Bicycle Seats Hurt !!

[Spooner]

Went out riding for the first time in years yesterday. My ass is killing me today! The only reason I had to stop riding yesterday was not due to being tired, but due to my ass hurting!! ARggh... it's a nice bike, too

Are there ways to avoid this? (keeping smartass replies to a minimum if possible... but doubtful):|

 

[Ameesh]

get a better seat?

 

[Spooner]

Looking for a simpler solution than that. It's not my bike.

 

[vi edit]

hehe, you're saddle sore It'll get better the more you ride. The first time I hop on my bike for the season my butt cheeks are whistlin dixie the next day too I know that you can buy some special padded biker shorts that pad your butt and crotch area. Thay may help.

Kind of like not lifting weights for a couple months and starting up again...it hurts to move your muscles ache so much.

I'm sure Fausto can give some advice.

 

[jlee75]

get a seat cover... gel one... just remove it when you're done.

and yes those seats do hurt... and your balls get all mashed up too

 

[StageLeft]

This happens - just ride a few times and it will hurt less as you get used to it.

 

[Spooner]

<< get a seat cover... gel one... just remove it when you're done. >>


what do those things go for?

 

[mithrandir2001]

I need laser treatment because I'm dyin' ovah here.

 

[Brutuskend]

The main reason most people have sore Butts after riding is seat adjustment. (too low/wrong angle)
When sitting on the saddle with the crank arm at it's lowest position, you should have a (Very) slight bend in your knee.
A good way to check seat hight is put just your heel on the pedal @ it's lowest. At that position your leg should be straight. Then when you move your foot backwards to the proper place (The ball of your foot over the pedal spindle) you will have the right amount of bend.

As far as angle, the nose of the saddle should be about even with the back.

But reguardless of all this, if you don't ride a lot, it will take awhile for your BUTT to adapt to any seat.
There are many differant types of saddles out there. The ones I find to be the most comfy are ones that have a lot of flex in the shell, instead of ones that have a lot of padding. (But thats just me)

Good luck!

EDIT: Another big factor is weight distribution. A lot of people raise their stem which transfers their weight back onto their BUTT.
Idealy you want a 50/50 weight distibution between your hands and your ass. If you raise your stem, get a bigger seat because more of your weight will be comming down on your butt.........

 

[Thegonagle]

Try out some different seats.

My ass and the seat on my new bike don't seem to agree, so I'm probably going to have to change it soon.

(EDIT: Jeez, I need to learn to refresh before I reply!)

I agree with the gel cover and the padded shorts (you can wear regular shorts on over them if you hate the look.)

 

[Mister T]

get one of those big granny seats

 

[Fausto]

First off, get a pair of cycling shorts. They make a really big difference. If you don't like wearing bike shorts because of how, uh, revealing they are...there are also short "liners" with padding like these or you can get baggy shorts with built-in liners like these.

Also, make sure your bike fits you correctly. If the seat is too high it will put extra pressure in weird areas. Also, the saddle should be pretty close to level from front to back...if you have the nose of the saddle angled up too much you'll squish your doodads. This is not good. A decent bike shop should be able to help you out with bike fit...usually for free or a few buck for a quick fitting.

Lastly if you're having issues with chafing and not bruising (although it didn't read like you were), a few well-placed dabs of vaseline or similar before donning your shorts will help a lot with this.

Whatever you do, you will have a somewhat bruised-feeling booty for the first few rides. Keep the rides short and bump up the distance as your butt toughens up. It is somewhat like the weight-lifting analogy as unused muscles will be sore after your first few workouts.

Fausto

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

A good pair of bike shorts can help a lot and there are differences in seats, but sounds like you just have to toughen up a bit.

I don't like gel seats b/c they tend to be too wide and chafe more.

 

[MrBond]

My mom's got a Serfas Gel seat on her Trek, it's the most comfortable seat I've ever used. I really need to get one for my bike, but I'm so cheap I just borrow hers when I feel like going on a bike ride .

 

[Eli]

Yep.. Just ride more, they'll get better.

I experienced the same thing after riding my bike about 15 miles.. after not riding for like a year. It was a big mistake.. lol

 

[Fausto]

I'm with ya on the gel seat issue. Seats that higher-mileage riders (eg- 150+ miles per week) riders use may feel overly firm at first, but you really do need the support for long rides. Kinda like how soft car seats feel great in the showroom, but really suck after 5 hours in the car....those BMW seats are firm for a reason. Also, what saddle fits what butt is a really individual thing. Pros have been known to transport their saddles in their personal luggage when travelling in case their bike gets stolen for this very reason. Not fun to have to find a new saddle and break it in when you've got a 300km race later that week. I personally like the Selle Italia Turbomatics, but this is just personal preference based on years of riding and trying different saddles.

Fausto

 

[yakko]

<< The ones I find to be the most comfy are ones that have a lot of flex in the shell, instead of ones that have a lot of padding >>

I agree. That is why I use the Sella Italia Flite Titanium seats. Not that heavy and flex like crazy.

 

[exp]

Great post by Brutuskend.

A little PITA is normal at first, but if you feel a numbness in your groin stop riding until you can adjust your seat properly or replace it altogether. Otherwise you are looking at an elevated risk of erectile dysfunction in the future.

 

[Spooner]

<< A little PITA is normal at first, but if you feel a numbness in your groin stop riding until you can adjust your seat properly or replace it altogether. Otherwise you are looking at an elevated risk of erectile dysfunction in the future. >>


AAAHHH! :Q


Naw, no groinal soreness.... it's kind of like the bottom, where my ass cheeks hit my leg kind of thing.. Just a little sore

 

[SagaLore]

Close your legs?

 

[FrustratedUser]

A few things to do:

1: Adjust the seat angle, front should be slightly lower than the back. Try a few small changes.
2: Get a pair of bike shorts. They are great. I use mine uder a pair of ordinary baggy shorts.
3: Get a good seat. I can reccomend the Selle Italia Flite. It's not very soft BUT it fits my (your?) butt perfect.

The next step is to get a full suspension bike, but a good one will cost $$$$.

 

[spanky]

<< Bicycle Seats Hurt !! >>



the seat is supposed to be parallel to the ground, not perpedicular.

 

[Nefrodite]

get one with a hole in it to protect your naughty bits. nothing else matters they have versions forboth sexes

 

[FrustratedUser]

Try the Selle Italia Max Flite series.
They are a bit wider than the stadard Flite. Will try it on my new bike.

 

[signalman]

I have always wondered whether bicycle seats hurt women, too. I never have had the nerve to ask.