Numb bits

[Boopop]

So after a ride on my Triban 3 (44 miles) with the local cycle club yesterday, along with my new Michelin Pro Endurance 4 tyres, I found my nether-regions were a bit numb. They still are!

For this morning's commute I've put my old hybrid's saddle on as it has a wider rear end so possibly a bit more comfortable (and hopefully less pressure to the perineum).

What should I buy/adjust to make sure this doesn't happen again? Padded cycling shorts, new saddle, different saddle angle, what combination should I do? Also Would it be best I tried anything I bought in person online?

Also final question, I'm guessing I shouldn't have any lasting damage given it's only a 44 mile cycle. Thanks in advance

 

[green1]

Change the saddle, I found the same, put a charge spoon on it and haven't had any problems since.

 

[Boopop]

Thanks green1

So a Charge Spoon saddle (which I dare say looks rather fetching) and possibly some padded shorts for longer rides?

 

[Banjo]

Its a fairly common problem provided feeling comes back I wouldnt stress too much.I persisted riding like that for months with no apparent long term damage but I wouldnt recommend doing that.



Is your saddle set up level? If the front is raised that may be the problem,if not you could consider one of the saddles with a slot down the middle.

I had a Richey Bio saddle which solved the problem after the original Scott saddle caused me numb to have genitals. I now have a Brooks B17 which doesnt cause any numbness and is still comfortable after 140 miles in a day.Only downside is the brooks is twice the weight of some saddles I am sure there are more racing orientated saddles that may suit you better if thats what your into.

 

[Boopop]

Its a fairly common problem provided feeling comes back...

Feeling hasn't quite came back yet, but then the feeling hadn't completely gone in the first place. I'll give it a week and then I'll start to get worried. Hopefully it might be better tonight!

I tried tilting the seat down last night, but it just didn't feel comfortable. It felt like I was sitting on a slide with my posterior being at the top of said slide That's why I put my hybrid's seat on this morning, as I'd done a 30+ mile ride on that almost a year ago on hard tyres and I didn't go numb from that. Thinking about it though I think I'd still like to get a proper road saddle, just one that doesn't incapacitate me so much!

 

[addictfreak]

It's not always as simple as a one saddle suits all solution.

I would certainly go for the padded shorts. But before I would go to the expense of buying a new saddle I would try two things:

Try adjusting your current saddle, a slight change of position may solve the problem.

Secondly, if that does not do the trick I would try a few saddles to find your ideal. There are some LBS that will have saddles you can borrow, to find the right one.

I tried a few and ended up with Specialised Toupe, not had any problems since.

 

[Boopop]

So padded shorts are the first suggestion, OK, is there anything in particular I need to know about them regarding which brand or version to get?

 

[Banjo]

I have the Richey Bio Saddle in the shed.You can have it for the cost of postage if you want it. I found it ok on rides up to about 60 miles but too hard on longer rides. No numb bits though :-)

 

[Boopop]

Worth a punt, cheers Banjo. How much for the postage? Probably PM would be best

Time to get back to work xD

 

[lejogger]

I've had this problem a number of times - and still do with certain saddles. My issue was that I naturally try to edge forward on the saddle, especially when climbing and when I'm getting tired on longer rides. The first time was during a long in-the-saddle spinning climb, and it was quite a shock to realise that whole area was without feeling! What you need to establish is why you went numb. Either:
a) saddle level - nose up?
b) where you sit on the saddle - too far forward on the nose rather than sit bones on the wings? or
c) saddle position - too far back?

This has mostly been solved for me by sliding the saddle forward on the rails, but where abouts I sit on the saddle has become learned behaviour and it's taking a bit of conscious effort to get myself trained to being on the right part - If you're perched up there on the wings then there shouldn't be any issue with the nose pressing too firmly on the perineum, especially if the seat is level and not at all nose-up, so it's not so much time to buy a new saddle, but instead gauge how you're sitting on it.

If you're doing lots of short rides it's not an issue, it usually only flags when you start doing longer rides, which is why I managed to train myself to sit on the wrong part for so long without realising the problems I was causing myself.

 

[lejogger]

ps we're all different sizes down there...

...in terms of sit bone width, so it's worth getting a saddle fitting and making sure what you do buy is suitable if you're having issues.

 

[Robwiz]

In my experience saddle soreness indicates something not quite right with the set up of the bike – too much weight being supported by the saddle compared to the other contact points on the bike. Certainly a cut-out type saddle will eliminate the source of pressure but you need to work out why you saddle is supporting your perineum and not your sit bones.

 

[lejogger]

In my experience saddle soreness indicates something not quite right with the set up of the bike – too much weight being supported by the saddle compared to the other contact points on the bike. Certainly a cut-out type saddle will eliminate the source of pressure but you need to work out why you saddle is supporting your perineum and not your sit bones.

Exactly. It happens with me when I'm tired - most people sit heavier on the saddle when the legs are tired rather than supporting the weight in the legs - hence it usually only being a problem on long rides. It may be your saddle is too high or bars too low etc.
use YouTube to get some basic fitting pointers

 

[Boopop]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Is there anything specifically I need to know/look out for when buying a pair of cycling shorts? Is there a brand/model I should avoid?

Thanks

 

[Banjo]

Ive had an Endura pair that cost about £35 that are still good after 2 years and lots of miles. The pad is the crucial bit.I have heard people say the dhb brand shorts are good but havent tried them.