New rider with very very VERY sore rear!

[emily_in_nc]

Just chiming in to say here-here (or is that hear-hear?!)

I rode metrics and full centuries on a Terry Butterfly with no more than mild saddle issues, but five miles into a test ride of a Trek 5200 WSD with Bontrager (no cutout) saddle a couple of summers ago, I was in agony!

Bontrager = Buttwhacker!

Good luck, and it WILL get better!

Emily

[Blueberry]

I just brought home a lovely Trek 520 a couple of weeks ago. I test rode one (it was sold, so I couldn't ride far) with the original saddle. I told them not to bother to put the saddle on my bike. OUCH! I have a butterfly on it now = happy butt.

And...it's a sweet bike! It was a perfect fit for me according to the fit kit I had done with zero changes in stem, etc. Down to the 1/2 cm. Sweet!

[tygab]

interesting, I have the stock bontrager on my pilot, and did all my riding on it this summer. At first I did get sore, but I honestly don't really notice it now even after several hours of riding. I have a very bony behind too... now I am wondering what a 'better' saddle would be like since the consensus here is it's awful.

[DarcyInOregon]

I ride a Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD, 2007. It is a split (cutout) saddle. The LBS told me the saddle design was stolen from the Terry Butterfly, that it is the Trek Bontrager version of the Terry Butterfly. I haven't had any problems on it, no sore rear or even a starting glimmer of any discomfort, but I haven't ridden it over 30 miles yet either. My hunch is I won't get a problem. I like the saddle.

[emily_in_nc]

I just brought home a lovely Trek 520 a couple of weeks ago. I test rode one (it was sold, so I couldn't ride far) with the original saddle. I told them not to bother to put the saddle on my bike. OUCH! I have a butterfly on it now = happy butt.

And...it's a sweet bike! It was a perfect fit for me according to the fit kit I had done with zero changes in stem, etc. Down to the 1/2 cm. Sweet!

Thread hijack in progress:

CA! You bought another bike! Is this to replace the ill-fated Bike Friday? I believe 520s are touring bikes, no? Are you still trying to make the Bike Friday work? Did you sell your Cannondale (I think that's what it was - the purple one that didn't fit)?? PM or email me!

/Thread hijack

~Emily

[NJBikeGal]

What's amazing about the saddle issue is often how quickly you can identify the WRONG saddle. I went in to my LBS recently to swap out a saddle that I had finally decided was no longer worth the pain. My poor friend at the shop had to switch out half a dozen saddles for me, one of which I sat on for less than 5 seconds and was off the bike and back in the shop! I finally settled on a Terry Firefly. I have been riding on it for about a month now and am very happy with it...amazing how the pain goes away when you have something that fits your butt! The only stock saddle I have kept on a bike is on my Fuji Tahoe mountain...for some reason, that saddle is great!

[Kathi]

I just got my bike (Trek Pilot 1.0 WSD) and went on my first long ride - 18 miles (had only done 1-3 mile jaunts before)! The last 9 were pure agony in the rear end area. Other parts of my body ached after, but recovered within 24-36 hours. But today, 11 days later, I am still sitting on a pillow (although I AM walking normal again!). No "sores", just feels like I bruised my sit bones badly. (riding on stock bontrager saddle)

My veteran friend rider tells me this is very normal for a newbie. But honestly, i was in so much pain I am scared to get on again. Against her advice ("you'll get used to it" she says) I went and bought a new saddle - the terry butterfly. Do you think that was premature - to buy a new saddle after one ride? but really, it hurt SOOOOOOO bad I was seconds away from crying at the end!

How much time did the shop spend fitting you to the bike?

If something is off with your fit it can show up with saddle problems.

Another thought is that you increased your mileage too soon. I don't know what your were riding before but your body needs time to adjust to the new bike and saddle.

[lesliejo]

Oh I know your agony.
I found that the best way to remedy it is to get back on the bike. It takes about two weeks of walking funny, then....you have what I call biker's butt. No more agony. I find that if I ride year around, inside and out, then I don't have to go through the agony for two weeks. I have tried lots of different seats, including gels....it is like walking barefoot when you are a kid. Just get those feet tough....butt too.
Good luck

[Triskeliongirl]

Thread hijack in progress:

CA! You bought another bike! Is this to replace the ill-fated Bike Friday? I believe 520s are touring bikes, no? Are you still trying to make the Bike Friday work? Did you sell your Cannondale (I think that's what it was - the purple one that didn't fit)?? PM or email me!

/Thread hijack

~Emily

I have the same question. Please update us on the stauts of your bike friday, perhaps in a separate thread.