My bum hurts - please help!

[MissTillyFlop]

I bought one of these after finding the saddle that came with my new bike gave me a lot of pain, much better now.
View attachment 108675

for comparison, this is the original saddle, like sitting on a razor blade.
View attachment 108676

That reminds me of the old yellow pages advert.

 

[Kevoffthetee]

I've been using Gore contest 2.0 bibs and find the pad very good. I'm on the look out for the new saddle as the Giant stock saddle is a bit spongy and can move a little.

I've just ordered a pair of sportful norain bib tights which are meant to have a very good pad but I'll let everyone know

 

[Accy cyclist]

unless you develop some sort of genital callous, which I think would be even less enjoyable in the longer term.

 

[EasyPeez]

Thanks for the feedback, all

But your undercarriage is always going to be a bit sore after 83 miles in the saddle and there's no real avoiding that

I don't mind a bit of soreness afterwards, it's when it starts to spoil the ride halfway in that I object!

unless you develop some sort of genital callous

Ooof! I am now checking all the bibshorts specs but none of them seem to be leading their sales pitch with "guarantees against genital callouses", for some reason...

I've got several pairs of the 500/520 series bib shorts and a pair of the 700-series bib tights that (in my opinion) are excellent.

This kind of thing? They have some 700 bibtights are just £14.99 also, but sadly not in my size.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/700-aerofit-3-4-cycling-bib-shorts-black-id_8327988.html

Numb hands could just be your riding position / grip - do you vary it as you ride? Or wear gloves with gel padding in the palms?

Yes to both, but My gloves are ancient and shot to bits so have just ordered 2 new pairs from Planet X. Am also eyeing up some of this for xmas -
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fizik-bar-gel-2-set/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360555611&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360555611uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=UK_PLA_Components&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sBeltV3Yl_dc|pcrid|71714705102|pkw||pmt||prd|5360555611uk
Anyone else using the bar gel?

Also if you ever fancy a day out to Harrogate go and get your bum fitted in the Specialized store - they will find you the perfect saddle for your seatbones.

Yes, a new saddle is deffo on my medium-term radar. I was going to use the tinfoil and ball-bearings method to measure myself up first. I'm guessing the Spesh fitting comes at a cost?

Might need a little tweak on the bike fit front?

Yeah, I think I probably do. Treating the cause rather than the symptom and all that. I'd like to get a proper bike-fit but they're so expensive. Will have to do some trying and erring I guess.

If you've been happy rattling out 60 mile rides before, I think your saddle is ok, a bit more comfort next to your skin might be in order.

The saddle has never been great on longer rides tbh, but I put my pain down to the fact that I have a very skinny backside and very cheap shorts. I intend to get a better saddle next year but am hoping better shorts will make a significant difference and allow me to get a few more months out of this saddle.

 

[Joffey]

Spesh fitting is FREE!!!! And you can get your bum fitted, they recommend a saddle then you can skip off and buy it cheaper from the internet if you wish! Good work Specialized!!

 

[EasyPeez]

atm i am wearing dhb shorts from wiggle and find even the active shorts are comfy on long rides but they only come in blue or black, the aeron shorts are the next step up and i have just ordered a pair.

These ones?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-pro-cycling-short/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-pro-cycling-bib-short/
There seems to be various versions of the aeron. I'm guessing the 'pro' version, being the costliest, has the best padding/material quality?

These seem to look good value too, if this review is to be believed. Thoughts/anyone wearing them?
http://road.cc/content/review/152788-caratti-sport-bib-shorts

 

[EasyPeez]

Spesh fitting is FREE!!!! And you can get your bum fitted, they recommend a saddle then you can skip off and buy it cheaper from the internet if you wish! Good work Specialized!!

That sounds great. I assume they only stock their own-brand saddles?

 

[Joffey]

Yeah, only their own stuff.

 

[derrick]

It's a combination of finding the right saddle, Making sure the bike is set up for you some good bibs and a splash of Chamois cream, Then you should be good to go, 100 mile plus rides need not give you any pain in your bum. It took me a while to get it sorted i use Castelli bibs,

 

[EasyPeez]

Yeah, only their own stuff.

I'll ring round some of the higher-end bike shops in these parts and see if any of them do anything similar, then take a trip to Harrogate if not (maybe a chance to try out a good long trip with whatever shorts I end up getting with the current saddle?!). I do feel a bit sorry for whoever gets the job of measuring bums everyday - wonder what you'd have to tell the careers advisor for them to recommend that job to you?
Cheers.

 

[cyberknight]

These ones?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-pro-cycling-short/
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-pro-cycling-bib-short/
There seems to be various versions of the aeron. I'm guessing the 'pro' version, being the costliest, has the best padding/material quality?

These seem to look good value too, if this review is to be believed. Thoughts/anyone wearing them?
http://road.cc/content/review/152788-caratti-sport-bib-shorts

Im actually using the active ones atm, have last years aeron pad in them, dirt cheap , ok for commuting and i have worn them on club runs too with no issues.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-active-padded-cycling-bib-shorts/
as they only have the black ones in medium and i need a small

Just ordered another pair of ..............
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-cycling-bib-short-1/

 

[outlash]

I've got a pair of the Aeron pro bib longs and they're very decent for the money. Good pad and fit.

 

[steveindenmark]

I bought a Charge Spoon saddle about 2 months ago and have ridden it every day. My commute is 40 km. The saddle is brillant and I have no discomfort with it.

The good thing is that the Charge Spoon saddles are cheap.

I also use dhb padded shorts and chamois cream. I dont suffer from discomfort anymore. But I know how it can ruin a ride.

 

[NorthernDave]

Thanks for the feedback, all

This kind of thing? They have some 700 bibtights are just £14.99 also, but sadly not in my size.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/700-aerofit-3-4-cycling-bib-shorts-black-id_8327988.html

Yes to both, but My gloves are ancient and shot to bits so have just ordered 2 new pairs from Planet X. Am also eyeing up some of this for xmas -

Yeah, I think I probably do. Treating the cause rather than the symptom and all that. I'd like to get a proper bike-fit but they're so expensive. Will have to do some trying and erring I guess.

Yes, that's the same pad that in my bibtights, although I've got the 700 membrane ones, not the aerofit. Did my first 50 mile ride at the weekend and never had a minutes trouble.

Planet X are spot on for gloves, I've got a couple of pairs of their Carnac ones and you can't fault them for the price.

You're right to try a few minor adjustments yourself. I really struggled to get comfortable on my road bike when I first bought it, but just raising the saddle an inch has made the world of difference (and I'm still using the stock Boardman E4P saddle that lots of people seem not to like).

I don't bother with chamois cream - it clearly works for some, but I've never felt the need.
Slap a bit of aqueous cream down there after your ride should you suffer chafage - you can get a couple of months supply in Poundland / Poundworld, making it a real bargain.

 

[mythste]

Sounds silly, but I'm MUCH more comfortable after a little gardening, if you know what I mean.

Makes sense, I suppose. Lets the pad absorb more moisture and stops you getting as sore.

It's cheaper than the other options so far as well!