Sore girlie parts

[chixride]

I've been reading various posts but haven't come across any that address my issue. I am an avid road rider but now that it's cold I've started spinning. my problem is the pain "down there." as soon as i start spinning i can't seem to find a comfortable position except when i'm standing. By the time class is over I actually dread having to pee or bathe or do anything that requires touching down there. I wear Sugar shorts. would a thinner short (tri shorts?) work better? Any suggestions are very much appreciated!!

[KnottedYet]

Do they let you put your own saddle on those spin bikes?

Maybe take in your road saddle and put it on the spin bike? (Your road saddle doesn't hurt, right?)

[chixride]

that's a thought. i am not sure they'll let me but i can ask. it doesn't take long to swap saddles does it??

[VeloVT]

What is the adjustment mechanism like? On the not-fancy spin bikes at my (university) gym, they have "peg-in-hole" type adjustments for height, and infinite adjustability for fore-aft -- and frankly it would be better if it were the other way around, because it's easier (for me anyway) to adapt to a slightly less than ideal fore/aft position than it is to adjust to riding 1-2cm too high or too low. And I find I'm definitely in between on height. As a result I have ended up riding too high (because that's less awkward feeling for me than riding too low), and this (in combination with saddles I don't love) causes considerably more saddle discomfort than I get on my real bikes.

If this is the case with your spin bikes, then you may just have to choose between saddle pain and knee pain/general feeling of awkwardness. If, on the other hand, you have more sophisticated spin bikes , maybe try chamois cream if you're not already using it? I find it useful for spinning. I think I actually prefer a heavier chamois for spinning than I do for real riding (partly because my saddle is actually comfortable)... but I may be unique in this, so it's worth trying different shorts.

[mimitabby]

I just thought of something. if you are sitting the right way your delicate parts should not be in pain. Lift the handlebars and decrease the space between
them and the seat. you are leaning on your crotch you shouldn't be doing that!

[Triskeliongirl]

The pain you describe can come from either the saddle being set too high, so your girly bits rub in a sawing motion as you pedal, or from the saddle not being wide enough to support your sit bones so your girlie bits are supporting too much weight. Compare the saddle height and width to your road bike. If the cranks are longer on the spin bike, you'll need to lower the saddle by the same amount, you want to keep the distance the same from the top of the saddle to the pedal on both bikes.

[LBTC]

All the girls have covered positioning well - give those a try for sure. You probably already know about the correct body position, but I'll post just in case you or someone else reading doesn't know this one....

Be sure that your pelvis is quite vertical, keeping your weight on your sit bones, and that you bend over at the waist and keep your core engaged. It took me a long time to figure this one out, and I'm still poor at it when I'm fatigued. Mainly this is because in all my stretching, yoga, and other exercises, I learned very well to always bend at the hip, not the waist. When you do that on a bike saddle, the weight rests (not-so) nicely on the soft tissue. Ouch!

So it's likely a combination of any or all of the positioning and saddle comments.

If you've got the will to work on your own, you might do better to buy a trainer and set up your own bike in your house. Works for me.

H&B
~T~

[chixride]

thanks everyone for all the advice. i am tall so i keep my saddle higher - it helps with my knees. the instructors have checked my position and all seems to be ok. i think the trainer is the way to go. i was planning on buying one.

[velogirl]

chixride, don't give up on spin class. at one point I was teaching 14 spin classes a week (on those terrible saddles) and I didn't have discomfort.

fitting a spin bike is different than fitting your road bike. the saddle on a spin bike is firm and wide and meant to support your sit bones (not your soft tissue). many roadies think they should lower their bar to match their road geometry, but this isn't the case and can cause some severe saddle discomfort. spin bikes are designed to put the rider in a more upright riding position. try this and I bet you'll find the saddle isn't uncomfortable anymore.

some spinners find a gel saddle cover eases discomfort. some gyms have them available to use. if your gym doesn't, you can likely purchase one at your local bike shop.

if you're serious about spinning, check with the gym about ordering a spare seatpost on which you can install your own saddle. then you can just swap the seatpost in and out each time you participate in class.

[Flybye]

In addition to saddle adjustment, astro glide, the lubricant, helps with rubbing, although I would be willing to bet is is more a matter of saddle adjustment than anything.