Saddle Comfort for Big Guys

I've taken my Trek 1200C that I got for Christmas this year out for 4 easy rides, 30-45 minutes each
on flat roads, and I'm having comfort problems with the saddle. After about 15-20 minutes on the
Bontrager CRZ road that came with the bike, my sit bones start getting annoyingly sore. I wouldn't
say that it was painful, but it certainly is uncomfortable. I'm 6' 2" and 250 lbs, so I'm sure my
weight has something to do with it. :-) The fact that I haven't been on a bike in nearly 20 years
probably has something to do with it as well.

I'm wearing padded shorts, and I had the saddle height and front/back position adjusted at the LBS
where I got the bike when they fitted the bike for me. Is this soreness something that will go away
as I ride more and get in better shape? Are there any other adjustments I can make to the saddle to
make it more comfortable? If I should be looking at a new saddle, what would you recommend? Thanks!

Ken

My new Trek 520 came with the identical saddle and I had the same exact problems (I'm 6-2, 200).
It's a nice, light saddle but it's synthetic, so it will never break in. I replaced mine with a
Brooks Conquest, which is a tensioned leather saddle with springs in the back, and it felt good from
day one. It's a bit heaver, but we are too. Also, try playing with the seat angle- if you tilt it
forward a bit, your arms will need to support you more, but it will take some weight off of your
butt. Good luck!

K-Man wrote:

> I've taken my Trek 1200C that I got for Christmas this year out for 4 easy rides, 30-45 minutes
> each on flat roads, and I'm having comfort problems with the saddle. After about 15-20 minutes on
> the Bontrager CRZ road that came with the bike, my sit bones start getting annoyingly sore. I
> wouldn't say that it was painful, but it certainly is uncomfortable. I'm 6' 2" and 250 lbs, so I'm
> sure my weight has something to do with it. :-) The fact that I haven't been on a bike in nearly
> 20 years probably has something to do with it as well.
>
> I'm wearing padded shorts, and I had the saddle height and front/back position adjusted at the LBS
> where I got the bike when they fitted the bike for me. Is this soreness something that will go
> away as I ride more and get in better shape? Are there any other adjustments I can make to the
> saddle to make it more comfortable? If I should be looking at a new saddle, what would you
> recommend? Thanks!
>
> Ken

"K-Man" wrote:
> I've taken my Trek 1200C that I got for Christmas this year out for 4 easy rides, 30-45 minutes
> each on flat roads, and I'm having comfort problems with the saddle.

> The fact that I haven't been on a bike in nearly 20 years probably has something to do with it
> as well.

Lack of riding is probably the main problem. But if your comfort doesn't improve after a few hundred
miles, you may want to try a different saddle anyway. See if the shop will let you buy one with the
option to return it within a week or so if it doesn't feel comfortable. Avoid soft cushy saddles as
they will create other problems. Don't tilt the saddle up or down either. Assuming you were fitted
properly, I wouldn't mess with height, fore/aft, or tilt. If you change saddles, you may have to
adjust the height.

See: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

Art Harris

In article <k-man-F0B348.09344703012004@corp.supernews.com>, k- man@nospam.com says...
> I've taken my Trek 1200C that I got for Christmas this year out for 4 easy rides, 30-45 minutes
> each on flat roads, and I'm having comfort problems with the saddle. After about 15-20 minutes on
> the Bontrager CRZ road that came with the bike, my sit bones start getting annoyingly sore. I
> wouldn't say that it was painful, but it certainly is uncomfortable. I'm 6' 2" and 250 lbs, so I'm
> sure my weight has something to do with it. :-) The fact that I haven't been on a bike in nearly
> 20 years probably has something to do with it as well.
>
> I'm wearing padded shorts, and I had the saddle height and front/back position adjusted at the LBS
> where I got the bike when they fitted the bike for me. Is this soreness something that will go
> away as I ride more and get in better shape? Are there any other adjustments I can make to the
> saddle to make it more comfortable? If I should be looking at a new saddle, what would you
> recommend? Thanks!

I found that sit-bone soreness went away rather quickly once I gave my seat time to get used to it.
Soft tissue numbness is a different issue, and will not go away unless you change something.

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

K-Man <k-man@nospam.com> wrote:

> ... Bontrager CRZ road that came with the bike, my sit bones start getting annoyingly sore.

I am similar in size, and when I bought a Klein last year with the CRZ saddle, I had the same
problem. My older bike has a Specialized saddle which I love, so I bought a Specialized Comp saddle
and the discomfort disappeared immediately. Even though the saddles look similar, they are day and
night different in comfort (for me anyways), so I can highly recommend the Specialized saddles. I am
also a big fan of their cycling gloves.

You can get more opinions about saddles at www.roadbikereview.com.

On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 16:28:34 GMT, "Arthur Harris" <n2ah@hotmail.com>
wrote:

I'm going to be scoffed at for this (but I can take it, I'm unscoffable) == but you might want to do
as the other poster said and give yourself a chance to toughen up a bit. But if you want to start
looking at other saddles, I'd recommend a Brooks B-17.

I have one which I use both on my upright that I ride during the summer but also on my AirDyne
which I ride all winter. In fact, I just got "back" from an hour's "spin" on that bike when I read
your question.

In general, padded seats don't work. The Brooks is compliant enough that it will custom-form itself
to your aff as you ride. Take care of it, though. Especially don't let it get rained on. Even mud
and water thrown up from below by the tires will take its toll on the Brooks' leather. But that's
the only downside to an excellent design that has been proven over time.

Gary Smiley <gasmiley@comcast.net> wrote:

> Also, try playing with the seat angle- if you tilt it forward a bit, your arms will need to
> support you more, but it will take some weight off of your butt.

Bad advice. It isn't solving the problem, just introducing a new one. Proper bike fitting is
important, and tilting a seat forward is not consistent with good fit.

Zippy the Pinhead <the_corporate_hose@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I'm going to be scoffed at for this (but I can take it, I'm unscoffable) == but you might want to
> do as the other poster said and give yourself a chance to toughen up a bit.

Sounds like "blame the victim" to me. While getting back in riding shape is a factor, if a saddle is
uncomfortable and isn't subject to break in, then it's wrong.

> In general, padded seats don't work.

That's utter nonsense... While there are many poorly designed padded saddles, there are designs that
are very good. I rode Brooks for years, and at my age would never consider one again. Not everyone
has to (or should) develop an iron butt to ride on a hard leather surface; see for example:

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m...9371/p1/articl
e.jhtml

"K-Man" <k-man@nospam.com> wrote
> If I should be looking at a new saddle, what would you recommend? Thanks!

Have your wallet handy. It might take as many as 4 or 5 saddles before you'll find one that works
for you. And... don't expect complete comfort from *any* saddle.

Balance the seat so that you're not sitting heavy or leaning forward... then stand every few miles
to get the blood flowing!

It's more a matter of getting used to the discomfort.

hth

"Billy Bigelow" <nomail@thank.you> wrote in message
news:vve6gejbb76ecf@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "K-Man" <k-man@nospam.com> wrote
> > If I should be looking at a new saddle, what would you recommend? Thanks!
>
> Have your wallet handy. It might take as many as 4 or 5 saddles before you'll find one that works
> for you. And... don't expect complete comfort from *any* saddle.
>
This is where a good LBS comes in. My LBS allows you to buy a saddle and will swap it for another
within a 30 day trial period if you don't like it. They charge full retail, but I was able to try
out several different saddles. End result, I only pay for one saddle.

As for what to try, f you need one *wider* than most "racing" saddles, check out Avocet, their
O2 saddles come in several width, including a very nice "women" version, that yes can be used
by men....

On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 11:28:40 -0800, Billy Bigelow wrote:

> It's more a matter of getting used to the discomfort.

No it's not. At least, if that is the case for you, I'm sorry to hear that.

When I was younger I used the Unica saddle. All plastic, no "break-in". Worked great for years. But
I do like the one I*have now, better. As for breaking in a leather saddle -- if you can find a
plastic one that is comfortable without a prolonged break-in period, isn't that even better?

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can assure _`\(,_ | you that mine
are all greater. -- A. Einstein (_)/ (_) |

On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 18:41:14 GMT, nobody@home.com (Nobody) wrote:

>> In general, padded seats don't work.
>That's utter nonsense...

Really? I know a lot of people who have had soft tissue problems with padded sadles that simply
vanish when they switch to a quality leather saddle. IMO a good leather saddle is the best thing you
can fit to an upright bike. I'm only 40 though. But I am told I have buns of steel.

>I rode Brooks for years, and at my age would never consider one again.

I still do, when not using a bike which is inherently comfortable.

>Not everyone has to (or should) develop an iron butt to ride on a hard leather surface

No indeed - there are plenty of recumbents out there which require no such sacrifice ;-)

Guy
===
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://chapmancentral.demon.co.uk

In article <pan.2004.01.03.22.58.25.632992@lehigh.edu>, david.johnson@lehigh.edu says...
> On Sat, 03 Jan 2004 09:34:48 -0500, K-Man wrote:
>
> > I've taken my Trek 1200C that I got for Christmas this year out for 4 easy rides, 30-45 minutes
> > each on flat roads,
>
> Good that you are getting out there on the bike.
>
> > and I'm having comfort problems with the saddle. After about 15-20 minutes on the Bontrager CRZ
> > road that came with the bike, my sit bones start getting annoyingly sore. I wouldn't say that it
> > was painful, but it certainly is uncomfortable. I'm 6' 2" and 250 lbs, so I'm sure my weight has
> > something to do with it. :-) The fact that I haven't been on a bike in nearly 20 years probably
> > has something to do with it as well.
>
> I'd say the latter is more important. Saddle comfort is not a science, and it is very individual.
> I was riding with a guy a couple days ago who could not stand his new saddle -- and he had been
> riding for years.
>
> It does take some time to develop enough tissue over the sit bones to feel comfortable on long
> rides. Also, your fit (angle of the saddle is critical) may need adjustment. Get it looked at by
> someone who knows what

The tilt angle is absolutely critical. I've found that 1/2 turn on the micro adjust screw can make
the difference between going numb in 20 minutes and being able to do 60 mi at a stretch.

....

--
Dave Kerber Fight spam: remove the ns_ from the return address before replying!

REAL programmers write self-modifying code.

Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:

> ...
>>Not everyone has to (or should) develop an iron butt to ride on a hard leather surface
>
>
> No indeed - there are plenty of recumbents out there which require no such sacrifice ;-)

You are not supposed to mention r*c*mb*nt bikes on rec.bicycles.* when comfort issues are discussed!

Tom Sherman - Close to 41½ N, 90½ W

Billy Bigelow <nomail@thank.you> wrote:

> It's more a matter of getting used to the discomfort.

I certainly don't believe that. After I got used to riding (I think about two weeks) I really never
thought about my saddle again. Well except for when I did a double century...

--
Dane Jackson - z u v e m b i @ u n i x b i g o t s . o r g "Eagles fly; but weasels aren't sucked
into jet engines."