ISM saddles...or anything more gooch friendly

[livpoksoc]

Having been covering more miles this summer than my last two, I've started to suffer from the well known numbness in the gentlemen's area. I have noticed this before in previous years, however two full years of not really trying has meant I am now heavier than when I bought the bike so the numbness is lasting longer post ride.

1) is this a common issue or at least shared by larger chaps?, Googling the issue seems to throw up many pages about the links & short/long term side effects of saddle numbness, but nothing wholly definitive.

2) What types of saddles are best to alleviate some of the pressure? eg are the ISM saddles all they're cracked up to be?

3) i've read that a softer saddle can actually disguise the damage to the perineum, so is it better to go firmer?

About me - 18st, 5ft 10, riding a slightly too small for me spesh with a body geometry (standard issue spesh?) saddle. The bike is 4 years old, as is the saddle. I'm intending on maintaining my current weekly ride of 40 miles to keep fit (after finishing the pru).

Thanks

 

[raleighnut]

Sounds like you need a wider seat, or a Brooks saddle.

 

[Asa Post]

My ISM Road has cured my numbness, but the fore/aft position has to be very precise and the first few rides still hurt because of the unaccustomed pressure on the sit bones. In fact, that's how I knew I'd got the saddle in the right place.

 

[vickster]

Try a saddle with a cut out? Get your sit bones measured by a specialized dealer and see what the have to offer

 

[livpoksoc]

Try a saddle with a cut out? Get your sit bones measured by a specialized dealer and see what the have to offer

Thanks...what is a cut out exactly? My current saddle does have a gap in the middle, but not all that wide.

 

[vickster]

Yes, a hole in the saddle - so the tender bits aren't directly on a hard surface

 

[livpoksoc]

Yes, a hole in the saddle - so the tender bits aren't directly on a hard surface

I went to the Evans in Reading tonight. They sat me on a gel pad to determine the width I need. They've sold me a £25 specialized saddle, but confirmed that the old saddle was narrower than me so a possible cause of the pain.

On a side note, the lads there weren't exactly top notch salesmen. Both 16/17, acting like that age. One didn't really want to take part in the sale at all, the other tried to be helpful but also criticised his colleague for being an arse.