Saddles - does it get better?

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L2XE

Regular
Location
littlehampton
Hi all,

I recently purchased my first proper bike a Cube Cross Race. Everything is great bar the saddle which was killing me after a few minutes. I've made adjustments to the pitch but it got no better.
I popped into my Lbs in the week to see if another saddle would improve things, they lent me a fabric scoop to try. Today I went on my longest ride to date 70km. For the majority of the ride it was tolerable, not painful but I was always aware of it. By the end of the ride it was becoming very uncomfortable. My question for you guys is not what's the best saddle as I know it's subjective, but what's the best I can hope for? Is it realistic to expect comfort after 3 hours in the saddle?

Thanks in advance

EDIT. I should add that I enjoyed the ride immensely, so as not to come over too negatively.
 
Last edited:

simon.r

Person
Location
Nottingham
Yes, very realistic.

Your backside gets used to it! After 20 odd years cycling I still get very slightly sore on my first ride after a couple of weeks off the bike.

I assume you're using padded shorts?
 

smutchin

Cat 6 Racer
Location
The Red Enclave
The Scoop sounds like a definite improvement on the saddle that came with the bike. The problem might just be that you're not accustomed to spending that long on the bike - do a few more 70km rides and it may well get easier. On the other hand, it might not improve...

You could try getting a proper saddle fitting - eg http://www.selleitalia.com/en/idmatchsystem/

You also need to make sure the saddle is set at the correct height, angle and fore/aft adjustment - this can be determined by a full bike fit.

It's also worth considering that it might not be the saddle that's the problem - you may not be wearing the right shorts for you. It's not as simple as just getting padded shorts, they also need to be a good fit and have the right type of padding to suit you. Most people discover their favourite shorts through trial and error, but again, you could go to the experts and do it properly - https://www.endurasport.com/support/pad_fit/
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
It would help to have your sit bones measured; saddle width makes a big difference.

I went from thinking I needed a wide saddle to knowing it was the opposite that worked; I use a 130mm saddle for most rides and have done over 750 miles in one go on a basic saddle that's the correct width.
 
OP
OP
L

L2XE

Regular
Location
littlehampton
And minty arse lard*? If you're not, on a long ride the pad may rub.
Haven't tried it yet. The discomfort is definitely in the sit bones, rather than a chafing feeling. Does the minty arse lard help with that?



*the technical name for chamois creme... ;)
And minty arse lard*? If you're not, on a long ride the pad may rub.




*the technical name for chamois creme... ;)
 
OP
OP
L

L2XE

Regular
Location
littlehampton
The Scoop sounds like a definite improvement on the saddle that came with the bike. The problem might just be that you're not accustomed to spending that long on the bike - do a few more 70km rides and it may well get easier. On the other hand, it might not improve...

You could try getting a proper saddle fitting - eg http://www.selleitalia.com/en/idmatchsystem/

You also need to make sure the saddle is set at the correct height, angle and fore/aft adjustment - this can be determined by a full bike fit.

It's also worth considering that it might not be the saddle that's the problem - you may not be wearing the right shorts for you. It's not as simple as just getting padded shorts, they also need to be a good fit and have the right type of padding to suit you. Most people discover their favourite shorts through trial and error, but again, you could go to the experts and do it properly - https://www.endurasport.com/support/pad_fit/
Thanks for the tips
 

Kajjal

Guru
Location
Wheely World
It would help to have your sit bones measured; saddle width makes a big difference.

I went from thinking I needed a wide saddle to knowing it was the opposite that worked; I use a 130mm saddle for most rides and have done over 750 miles in one go on a basic saddle that's the correct width.

This is also good advice to narrow a saddle will get painful very quickly.
 

GuyBoden

Guru
Location
Warrington
I never had any problems with saddles on long rides when I was 11 stone, young and fit, only when I got old, unfit and15stone.
 

2clepto

Guest
take a hex key with you for saddle adjustment on the ride and adjust constantly over a few weeks/months until you find what works for you. you also probs need to try out a few more saddles.
 

oldroadman

Veteran
Location
Ubique
First things first. Get the position correct. A bike fit may well help. Back to the old formula for height, inside leg from crotch to floor in bare feet, x 0.883.
use the result to set basic height from centre of axle (I call it bracket, others chainset, others the US crankset...) to top of saddle. Set saddle at this height in mid fore and aft position. Then try riding and adjust as necessary. Once the correct position is settled, note and mark it. If comfort is still an issue, then look at saddles, width, possibly cut out types. The shorts and chamois cream. Buy the best quality you can afford (starting with Assos - usually seen as the best, not Rapha, but they are close, as are Endura, Le Col, and others - downwards) It's all (literally) very personal, will probably take a bit of time, but worth patience for the final result.
I saw a bike last week with an old Brooks "butchered" B17. Once used one and it needed a bit of breaking in time, but 3 weeks of pre-season training on it felt like a comfy chair, so I kept it for years, despite being asked to use other stuff. 200km plus is when you don't need sore bits to add to the general pain of competition!
Keep trying, and all will work out. :smile:
 

sanddancer

Senior Member
Location
N/Wales
I suffer the same as the op. 15 or 20 miles and I need to get out of the saddle.

I was talking to a neighbour the other week who rides regular, he is quite a big bloke/extra few pounds. We got onto the subject of saddles. He had a "fit" at an lbs and he said it was a great improvement.

I was returning from a ride the other day and he passed me going the other way.
Then he passed me coming back whilst I had stopped to give my arse a break :biggrin:
he wasn't hanging around either :smile:

I'm tempted to try this saddle fit procedure.
 

Dave7

Legendary Member
Location
Cheshire
My sore arse has been well documented on CC.......if I did 35 I couldnt get back on the saddle for a week......literally...it was hell!!;
Paid £100+ for a fit (at a recommended 'specialist')....no difference.
Explained problem to LBS who got me to take my bike in. He said it was all wrong......re-fitted it for free, loaned me a Fizik saddle and said "all this will cure the problem".
I also bought Endura Pro shorts.
I went out 2 days later and did 68.....2 days later a 20.
I can now do a 50 with no real arse pain :smile:
 
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albion

Guru
Location
South Tyneside
When I bought my mountain bike I quicky realised why they supplied an ultralight road type saddle.
To publicise a lower bike weight!

I am sure I could have adjusted to it if I was younger. The heavyweight gel saddle I now use for the bike is close to perfect.
 

tobykenobi

Über Member
My backside is very grateful for the £25 I spent on a new saddle on Saturday. My bike came with a standard Cannondale road saddle which got painful after about 45 mins.

Went into Evans and sat on a bit of foam on a wooden bar to allow the assistant to measure my "sit bones". It may have been undignified but worked. Did an hour and a half on Sunday and the difference was very noticeable. I was "aware" of the saddle but no real discomfort.

Definitely worth doing the sit-on-the-pad bit. Otherwise I think you're just guessing. I went for a Specialized Toupe sport (figured for £25 it wasn't the end of the world if it didn't work out) as I'd had a Specialized BG saddle before on my touring bike and got on well with it. The saddle comes in two widths and the pad measurement suggested I go for the wider of the two options.
 
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