Ouch, that's a bit sore

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Onthedrops

Veteran
Location
Yorksha
I have a problem.

I love my cycling and get out and about as much as possible.
However.......... Around the 20 mile stage of my ride I get an aching butt.
My bike fits me, I'm not overstretched when riding. I wear quality bibs and tights (eg Castelli) The saddle is a stockie which came with the bike Giant Defy Advanced. I also cream the old undercarriage on longish rides.

I did wonder if the saddle was the problem as not all saddles suit individuals. Would it be worth having a saddle fit? Would a change of saddle be a revalation?
 

si_c

Guru
Location
Wirral
I think the saddle has more impact on comfort than short type. My saddle is ridiculously comfortable to me, and I don't wear cycling shorts, so it's definitely worth speaking to your LBS to see if they can help with an appropriate saddle.
 
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kiriyama

Senior Member
Just swapped over to my winter bike (a bit early I know but summer bike needs too much money spent on it!) Swapped the saddle over too because last winter I was in agony with the stock one on my winter bike. So I would suggest trying a few different saddles. How you go about this I don't know! Easy if you know lots of helpful cyclists.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
Why don't you post a picture on here of the bike, taken from the side? There are plenty of people with an experienced eye who will tell you whether the position looks right or not. Better still, post a second pic of you on the bike, leaning against a wall.
 

tobykenobi

Über Member
Another vote for a new saddle. I had similar on a new bike. About an hour in the standard Cannondale would get uncomfortable. Went into Evans and sat on a pad which allowed them to measure my sit-bones. Bought a Speciaized Toupe Sport (at the reasonable price of £25*) but the pad measurement suggested I needed the wider of the two sizes. There are online guides that show you how to do the measurement yourself.

Whilst it is not ridiculously comfortable, I've done over 60 miles without much trouble.

* although this being a cycle shop could have easily spent 5 times the price.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
There is a certain amount of bruising that happens with saddles and although nobody has done any research on this rather subjective phenomenon, I believe the sit bones do become accustomed to the saddle. For me a saddle with a good scoop shape that cups the sit bones is good as well as a good curve from side to side. Obviously this won't be comfortable if it's set up wrong. Riding style has a lot to do with it and if you are constantly up and out of the saddle, shifting around and dealing with variations in effort and terrain I reckon your bum will last for longer than if you just sit and ride for 30 miles non-stop.
 

DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
I had the same problem with the stock saddle on my Defy 3, about 15 to 20 miles in was agony, So much so I would end up stood up on the pedals freewheeling in order to stop the pain for a while, I swapped it for a Selle Italia SLR Flow Team edition, which was a revelation, 32 miles is no problem
 
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Onthedrops

Onthedrops

Veteran
Location
Yorksha
I think a saddle fitting is in order by the looks of things. Like DRM said, I find myself standing up sometimes to relieve the pressure .................... It's bliss!
 

Dave7

Legendary Member
Location
Cheshire
I also had serious problems on the Giant Defy saddle. If I did a 25 miler I was so sore that I could not get back on it for a week. No chafing....just seriously painful sit bones.
I went to a lbs who tweaked the fit (no charge) and sold me a Fizik saddle. I went out the next day and did a 68 miler with no real discomfort.......and could ride again the very next day.
If my experience is anything to go by then a different saddle may well do the trick.
 
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