Embarassing Saddle Issues...

[roadwrider]

I support everything alimey said, and this:

... really padded shorts don't help as they just take up space in the cutout...

... has been a curiosity of mine for awhile. I keep looking for shorts that also use the cutout philosophy. Not literally, of course, (c'mon, admit it, some of you went there) but where the girly-bits area is thin with little or no padding. My un-design engineer mind thinks that would help airflow too.

Thoughts?

[KnottedYet]

If you don't need padding there, why put padding there?

If you put a big padded chamois into a short to protect the 'taint, yet then cut out the chunk under the 'taint because it's too thick... what's the point of the chamois in the first place?

Remember, a chamois was originally simply that: a piece of chamois leather sewn over the area of the knitted shorts where all the seams met. It was there to protect your skin from rough seams, not to protect your tush from a poorly fitted saddle.

If someone tells me they are having trouble with padded shorts, I strongly suggest they stop wearing padded shorts. They look at me like I'm a nut! But seriously, why wear padded shorts if they are uncomfortable? It is possible to go without the padding. The world won't stop turning if you buck the current fashion trend.

I find I'm happiest in unpadded UnderArmour compression shorts on an unpadded saddle. Medium length (50 miles or so) rides are so much more comfortable this way. I haven't ridden a long ride since I gave up on the padded shorts, so I can't give any data on that.

Sometimes, simpler is better.

[Kathi]

Sounds like you have some guys who are doing your bike fit, hopefully they are knowledgable, so the setup should be correct.

How much air are you, or they, putting in your tires? I love my Specialized Ruby saddle and have had no issue until today. I just had my bike tuned and the shop put on new tires. I forgot to tell them I run 100 PSI in my tires. I don't know what they pumped them to but by the end of 30 miles I was miserable, my sit bones were killing me, and I was hating my saddle, plus, I was feeling every bump in the road. We stopped at REI, where they have a pump on hand, and I took the air down to 100 PSI. I couldn't believe the difference. The last 32 miles of the ride were heaven.

The manufacturer of my tires recommends 100 PSI for a 100 lb rider. If you're a lightweight you may need less air than the guys recommend. Experiment with what feel good to you.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Sounds like you have some guys who are doing your bike fit, hopefully they are knowledgable, so the setup should be correct.

How much air are you, or they, putting in your tires? I love my Specialized Ruby saddle and have had no issue until today. I just had my bike tuned and the shop put on new tires. I forgot to tell them I run 100 PSI in my tires. I don't know what they pumped them to but by the end of 30 miles I was miserable, my sit bones were killing me, and I was hating my saddle, plus, I was feeling every bump in the road. We stopped at REI, where they have a pump on hand, and I took the air down to 100 PSI. I couldn't believe the difference. The last 32 miles of the ride were heaven.

The manufacturer of my tires recommends 100 PSI for a 100 lb rider. If you're a lightweight you may need less air than the guys recommend. Experiment with what feel good to you.

Kathi, that's interesting. I currently pump my tires to 100 or 110 PSI. I weigh somewhere in the range of 94 to 97lbs. But if I were to lower my tires pressure, wouldn't it put me at higher risk for flats?

I had the same problem again this morning and realized that I felt a little dry there and the fleece was really rubbing and chafing while I pedaled. Maybe I should throw in a dab of KY jelly there in addition to a new saddle...

[Kathi]

Kathi, that's interesting. I currently pump my tires to 100 or 110 PSI. I weigh somewhere in the range of 94 to 97lbs. But if I were to lower my tires pressure, wouldn't it put me at higher risk for flats?

I had the same problem again this morning and realized that I felt a little dry there and the fleece was really rubbing and chafing while I pedaled. Maybe I should throw in a dab of KY jelly there in addition to a new saddle...

Nope, you don't have enough weight and too much air will toss you around more. Actually, I thought the same thing as you, but I tried it and couldn't believe the difference. I've been running 100 psi about 4 yrs without issue even on city streets. I also do this on my mtn bike, have ridden 30-35 psi with no problems. I weigh 105 so you might be able to go lower. Experiment and see.

Handlebar height can also contribute to this problem. My very well thought of male bike fitter missed the fact that I have short arms. No matter what saddle I tried I was miserable without tilting the nose down. Consulted a different fitter and it turned out my handlebars were 4cm too low for me.

[Kathi]

Nope, you don't have enough weight and too much air will toss you around more. Actually, I thought the same thing as you, but I tried it and couldn't believe the difference. I've been running 100 psi about 4 yrs without issue even on city streets. I also do this on my mtn bike, have ridden 30-35 psi with no problems. I weigh 105 so you might be able to go lower. Experiment and see.

Handlebar height can also contribute to this problem. My very well thought of male bike fitter missed the fact that I have short arms. No matter what saddle I tried I was miserable without tilting the nose down. Consulted a different fitter and it turned out my handlebars were 4cm too low for me.

I just checked the package for my tires, Michelin Pro3 race and it for a rider below 110 lbs the recommened bar is 6 or a psi of 87. Hmmm, guess I'll try going lower, too.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Kathi, wow, I'm going to have to try that. If anything, it'll save the useless 'ladies friendly' floor pump the bike shop sold my dad from being violently dismantled and thrown out.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Medium length (50 miles or so) rides are so much more comfortable this way. I haven't ridden a long ride since I gave up on the padded shorts, so I can't give any data on that.

50 miles is a 'medium length' ride ?

hmm...50 miles pretty much takes me 6 hours, or most of the day.