Saddles

cycling_kosovo

I'm just into riding and find that the saddles are quite uncomfortable. My new bike has a good saddle and it isn't too narrow but I go numb each ride. I want to have a "cushier" saddle but always feel like that's against the rules.

is it "against the rules" or am I just being paranoid? Also, is there some reason why I should put up with riding on a saddle that hurts?

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance and also for your help.

Karl

Powerful Pete

Welcome to the sport. :)

1. If you are new to riding, your saddle will hurt... there is a minimum of getting used to riding that you will have to put up with.

2. Cushier saddles tend to be less comfortable if you ride seriously.

3. Please do a search on this forum and you will find ample information on saddle issues. Remember that matching saddles and bums is a highly unscientific process. What works for me will not necessarily work for you.

4. In any event, tell us what saddle you are riding with at present.

5. Tell us what kind of riding you do, distances, time on bike, type of bike (mountain, road?).

dhk2

I'm just into riding and find that the saddles are quite uncomfortable. My new bike has a good saddle and it isn't too narrow but I go numb each ride. I want to have a "cushier" saddle but always feel like that's against the rules.

is it "against the rules" or am I just being paranoid? Also, is there some reason why I should put up with riding on a saddle that hurts?

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance and also for your help.

Karl
Set up position of the saddle is also very important. The object is to have your weight on your "sitzbones", bearing at the widest part of the saddle. If you're going numb, you might try tilting the nose of the saddle down a few degrees, moving the saddle forward a bit, or just sitting further back on the saddle.

Overall fit of the bike affects how you contact the saddle as well. If you could have an experienced cyclist check out your position, that would be a good place to start.

fauxpas

One of my bikes came with a plushy saddle but is a lot more uncomfortable than my minimalist san marco. Make sure you sit on the saddle correctly.

Also, check the last video on this page, that rider suffered numbness.

http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/10206.0.html

kleng

I'm just into riding and find that the saddles are quite uncomfortable. My new bike has a good saddle and it isn't too narrow but I go numb each ride. I want to have a "cushier" saddle but always feel like that's against the rules.

is it "against the rules" or am I just being paranoid? Also, is there some reason why I should put up with riding on a saddle that hurts?

Thanks for your patience with my ignorance and also for your help.

Karl

Karl

Wer'e all assuming you are wearing bicycle knicks/ Shorts, with some form of chamois padding.

tmctguer

my favorite saddle is the Specialized line. i have a Toupe on one bike and a Alias on the other. great saddles !!!

bikecoach

Even pro cyclists suffer from saddle problems.

Soft saddles are generally a no-no if you are doing a lot of riding. The reason for this is that your sit bones sink into the saddle which creates pressure on the surrounding areas. If you are having a lot of problems, i suggest you have a look at Selle SMP saddles. They look a little scary at first, but can resolve many medical complaints related to sitting on a saddle for prolonged times.

domaindomain

Some of the anatomically designed saddles are very comfortable nowadays

I like the Selle SMP (http://www.sellesmp.com) range, especially the SMP Pro (http://www.bicyclerubber.com/acatalog/Selle_SMP_PRO.html)