Pain While Riding

[RdDezert]

cyclingnewbie -
Gotta tell ya, I identify with the being out there & wondering how you want to get back home from 'soft bits' pain. When I moved back to TX I was reluctant to ride far cuz the 'soft bits' hurt and didn't realize at time (sigh, another learning experience) that saddle was pretty worn & the new cut outs were just coming on market - some of 'em were pretty awful too!
Take heart still (& body parts!) when you get over the learning curve (again, still, forever??!) your experience will really help you be able to buy the things that work best. I can usually go to shorts & check the pad to see if I even like the amt, then try them on. Shoes, I can try them on and usually know how they will feel w/socks on (winter riding apparel for me) or ok w/o. Then w/shoes on bike, adjust the saddle height just a smidge up/down to allow for knee bend. When you start out, its just so darn much to figure out, and guys in bike shops can be good (mostly) but they don't, er, ride like girls! I mean, getting fit right on bike, getting comfortble w/that & learning how to handle solo & group riding. Not to mention clothes for all times of year!EEEEEEeck.
But its still sooooo much fun. Just keep posting, we'll all help out.
tracey

[cyclingnewbie]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm glad to read that the fit/comfort thing isn't just me because I'm out of shape, too old, etc.!!

[ChainsOflove]

Totally agree on the fit advice. Keep plugging and keep asking for help, if you have to go to another place, do it.

It's a totally different experience when it fits right.

[sandra b]

I had a Terry Liberator on my Diamondback hybrid. Loved it.

Did not love it on my new Specialized Dolce road bike. To much presure on the parts. Talked to the boys at the shop. Came home with a Serfas Itallia. It has a wider cutout than the liberator.

I played with height a bit, moved it front and back, tipped it down in front. It still isn't right. With the seat level,l I get pain in the front ( I seem to have an extra fold develope in the folds -like riding with wrinkle in your sock, only worse).

We rode 50 miles Saturday, and again on Sunday. Sunday I tipped the seat nose down one more notch-the parts were better (still not great) but my sit bones were screaming-They are still muttering at me this morning. It feels like they hit the seat on the outside curved part, rather than the flat part, and put pressure where nature didn't intend presure to be.

I wanted to check out my theory, so actually messured the sit bones-they are 4 inches apart. I don't know if that is wide or not, (I do know my rear is curvy, not sleek) but it does indeed look like it hits the curves of the seat instead of the flat.

When I got the bike, the guy spend a lot of time making sure it fit me, so I don't think that is the problem. I love the guys at my LBS, but they are guys, and just don't have the same issues.

I am trading the Serfas in tomorrow, but don't know what to try next. Any ideas?

[Irulan]

HI Sandra, another spokanite here!! Which bike shop do you use?

Irulan

[sandra b]

Hi There,

I believe I ran into you at two wheel transit the day I was buying my seat. You turned me on to this forum. We talked about places to buy lycra for shorts, and what to use for the pad.

I like TWT, but must confess, I bought the bike at wheel sport-cause I liked it best.

[Irulan]

heh, that would be me. Welcome to TE, this is a pretty good group.

Wheelsport has a good reputation but for some reason I never go there.


if you dig around on this site, there's lots of good discusion about saddles, soreness and things people do to get more comfort.

penny

[sandra b]

The lifter of Heavy Objects works with the manager of the south hill wheel sport, and one of my co-worker's hubby works at the division store, but I don't go there often either. Just not in my line of travel.

I will poke around on the site more for ideas about butt pain.

[ausgirl]

Have you had a proper bike fit? I know that if your bike does not fit you correctly it can cause pressure and then pain in all sorts of places, including your "down there" regions. It might be weird discussing it with a male bike mechanic, but the bike fit might be worth it.

[sandra b]

I bought the bike about 2 months ago, and the guy at the bike shop spent quite a bit of time making sure things were right, changed out the handlebar parts, fussed with the seat height and front to back-so I don't think fit is the problem with this bike.

Lots of the posts I have been reading talk about women with narrow hips wanting narrow saddles. I have the opposite problem. My hips are not narrow-I think my sit bones are just to wide for the seat. It is a theory at least.

A benefit of getting older-I am not much likely to be embarrassed by talking about the problem with the guys at the shop-and the shop I go to has older guys working during the week, instead of young kids who will blush so nicely.