Possible Saddle Adjustment Needed?

Tom Young

Hi all:

I've ridden a road bike - on and off - for many, many years.
Irrespective of what saddle I'm using at the time I've consistently
worn out my shorts or tights on the inside of my right leg.

I've been increasing my mileage lately in anticipation of my first
ever century ride and now I'm starting to get saddle sores ("first
ever", too) at the crease where the right leg joins the trunk. Since
my first saddle sore developed fairly far forward (lots of time spent
in the drops) I began sitting upright more and have now developed
another saddle sore farther back!

Is there any sort of right/left saddle adjustment that might alleviate
this problem? I was thinking a slight rotation of the tip of the
saddle toward the right side of the bike might help?

TIA.

Tom Young

daveornee

Tom Young wrote:
> Hi all:
> I've ridden a road bike - on and off - for many, many years.
> Irrespective of what saddle I'm using at the time I've consistently worn
> out my shorts or tights on the inside of my right leg.
> I've been increasing my mileage lately in anticipation of my first ever
> century ride and now I'm starting to get saddle sores ("first ever",
> too) at the crease where the right leg joins the trunk. Since my first
> saddle sore developed fairly far forward (lots of time spent in the
> drops) I began sitting upright more and have now developed another
> saddle sore farther back!
> Is there any sort of right/left saddle adjustment that might alleviate
> this problem? I was thinking a slight rotation of the tip of the saddle
> toward the right side of the bike might help?
> TIA.
> Tom Young


Very few anatomies are exactly the same from side to side. If your
saddle supports your sit bones correctly, is pointed straight ahead, at
the proper height and fore/aft position there isn't much else you can
do with that particular saddle. Some find that the saddle slightly
turned works better than arrow straight alignment. Sores can be a fault
of your shorts, padding, saddle shape/ padding distribution, or just
that you are putting on more miles than your body can handle. There are
some "balms" that can promote healing and others that can minimize
chafing. I am familiar with what you are experiencing. There are
certain combinations that work best for each rider, but nothing works
the same for every one. Castelli shorts washed and me showered after
each ride, Terry Fly saddle, and a dusting of Gold Bond powder gives me
the best results.



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