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.