More attention being given to saddles issues for women

[Owlie]

LW, do you suppose there's a chamois butter that would help...perhaps something with tea tree oil? That would be awful. I am thankful that I've not had saddle sores of that variety. Owie.

I've been reading more about swayback. This site suggests it's often caused by sitting a lot, but it's definitely genetic in my case...my mom, brother, sister, and son all are shaped like that (and I wish my kid sat more...he's so freaking ADHD, heh). My mom and sister and I all have tilted uterus issues and endometriosis, as well. There are a couple of good graphics that make sense of my crotch issues:

Are you sure you're not me? In my case, I think it's caused by weak back/core muscles. I can consciously return the arch to normal, but I have to work to keep it there, and it's been getting better since I started doing yoga on a semi-regular basis. I wonder if that's part of the reason for my current saddle woes...

[Wahine]

The article is silly at best. You've all articulated the reasons why. I particularly like that the lady in the photo is not fit well to her bike at all and is riding on the nose of the saddle.

I really wish I could figure out a way to make a flow chart to help women find the right type of saddle for them. I also wish that I would get paid to design women's saddles and have them actually go to production without being completely altered by the powers that be in the name of marketing.

Thanks to Kathi and Zoom-zoom for some great links on posture. It is a vital component of riding. I frequently get riders in for a bike fitting that turns into a postural training and pedaling efficiency session instead. This is useful information.

[Trek420]

I really wish I could figure out a way to make a flow chart to help women find the right type of saddle for them.

I think you and Knott should make the ap that runs women through a saddle/fit checklist and recommends the right saddle. Then go buy an island to retire on.

[Wahine]

I think you and Knott should make the ap that runs women through a saddle/fit checklist and recommends the right saddle. Then go buy an island to retire on.

Wouldn't that be nice. Maybe you should start shopping for an island. We won't have time since we'll be working on the app.

[Trek420]

Wouldn't that be nice. Maybe you should start shopping for an island. We won't have time since we'll be working on the app.

Ok. Will do.

[zoom-zoom]

Are you sure you're not me? In my case, I think it's caused by weak back/core muscles. I can consciously return the arch to normal, but I have to work to keep it there, and it's been getting better since I started doing yoga on a semi-regular basis. I wonder if that's part of the reason for my current saddle woes...

I can't straighten that area of my back, at all. Not even when I was doing yoga and tons of core work on a regular basis. When I lay on the floor I can't pull my lower back to touch the floor at all, not even with my knees up.

[limewave]

I can't straighten that area of my back, at all. Not even when I was doing yoga and tons of core work on a regular basis. When I lay on the floor I can't pull my lower back to touch the floor at all, not even with my knees up.

I have that issue too! I've been practicing standing against a wall and attempting to slowly arch my lower back against it. I cannot believe how much I have to strain!

[OakLeaf]

I'm the opposite, and honestly I always thought too much sitting (combined with too much gym emphasis on the abs and not enough on the back) caused the lumbar curve to flatten or even reverse. After all, when you're seated normally, the pelvis tilts backwards. My lumbar spine was pretty much rigid and vertical before my PT this summer. I can finally get into cobra with my pubic bone on the ground, yay! but it's going to be a while, if ever, before I can keep my ASIS on the ground.

I think part of it is related to having no waist, and probably pelvic anatomy as well. When my pelvis is as neutral as I can get it, I appear to be in extreme swayback. I don't think I could ever sit in a chair in the "tripod" you describe. I just tried it on a bar stool - so, hard flat surface and knees below hips - and forcing my pelvis as far into anterior tilt as I possibly could (straining as hard with my low back muscles as you seem to have been against the wall), I can still get a finger easily between my pubic bone and the seat.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm the opposite, and honestly I always thought too much sitting (combined with too much gym emphasis on the abs and not enough on the back) caused the lumbar curve to flatten or even reverse. After all, when you're seated normally, the pelvis tilts backwards. My lumbar spine was pretty much rigid and vertical before my PT this summer. I can finally get into cobra with my pubic bone on the ground, yay! but it's going to be a while, if ever, before I can keep my ASIS on the ground.

I think part of it is related to having no waist, and probably pelvic anatomy as well. When my pelvis is as neutral as I can get it, I appear to be in extreme swayback. I don't think I could ever sit in a chair in the "tripod" you describe. I just tried it on a bar stool - so, hard flat surface and knees below hips - and forcing my pelvis as far into anterior tilt as I possibly could (straining as hard with my low back muscles as you seem to have been against the wall), I can still get a finger easily between my pubic bone and the seat.

Hmm...and I definitely have a very well-defined waist. I can't wear jerseys with elastic bottoms or compression shirts, since the bottoms always ride-up to my waist and leave my lower belly hangin' out.


I can't imagine sitting upright on a stool and not having my pelvic bone pressing into the seat surface. Wow, a finger's clearance?! I've never really been prone to sore sit bones on a bike...probably because my weight's not resting on them as much as would be ideal.

[OakLeaf]

I definitely have a very well-defined waist.

My waist is pretty well-defined - clothes definitely ride up into it - but there just isn't that much real estate there. There are two inches between my bottom rib and my ASIS. Not a lot of room for the spine to bend.

[zoom-zoom]

Ahh...gotcha. I have a pretty long torso, from the front...but that weird curvature makes my butt ride pretty high. It's really obvious seeing me in profile. Everything rides up on top of my rump in the back.

[Catrin]

I am the opposite, I don't have as much curve in my lumbar spine as is "normal", it is interesting how such seemingly small things can effect us. I did have a tilted uterus when I had one.