Hubby is mad that I won't ride......

[bouncybouncy]

NOW...before you get discouraged or overwhelmed (like I did) take the time to search saddle threads and read a few...here is a recent one on girly parts and all

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=saddle

One of our local shops lets you lease saddles (they have a basket full of them) you can try out and get an idea of what you like. Maybe you have a shop in your area that does the same.

...and keep reading here!!! These gals are full of knowledge and always there when you need them regardless of the topic!!!! Lean on TE...we will keep you upright!!!

[GLC1968]

How is it that your hubby can post on this forum but yet not immediately get that cycling for women is different than it is for men?? If he did the research necessary to find and purchase your bike, you'd think he'd have gotten at least a small clue that female anatomy affects bike set up and comfort??!!

I agree with others that reading the saddle threads on this forum and going to your LBS (probably without him in tow) is your best bet. It is possible to find a saddle that will work for YOU...so don't get discouraged! Good luck!!

[mimitabby]

Don't worry too much about downhills yet, let's get the saddle issues taken care of first. As you ride more; you'll get braver on the downhills.

Get thee to a bike shop!

[MM_QFC!]

I agree w/Mimi: head to your LBS, preferably alone, so as to learn for yourself what you need for yourself. No slight intended to your DH, but this is one um area that the default figuring should have you being the expert; his experience and input really aren't valid for your needs here and it's too important to allow anyone else but yourself to determine what's best!

[Kalidurga]

I'll second Zen's suggestion. Maybe find some women to ride with until you've gained more experience. That way, know-it-all hubby might see you making the effort to get into cycling, and you'll be in a less intimidating atmosphere in which to ask questions and learn.

[gnat23]

It wasn't until I got the proper saddle that I realized that I could ride my bike *and* have sex (not at the same time, of course, silly). I mean, that I didn't have to decide between enjoying one or the other.

I'm usually don't advocate withholding sex from a significant other to get what you want, but you probably have a pretty good case in order to get the proper saddle for this one. If it hoits, it hoits. And that's that.

-- gnat!

[Wahine]

Gnat beat me to it. I am firmly against with holding sex (mostly because I would suffer more) but I have used that line when justifying a new saddle purchase or fit adjustment. And not because I'm being manipulative but because I simply could not tolerate sex because of chaffing and pain. One thing I can say for sure is that he stops bugging me about spending money on a saddle when I bring the topic up.

[Grog]

I feel your pain (not literally thankfully!!).

Just because your husband knows-it-all doesn't mean that he can fit your bike properly for you. Obviously the bike is NOT properly fitted because you are resting your weight on your soft tissue instead of your sitbones. It's normal to have some soreness on the sitbones when you start riding. It's NOT normal to have numb genitals.

Your saddle could be perfectly fine, but too far back on the bike, or your stem is too long, causing you to stretch too much and rest your weight on your anatomical soft spot.

I would suggest going to a bike shop you trust - on your own, unless your husband can really just be quiet, even in his non-verbal language - and getting yourself fitted, and getting your sitbones on a saddle of the right width. Perhaps your current saddle will be just fine once it's properly located on the bike. Perhaps not, and then you get to shop for a new one.

If you're not fitted properly, you can switch saddles all you want, you may never be comfortable, and never enjoy riding.

Good luck. It shouldn't hurt like that and good for you for trying to get it fixed.