Adjusting to Saddle issues

[LizF]

Yes, I've had the bike fitted at the LBS. They say that if I move the saddle forward, my knee won't be lined up with pedal correctly. They use a plumb line to measure this. Tipping the nose down does solve the problem with the soft bits, but puts a lot of strain on wrists & shoulder (which has some lingering tendonitis).

The scooching is to take pressure off of the girlly bits.

I've put about 8-900 miles on the bike this year. I've tried each saddle for at least 100 miles over 2-3 rides (Minimum).

[tulip]

Sounds like perhaps our toptube/stem combo is too long. As Oak suggested, have you looked into a shorter stem? This problem may involve more than the saddle. There's no need to be uncomfortable. The bike shop folks, bless their hearts, may not be aware of the level of discomfort. Otherwise, they would obviously help you get the right fit. And of course, they wouldn''t have sold you a bike that is too big just because they had it on the floor...

[LizF]

I have tried a shorter stem. (Sorry still working on what all the bike parts are). The man at the bike store is suggesting a bigger angled stem, putting me in a more upright position. This concerns me somewhat because when I am working hard, I have a tendency to lean farther forward. Bad technique? But that certainly won't fix the problem.

The woman at the bike store (actually she's a purchasor that occassionally works the floor) says to keep working at finding a seat I like.

My husband says a little discomfort is to be expected.

[redlights]

I scootch around a bit, usually re-adusting after tucking for descents, and I scootch a lot when I have aerobars on. Some scootch is to be expected but not constant scootching.

You shouldn't have to be constantly aware of your saddle.

[chicago]

I scootch around a bit, usually re-adusting after tucking for descents, and I scootch a lot when I have aerobars on. Some scootch is to be expected but not constant scootching.

You shouldn't have to be constantly aware of your saddle.

x2 could haven't said it better myself

[LizF]

Thanks for all the hints & encouragement. I THINK I've found a saddle that will work. It's pretty comfortable, even when it wasn't adjusted properly (I'm trying to learn to do my own work) or when I was wearing the shorts that don't quite fit right. Rode for about 45 miles today & everything is feeling pretty good. You guys were a big help!

[suzbyrd]

I've had my share of saddle issues. Can't tell you the number of saddles, but they include the terry falcon, the performance women's contour (old style and new style), wmb, etc. I really like the specialized jett model but because of the way the rails were, it put me too far from the handle bars with me sitting on it properly. I have been fitted at the LBS and got a new seat post so I could sit more "forward" with the seat to get closer to handle bars, but the jett was just too far back. OK, so the soft tissue rubbing was only on the right side or in the middle and the conclusion I came to was a couple of things: first, the cutout has to be pretty far forward and, second, the nose has to be tilted a little off center to the left. (this is caused by a hip bone out of alighnment). What I ended up with is a selle smp strike seat. The width on the back is not as wide as I like, but the relief from rubbing on soft tissue is immense. I cannot tell you the difference! Finally I can ride without much pain or rubbing. It is so much more fun to go out and ride knowing I won't be raw when I'm done! I haven't even had to use any kind of lube.

[mimitabby]

Thanks for all the hints & encouragement. I THINK I've found a saddle that will work. It's pretty comfortable, even when it wasn't adjusted properly (I'm trying to learn to do my own work) or when I was wearing the shorts that don't quite fit right. Rode for about 45 miles today & everything is feeling pretty good. You guys were a big help!

what is it? (just curious) glad we could help.

[RoadRaven]

I scootch around a bit, usually re-adusting after tucking for descents, and I scootch a lot when I have aerobars on. Some scootch is to be expected but not constant scootching.

You shouldn't have to be constantly aware of your saddle.

OK... I love this post - all the scootchy talk

But seriously, I am kind've similar to Red... except for the aerobar scootching - I don't move for the duration of a timetrial, and as little as possible when training on my aeros. Consequently I have numb bits when I do sit up.

As for actual scootching, like the others have posted, mainly when there has been a change in position - eg, after a downhill, after standing and then trying to get "arranged" when I sit again...

Once seated, you shouldn't be scootching lots
Best of luck finding a good combination of saddle and shorts

[Torrilin]

My husband says a little discomfort is to be expected.

He's right, and I'm not sure he's communicating what he means well *g*.

They've done studies comparing how men and women respond to the standard instructions for hip replacement pain. Women tend to reach a *much* higher level of impairment before the surgery and tend to devalue the pain they feel. It's common for them to reach the point of the bone starting to *die* before they get the surgery. Men hear the standard instructions as "when I have a hard time leaving the house, I should get surgery". Women often wait til leaving the house is a great effort.

So yes, some discomfort is normal. Bruising, numbness, sores... those are *not* normal. If it hurts enough that you notice it easily, it's not ok. Usually doctors would class "some discomfort" as in the 1-3 range on a standard pain scale. If you're above a 3, give yourself time to heal and keep looking for an appropriate fit.

A week or two off the bike should let your body heal. Then it will be easier to tell what hurts.

[sundial]

Did you have your sitbones measured? Many bike shops have a Butt-O-Meter.

[LizF]

Got the sitbones measured.

[GLC1968]

You know, I have similar problems on my bike. Once my sit bones are used to riding, the only place I ever have issues is on the soft tissue. I do move around on the saddle quite a bit. It's never distracted from my riding and most of the time, I don't notice I'm doing it. I don't get numbness though...that would worry me.

The one thing that reallly helped me was core strengthening. Next time you are riding, get into position where your butt bones are where they belong on the saddle. Now without moving anything else, contract your abs (pull them toward your spine). Does that lift the soft tissue away from the saddle? For me, it does...instantly. When I've been remiss about my core strength, my saddle discomfort is worse. Not sure if this is your issue or not, but it may help. If you are already a Pilates instructor with a super strong core, forget I said anything!

I would also keep working on the saddle. Have you tried a cut out?

You definitely don't want to tip the saddle forward if its increasing pressure on the hands (I had that, too). I have a seat post with the ability to adjust the tilt without increments (it doesn't have grooves, it has two tension screws). This allowed me to find the exact best spot for front tilt where it gives me as much front relief as possible before increasing the weight on my hands. That might be a possiblity for you if you feel like the saddle is the best you can find.

Good luck with it!!