My bottom's on fire

[nikkoblu2]

I read some of the other threads to try to prevent a redundant question, but haven't quite come across the problem I'm having.

I'm 45 years old, been riding about 2-3 years - a Trek hybrid - planning on getting a road bike in a couple months. I ride about 40-55 miles at a time 1-2x per week, average 14mph, wear bike shorts (have a couple pairs), ride at the Jersey shore a lot so mostly level terrain with moderate hills (although I love a challenge when I go inland).

Two parts here..

When your girly parts go numb is it a certainty that the saddle is fitted incorrectly or is a certain amount of numbness just an anatomical certainty?

Also, I don't even know how to describe this part of my cheeks. The actual part I sit on. The part you couldn't see looking in the mirror standing up, but could only see if you bent over and looked between your legs. The part the hides under your "cheek fold". Am I drawing a picture? It's on fire! Literally...two pink circles about the size of a small plum on the bottom of each cheek. At about mile 30, my legs still feel good, but my bottom...I can't get comfortable and I'm squirming all over for the next 20 miles. New saddle? Different tilt?

I wear bike shorts and just started using chamois butter to no avail.

[Owlie]

Numbness could mean your saddle is tilted incorrectly, or your saddle is too padded, or you may need a saddle with a cutout. Check the saddle threads over in Gear and Accessories.

The chafing pattern I think you're describing would point to you needing a new saddle as well...that pattern can be caused by a saddle that's too "pear-shaped" for you. For a better explaination than I can provide, check the saddle threads.

[sarahspins]

Numbness could mean your saddle is tilted incorrectly, or your saddle is too padded, or you may need a saddle with a cutout.

Numbness can also be caused by a saddle that is too narrow to support your sit bones, essentially putting all of your weight on your soft tissues. I would definitely suggest having your sit bones measured (by yourself or at a LBS) before saddle shopping.

[Owlie]

Numbness can also be caused by a saddle that is too narrow to support your sit bones, essentially putting all of your weight on your soft tissues. I would definitely suggest having your sit bones measured (by yourself or at a LBS) before saddle shopping.

How'd I forget that one?! D'oh!

[nikkoblu2]

Sarahspins...love your "boobie" quote...I walked the Avon NY walk last year...awesome experience! Anyway, measure my sit bones? I'm guessing if I search this site I'll find how to do that?

[OakLeaf]

What they said. Not only is numbness unnecessary, it can be a precursor to permanent nerve damage, so NEVER tolerate it.

[sundial]

...been riding about 2-3 years - a Trek hybrid....

Are you riding on the original stock Trek saddle? Trek saddles are notoriously uncomfie and the foam has a lifespan of 2-3 years. Also, are you getting sores where the back of the thigh meets the bum? If so, you may need to look for a narrower saddle like a T shaped saddle vs. a pear shaped saddle.

[nikkoblu2]

Sundial...great questions you ask! Yes, I'm using the original stock seat. I bought this bike in 2008 and it was an 'o7 leftover.

You nailed the spot...right in the crease. I even checked to make sure the seams of the bike shorts (where the padding connects to the shorts) wasn't causing it. It's not.

And the saddle, I never would have thought to go narrower. I'm "J-Lo-esque" as my DH likes to say. About a size 10 with 40" hips. I would have never thought to go smaller.

[nikkoblu2]

Thanks, Muirenn! Guess I'll be making Play-Doh tonight. When you described, "measure the inside of one circle to the inside of the other circle" it became crystal clear that this discomfort is exactly on my sit bones. So much so that after I ride if I bend over and take a peek at what's so sore, I've got bright pink circles on the bottom of my bottom.

[Catrin]

Thanks, Muirenn! Guess I'll be making Play-Doh tonight. When you described, "measure the inside of one circle to the inside of the other circle" it became crystal clear that this discomfort is exactly on my sit bones. So much so that after I ride if I bend over and take a peek at what's so sore, I've got bright pink circles on the bottom of my bottom.

I just used the play-doh method last week and it worked well. I hope you are able to solve the problem quickly, it does NOT sound like fun

[KnottedYet]

Sundial...great questions you ask! Yes, I'm using the original stock seat. I bought this bike in 2008 and it was an 'o7 leftover.

You nailed the spot...right in the crease. I even checked to make sure the seams of the bike shorts (where the padding connects to the shorts) wasn't causing it. It's not.

And the saddle, I never would have thought to go narrower. I'm "J-Lo-esque" as my DH likes to say. About a size 10 with 40" hips. I would have never thought to go smaller.

It's not a narrower saddle that decreases that chafing pattern, it's a narrower transition zone from sit to nose.

Sit width (back of the saddle) is all about your sit bone width
Transition width (pear or T) is all about the chafing
Nose width is all about pelvic tilt and rami angle.

Here's a picture of a relativly pear shaped saddle next to a relatively T shaped saddle. http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showp...8&postcount=27