I Hurt Here . . More Saddle Questions

[SadieKate]

First of all, the ischial tuberosities need some training if you haven't been on the bike in awhile. It will feel like bruising. The first few days after a long period off the saddle can be painful but it should go away if you are riding frequently and regularly. If not, wrong saddle. This is the only place on your butt where that bruised feeling doesn't necessarily mean "wrong saddle."

The pain in Zone 4C I would describe as a saddle that is either too narrow and/or not flat. If you crouch down behind the saddle, is the surface flat or does it slope from a crown? Obviously, I don't know which is causing your pain but when you choose a new saddle you'll want to consider this shape as well as the width.

I, myself, describe this as a feeling of a hatchet head forcing my pelvis wider and wider in an attempt to split it in two.

Padding can cause its own problems. It collapses and chafes or puts pressure in the wrong areas. I personally like an Avocet Air 02 40 because it is very wide and flat in the back and then has a very sharp transition (t-shape) to a very narrow nose. Very little padding and a nice anatomic channel to take pressure off the genitals.