Saddle, shorts or lube?

[jenniferh]

I have the 2010, but I actually got the men's version. The WSD were sold out and I liked it the best of all teh wother WSD bikes I tried.

It sounds like I need to get smaller shorts and some creme. Then I'll get used to the bike and then see about a new saddle. The LBS said I should give it about 20-30 miles to get used to the bike and then tweak the fit I already have.

[OakLeaf]

Does your saddle fit you? Start there. A new saddle - even very slightly different - can completely change the way you sit on a bike, so I don't see any point to getting fitted until you've got a saddle you can ride on for a few thousand miles.

[jenniferh]

I was fitted on the bike already - seat position, height, reach etc - and at the bike shop it all felt great. Of course, I was wearing the extra layer of underwear thinking I might not keep the shorts. Took the underwear off today and within 30 min I have chaffing. The seat itself feels comfortable. My sit bones are nicely supported. There is some pressure on the front, but I'll probably end up switching to cut-outs, but I need to figure out this chafing first.

[KnottedYet]

The men's stock Bontrager saddle is not famous for being fabulous.

If a saddle fits, you can wear just about anything and ride for 20 minutes. You could even ride naked.

Before you start spending money, get into a pair of regular ol' shorts (like you wear out hiking) and regular ol' underwear and ride for 20 minutes.

Does it feel better than the 20 minutes you rode earlier? If yes, the problem is the shorts.

If it feels worse, the problem could well be the saddle (no longer masked by the chamois)

Riding 20 minutes off and on using a trainer stand and getting a fitting is a completely different animal than riding your bike outside for 20 minutes. Don't use that in your data.

Tingling and burning and numbness are usually symptoms of nerve compression. If you already feel pressure at the front, and you're also getting nerve compression signs along the pudendal nerve distribution that persist after you get off the bike.... well, that's a problem. Most likely a weightbearing problem.

What is your outside-to-outside ischial tuberosity span? Is the men's saddle you're using at least a cm or two wider than that? What is your center-to-center span? Are the centers of the saddle cheeks the same span? Is the saddle the typical pear contour of most men's saddles? It could well be causing you to gradually move forward onto the narrower portion of the saddle as you ride, if you really need something more T shaped.

Whatever you are sitting on, if it is a too-narrow saddle or a too-narrow portion of a pear saddle, will cause you distress if it's making you weightbear on your pelvic floor or roll forward onto the pubic rami.

[malkin]

Can you try the saddle from your old bike on your new bike?

The change in geometry might make it not-the-perfect-saddle, but it could give you a little more information about what is happening.

[KnottedYet]

Can you try the saddle from your old bike on your new bike?

The change in geometry might make it not-the-perfect-saddle, but it could give you a little more information about what is happening.

Yeah, try that, too! There are a lot of things you can look at *before* you start spending money.

[tctrek]

If your Trek has one of those padded Bontrager saddles, I would bet money that is at least one of your issues. But too much leaning on your hands and pain between your shoulder blades could also be bike fit... I'm no fitting expert, but you shouldn't have that much discomfort on a 20 minute ride.

I have 2 Treks and even the Bontrager saddle on my Madone was a "gotta go". Pretty white saddle, but no way could I ride on it.