Topic: Strong legs, tender butt. Suggestions?

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Strong legs, tender butt. Suggestions?

(44 posts)

(32 voices)

Started 103 days ago by Jboz
Latest reply from thejollyrogers 57 days ago

Jboz

I’ve ridden some, but not as much as most of you here. I’m pretty fit for a 53 year old guy. 70 to 80 miles per day on a nice road bike doesn’t concern me much. The challenge is that I have spent way too much time in cushy office chairs, and I don’t care much for physical discomfort – especially in certain regions of the body. Any suggestions for a really comfy saddle – and sorry, I’m not sold on the hard as a rock leather Brooks that you purists prefer. I’ve heard people rave about them – but it simply doesn’t add up in my mind.

JbozQuote

Posted 103 days ago #7735
ehlent

There are many different brands of saddles. You really need to try some to find what works for you.   But I can tell you that the harder saddles as your refering to are actually more comfortable than the softer ones for the type of riding we do.   When your riding 60, 70, or 80 miles those soft saddles can promote chaffing which is not good.   A properly fit saddle will there for be more comfortable.

If you start out slow, meaning a few miles at a time and slowly increasing your milage, you can soon become comfortable with the “hard” saddles that your referring to.   Biggest thing, just get out there and ride.

  ehlentQuote

Posted 103 days ago #7736
giantron

Saddles are like clothes, they all fit everyone differently. So after going through that myself I decided to get a little more scientific about it (after trying saddles others said were GREAT but I could’t get off of quick enough). Specialized and a few other manufacturers offer saddles in varying widths. This is really important since you have to get your “sit bones” to fit in the right portion of the saddle. So after going to a shop and sitting on the a.s.s-ometer I realized I needed a wider seat. Got a Specialized Avatar in wide and have been happy. It’s a nice saddle with a gel top but not really mushy, just firm.
That being said I just got a Brooks for my touring bike, and man that thing is hard and difficult to deal with while it breaks in. Hopefully it gets better soon. I may be putting a Specialized Avatar on that bike too.

giantronQuote

Posted 103 days ago #7737
RonB

Jboz said: I’m not sold on the hard as a rock leather Brooks that you purists prefer. I’ve heard people rave about them – but it simply doesn’t add up in my mind.

Yeah, it does sound counter-intuitive but after suffering for many years I got a Brooks B-17 last year. Hard, but more comfortable out of the box than any saddle I’ve ridden. Don’t think I’ve even broken it in yet…..can’t wait.

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Posted 103 days ago #7738
mlwalk

I always believed the small saddle would be less comfortable as well, but the one i have luckily came with my bike and fits my sit bones (or whatever you call them) and is more comfortable than any other saddle I have ever ridden.

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Posted 103 days ago #7739
Amanda

Whatever saddle you decide on, you will just have to ride, ride ride and then ride a bit more to get ready. This will be my 14th RAGBRAI and I seldom have sit down bone issues. My pain is inbetween my shoulders and base of neck.

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Posted 103 days ago #7740
coloradoshortbus

High end seat and a shock post. Those really helps the spine and butt.

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Posted 103 days ago #7741
CyclingRoberto

Rolls by Selle San Marco. Also use Nubutte chamois creme. Ride in comfort.

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Posted 103 days ago #7742
"Bicycle Bill"

You could always remove the seatpost and saddle, and just stand all the way…..

-”BB”-

“Bicycle Bill”Quote

Posted 103 days ago #7743
Toady

Have you ever tried a leather saddle? In 35 years of riding I have never found anything that even comes close to my Brooks B-17. Butt problems are a thing of the past.

Now, if I could figure out what to do about the sore neck and shoulders.

ToadyQuote

Posted 103 days ago #7744
jwsknk

Core strengthening so you don’t put so much of your weight in your arms. Someone qlso said oncw locking your elbows transfers more of that road shock up to your sholders. Another possibilitu is to raise the bars up or bring in closer.

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Posted 103 days ago #7745
Michrider

Terry Fly works for me!

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Posted 102 days ago #7746
Jboz

You guys are killing me – the arguments you make for the Brooks saddle are very compelling, and I’m weakening. Looks like I’m going to need to drop a few hundred bucks, and endure 500 miles of “break-in” fun.

JbozQuote

Posted 102 days ago #7747
Michrider

Jboz said: You guys are killing me – the arguments you make for the Brooks saddle are very compelling, and I’m weakening. Looks like I’m going to need to drop a few hundred bucks, and endure 500 miles of “break-in” fun.

Check out Lon Haldeman’s break in short-cut!

http://pactour.blogspot.com/2011/01/breaking-in-leather-saddle.html

MichriderQuote

Posted 102 days ago #7748
BillDana

Have you ever heard of an ***-o-meter…??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMbZ2Q8VqOo

If you live close to a Specialized bike shop. They will measure the width of your sit bones. From that measurement you can insure that you are riding the correct width saddle. There are lots of saddles out there that will be comfortable over time, but only if they are the correct width.

A top end bike shop will allow you to return a saddle that doesn’t work for you.

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Posted 102 days ago #7749