Saddle soreness.

[Wacky Racer]

OK.

Just got back into cycling (not mountain biking) after several years and I find it a right pain in the backside literally, despite buying a new "gel" seat cover with my new bike.

Never used to bother me years ago, perhaps I got used to it......have tried some padded shorts...they don't seem to help much.....

Is it a case of man up?, or can you offer any tips....

This is the bike:-

[neilski]

Skin soreness or muscular ache?

If the former, a chamois creme and decent quality shorts (Assos rather than Aldi) should help. If the latter then yes it's just a case of MTFU.

[pugwash4x4]

new seat- if you haven't ridden the bike for ages then the foam might have broken down- had exactly the same problems as you- could hardly walk the next day.

Bought a new saddle, next ride- problem gone!

Wife has found the same thing- bikes had sat in the shed for almost 2 years!

[Gooby]

Those gel seat covers are RUBBISH.

[Liquid Knight]

Memory saddles are the newest thing put them in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes until they soften put them on your bike and ride about until it cools down then the seat is molded to your bum perfectly. Just repeat the process if you sell the bike or give the seat to someone else.

[itsnotarace]

MTFU and ride more. It will take you a couple of weeks to get back into it

[Mr Will]

A very useful link: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

[Wacky Racer]

Thanks for the very helpful replies...

Keep 'em coming......

[Gazzab]

Get yourself to a bike shop where you can have your sit bones measured so as to decide on the right saddle for you.

[robpearson]

if you have a seat that's too padded it will rub where a less padded seat might not - all depends on how it hurts, and exactly where...

[shalmaneser]

Gazzab said:

Get yourself to a bike shop where you can have your sit bones measured so as to decide on the right saddle for you.

This.

[croyde]

I also found that adjusting the height of the seat made all the difference, even if it was just a centimetre.

[BliarOut]

And no pants! Anything with a seam is a big

MTFU is the best advice

[yellowjack]

robpearson said:

if you have a seat that's too padded it will rub where a less padded seat might not - all depends on how it hurts, and exactly where...

+1. Padding alone does not a comfortable saddle make. Being the right shape for your bee hynde, and having it adjusted (for height, angle and fore/aft position) properly is of far more importance. Impossible to impart advice on specific position on a forum like this, as much depends on your musculature/physiology. Plenty of online articles discuss this, but no substitute for good first hand knowledge/advice from a local bike shop.

[okgo]

I've got a saddle sore blister down there, I popped it and I honestly think a shot glass worth of stuff came out!

[frontbum]

okgo said:

I've got a saddle sore blister down there, I popped it and I honestly think a shot glass worth of stuff came out!

are you sure you haven't punctured your manbag?

[Gazzab]

okgo said:

I've got a saddle sore blister down there, I popped it and I honestly think a shot glass worth of stuff came out!

You drank it?

[Gooby]

[Saddle bum]

Apart from wearing in your bum to a new (type) saddle, the solution to saddle soreness is relatively simple.

Use the same saddle on all your machines.
Cleanliness - Wash shorts (and yourself) after every ride.
Mycil powder will prevent fungal infections.
Use Sudocream, when you ride, a fair amount at first, reducing it as you get "worn in". Put it on yourself and the chammy.
Get the best shorts you can afford, or go without something else in order to afford them.
Thoroughly rinse shorts after washing and don't use a biological detergent. I always put mine on the rinse cycle on the washing machine after hand washing.
Have more than one pair of shorts and alternate their use.