Does it get better? Sore arse
Discussion
My arse is killing me after riding. I've not ridden in years. Tuesday was my first ride and covered six miles.
Today was the second and covered 7.5 miles. Not huge distances but my arse is killing.
Is there anything I can do to help? Do padded shorts actually help?
Also...pins and needles. I'm getting them in my balls whilst riding...is this normal? Not sure if I like the feeling ha.
Today was the second and covered 7.5 miles. Not huge distances but my arse is killing.
Is there anything I can do to help? Do padded shorts actually help?
Also...pins and needles. I'm getting them in my balls whilst riding...is this normal? Not sure if I like the feeling ha.
I bought a new saddle from Specialized for this exact reason.
I found that the old saddle with it constant radius would result in you sitting all your body weight on your gooch and would result in pins and needles in nob & nuts.
Using a sadlle like the one in this link
https://www.certini.co.uk/21535/products/specializ...
means that your weight is supported by pelvis bones so no sore arse, and the cutout down the middle means that none of your 'gentlemans' blood supply is restricted, so no pins & needles.
Alternatively dont use the saddle, just stand up and pedal the whole time.
I found that the old saddle with it constant radius would result in you sitting all your body weight on your gooch and would result in pins and needles in nob & nuts.
Using a sadlle like the one in this link
https://www.certini.co.uk/21535/products/specializ...
means that your weight is supported by pelvis bones so no sore arse, and the cutout down the middle means that none of your 'gentlemans' blood supply is restricted, so no pins & needles.
Alternatively dont use the saddle, just stand up and pedal the whole time.
I'm probably not going to be much help as I don't generally get this issue, but padded shorts work. As might sourcing a different saddle. I'm lucky in so far as I've only ever had to replace one saddle, and that was because it was damaged and aesthetically hideous on the bike. I generally find whatever saddle came on the bike to be OK for me.
The new saddle I bought was a Charge Spoon. Only about £18, so quite reasonable compared to many "super saddles" out there. And it generally gets rave reviews from most users. Either that or go to a more specialist shop that can "measure" your buttocks to see if you need a wider, or indeed narrower, saddle for your "sit bones". Some saddles have a slot in the middle to "relieve pressure" on tender areas. I have one on my road bike. I don't know if they're better or worse than a "solid" alternative though, as again "it's what came with the bike" and was OK from day 1.
Padded saddles (or at least "generously" padded saddles/gel saddle covers), or so says the generally accepted wisdom, are not recommended. Padded shorts on a lightly padded saddle are where it's at, and my experience with things that way around has been good so far.
And before that, seek guidance from someone (perhaps even Youtube) who can advise on saddle height, and nose up/nose down saddle angle. Relatively small changes can lead to a great deal of relief when you get things adjusted right for you.
The new saddle I bought was a Charge Spoon. Only about £18, so quite reasonable compared to many "super saddles" out there. And it generally gets rave reviews from most users. Either that or go to a more specialist shop that can "measure" your buttocks to see if you need a wider, or indeed narrower, saddle for your "sit bones". Some saddles have a slot in the middle to "relieve pressure" on tender areas. I have one on my road bike. I don't know if they're better or worse than a "solid" alternative though, as again "it's what came with the bike" and was OK from day 1.
Padded saddles (or at least "generously" padded saddles/gel saddle covers), or so says the generally accepted wisdom, are not recommended. Padded shorts on a lightly padded saddle are where it's at, and my experience with things that way around has been good so far.
And before that, seek guidance from someone (perhaps even Youtube) who can advise on saddle height, and nose up/nose down saddle angle. Relatively small changes can lead to a great deal of relief when you get things adjusted right for you.
LosingGrip said:
My arse is killing me after riding. I've not ridden in years. Tuesday was my first ride and covered six miles.
Today was the second and covered 7.5 miles. Not huge distances but my arse is killing.
Is there anything I can do to help? Do padded shorts actually help?
Also...pins and needles. I'm getting them in my balls whilst riding...is this normal? Not sure if I like the feeling ha.
Yup, your sit muscles will develop and it does get easier. Today was the second and covered 7.5 miles. Not huge distances but my arse is killing.
Is there anything I can do to help? Do padded shorts actually help?
Also...pins and needles. I'm getting them in my balls whilst riding...is this normal? Not sure if I like the feeling ha.
Pins and needles, sort that out soon! Sounds like the nose of your saddle might be high, it should be dead level as a starting point.
If you are getting pins and needles then try and point the nose of the saddle down ever so slightly.
I went through 5+ saddles before finding one the was comfortable. The one for me turned out to be a cheap carbon saddle from aliexpress. It looks like a razor with next to zero padding but its super comfortable for 4+ hours with no pad.
I went through 5+ saddles before finding one the was comfortable. The one for me turned out to be a cheap carbon saddle from aliexpress. It looks like a razor with next to zero padding but its super comfortable for 4+ hours with no pad.
First try changing saddle position. Slight changes make a big difference.
Failing that get a different saddle.
Choice depends on how you are built, I like a wider soft comfort saddle but it may not suit you.
I have had this one on my hybrid mile muncher for about 18 months now and it suits me.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C5V4RVZ/ref
Failing that get a different saddle.
Choice depends on how you are built, I like a wider soft comfort saddle but it may not suit you.
I have had this one on my hybrid mile muncher for about 18 months now and it suits me.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07C5V4RVZ/ref
Edited by dudleybloke on Friday 13th March 21:41
I dropped in at Lidl's cycle bits sale which opened a few days ago. They have memory foam saddles for £15 or less. No idea if any good - looked chunky and not in the least sporty. Also some padded saddle covers (some say covers can act like a sponge in the wet!) and cheap basic padded shorts.
What type of bike are you riding?
Yes get some padded shorts, bin an overly padded saddle as they just make numbness worse.
Make sure the saddle is level - that might be what’s causing your pins and needles
Something like a Charge Spoon (bike depending) is a decent middle ground - there’s a reason the Tour riders don’t use padded saddles and that’s because they’re not comfy! They might be soft and seem comfy but after a few miles they are not!
Yes get some padded shorts, bin an overly padded saddle as they just make numbness worse.
Make sure the saddle is level - that might be what’s causing your pins and needles
Something like a Charge Spoon (bike depending) is a decent middle ground - there’s a reason the Tour riders don’t use padded saddles and that’s because they’re not comfy! They might be soft and seem comfy but after a few miles they are not!
yellowjack said:
I'm probably not going to be much help as I don't generally get this issue, but padded shorts work. As might sourcing a different saddle. I'm lucky in so far as I've only ever had to replace one saddle, and that was because it was damaged and aesthetically hideous on the bike. I generally find whatever saddle came on the bike to be OK for me.
The new saddle I bought was a Charge Spoon. Only about £18, so quite reasonable compared to many "super saddles" out there. And it generally gets rave reviews from most users. Either that or go to a more specialist shop that can "measure" your buttocks to see if you need a wider, or indeed narrower, saddle for your "sit bones". Some saddles have a slot in the middle to "relieve pressure" on tender areas. I have one on my road bike. I don't know if they're better or worse than a "solid" alternative though, as again "it's what came with the bike" and was OK from day 1.
Padded saddles (or at least "generously" padded saddles/gel saddle covers), or so says the generally accepted wisdom, are not recommended. Padded shorts on a lightly padded saddle are where it's at, and my experience with things that way around has been good so far.
And before that, seek guidance from someone (perhaps even Youtube) who can advise on saddle height, and nose up/nose down saddle angle. Relatively small changes can lead to a great deal of relief when you get things adjusted right for you.
I should learn to read before I post - this man is spot onThe new saddle I bought was a Charge Spoon. Only about £18, so quite reasonable compared to many "super saddles" out there. And it generally gets rave reviews from most users. Either that or go to a more specialist shop that can "measure" your buttocks to see if you need a wider, or indeed narrower, saddle for your "sit bones". Some saddles have a slot in the middle to "relieve pressure" on tender areas. I have one on my road bike. I don't know if they're better or worse than a "solid" alternative though, as again "it's what came with the bike" and was OK from day 1.
Padded saddles (or at least "generously" padded saddles/gel saddle covers), or so says the generally accepted wisdom, are not recommended. Padded shorts on a lightly padded saddle are where it's at, and my experience with things that way around has been good so far.
And before that, seek guidance from someone (perhaps even Youtube) who can advise on saddle height, and nose up/nose down saddle angle. Relatively small changes can lead to a great deal of relief when you get things adjusted right for you.
Dg504 said:
What type of bike are you riding?
Yes get some padded shorts, bin an overly padded saddle as they just make numbness worse.
Make sure the saddle is level - that might be what’s causing your pins and needles
Something like a Charge Spoon (bike depending) is a decent middle ground - there’s a reason the Tour riders don’t use padded saddles and that’s because they’re not comfy! They might be soft and seem comfy but after a few miles they are not!
It's a mountain bike (Specialised Fuse). It using it for anything special though just trailways locally to get to and from work (when its a bit nicer and I've got my fitness up!). Yes get some padded shorts, bin an overly padded saddle as they just make numbness worse.
Make sure the saddle is level - that might be what’s causing your pins and needles
Something like a Charge Spoon (bike depending) is a decent middle ground - there’s a reason the Tour riders don’t use padded saddles and that’s because they’re not comfy! They might be soft and seem comfy but after a few miles they are not!
I'll get some padded shorts come pay day. Good news is my arse isn't hurting today! Last time it took me a few days to recover!
LosingGrip said:
It's a mountain bike (Specialised Fuse). It using it for anything special though just trailways locally to get to and from work (when its a bit nicer and I've got my fitness up!).
I'll get some padded shorts come pay day. Good news is my arse isn't hurting today! Last time it took me a few days to recover!
Bear in mind that lots of brand name padded shorts are huge money. But you don't have to pay silly prices. Aldi/Lidl often do cycling offers in the "middle aisle of dreams", and their shorts are OK in my experience. Planet X (online seller of bikes, bits, and clothing) do cheap bib shorts too, but (in my experience) they're not terribly well made. Seams especially let go with alarming regularity. Best for value I've found is Decathlon. No the cheapest, but decent quality, and graded in quality/pad density by ride duration. So their cheapest will be a thinner pad suitable for "up to 2 hour rides", etc. Buy their more expensive offering if you can afford it, and it's pretty much "fire and forget" stuff. It holds together well, is well made, and pretty comfortable. But as you seem to be finding out, it's possible to get along without cycle-specific gear, and you will find your bottom "hardens up" and you get used to sitting on the bike for longer durations...I'll get some padded shorts come pay day. Good news is my arse isn't hurting today! Last time it took me a few days to recover!
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