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'd try tilting your saddle down about 1/16 to 1/8 inch or so. Just a bit to ease off the pressure.
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 testNow if the thunderstorms will just stay away...
Last edited by Catrin; 06-19-2010 at 03:06 PM.
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.
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
'09 Trek WSD 2.1 with a Brooks B-68 saddle
'11 Trek WSD Madone 5.2 with Brooks B-17
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.
When you move your hands around the handlebars, you shift your weight.
Just a thought about why the pain might be intermittent.
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
'09 Trek WSD 2.1 with a Brooks B-68 saddle
'11 Trek WSD Madone 5.2 with Brooks B-17