When does cycle-butt go away?

[Sammie]

I measured the seat I'm on. It's 160mm. It's not rock hard but it's not a pillow either. I would call it firm but not without some cushion.

I've been riding three times a week. I didn't want to overdo it starting out but I'm starting to dread getting on the bike due to the pain.

[emily_in_nc]

Give it another couple of week WITH bike shorts. It would take much longer to get over cycle-butt without any padding whatsoever. If you're still sore after a couple of weeks with bike shorts, your saddle may not be a good match for your particular anatomy. Welcome back to cycling!

[indiana_jane]

I agree with the above poster -- give it time. Your backside needs to adjust to biking frequently. If, after a few months (that's how long *I* would give it -- some others might last longer/shorter), go test as many new saddles as you can. You really can't tell just by looking or measuring what's going to feel good. Though I should say that, as its the sit bones that hurt and not the -- ehh -- soft bits, to me, that seems like a good sign.

I should also say what others will tell you as well. Contrary to logic, a saddle with less padding is often more comfortable than a saddle with more padding (the idea is -- adequate padding on the butt, which conforms to your body, less padding on the saddle, which is less able to do so, especially since we all shift a bit in the saddle over the course of a long ride).

[lph]

Oh, I feel your pain! Quite literally. I've barely been riding this winter, and after two consecutive days commuting I'm beginning to wonder what I ever saw in cycling.

My experience is that 6 weeks or two months off is enough to make starting again painful. On the other hand, after a week of daily or almost daily riding it does go away, for me. It's also by far the most painful the first ten-fifteen minutes, if I can grin and bear it through that it gets better again.

I'm talking about bruising, that is the tender feeling you get from pressure directly on your sit bones, NOT chafing or a too narrow saddle. Any sore skin or numbness you need to look at your saddle set-up. 160 sounds wide enough. A too narrow saddle feels like sitting on a hatchet.

You may need longer than a week since you haven't ridden for longer, but to be honest I think two weeks should cover it.

[Sammie]

I was prepared to tough it out but I happened across a killer deal on a road bike seat that's wider. I said what the heck and got it. With my padded bike shorts and the seat, instant relief, I tell ya! My wide butt is rejoicing lol!

We've got some bad weather about so I did 30 minutes on the trainer and had a happy tooshie.