noseless saddles and the quest for comfort?

[WolfGirl]

Well, so today I did 11 miles or so (5.5+ each way) on the Brooks B68. The lady bits feel pretty good, actually; some smushing while riding but not bad. (I'm not riding in bike shorts; don't have any that fit at present.) The sitbones are pretty sore, however. I'm hoping that as it breaks in (and I toughen up?) this will go away some...right? Or is this an indication that this isn't the seat for me?

[blackhillsbiker]

The first week or so was pretty painful on my sitbones. It was much easier to take than the pain and numbness from cutout saddles I had been experiencing. I did break down and find some bike shorts I liked to finish breaking in the saddle. After that, though, I almost never ride that bike in bike shorts. The sitbones toughened up, the saddle dented in the right places, and all was right with the world. I really do love that saddle.

Deb

[WolfGirl]

Oh, I'm so glad to hear that! I ordered some shorts, but they won't be here for a while. Hope my butt holds out until then.

[WolfGirl]

So yesterday I did over 30 miles, which (while I know it's not huge) was the longest single-day total for me so far! I'm thinking the Brooks saddle is going to work out for me just fine; my lady bits aren't numb or sore after, and my sitbones are even doing pretty well. I did have some chafing in the butt-cheek area (between the butt and thigh) by the end, but I think that has to do with the yoga pants getting folded in there. It's weird with the Brooks; I started out wearing shorts over the yoga pants in order to provide extra padding for the sitbones, but took them off a mile down the road; the extra padding is actually LESS comfortable, especially in the crotch area.

Now I just need to investigate the chafing threads...I'm thinking I need to buy some proper bike shorts that DON'T have extra padding. The quest continues...but my butt is pretty happy!

[nscrbug]

The hard chair test is actually not a very accurate test for me. My butt and thighs provide enough padding that I can't find any angle on a hard chair that hurts the same way a saddle does. Weird, huh?

I have the same exact problem. I cannot replicate the pain, while sitting on a chair...but put a saddle underneath me, and it's a totally different story.

[KnottedYet]

I have the same exact problem. I cannot replicate the pain, while sitting on a chair...but put a saddle underneath me, and it's a totally different story.

As I've said before, it's not going to replicate the pain. But it will feel uncomfortable and smushed.

If sitting on a hard bench with your elbows resting on your knees is uncomfortable, then you know you should probably get a cut out.

Nothing will replicate the pain. But I can hold my hand over a fire and know it's uncomfortable, without having to bury my hands in the glowing coals to be sure.