Embarassing Saddle Issues...

[alexis_the_tiny]

Hey all. I got myself a road bike about 4 months ago and I've started noticing a problem with the saddle. Since all the people who've been fitting me on the bike are guys, its a little hard to tell them about it even though I'm usually capable of being pretty crude. The trouble is, in the position my saddle is in, it helps me get a nice speed going but I'm sitting on my cl*t. As in, my whole body weight is crushing it into my saddle. I can prolong the time before the whole area goes numb by cranking a heavy gear but when I want to spin, it goes from overstimulated to painful to numb within a few seconds. It's extremely annoying and I've tried tilting my saddle, lowering the seat post and whatnot. The result is always the same, either I end up in a position that makes me ride really slowly - <28km/h or I'm sitting on there. Anyone know what to do?

[tiva]

Try a different saddle. I can only ride on saddles with cutouts, for exactly the reason you describe. Stock saddles that come with the bikes aren't exactly great.

[zoom-zoom]

In addition to that, make sure your saddle is on the firmer side (I had issues and really like the Specialized BG Jett). Squishy saddles seem to encourage pressure on the soft girl bits, instead of supporting the weight and pressure at your sit-bones.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'm using a Fizik Nisene that has been on my hardtail for the last couple of years. Its not squishy by any means but it doesn't seem to fly for the road bike. Will go test some saddles with cut outs later this week...

[withm]

Try tilting the forward end of the saddle down about 1/16th inch. That may be all you need to releive the pressure.

[OakLeaf]

Have you read the threads about saddle fitting? If the saddle is too narrow for you - or if it's the wrong shape so that it forces you to ride on the nose - it can cause a lot of grief.

Even though the saddle worked on your MTB, you're on a different part of your sitbones in road bike riding position. So what fits you for one might not for the other.

Tilt is definitely a possibility - especially if you're getting pressure that far forward, unless you're in an extreme aero tuck. You can cut a piece of metal out of a steel can to shim your seatpost if you need a tilt that's between what the grooves allow you, if you don't want to spring for a micro-adjustable seatpost.

IME most cut-outs don't extend far enough forward to relieve pressure on the clitoris, anyway. They're mainly made to accommodate large labia. Selle SMP models have a very long cut-out, so that might be something for you to try if tilt and rear size don't solve your problem.

Good luck - saddle issues are miserable.

[alimey]

+1 for the jett. I actually think the cutout does extend forward enough. Funnily enough, really padded shorts don't help as they just take up space in the cutout. Also I tilt my saddle up (by about 9 degrees - according to my iphone). I find it feels like a nice comfy cradle on my sensitive front parts. The other thing to check is your reach on the bike. If the bike is too long/is set up too long, then you will be too stretched out which will rock you forwards & put even more pressure just where you don't want it!!

If you go to a Specialized concept store they do test saddles so you can try the Jett out. They will also measure your sit bones. I am 5'1" & take the 155mm on my road bike, but the 143mm on my track bike, as I am rocked further forwards & often on the drops - so the width you need does depend upon your position.

Good luck

[Blue_Fedora]

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits

[Rebecca19804]

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits

Sounds worth checking out. Please could you be more specific about the model of Selle SMP you've got? Searching on eBay brings up at least 4 very distinct and different types under that name.

Thanks!

[Catrin]

I've been told the Selle Italia Diva, or the Diva Gel Flow (full cutout) are both good for taking care of problems in the front. I am trying the Gel Flow myself and can hardly wait for the demo saddle to arrive. I am still riding my Brooks until then, but apparently 30 miles was too long to ride it

[Blue_Fedora]

Sounds worth checking out. Please could you be more specific about the model of Selle SMP you've got? Searching on eBay brings up at least 4 very distinct and different types under that name.

Thanks!

I have a Selle SMP Plus and a Selle SMP Avant... the Avant is more padded and I believe it's about 5mm narrower. My husband also rides a Selle SMP saddle... his is a TRK. He never ever complained about saddle pain but when I got my first SMP he was so intrigued by the design he took my bike out for a short 10 miler to see how it was. He loved it so much that he bought a Selle SMP TRK for himself that very same day. He said he didn't know there was a real difference between saddles or that he actually WAS in pain until he rode the Selle SMP and felt how much of a difference it made.

Hope that helps

[sarahspins]

So far in my attempt to find the perfect saddle that does not smash the girly bits, the only one that fits the bill is the Selle SMP. The design absolutely takes 100% of the pressure OFF the girly bits no matter what position I find myself.

I used to have a tremendous amount of pain there but with the Selle SMP saddle, I no longer have a problem with smashed/numb/burning girly bits

This was me too.. my SMP was a godsend for many months until I tried a brooks (once I had a saddle actually supporting my sit bones the "need" for a cut-out mostly diappeared). I still LOVE the huge cut out and that saddle is still on my hybrid (which is now DH's bike, but I probably ride it more than he does because it's easier to pull the kid trailer with).

If you have narrower sit bones the range of saddles in the SMP line is very nice.. I still drool over some of them, even though I know they can't/won't work. I ultimately went to a brooks because I wanted LESS padding, and the TRK is really the only SMP model that is wide enough for me... and it's too squishy for really long rides.

On my list to try next is a brooks with a cutout - I actually just ordered one a few days ago