Saddle - inconsistent discomfort

[KnottedYet]

I'm going to take a wild guess and speculate it's your core strength. You start getting tired, your lower back sags in, your pelvis tilts forward, and your soft tissues pay the price. Sometimes you can rearrange yourself and be okay afterwards. Other times you're just too tired.

Does that sound right?

that would be my guess, too. Saddles don't magically fit, then magically not fit, then moments later magically fit again. But posture/core can be good, then bad, then moments later good again.

[Catrin]

that would be my guess, too. Saddles don't magically fit, then magically not fit, then moments later magically fit again. But posture/core can be good, then bad, then moments later good again.

Thanks for your take on this. My last two rides was uncomfortable the entire time - but from what others have said from their experience I probably need to start using lubrication - I have not done that prior to yesterday.

My girly bits are sore today - my labia to be specific... however the cream I used tingled a LOT, so it could be that rather than my saddle, depending on what might be in the cream.

Tomorrow I have a Traffic Skills 101 class, and if there is a chance I will ask the instructor about my posture to see if I am missing something here. I need to get this worked out sooner rather than later, thanks to all!

[withm]

I'd try tilting your saddle down about 1/16 to 1/8 inch or so. Just a bit to ease off the pressure.

[Catrin]

I'd try tilting your saddle down about 1/16 to 1/8 inch or so. Just a bit to ease off the pressure.

I will try this - I have a 30 mile ride planned Sunday so hope this helps I also have a bike traffic skills class all day tomorrow and am going flask the instructor if he sees anything wrong with my riding position.

[Catrin]

I had problems loosening the bolt on my saddle, so visited my fitter after my Traffic Skills class this afternoon (much less riding because of the class but there was still noticeable discomfort). After discussing the problem, I am going to see what it is like after he altered the tilt just a hair (between .5 and 1 degree). He said this might cause more hand problems because of weight distribution, but it is worth the experiment. If it doesn't help I may test another kind of saddle - we will see. I am hoping this works though.

My 30 miles tomorrow will be a good test Now if the thunderstorms will just stay away...

[TrekTheKaty]

Catrin,
Are you moving your hands around while you ride? I started having problems at the end of last year, and then I realized I was riding with my hands more forward on the hoods than I used to. I had to tweak the nose down a hair to compensate. Of course, this didn't feel right this spring when my core was weak from the winter, but I built back into it.

[Catrin]

Catrin,
Are you moving your hands around while you ride? I started having problems at the end of last year, and then I realized I was riding with my hands more forward on the hoods than I used to. I had to tweak the nose down a hair to compensate. Of course, this didn't feel right this spring when my core was weak from the winter, but I built back into it.

Yes, though more the right hand than the left. I am signaling with my left, drinking from my camelbak and so forth. I do shift the right hand on the bars - and of course I now have riser bars instead of road bars.

[Catrin]

Update from my ride this afternoon after the saddle adjustment yesterday. I was quite aware of my girly bits for the entire ride, however it didn't start to approach painful until the last 2 miles. It is possible that last bit was a core issue, it was HOT and I was getting tired.

I am wondering if I simply need a cut-out saddle. I did try Knots test before getting the Brooks and though I had passed it... My Trek's Bontrager saddle has a cut-out, and frankly I've not had any problems with it - but 20 miles is the furthest I have ridden that bike.

So I guess more experimentation is needed - I did use lube today and that may have helped during those first 21 miles... I just can't afford another saddle right now so am hoping that I can make this work enough that I can deal with it until I can.

[TrekTheKaty]

When you move your hands around the handlebars, you shift your weight.

Just a thought about why the pain might be intermittent.

[Catrin]

When you move your hands around the handlebars, you shift your weight.

Just a thought about why the pain might be intermittent.

Hmmm, as the discomfort increases I am shifting around on the saddle more frequently. I know that the liner of the shorts I wore today is a little more loose than it once was, it has the blue PI chamois. I imagine that it is possible that it is getting a little large for me that the chamois could be getting a little bunched up and making matters worse as I scoot around on the saddle?

I AM thankful that I got further today than the other day - the slight tilt change of the saddle was helpful I think. I may consider asking him to tilt it a little further - but I don't want to go too far...

Will also try an remember to be conscious of my body position in case this is a core strength issue as well as some have suggested. If that is the root of the problem, then it won't matter what saddle I have on my bike for the problem will remain.