Tell me the truth about pain

[WrensMom]

Thank you for your responses ! I was reading some more stuff about bicycle fit and pain, and it does seem to indicate that the saddle is the most likely culprit. I was reading some stuff about measuring the distance between the sit bones, and choosing a saddle which is wide enough to support them appropriately. Based on how it feels when I ride with my current setup, my guess is that my saddle is too narrow, thus not supporting my sit bones at all, so I end up riding on my pubic bone--ouch !

Mimitabby--sorry, I didn't mean that the online fit kit had anything to say about saddles--I just meant that according to it, the rest of the geometry looks pretty ok. That Wallbike outfit sounds cool--can't argue much with a 6 month return policy

I am heading off to read in the Favorite Saddles part of the board now.

Thanks again, I really love these boards already. So many helpful and friendly female bikers

[Nanci]

My advice is don't buy a big squooshy poofy saddle, or a big gel seat cover. Anything you sink into, while maybe more comfie at first glance, will put pressure on your girlie bits.

Nanci

[mimitabby]

My advice is don't buy a big squooshy poofy saddle, or a big gel seat cover. Anything you sink into, while maybe more comfie at first glance, will put pressure on your girlie bits.

Nanci

I agree with Nanci.

Whereever you are sitting right now, do you notice your crotch hurting? if not
it's probably because the chair; soft or hard is supporting your sitting bones, which keeps your delicate parts UP OFF the chair.
m

[Kano]

OOOH! OOOH! What Nanci and Mimitabby said!

I'm new too, Wren, and had pain questions of my own the other day. My new bike (a "comfort bike," which in many ways IS very comfortable and is going a long way toward getting me hooked!) came with a big squooshy "seat," and it sure didn't take long for me to decide that was a horrible thing! It won't necessarily be girlie bits and sit bones hurting from a big squooshy -- at least in my experience! My next saddle was on my old bike, had a fairly significant amount of padding, but still lots less squooshy than the original. When I finally put it on this bike RIGHT, I discovered that it hurt the girlie bits, and wondered how I could have been content with it last year. (yup, I'm going to graduate from that hard knocks school someday!)

Right now, Wren, I'm trying a Specialized Dolce saddle. MUCH firmer and flatter than either of the two I've had on the bike so far, but I can tell it's a definite improvement, even if at some point I decide it's not quite right. I've got to admit, this is a bit of a surprise!

(I think it makes my bike go faster too! Maybe Earl SHOULD keep his big squooshy , so I can keep up with him! )

Karen in Boise

[Denise223]

I DEFINITELY need to try out some saddles, because after 10 miles I'm really feeling like the nose of my saddle is putting severe pressure on my crotch....

As I'm riding, in my head, I'm thinking...'I feel as if I'm sitting on the snout of a bottlenose dolphin' <<-- I love dolphins.........but, I don't need to have that feeling.

I know there are several threads on "saddles", and there are so many saddles out there that it gets quite overwhelming.

I will go visit my lbs and try out some saddles. What came with my Gary Fisher Nirvana is an "Oasis" saddle -- and, it does have a prominent nose, compared to some that I have looked at on this site.

Looking forward to a pain-free ride soon !!

Denise

[DebW]

I DEFINITELY need to try out some saddles, because after 10 miles I'm really feeling like the nose of my saddle is putting severe pressure on my crotch....

As I'm riding, in my head, I'm thinking...'I feel as if I'm sitting on the snout of a bottlenose dolphin' <<-- I love dolphins.........but, I don't need to have that feeling.
Denise

Have you tried changing the tilt of the saddle? Any saddle will put pressure there if the nose is tilted up too much. Try it flat, or with a very slight uptilt. But you don't want to feel like you're sliding off the front end because then your hands will hurt.

[Denise223]

Hi Deb!!

Thanks for answering my post.

Try it flat, or with a very slight uptilt. Deb W.

My saddle is flat, but I definitely will change it to a very slight uptilt, like you recommend. I'll be very happy if that helps !

By the way, "Hi neighbor!" .....

Have a great day!

Denise