Weird saddle position experience...
Discussion
Just been out for a ride with the Mrs on her new bike... All went swimmingly.
Having been inspired whilst watching the last stages of the Tour of Utah, she even took me by surprise on a few small climbs and tried to drop me!
Whilst we were tweaking her riding position en route, I decided that I'd never felt completely comfortable on my saddle and its a bit hard on my sit bones, so maybe I'd try to play a little with the set up and adjusted the inclination down a little. After 20kms decided that it was worse than previously, so adjusted it back to level.
Having ridden another 10kms or so, I was aware that the front of my shorts felt baggy. I reached down to adjust them, and thats when I realised that the front felt completely empty!
After the initial horror subsided, I worked out that my Gentleman's Extension and associated undercarriage hadn't dropped off along the way, it had all just gone completely numb!
I'm assuming that I've over corrected the inclination, and its a little nose up now?
Or maybe its time to look into an ISM saddle or at least something with more padding than the Fizik Arione that came on the bike.
Any recommendations?
Having been inspired whilst watching the last stages of the Tour of Utah, she even took me by surprise on a few small climbs and tried to drop me!
Whilst we were tweaking her riding position en route, I decided that I'd never felt completely comfortable on my saddle and its a bit hard on my sit bones, so maybe I'd try to play a little with the set up and adjusted the inclination down a little. After 20kms decided that it was worse than previously, so adjusted it back to level.
Having ridden another 10kms or so, I was aware that the front of my shorts felt baggy. I reached down to adjust them, and thats when I realised that the front felt completely empty!
After the initial horror subsided, I worked out that my Gentleman's Extension and associated undercarriage hadn't dropped off along the way, it had all just gone completely numb!
I'm assuming that I've over corrected the inclination, and its a little nose up now?
Or maybe its time to look into an ISM saddle or at least something with more padding than the Fizik Arione that came on the bike.
Any recommendations?
I've switched my main bikes to ISM (attack for 2 road bikes and TT for the TT bike) after not being able to find a saddle that really suited me over long periods.
I would heartily recommend the ISMs but I found they do require quite a bit of faffing to get your position dialled in and it takes quite a few rides to get used to the different way they support you. They do look a bit odd which gets lots of comments but hey, I'm comfortable in the saddle for long rides now, which is all that counts.
The ISM saddles are quite expensive, so worth tracking down someone who does a demo programme if that's the way you are thinking of going. Saddles are a hugely personal thing and each person fits them differently
Chris
I would heartily recommend the ISMs but I found they do require quite a bit of faffing to get your position dialled in and it takes quite a few rides to get used to the different way they support you. They do look a bit odd which gets lots of comments but hey, I'm comfortable in the saddle for long rides now, which is all that counts.
The ISM saddles are quite expensive, so worth tracking down someone who does a demo programme if that's the way you are thinking of going. Saddles are a hugely personal thing and each person fits them differently
Chris
"Numb nacks" happened to me a lot (very disconcerting and uncomfortable) I always put it down to my bib shorts, however after a little research discovered it was all about the saddle and "Pudendal nerve entrapment". I lowered the front of my saddle No more than about 5mm and the problem has completely gone away.
Tis scary this, I have been cycling on and off for 20 years, only the last 5/6 when I realised when you up the miles how if you are not careful it can take its toll on gentleman parts!
Like the poster above I use an ISM (adamo Century) on the two bikes I ride daily, like the poster said, they look odd and take an age to setup but once you get it right its great. They try and put all the pressure on your sit bones and the model I have is firm yet supportive.
I have a standard fit Selle Italia on my 3rd road bike, but that gets ridden less and is setup ok
I would also recommend on spending more on decent shorts, these can help a lot
Like the poster above I use an ISM (adamo Century) on the two bikes I ride daily, like the poster said, they look odd and take an age to setup but once you get it right its great. They try and put all the pressure on your sit bones and the model I have is firm yet supportive.
I have a standard fit Selle Italia on my 3rd road bike, but that gets ridden less and is setup ok
I would also recommend on spending more on decent shorts, these can help a lot
I'm struggling with this exact issue as well, long rides or hard rides where I'm down on the drops a lot can mean the little fellas feel pretty numb afterwards. Got a Selle Italia X1 originally with my bike, tried a Prologo Kappa Evo..
for a week or so and although it had a bit more cushioning for the behind I still got numb nuts. It also maybe felt a bit too wide to give me full support. Swapped it for a Selle Italia Nekkar Flow
which is narrower but has the cut-out to relieve a bit of pressure down there, going to give it a spin this avo. Starting to think that there is no perfect saddle probably, just one that you can tolerate!
for a week or so and although it had a bit more cushioning for the behind I still got numb nuts. It also maybe felt a bit too wide to give me full support. Swapped it for a Selle Italia Nekkar Flow
which is narrower but has the cut-out to relieve a bit of pressure down there, going to give it a spin this avo. Starting to think that there is no perfect saddle probably, just one that you can tolerate!
Numb empty feeling at the front I have improved by moving front of my seat up slightly means I sit back more to put more weight on my sitbones and not the plumbing.
Is only a small adjustment either way, other thing is just putting in miles and building core strength, if you slouch and weight goes forward, (when tired) then pressure is increased. For the climbs and any excuse stand up and stretch and let the blood flow.
Letting missus go in front and stare at her bum on climbs might help as well, plus is good excuse for her being in front. ;-)
Is only a small adjustment either way, other thing is just putting in miles and building core strength, if you slouch and weight goes forward, (when tired) then pressure is increased. For the climbs and any excuse stand up and stretch and let the blood flow.
Letting missus go in front and stare at her bum on climbs might help as well, plus is good excuse for her being in front. ;-)
Thanks all for the advice!
Out again tomorrow morning so I'll make a few more tweaks in the short term, then look around for an alternative saddle solution, and will certainly look into the ISM options.
Incidentally, the Mrs is pleased that her backside is finally being discussed on PH...
Out again tomorrow morning so I'll make a few more tweaks in the short term, then look around for an alternative saddle solution, and will certainly look into the ISM options.
Incidentally, the Mrs is pleased that her backside is finally being discussed on PH...
TwistingMyMelon said:
I had a brooks, tried it for 6 months, as much as I love the look and feel , I just couldn't get comfy with it and it hurt!!!
If you are anywhere near WIlts you are more than welcome to try my ISM
My Dad is still riding a Brooks that he bought over 30 years ago, and swears by them!If you are anywhere near WIlts you are more than welcome to try my ISM
The offer is much appreciated! Thanks! But being based in Shanghai makes it a bit tricky. There's a fairly decent store in SH that I've noticed stocks quite a few ISM variants so I'll have a ride over and see what they've got available to test.
Just settled down on the sofa to watch a movie... And what has the Mrs chosen?
Of course....
"Bad Johnson"...
TonyHetherington said:
I rememebr somone posting a summary of pain vs seat position.
ie; inside of knee, move seat back
outside of knee, move seat forward
etc. etc.
anyone remember that?
(those two suggestions were made up - don't do it!). But the numb nuts may be within that, as well!?
That may have been me and yeh don't follow that advice above!ie; inside of knee, move seat back
outside of knee, move seat forward
etc. etc.
anyone remember that?
(those two suggestions were made up - don't do it!). But the numb nuts may be within that, as well!?
Pain inside / outside of knee usually relates to the cleat position and angle.
Was this is?
WinstonWolf said:
After thirty years it'll be nicely broken in 
A Brooks gets better with every ride...
Yep, Brooks take a long time to break in, plus you can adjust the spring tension on them too. A Brooks gets better with every ride...Saddle position is quite personal but there are a few things to check that are right.
First is height, then fore / aft, then level it - the last bit can be tricky as a lot of saddle now have curves, so use your judgement to work out where it should be levelled from on the saddle and go from there.
Pat Cash said:
Just been out for a ride with the Mrs on her new bike... All went swimmingly.
Having been inspired whilst watching the last stages of the Tour of Utah, she even took me by surprise on a few small climbs and tried to drop me!
Whilst we were tweaking her riding position en route, I decided that I'd never felt completely comfortable on my saddle and its a bit hard on my sit bones, so maybe I'd try to play a little with the set up and adjusted the inclination down a little. After 20kms decided that it was worse than previously, so adjusted it back to level.
Having ridden another 10kms or so, I was aware that the front of my shorts felt baggy. I reached down to adjust them, and thats when I realised that the front felt completely empty!
After the initial horror subsided, I worked out that my Gentleman's Extension and associated undercarriage hadn't dropped off along the way, it had all just gone completely numb!
I'm assuming that I've over corrected the inclination, and its a little nose up now?
Or maybe its time to look into an ISM saddle or at least something with more padding than the Fizik Arione that came on the bike.
Any recommendations?
Saddle position should be level or a couple degrees nose-up. Nose down will cause you to slide. If you are getting numbness, your saddle position is most likely too high. This is one of the number one causes of numbness in rec./amateur riders. Set saddle height by getting into the riding position and putting your heels on the pedals. In the lowest position with crank arm in line with seat tube and heels on pedals, you should either have a straight or slightly bent leg. Slightly bent for longer distances, straight for fast, short events.Having been inspired whilst watching the last stages of the Tour of Utah, she even took me by surprise on a few small climbs and tried to drop me!
Whilst we were tweaking her riding position en route, I decided that I'd never felt completely comfortable on my saddle and its a bit hard on my sit bones, so maybe I'd try to play a little with the set up and adjusted the inclination down a little. After 20kms decided that it was worse than previously, so adjusted it back to level.
Having ridden another 10kms or so, I was aware that the front of my shorts felt baggy. I reached down to adjust them, and thats when I realised that the front felt completely empty!
After the initial horror subsided, I worked out that my Gentleman's Extension and associated undercarriage hadn't dropped off along the way, it had all just gone completely numb!
I'm assuming that I've over corrected the inclination, and its a little nose up now?
Or maybe its time to look into an ISM saddle or at least something with more padding than the Fizik Arione that came on the bike.
Any recommendations?
Edited by scherzkeks on Monday 18th August 10:23
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