New Saddle Break-In Time?

[KkAllez]

I guess it is just about trial and error here, it's just frustrating when something likes this prevents me from getting out and ride.
Thanks for the tips.
Asa G.

Oh Asa, it is so much T&E, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another, but don't give up! Eventually you'll get it all right...then you'll want a new bike and get to start over! I have a 25 mile test...it after 25 miles things are still not right it ain't ever gonna be right. And sometimes it takes the next day to know if it is going to work. Where am I sore? What feels off? But trust me, eventually, it will all come together.

[RoadRaven]

IMHO it should not take 100 miles to "break in" a seat.

Women have several types of pelvis' hence the several different styles of bike seats.

Find a woman in a LBS, or a man with a female partner who cycles, and get a female perspective and assistance and get a new saddle.

Get the LBS to "fit" the seat with you sitting on it - so that the seat is far enough forward or back for your length and reach.

Once you have a seat on and ready to go, you may still need to play a bit with it - if your girly bits are still feeling squished despite the "love channel" (LOL, that is what the cut out bit in my seat was marketed as) then drop the nose a tad. By a tad, I mean a mm or two... just a tiny bit at a time...

As for saddle sores, bruising, chafing and all of that... there are a couple of threads here... maybe someone could add a post with links to it? My connection takes a long time to load each page so I prefer not to do too much hunting...

If its mostly bruising, I recommend arnica in the form of pillules or liquid dropd you take internally (arnica is brilliant for bruising and shock, but should never be applied to open wounds). Arnica is also brilliant for sore muscles or bumps and bruises... (massage oil or cream).

If its chaffing or infections, wash as soon as you get home, use a chamois butter or sports cream, never wear shorts twice in a row without washing them... as I said, lots of suggestions in a couple of other threads.

[Etincelle]

Hi,

I have a new bike with a new saddle and I have feel some pain... even after more than 150km... The position on my new bike is different (the handlebars being a lot lower)... I have a feeling that I am sitting (and putting more weight) on my soft tissue.. than my sit bones...

Any suggestions for adjustment?

Thanks!

[RoadRaven]

I suggest what I suggested in the post before yours, Etincelle, and stress it particularly more so if your handlebars are low-ish

After dropping mine a month or so ago, it was a given that I had to drop the nose of my saddle a fraction too (not much but a little makes a huge difference)

Good luck with it

[Etincelle]

Thanks. I will try this tomorrow morning and keep you posted. I know that when I got my new bike and I had the fit done, the guy said that he was adjusting the saddle 2mm leaning behind for women. Maybe this is the source of my problem.

Looking forward to ride with this adjustment!

I suggest what I suggested in the post before yours, Etincelle, and stress it particularly more so if your handlebars are low-ish

After dropping mine a month or so ago, it was a given that I had to drop the nose of my saddle a fraction too (not much but a little makes a huge difference)

Good luck with it

[RoadRaven]

Just move it a fraction - perhaps 2mm, and try it out

The danger is you lower the nose too much, or too much too soon, and you feel like you will slide down and off the front!

Just softly softly and see if helps

Trust it works for you... everyone is so individual it can take alot of fiddling about to make your own bike fit you well...