Numb bits after cycling

[snowandrocks]

Has anyone experienced their tackle going numb during a ride?

I used to cycle quite a bit but for various reasons haven't really done so for maybe four or five years. My brother had a bike he wasn't using so after fixing it up I headed out for a short ride - maybe 6 or 7 miles of forest track. All went fine apart from noticeable numbness and then pins and needles for a while afterwards which is obviously quite concerning!

The bike seems to be fit me fine but the reach to the bars maybe seems a bit excessive although that's maybe just compared to the more upright hybrid I had before.

Any ideas welcome.

[Scabutz]

Delicate thread. I get this a lot on the turbo trainer. The old chap rubs against wet lycra and after 20 mins I can't feel it. Sitting more upright, controlling the sweat and adjusting the position of your Johnson all help, but I just accept it as inevitable now.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Numb hands (fingers) in the main, in the words of Taylor, shake it off.

Chafed nuts too so plenty of chamois cream.

[Scabutz]

Squadrone Rosso said:

Numb hands (fingers) in the main, in the words of Taylor, shake it off.

Chafed nuts too so plenty of chamois cream.

Numb hands is easier to deal with. Lots of good tips here

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/traini...

[snowandrocks]

Chafing and a sore arse I fully expect having been off the bike for so long but was a bit more concerned about the lack of feeling in my main member so to speak! It almost felt the same as getting a dead arm and then pins and needles as the feeling came back.

[Scabutz]

Just to make you even more concerned there is a casual link between cycling and ED.

Is it due to rubbing like I described in my first post? Because if its not then its likely to be down to the pressure on biffins bridge. In that case swapping saddles is a good shout. The saddles that come with bikes are usually shocking, even on expensive ones.

[dudleybloke]

I found that adjusting the angle of the saddle ever so slightly downward at the front helped for me.
It was only a couple of degrees but it moved the pressure from my gooch to my bum.

[snowandrocks]

Definitely feels more like pressure than rubbing I think so will try angling the saddle downwards first and then look at a better saddle if that doesn't work.

It's a sub £1k Trek hardtail so probably not the greatest saddle to start with.

[Scabutz]

snowandrocks said:

Definitely feels more like pressure than rubbing I think so will try angling the saddle downwards first and then look at a better saddle if that doesn't work.

It's a sub £1k Trek hardtail so probably not the greatest saddle to start with.

Adjusting the angle is a good start. Don't go mad though, saddles should be level, or there abouts.

Saddles on £6k+ bikes usually suck, most people change them for something that suits them so the bike manufacturers will shove any old crap on.

[12TS]

I found the cheap Bontranger saddles fitted to Treks were comfy for me.

[MTK1919]

I had this for some time when I first got into cycling.

A friend rightly pointed out my saddle had a slight incline at the front. Adjusted it so it had a very minor decline and it was a complete revelation. I went from riding 50km in pain to riding well over 100km pain free and fresh within a matter of weeks.

[TheDrownedApe]

MTK1919 said:

I had this for some time when I first got into cycling.

A friend rightly pointed out my saddle had a slight incline at the front. Adjusted it so it had a very minor decline and it was a complete revelation. I went from riding 50km in pain to riding well over 100km pain free and fresh within a matter of weeks.

This is the first thing you should be doing and with most seats it will solve your 1hr ride issues.

Anything longer and it's Pandora's box TBH - seat height, style, shorts, cream, reach, the list goes on

[RudeBoy]

Saddles with the centre slot seems to help.

[46and2]

I get this too, good tip angling the saddle down at the front, I will try that.

As an aside, I get regular CT scans as part of ongoing screening and 2 years ago after completing a sportive I had a routine scan. I was subsequently asked to have a PSA (Prostate specific antigen) test alongside my normal blood tests. The PSA test was clear, along with the other tests but the nurse taking the blood sample was quite concerned that a 34 year old needed a PSA test. Obviously some of us are prone to sitting on some delicate parts while cycling that we need to be careful of.

[Deefor62]

I used to suffer from this, and then discovered saddles from Selle SMP. Odd things to look at, but when sat on it, no one can see it. I’ve both the Dynamic and Forma versions.
Strangely I find the Forma ( a dynamic with no padding) to be the more comfortable.

They take a bit of faff in setting up correctly, but once you get it right they just feel right.

[anonymous-user]

Yeah I also have a Selle saddle with a gap down the middle on my turbo trainer bike. It is so worth it. Can easily sit for an hour+ continously without numbness.

[Robotron70]

I thought a slight incline was generally the accepted thing on a saddle?

I’ve just got back into cycling after a 4 year break and my sitting bones are currently like jelly so hoping a few hours a week will toughen them up again. I managed an hour yesterday, which was a 20 minute improvement on Tuesday.

[Mazinbrum]

Deefor62 said:

I used to suffer from this, and then discovered saddles from Selle SMP. Odd things to look at, but when sat on it, no one can see it. I’ve both the Dynamic and Forma versions.
Strangely I find the Forma ( a dynamic with no padding) to be the more comfortable.

They take a bit of faff in setting up correctly, but once you get it right they just feel right.

I bought an SMP Dynamic as they are highly regarded for comfort but my backside felt like it was bruised after a couple of 50 mile rides. Unfortunately it’s going on eBay and the search continues.

[Deefor62]

Mazinbrum said:

I bought an SMP Dynamic as they are highly regarded for comfort but my backside felt like it was bruised after a couple of 50 mile rides. Unfortunately it’s going on eBay and the search continues.

I must admit I found them hard for the first few rides. However a few adjustments in position of the saddle, along with some perseverance saw me finding the sweet spot and I’ve not looked back since.
In fact I’ve now put Formas on both of my regular road bikes as well as the fixed gear bike on my turbo trainer.

[Randy Winkman]

Robotron70 said:

I thought a slight incline was generally the accepted thing on a saddle?

I’ve just got back into cycling after a 4 year break and my sitting bones are currently like jelly so hoping a few hours a week will toughen them up again. I managed an hour yesterday, which was a 20 minute improvement on Tuesday.

Having the nose tilted slightly up seems to be a thing but I've been a keen rider for 30+ years and have always tilted the nose down a fraction. I also use a Specialized Romin saddle with a centre cut-out. However, as has been said, with saddles it's just a question of looking for the right one and hopefully not spending too much while you do it. Ebay helps.