my butt hurts! (need seat advice)

Margaret

I could use everyone's advice on a saddle problem. I have a fairly new Novara Randonee with a Selle Royal Lookin Gel touring seat (unisex). After going on a twenty-mile ride this weekend, my sit bones are totally bruised and sore. I am pretty new to longer rides, although I've had this same problem in the past when I've gone on longer rides on vacation and so on, but since that was always on rented bikes, I didn't think much of it. Now that I have my own bike that is not just for quick rides around town and errands, etc. (and am starting to train for a week-long ride in Canada this summer and a cross-country trip next spring), I really want to get this saddle thing right.

I've done some research on the various posts on this forum and in other places, and looked at the Terry site and Hamoc site. I've never really experienced the major "girl parts" problems that other women seem to have (just some mild soreness that goes away quickly), and most of the posts and advice seem to deal with that. Does anyone else have this sit-bones problem? Any recommendations on which saddle fixed it for you? If it helps, I'm 5'6", @145 lbs., with relatively wider hips/pelvis, and most (if not all!) of my weight unfortunately around the butt and thigh.

Any advice or suggestions are much appreciated!

Brunswick_kate

Saddles...oh jebus but they can ruin your entire day. My otherwise sweet mechanic moved mine during a tune up and 2 weeks later, I've finally got it back into the right place, so I sympathize.

Okay, what exactly is the problem with yours....Where is the support hitting your sit bones? Is the seat too wide? Too narrow? Is it too soft...gel seats can cause more hassle than they cure if they're compressing soft tissues.

Unfortunately, your hip measurement isn't going to tell you much about the sit bone measurements and body weight isn't going to be much of a factor in it.

Once you've figured out **what** the nature of the problem (too narrow, nose too long, etc etc) then you can take your old seat into the local bike shop and telling the staff what you need. They should be willing to let you try a few models.

__________________
Insanity has its price -- Please have exact change.

sugufish

Get a big fat seat and it should solve your problem but don't take it on a long ride cos you will feel fatique.

gclark8

Most (all?) of my lady Tri bike friends use the Selle Italia Lady seat, I find it ok for a half hour at a time, but I prefer one with a "slot". Unisex seats may be ok for transvestites or those with gender confusion.

cheers
Mr G

__________________
Cheers,
George.

Margaret

Thanks, Kate -- the problem is that I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. I mean, I know what the end result is -- specific little bruises (not visible on the skin, internal) under each sit bone in my butt (a little worse on the right side), that hurt when I sit down for a couple of days after a long ride and really hurt if I get back on the bike within a day or two. So I'm guessing that the problem is that the back of the seat is too narrow or not cushioned enough or something. But I just don't know what aspect of the seat causes this problem, so I thought that if others had a similar problem and had solved it in a certain way, that might be a good beginning for me.

HeidelbergBarbi

I am gonna monitor this subject. I just bought a Royal Sel by Lookin. It is more narrow than the Comus Gel I just got rid of. I am hoping this narrow seat will solve some of my soreness problems.
I wanted to try the Italia Lady seat but it was just too pricey for me. The idea of the cut-out sounds good but I also have the sits bone soreness problem too. After a 6 day, 500 kilometer ride down the Mosel and Sarr Rivers 2 weeks ago, I want to have a seat that is going to be comfortable. I am going on a 400 kilometer ride through Holland this next week.

Brunswick_kate

I suspect, but obviously can't tell via computer, that the seat is too narrow and that your sit bones are not being properly supported.

Have you given any try on adjusting seat height, how far forward, level etc. I just re-adjusted mine last week and it got rid of a bit of discomfort. The nose of the seat had started tipping down and it was bugging me.

__________________
Insanity has its price -- Please have exact change.

docgoku

I'll throw in my 2cents. I have a simple Cannondale R400 and recently switched to a terry fly ti (mens). I rode a little over 100 miles in that seat and hated it. My right sit bone developed a nice bruse. The stock selle whatever seat, called viper, was much better for my sit bones. I have a theory that the stock seat felt better becasue it was more narrow and fit my slim sit bones better.
To test this I've put the more narrow seat back on tonight and I'm letting a buddy at work use the terry ti as he has a much wider bum than I!! I'll get to ride at least 70 miles over the weekend and I'll make a judgement then.
Does that make sense that sit bone bruise can come from too wide of a seat?

Cheers,

__________________
JH
04 Cannondale R400 + Ultegra DT
04 Fuji Team Issue + Ultegra DT + FSA K-Wing

gclark8

Perth (Aust) readers, there is a Selle Italia Lady Seat for sale on TRIWA forum this afternoon.

cheers
g

__________________
Cheers,
George.

Margaret

Thanks, Kate -- yes, I've played around a little, but I'll admit that I'm so grateful not to have the girl-parts problems that I'm a little nervous about doing something (e.g. nose adjustment) that fixes the butt problem but just shifts it to someplace even more delicate! I've been reading a lot about Brooks saddles on the phred touring list, and it seems like that might be the answer for me (they seem to have fixed a lot of sore butts -- although I think women with problems in the "front" area seem not to like them).

If I do get the Brooks, I'll report back on how I like it --

HeidelbergBarbi

I have readjusted the height of my seat (from the arch of where my foot hits the pedal, the leg should be straight).
This new RoyalGel by Lookin will be tested on a 400+ Kilometer ride this week as I tour through Holland and into Belgium.
I will write my results at my return.

Donna T

You may want to go back to your bike shop and ask them to help you get fit properly to your bike. If they won't help you find another bike shop. My shop will often let customers they are familiar with try out a new saddle for a few days to see if it is adequate for their needs (not just for a ride around the parking lot). Maybe you are too upright, to far forward, etc..

You may also want to try lowering your seat a touch - most people have very minor leg length discrepancies, and these can often cause minor issues when the shorter leg is trying to accomodate for a longer leg's reach. This may be why you find yourself with more tenderness on the right. Have someone ride behind you and see if your hips really rock as you pedal, or if you seem to be reaching more on the right than the left.

Another option would be to get a suspension seat post - it would add a little extra weight, but not much.

I recently got a new Terry Butterfly saddle as a nice little "extra" while purchasing a new mountain bike, and I am amazed at the level of comfort. Previously I had had the stock Specialized women's specific saddle, which I was actually pretty happy with. The Butterfly is now on my road bike, and I will probably buy another Butterfly next year though (they are pretty pricey) to put back on the mountain bike. However, I do know two women who bought one and didn't like it, so you never know - we're all built different.

Good luck, and have a great time on your trip!

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The climbs are worth it when you get to the descents.

WyoRoadChick

FWIW, if your sit bones hurt after the first or second time on the saddle, maybe there's nothing wrong with the way the saddle fits, since you should be sitting on your sit bones. You should get used to the pressure after a few short rides. I was riding a Fizik Aliante which started out very comfortable, but got worse over time because it put pressure on the soft tissue which you'll never get used to After 2500 miles on that saddle, I've just switched to a Koobi. After 2 rides, I have no pressure on the soft tissue, but happily my sit bones are a little sore since they're not used to being sat on.
And like others have said, try changing the position of the saddle fore and aft, and tilting it up or down.

cannongirl

Margaret,
Do you have a good pair of Cycling shorts? They can make the world of difference...

Also, as others have suggested, have your Bike fitted properly by a good Bike Shop, it's well worth the money...

I find that I can go through as many as 4 Pairs of Shorts every year, the padding tends to go flat after a lot of miles, and of course washes which tend to take their toll.

Also, never wear Panties under your shorts, not even a G-String, they can irritate the heck out of you after a while.

Every Girl is different, so It's impossible to suggest a comfortable Saddle for someone else, but don't skimp on those Bike shorts, the cheap ones just don't work!

Good luck!!