The perfect saddle for comfort

[Love.the.outdoors]

Hello ladies this is a little embarrassing but I took up cycling in the first lockdown and discovered an absolute passion for it. I purchased my bike from Facebook and the first saddle from what I can remember was a sponge material and it was absolutely fine from what I can remember. I then changed it to a leather one which was recommended by my local cycling shop and within my first ride (20-30 miles) I had extreme internal swelling in my private region which left me unable to cycle for over a week. Since then I have had 3 different saddles and even the ones with the holes in the centre and whenever I do long distances I get the same internal swelling. I can only guess it is where there is a lot of pressure from the way that I am sitting and it is giving me some kind of trauma.

I've seen a doctor numerous times and they stated everything is fine but I don't want to give up cycling because of this. Can anyone recommend a good saddle for someone with a very big bum and has anyone ever experienced this and I don't tend to get swollen on the outside it seems to be just internal.

Thank you

[richardfm]

I recommend that you refit the original saddle that was absolutely fine.
Why did you change it?

[axel_knutt]

the first saddle from what I can remember was a sponge material and it was absolutely fine from what I can remember

Would I be right in guessing that you threw the old one away?
Big mistake. If you have something that's working well always keep it at least until you're absolutely sure the new one's ok, and preferably indefinitely. The best you can do if you haven't got it is to look for one as similar as possible, if you had something that worked once, at least you know you're not looking for the impossible. Alternatively, there are noseless saddles which work well for some people. Leather saddles require quite a lot of breaking in before they're comfortable, so they won't be helpful if you can't tolerate them whilst you're doing so.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Pressure points with saddle should be on the pelvic sit bones Rear of pelvis lowermost) which sit on the padded rear mounds of saddle.
Like wise leather saddles aren't for every one and its not for beginners I.M.O.

Big saddles, wide that is, cause more discomfort in general as they tend to isolate the sit bones, and rub everywhere else.

Also saddle up down, that's the nose of saddle, ideally should be a few millimeters higher than the rear of saddle.

But its also depends a bit on the height of handle bars, and your riding position?

A side pic of bicycle would help.

A too upright position' and intermittent applying effort to pedals, leads to too much pressure on the saddle with your rear
If you are not pedaling then straighten on leg to relieve any unnecessary weight on saddle.

Saddle sore which tends to be more pain and discomfort at your sit bones, will wear off with any ideal saddle after a few months.

Bad bike fit which could also be too high a nose of saddle, causing undue pressure on front private area (which men get too) could well be the problem, also leather saddles are for............ones that know they work not for the uninitiated.

Hav you got an original picture of the bike from the advert.

[LollyKat]

Can you post pictures of the saddles that don't work, and a picture of just the bike, side on? It would give us a bit of a start.

[531colin]

Some (uncomfortable) reading......

https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/04 ... ddles.html

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/po ... ve-issues/ ....theres a part 2 of that one as well.

I think its important to realise that no saddle can be comfortable unless its in the right position.
Have a read of my DIY bike fit piece linked below.

[willcee]

A tender issue no doubt, perhaps no one at the dealer who recommended the saddle asked you were you cycling commando, OK understandably not a subject that some men like discussing with women of a certain decorum, but it has in my 2nd cycling life these past 22 years a subject that quite a few ladies aren't aware of or just go ahead and keep their drawers on, and cycling in something like shorts or jeans that have a big solid seam in the crotch which moves around with the pedal action and shoves the drawers into their womens bits which.. guys.... they sit on.. that is a painful ride.. they need padded cycle shorts next to their skin ,. again too many newbies expect to be 30 mile match fit in several weeks, that may be the case if you coming from some other sport and have kept up your basic cardio vasc and muscle strength, but ime a newbie needs regular runs 2 or 3 every week FOR few months of maybe 10/12 miles before attempting 30 mile jaunts.. without damaging themselves... will

[pjclinch]

A tender issue no doubt, perhaps no one at the dealer who recommended the saddle asked you were you cycling commando, OK understandably not a subject that some men like discussing with women of a certain decorum, but it has in my 2nd cycling life these past 22 years a subject that quite a few ladies aren't aware of or just go ahead and keep their drawers on, and cycling in something like shorts or jeans that have a big solid seam in the crotch which moves around with the pedal action and shoves the drawers into their womens bits which.. guys.... they sit on.. that is a painful ride.. they need padded cycle shorts next to their skin ,. again too many newbies expect to be 30 mile match fit in several weeks, that may be the case if you coming from some other sport and have kept up your basic cardio vasc and muscle strength, but ime a newbie needs regular runs 2 or 3 every week FOR few months of maybe 10/12 miles before attempting 30 mile jaunts.. without damaging themselves... will

There's quite a bit of misplaced certainty there. While the above can be factors it isn't certain they will be. Lots of women ride happily in normal clothes, others still suffer in specialist clothes despite being highly conditioned athletes.
Certainly suggesting all women need padded shorts with nothing under them is a huge over-statement.

Pete.

[Slowroad]

willcee wrote: ↑7 Feb 2022, 7:10pm
A tender issue no doubt, perhaps no one at the dealer who recommended the saddle asked you were you cycling commando, OK understandably not a subject that some men like discussing with women of a certain decorum, but it has in my 2nd cycling life these past 22 years a subject that quite a few ladies aren't aware of or just go ahead and keep their drawers on, and cycling in something like shorts or jeans that have a big solid seam in the crotch which moves around with the pedal action and shoves the drawers into their womens bits which.. guys.... they sit on.. that is a painful ride.. they need padded cycle shorts next to their skin ,. again too many newbies expect to be 30 mile match fit in several weeks, that may be the case if you coming from some other sport and have kept up your basic cardio vasc and muscle strength, but ime a newbie needs regular runs 2 or 3 every week FOR few months of maybe 10/12 miles before attempting 30 mile jaunts.. without damaging themselves... will

There's quite a bit of misplaced certainty there. While the above can be factors it isn't certain they will be. Lots of women ride happily in normal clothes, others still suffer in specialist clothes despite being highly conditioned athletes.
Certainly suggesting all women need padded shorts with nothing under them is a huge over-statement.

Pete.

Yes, I totally agree - I cycle in jeans to get to work 8 miles away (gardening), absolutely fine with ordinary M&S knicks. Touring I usually wear flat-seam knicks with non-cycling stretch leggings. I'd usually have cheapish padded shorts with me in case. It's important to try different optins and find out what works for you.