Saddle sore!

[SurlyNomad]

Bit of an embarrasing problem here so bear with me, Ive just started to get back on the bike after the winter. Ive managed to get Two whole commutes in. 15 miles each way so not bad. Now my problem is this, I have just bought a Brooks B17 saddle. Now i wouldnt say its uncomfortable but i find that I get chapped at the top of the legs where the legs meet your bum, and it stings like a bee-atch. Would it be any easier to use a barrier cream of some sort i.e. sudocreme or something similar? Any advice greatly apreciated. Ive only done two commutes so far as i have to wait for my legs to simmer down a bit before i try the next commute.

 

[BSRU]

Strange, I bought a Brooks Flyer Special because my old cheap saddle caused the same problem. I also think wearing padded tights helped alot especially on longer commutes. Since using the Brooks no problems and it is extremely comfortable, I think I must have a Brooks shaped behind.

When I hade the problem I used Sudocream, fortunately we had lots of it about but it only eased the problem it never got rid of it, hence the change of saddle.

 

[Domeo]

I got a Brooks B17 early last year. It took me ages to get used to it. I ended up using chammy cream for a few weeks until it softened and shaped. Got no problems with now and it is extremely comfortable. Persevere

 

[MacB]

My remedy, apologies if some is really obvious:-

1. make sure bike is well set up for you and saddle is in line, it doesn't have to be off center by much to cause a problem
2. get a tub of cream, I use Udderly Smooth, bought from Wiggle
3. use cream and clean shorts for every ride, certainly 15 miles each way is enough to warrant this
4. wash and dry thoroughly after each ride, get out of the sweaty shorts asap, and maybe apply a little cream as well
5. you cannot be too clean

DO NOT assume that you'll toughen up down there(you will but not necessarily quickly enough) and that you can just manly your way through it. This can lead to infection and a fair bit of pain. I speak from personal experience(mine was caused by an out of line saddle), it's no fun seeing blood and pus in your shorts after each ride. Following the above regime allowed me to continue riding, perhaps foolishly, and it cleared up very quickly.

If that doesn't work then change saddles or se a doctor.

 

[brickisred]

There are plenty of creams you can buy I've used Chamois Butt'r -
http://www.pacelinep...ois_Butt_r.aspx

The problem is caused by saddle position causing friction which allows infection, so it's important to set the saddle correctly. It's explained quit well (but at length) here.
http://www.sheldonbr...om/saddles.html

I had saddle sores form having my saddle too high causing rotation of my hips. Although I felt my saddle was correct, by dropping it down and forwards then after a couple of commutes adjusting back up in small increments I go to the optimum position and the saddle sores went away.

As stated in above post It's also important to keep clean and wear clean shorts to avoid infection

 

[skudupnorth]

When i rode to Cornwall all i used was basic vaseline after each days riding before i went to sleep.I have a Brookes B17 standard seat and i do not wear padded shorts because i find i sweat more with them on as opposed to wearing cotton short or baggy(ish) cycle trousers.The vaseline worked well and i had no problems in that area.

 

[SurlyNomad]

Cheers for the advice guys, I will work my way through all the advice with a process of elimination. I have been wearing padded shorts for a while so i dont think its them,but i will try riding on the brookes without the padded shorts. I dont want to give up on the brooks as like i said its not uncomfortable its just the chaffing thats p*ssing me off a bit as i cant commute until the sore receids a bit.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Much though Brooks have an excellent reputation, if your sit bones don't match the design, you might as well just sit on the seatpost. I once persevered with a Brooks for over 500 miles of agony thinking it would mould itself to my shape. No, it was still trying to mould me to its shape when I finally threw it away.

 

[HobbesChoice]

Hi SurlyNomad. I'm currently going through the female version myself. For me it's mostly that my bottom just isn't used to sitting on that sort of seat for that length of time. Particularly bearing in mind the bumps and judders you go through too. So all the above is obviously very applicable and a bit of time to give your body time to toughen up a bit.

This morning I "double bagged". I've put cycling shorts on and then the normal looking shorts with the cycle pads in them too! If the sun came up late for you this morning it's because my behind caused an eclipse! Sorry about that!!!

 

[redjedi]

A narrower saddle sorted out my similar problem.
I went from a 143mm Specialized Avatar (which I was measured for), to a 135mm San Marco and haven't had any problems since.

 

[SurlyNomad]

This morning I "double bagged". I've put cycling shorts on and then the normal looking shorts with the cycle pads in them too! If the sun came up late for you this morning it's because my behind caused an eclipse! Sorry about that!!!
[/quote]

LOL !

 

[Zippy]

Last year I bought two Brooks saddles off eBay and tried them - B15 and a B17 narrow. Didn't get on with either as they were both way too wide and felt like sitting on a horse saddle. Fortunately they hold their price and I eBayed them back and made a small profit.

Back to the cheapo Selle Italia for me - much more comfy!

 

[niggle]

The leather that a Brooks saddle is made from is a natural product, so consequently there can be a lot of variation in the time it takes to break in, if at all. All things being equal, as they break in they become moulded to the shape of the rider, eventually, by which point they are normally unbeatable for comfort.

I have a B17 Standard on my tourer with about 400 miles on it and its hardly changed shape, but the B17 Narrow I have on my road bike was a lot quicker to break in and is superb. I also note a bit of pressure to my inner thigh with the standard width, so it may be that the B17 Standard is too wide for me and SurlyNomad, but I'm not too worried as I bought it as an unused bargain off a mate for £30 and it will fetch a fair bit more on Ebay if I decide to get rid. Another theory says that standard B17s are best for upright riding and narrow ones are better for drop bar bikes.

I would suggest SurlyNomad gives it a while and tries regular applications of Sudocreme to himself and Proofide to the saddle (which can also reduce the friction/chafing). Rubbing a generous amount of Proofide in to the underside of the saddle can help to accelerate breaking in as well. However if the Standard still gives problems after 500 miles he could sell the Standard on and try a B17 Narrow.

 

[upsidedown]

I had the same problem, turned out I was sat too far back and was being rubbed by the edge of one of the rivets.

 

[SurlyNomad]

well looks like i might have a brooks shaped bum after all. After all the advice to my original post (above) I shoved the brooks as far forward as it could go, didnt wear the padded cycle shorts and hey presto not a chafage in sight . Got a good shower at work and dried of well, will have to see what its like on the way home tomorrow as had to leave the bike at work as i had to get mrs surly to collect me today as i had an emergency dental appointment , so its just to say thanks guys for ALL your advice about my little problem.