Hurting (PP)

[Speedy26]

Hi Everyone, I am new. Just bought a new roadbike, Giant FCR 1. I love it. I am riding to work since March 2 - 3 times per week. I am relatively fit now and the new bike makes it a breeze. I intend to go everyday, which would make it 45miles per day. What hinders me is PAIN Pain in my crotch that is, a boil as formed and I am sore. I am riding on a Oasis Women's saddle and should probably switch to something else. Here are my questions:

1. I am 5"11' and still 50 lbs overweight, so my butt is bigger than any women's saddle can ever be?....
2. Anybody with a Serfa Dual Density experience?
3. Anybody with a Ergo Saddle experience?
4. Any recommendations are very very appreciated.

I love riding and would hate to be hindered by PP (Pussypain)

Anyway, thanks for writing.
Mo

[Thorn]

Search for threads on measuring "sit bones" or "ischial tuberosity". You want to buy a saddle based on bone structure which is independent of weight, and surprisingly, somewhat independent on height.

Knowing your bone width you can then start to locate saddles that might fit you. If you find your bone structure is wide, you might want to review threads by the Brooks saddle cult--members swear by them. On the non-Brooks side, Selle SMP Lady Strike is wide as is the Avocet O2 Women's saddle (if you can find it). Both, however, are in the plushier side which can cause problems of their own.

The disadvantage of finding saddles wide in the back is that they often are too wide in the nose and can cause chafing. Finding the right saddle for you might be a long road. Good luck

[Bad JuJu]

Get more info than you ever wanted about saddles in the Gear & Accessories forum. There are threads for "Favorite Saddles" and "Most Hated Saddles"--knock yerself out.

[Aquila]

All the other folks have great saddle advice.

Did I understand you to say you've got a boil? OUCH!

I had a tiny boil (or a huge pimple) develop. I'd shaved near the panty line and then gone for a long ride, and it started developing. And boy, did it hurt! But I don't think the problem was from the saddle, but from having shaved and then ridden.

I lanced the boil/pimple, which helped immediately (it was ready, I could see it, and there wasn't bad infection), and used a topical antiobiotic ointment until it healed fully. And then decided not to shave there and to use A&D ointment or bag balm for lubrication. Things healed up, and have stayed healed.

I'd seriously consider going to a doctor if I were you. If you take care of the boil, and prevent further boils, then maybe you can figure out the seat problem (if any) more easily.

There's tons of helpful information here from more experienced riders about preventing and dealing with saddle sores and such, too.

If I misunderstood about the boil, then my apologies. And good luck!

[Cyclo Kitty]

We (DH and I) did have Serfas saddles on our commuters for while. I gave mine up for a Brooks B17, which I had on the cross bike.

The Serfas seemed like a great idea after an awful Bontrager, but eventually the foam compresses and loses all the qualities you liked in it. And it is not slippery so it's harder to readjust (I wiggle on the saddle on long rides). I rode it every day for about a year (~1250 miles) and it was not what it was at mile 10 or even 500, whereas a leather saddle is better by mile 100 and usually quite firmly yours by mile 200 if you get it in the summer.

Our LBS has a saddle trial program in which you can test ride and return a saddle. You can ask if your LBS has a similar thing. Could help you find the right one.

Good luck-- there is good advice on boils on this site as well as on saddles.

[momof4greatkids]

Hi Everyone, I am new. Just bought a new roadbike, Giant FCR 1. I love it. I am riding to work since March 2 - 3 times per week. I am relatively fit now and the new bike makes it a breeze. I intend to go everyday, which would make it 45miles per day. What hinders me is PAIN Pain in my crotch that is, a boil as formed and I am sore. I am riding on a Oasis Women's saddle and should probably switch to something else. Here are my questions:

1. I am 5"11' and still 50 lbs overweight, so my butt is bigger than any women's saddle can ever be?....
2. Anybody with a Serfa Dual Density experience?
3. Anybody with a Ergo Saddle experience?
4. Any recommendations are very very appreciated.

I love riding and would hate to be hindered by PP (Pussypain)

Anyway, thanks for writing.
Mo

lol...PP very funny! But no it's really not funny it's very painful.

I recommend a product called "duoderm" for the boil. You can purchase it OTC in most drugstores. It's an air permeable dressing. You can leave it on for up to a week, but in the saddle area, it's unlikely to last that long. Try to leave it on as long as possible.

Cut the dressing down to size, it only needs to be about 3/4" wider than the actual "boil", that way you can get 3-4 uses out of a single pack. Make sure you shave the area first, it's very sticky

It's kind of expensive but it works. I'm a registered nurse and I use it in my practice, and used it myself for that type of saddle sore. You will notice a marked improvement overnight.