I just bought a new road bike a few weeks ago, and I am used to riding alot on my mountain bike. I've been going about 30 miles per ride on my new road bike, and I noticed that there is much more discomfort in forward unmentionable parts of my anatomy (as a woman). I already had the seat adjusted from tilting forward to slightly tilted up. It's less uncomfortable now than before, but I still get rather tender. Am I not riding in the right position or is it the saddle's position? Or, is it just something I have to get used to, like my rear end did when I first started going long distances on the mountain bike?
2007-07-02 00:30:33 · 6 answers · asked by m 2 in Sports ➔ Cycling
This is quite a common problem. With the nature of the problem, it is very hard to get someone to help you.There are a few things that you can try. Have a read through these links.
http://sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/features/bikesad2.htm
You have stated that tilting the seat up has reduced the problem. This adjustment tends to make your pelvis more upright placing more weight on your sit bones.
Modifying your posture or adjusting the seat (possibly sliding the seat a touch forward will help) to put even more weight on your sit bones should help some more.
Being on a wsd you should have a good chance of getting it right. The seat sounds like it is at the right angle (dead level or slightly up). If your seat has been adjusted for leg length and your pelvis doesn't rock. That only really leaves forward and back adjustment and posture.
If you are still having trouble you might have to try a few saddles, to see if you can find something that takes the weight of your um... soft tissues.
2007-07-05 01:26:21 · answer #1 · answered by Glenn B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many factors here.
1. Has the bike been correctly set up for you? Seat height, position, and tilt all determine how comfortable you are. Generally, you are more comfortable with the seat level or slightly pointed down.
2. Riding a MTB and a road bike is not the same. You are in more of a crouch on the road bike, putting pressure in different areas. Also, you generally are on the saddle longer on a road bike vs. a MTB bike. On the MTB you are changing positions much more than on the road.
3. Do you wear padded shorts? This may help you out as well.
4. It could be that your body just doesn't mesh well with the saddle. Each person's body is different.
What to do? Go to where you bought the bike and make sure that the saddle position is set up correctly. Get some padded shorts, and realize that your body may need some time to adjust to the different riding position. Also see if the bike shop will let you try a saddle and return it if you don't like it. You may need to try out several before you find one that works. I like the Specialized Body Geometry saddles because they come in different widths.
2007-07-02 02:40:02 · answer #2 · answered by CM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While there is no single saddle that satisfies everyone, the Selle San Marco Rolls comes real close. This saddle has been around for years and is still used by some pro riders. I picked up a used one on eBay for $51 and it looked like new. I remember when this saddle first came on the market and I couldn't afford one then. Now I can and it is very comfortable. It has won out over a Selle Italia Signo Gel Flow, a Selle Italia SLK Gel Flow and a Specialized Avatar Gel. There are two versions, one with steel rails and one with titanium rails. The steel rail version is cheaper, but heavier. If you can't get a Rolls, go to a Specialized dealer and see if they have the Sonoma Gel. It's a MTB saddle but pretty comfortable and what I have on my DH racing bike.
2016-05-21 01:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The people above are just dumb. There is certainly something you can do. The saddle is the most commonly changed part on a new bike. A good shop will have a number of models, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Look for women specific models. Terry makes a very well regarded women's saddle line. My wife swears by it as do a number of my customers. These saddles are cut in a way to take pressure off of the wrong areas and put it on the right ones. Get a seat that fits your body.
2007-07-02 01:43:57 · answer #4 · answered by Jay P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right, M. It is an adjustment that you are going to have to get used to.
2007-07-02 00:41:21 · answer #5 · answered by capt.john.sparrow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try wearing ten pairs of undies!
2007-07-02 00:38:10 · answer #6 · answered by Blugirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋