your bike or your love life

[RedCanny]

I suppose this topic (Most Hated Saddles) is as good as any...

Today's New York Times has a story about how bike saddles can have adverse affects on the libido of men and women. Here's a link; I've tried to make it so that you don't have to register to read it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/he...=5070&emc=eta1

Of course, as usual, most of the research done has been mainly done on men. But many of us have males in our lives whose libidos are important to us.

This seems to be a pretty valid argument for a noseless saddle.

[Trek420]

"your bike or your love life?"

what? you mean I can't have both?

[Trekhawk]

Have you guys seen any noseless saddles?

Im trying to imagine what they look like.

[wabisabi]

Actually, I have seen such a saddle. My dad, who is 94, still rides his bike. Recently, the prostate cancer condition that his Dr. has been watching worsened and his numbers got higher. He found on the web (believe it or not, he is the web Master of our family) a saddle that is just two kind of knobs that sit under the sit bones. This is what he uses now. He recently opted for a treatment that involves a lowering of testosterone and more estrogen (my menopausal sister said of his hot flashes 'welcome to my world') and this has worked wonders, his numbers are way down now. Anyway, he swears by the saddle thingie.

[doorah]

It stands to reason that anything that causes a loss of blood flow & numbness should be a red flag......causing me to wonder why something hasn't happened sooner regarding this health issue? Especially since it relates primarily to men and their ability to perform?

~doorah~

[Trekhawk]

Actually, I have seen such a saddle. My dad, who is 94, still rides his bike. Recently, the prostate cancer condition that his Dr. has been watching worsened and his numbers got higher. He found on the web (believe it or not, he is the web Master of our family) a saddle that is just two kind of knobs that sit under the sit bones. This is what he uses now. He recently opted for a treatment that involves a lowering of testosterone and more estrogen (my menopausal sister said of his hot flashes 'welcome to my world') and this has worked wonders, his numbers are way down now. Anyway, he swears by the saddle thingie.

Wow good for your dad to still be riding his bike. It sounds like the saddle he uses is perfect for him. Did he find it hard to get use to?

[RedCanny]

"your bike or your love life?"

what? you mean I can't have both?

Ha! No, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that. Got you to read the post, though, didn't it?

That's sort of the effect that the story headline had on me.

[runnergirl]

I'm very disappointed in the NY Times, they're normally far more through in thier research and reporting. That article is something I'd expect in USA today.

Rates of impotence are HIGHER in non-cycling males, due to obesity, diabetes, etc. The story is entirely one sided. Not to mention that at higher speeds, the nose of the saddle is necessary to steer

Levi Leipheimer, Ivan Basso, and a bajillion other pros have kids, and they're on their bikes 40 or more hours a week. The only effect this article will have is to encourage people NOT to take up cycling.

[Trekhawk]

I suppose this topic (Most Hated Saddles) is as good as any...

Today's New York Times has a story about how bike saddles can have adverse affects on the libido of men and women. Here's a link; I've tried to make it so that you don't have to register to read it:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/he...=5070&emc=eta1

This seems to be a pretty valid argument for a noseless saddle.

Do you think this is why Viagra ads appear in bicycling mags?
I always thought it was a bit weird that they were there but perhaps this is why.

[doctorfrau]

Do you think this is why Viagra ads appear in bicycling mags?
I always thought it was a bit weird that they were there but perhaps this is why.

Naw, Viagra advertises in all kinds of men's mags, and lots of men over 40 cycle b/c running has ruined their knees. Viagra targets active men and you'll see ads for it wherever you find those men - it's in ski mags etc also.

[Grog]

Naw, Viagra advertises in all kinds of men's mags, and lots of men over 40 cycle b/c running has ruined their knees. Viagra targets active men and you'll see ads for it wherever you find those men - it's in ski mags etc also.

Let's also add that cycling mags usually have tons of advertisement for sex-gizmos, "learn the ropes", "herbal" treatments to increase potency, etc.

Part of it is, yes, the targetting of men in general.

Another part of it, I think, has something to do with men active in cycling (and other sports actually) being quite interested and worried about performance in ALL areas of their lives...

[gretassister]

Well, ladies, I think the more I cycle the more my libido kicks in, but maybe it's just a middle age thing that really has nothing to do with cycling. I know I'mway more intereseted than my hubby who sits at a desk all day.

[RedCanny]

Well, ladies, I think the more I cycle the more my libido kicks in, but maybe it's just a middle age thing that really has nothing to do with cycling. I know I'mway more intereseted than my hubby who sits at a desk all day.

Ditto. I got back into cycling this summer, and my libido seems to be all the better for it (also noticed by my S.O.). I think I'm just generally happier when I'm putting my "thunder thighs" to good use.

I mean, on the bike.

[wabisabi]

Wow good for your dad to still be riding his bike. It sounds like the saddle he uses is perfect for him. Did he find it hard to get use to?

I don't think so; I am more worried that he uses hearing aids (which he has been know to shut off) and rides on the streets! When he was in his 80s someone did hit him, but he didn't have many injuries, and settled for a nice new hybrid bike. And, then, there was the rollerblading....

I think this is the seat:

http://www.solutionbicycleseat.com/t...solution2.html

[Trekhawk]

I don't think so; I am more worried that he uses hearing aids (which he has been know to shut off) and rides on the streets! When he was in his 80s someone did hit him, but he didn't have many injuries, and settled for a nice new hybrid bike. And, then, there was the rollerblading....
I think this is the seat:
http://www.solutionbicycleseat.com/t...solution2.html

thanks for posting that. Its interesting to see new ideas. Looks a bit scary for us balance challenged ones though. I could see myself falling off the front.