Saddle comfort on the turbo

[BurningLegs]

Does anyone else find that their saddle is comfortable out on the road, but not on the turbo?

I have just bought a new bike and the stock saddle (Cannondale branded thing) is fine on the road, even on rides of several hours, but towards the end of a one hour session on the turbo I find it quite uncomfortable!

I think this is due to the seating position - when I'm on the turbo, in rest periods I often sit completely upright on the bike to drink, rub the sweat off my face, and recover. The discomfort is definitely greater when I am in the upright position (and I do mean completely upright - hands couldn't get anywhere near the bars if I tried!)

Has anyone else found that they have the same issue when riding on the turbo?

This is the first drop bar bike I've owned, so not sure if the discomfort when sat upright basically goes with the territory because you're expected to be more stretched out, or if I need a new saddle.

If I get a new saddle - do you know of any retailers who do a "comfort guarantee" so I can return it if I don't find it comfortable after a few rides?

 

[CXRAndy]

Saddle comfort is paramount. For turbo sessions, there is no movement so contact points are fixed and can be prone to more discomfort. I would tilt the saddle nose slightly down a tad. Else fit your saddle from your road bike. I use same saddle on all my bikes

 

[mjr]

No "comfort guarantee" but ranges like fizik have test saddles you can try awhile if you leave a deposit (monetary - leaving one on the saddle may forfeit it)

 

[theboxers]

As said, it is the lack of movement that causes the discomfort. My saddle out in the real world is fine for 3+ hours. But on the turbo after about 45 minutes it is a torture device if I don't move about, take a 5-10 second standing rest off of the seat every 15 minutes on longer sessions to mostly cure the issue.

 

[bobinski]

Agree with all above. Where does it get sore? sit bones, softer bits? If latter perhaps a saddle with a cut out or channel? If former look at trying some different bibs. I now use my best bibs on turbo for anything over an hour because they offer best comfort/padding. For me La Passione or Kalf from Evans. I actually wore summer Garneau bibs for a 2hr plus turbo session saturday, over 80km in total. They are a bit too lightweight padding wise and i did get a bit sore. I wont do that again.

 

[<Tommy>]

Does anyone else find that their saddle is comfortable out on the road, but not on the turbo?

I have just bought a new bike and the stock saddle (Cannondale branded thing) is fine on the road, even on rides of several hours, but towards the end of a one hour session on the turbo I find it quite uncomfortable!

I think this is due to the seating position - when I'm on the turbo, in rest periods I often sit completely upright on the bike to drink, rub the sweat off my face, and recover. The discomfort is definitely greater when I am in the upright position (and I do mean completely upright - hands couldn't get anywhere near the bars if I tried!)

Has anyone else found that they have the same issue when riding on the turbo?

This is the first drop bar bike I've owned, so not sure if the discomfort when sat upright basically goes with the territory because you're expected to be more stretched out, or if I need a new saddle.

If I get a new saddle - do you know of any retailers who do a "comfort guarantee" so I can return it if I don't find it comfortable after a few rides?

It does seem weird that you're only getting the discomfort on the turbo. It's sounds like you're not changing position enough during sessions. Try spending more time out of the saddle. I've also found while out riding if I bounce a little on the saddle it helps if I'm aching a bit. It might be down to lack of blood circulation.

Personally I wouldn't mess about with the position of the saddle if it's fine on outdoor rides as you might create another problem for yourself.

Evans let you return saddles you're not happy with I think. Think specialised have a similar policy.

 

[Venod]

I had Planet X saddles on 2 bikes that were fine on long road rides but for long turbo sessions they got uncomfortable I changed to Charge Spoon saddles which are a bit more comfortable on the turbo but still not as comfortable as they are on the road, I have just put a bike on the turbo with a Fabric Line saddle on it which doesn't seem too bad, I temporary fitted the Fabric on another bike so put a very soft saddle of the wife's on the turbo this was the worst of the lot fine to start with but soon became uncomfortable, I think you tend to move about more on the road whereas on the turbo its pretty much a constant position, your best padded shorts are a must on the turbo.

 

[BurningLegs]

Thanks for all the input on this, everyone.

I should probably add that I'm not new to the turbo, but my bike and saddle are both new (the previous bike was stolen unfortunately).

I will start out by making an effort to stand up more on the turbo and to move around more during rest periods.

I could definitely improve my bib shorts - I have lost weight so they are a little too big for me. I've been meaning to look for some new summer bibs in the sale but haven't done so yet.

The pain is around the flabby bit rather than on the sit bones which is what made me think it was probably the saddle (my initial thought was that it could be too wide). I will try to resist changing it for a little longer and make an effort to move more. Maybe I will explore a new saddle at Christmas if I haven't solved it with a combination of increased movement and just getting used to it by then.

 

[screenman]

This is what I use on the turbo at the moment, it is comfortable and seems to be doing what it was designed to do.

 

[mjr]

View attachment 374128

This is what I use on the turbo at the moment, it is comfortable and seems to be doing what it was designed to do.

Separating and lifting?

 

[screenman]

Separating and lifting?

Not quite correct, making you sit straight. I have a tendency to sit slightly off centre maybe due to arthritis in the right knee, it was getting worse and causing problems with my left foot, the saddle has helped me sit straighter.