfied. This past weekend, rode three days, a couple of them hard and had to pitifully ride into parking lot. Post-ride, I hurt so bad my husband could see it in my face. AARGH. I fear that my Selle Italia is not the saddle for consecutive, hard ride days. I am thinking of trying the Terry Falcon X, as my sitbones are 140 cm. I am not a racer by any means and have been professionally fitted by my bicycle shop (and am comfortable in every other area on my Serotta bicycle).

Has anyone tried the Falcon? Thoughts? other suggestions?

[kadoozie]

I once asked a very close (male) friend of mine who is an ex-racer, "why dont women enter the really big bike races very much?"

Of course, he didn't have an educated reply like "because nobody makes the perfect saddle yet" lol, but instead something about "women dont have the same endurance/leg power/ blah blah blah..."

anyway, I wanted to contribute my saddle experience so far, I can use non-cut-out saddles at all, so bought a Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow and after a few adjustments, it's finally working for me

...now to deal with the chamois issues....