Search found 3 matches

by RedOrbea
12 Mar 2019, 11:52am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Finding the right saddle
Replies: 17
Views: 3149

Re: Finding the right saddle

Thank you all so much for your excellent advice.

If (and it's a big if) your problem has been caused by the injury and as a result you now have a pedalling technique that is causing excessive pressure under your sit bones, then the danger of focusing on changing saddles and bikes is that they might only provide temporary/limited relief, because they are likely only to reduce the symptoms, rather than fix the underlying cause (and an experienced cyclist getting such severe pain after only 20 miles suggests to my layman's understanding that there is a significant biomechanical problem/factor, rather than it just being a question of finding a saddle or a bike that you find more comfortable).


Thank you Slowster, I'll definitely try your suggestions.
by RedOrbea
11 Mar 2019, 10:30am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Finding the right saddle
Replies: 17
Views: 3149

Re: Finding the right saddle

Thank you all for taking the time to write and imparting with excellent advice.

I am proceeding with an open mind and experimental approach.

531 Colin -
However, I would take a small wager that it isn't the saddle alone that's the problem


completely agree "it isn't the saddle alone"

949Arnold
You say you have already had a 'bike fit' , has something changed? 


When I first bought the bike I had a fit which went through everything, testing the seat, measuring up my saddle, position, everything. And since then the saddle mapping and swapping saddles a few times.

At the saddle mapping the new saddle the bike shop gave me was more suited to a male pro racing rider! The saddle was as hard as an ironing board and I was in agony the first ride I did on it. Though I tried it in the shop, that wasn't enough time. Ideally I need to take out a saddle on a test but there aren't many cycle shops in my area that do that.

Slowster
"I can imagine that putting more power in the stroke through your good leg and/or compensating for the ACL weakness/pain by slightly shifting position during the stroke (which could have become an ingrained habit even if you are now fully recovered) might also increase the pressure under the sit bones."


Yes, one of the biggest differences to my cycling, since having the ACL injury and operation, is that I don't get out the saddle anymore up hills. I am now rammed down and almost stuck to the saddle instead of taking the weight off my bottom/sit bones. Pre-injury I used to get out and attack hills. Now those long, hard pulls of a hill, with my weight pushed forward, is where its really uncomfortable.Cycling on the flat its less of a pain than up a hill. Maybe till I get "over" the mental barrier of getting out the saddle that it won't give me any release on a long ride. I can stand up, but its completing a full rotation with the damaged leg that's a mental block. I'm thinking physiotherapy on a bicycle

So... yes a combination of saddle tests, physiotherapy etc

Vorpal
The type of pain you have can make a difference to the solution. Is it bruising? Pressure on the skin? pressure on the muscle between the saddle and sit bones? Chafing? Are you able to tell?


Yes, it's my sit bones and pressure on them making it really uncomfortable after say 20 miles. I have to keep getting off the bike to get some respite from the saddle.

Agree that the fitting experience
Many bike shops will be fitting someone on a road bike for an athletic position & best efficiency, which isn't likely to be the most comfortable position.


I find bike shops are geared for mainly male/racing bike cyclists.

I think that ultimately I'll end up getting a comfy tourer. My friend has a Dawes Galaxy. And its a combination of things that make it a pleasure to ride. Firstly, the triple chain ring. The bike is too big for me but when I have borrowed it I've loved the feel of it as it is effortless up hills, and so smooth. Its now becoming a bit of a vintage bike so I am not sure I will find one the same. But I am sure that the frame and build absorbs the road bumps. The saddle is a larger gel one to my Orbea too.

Back to the drawing board ... thank you all.
by RedOrbea
7 Mar 2019, 4:00pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Finding the right saddle
Replies: 17
Views: 3149

Finding the right saddle

Hello and thanks for reading and any advice or guidance is much appreciated.

I have had a few years of uncomfortable riding different saddles, none of which alleviate the pain in my sit bones (at about 20 miles). The problem appears to have started or got worse after I injured my ACL. I don't get out the saddle to climb hills anymore, so it stands to reason there's more weight on my bottom now. Have gone through so many tests I've lost count. I had a really good fit from an expert. That was okay for a while, or maybe I had more strength and body tone. Post the ACL injury the saddle has been a nightmare. Despite a saddle mapping, and several changes of saddles (all recommended). Then another bike fit. The problem is that after 20 miles I am in so much discomfort that its killing off the potential to do 30+ more miles pain free.

Posture and position in the saddle could be an issue. The saddle mapping showed a tendency to favour the good leg.

I'm wondering whether its the bike and the saddle, and whether I ought to change the road bike for something like a tourer.

All and any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you. There's absolutely nothing anywhere online that addresses injury/saddle/position. I ought to add that I'm a lady, aged 52. I've read so many articles about the saddle and how women/men's saddles vary, but nothing related to my specific issue. I'm running out of saddle options and think a Brooks or something like that might be the way forward. Thank you.