Mountain Biking - My ass hurts

Hey all, I've just picked up biking and I've been out a few times. My ass is killing me, do I need a few weeks to break my butt in and get used to it all, or should I go out and buy a pair of pants w/ some padding? I don't mind dealing with it as it is part of the game, but I was just curious what others do.

Thanks

K

You should go out and buy some shorts with some padding. I couldn't imagine riding more than a couple miles without quality cycling shorts.

Yes, you need to give yourself some time to acclimate. But also know that there are vast differences in saddles. I ride Brooks saddles and they have a huge following and are very well known for comfort. So, you can probably do well to upgrade your stock saddle. Most stock saddles suck.

Also the "padding" in bike shorts is actually called a chamois. And the purpose of this chamois is to prevent chafing, in the nether region. The chamois wicks moisture away from the skin. It is a misconception that the chamois is for padding. Generally, padding on shorts or on the saddle is a bad thing, at least in my opinion.

The shorts are good, but you'll get used to it with or without them.

I have a pair, but i only wear them if im planning on being out for a long time.

I tried XC for a while. Got hemeroids. :eek:

I tried XC for a while. Got hemeroids. :eek:


And I thought you were just a pain in the a....j/k


Sorry, I don't mean it, you just set yourself up for that one!

When I first started out, the saddle I had really hurt. I went to a really well padded Bontrager saddle and that solved the problem, for a few months.
Then I went to padded shorts combined with getting used to riding. The soft saddle caused chafing and it hurt! I went back to firmer saddles.
So the softer saddle thing only works temporarily or if you only ride once or twice a month.

More padding doesn't mean more comfortable. It all has to do with how the geometry of the saddle is. I would say that you should get a new saddle and probably get some shorts.

Don't buy a new saddle, it's just going to take a couple of days for your body to adjust.

You butt has to get used to supporting your weight on a small saddle. The more often you ride, the quicker your body will be acostomed to it.

I used to tell new owners that they need to build up their butt calouses. What that means is that your muscles have to get toned to the point where they are supporting your body weight.

Go for a ride every night this week. Even just a short ride around the neighborhood. 10 to 15 mins. a night. By next weekend you'll be able to ride for an hour or two without pain. The more you ride the quicker the pain goes away.

And I thought you were just a pain in the a....j/k

Yep.

Regular riding does the trick. Within 2 weeks (probably less), you could wear your underwear and the seat wouldn't bother you. (You'd look kind of funny, though.)

That ain't no Barco-Lounger you are sitting on. Your body does not like change, and a bike saddle between the cheeks has to be a major upheval to the previous lifestyle your body was used to.

My advice to all new riders is to not go out too hard too fast. Start with shorter rides spread apart. Give yourself a day or two off between rides so healing and re-adjustment can occur.

A new saddle may help, but not with the initial discomfort. You should wait until riding doesn't create what feels like bruising and then re-evaluate the saddle. Of course this is assuming it is adjusted properly.

Cycling specific shorts can help right out of the gate, but not with the bruising and muscle re-alignment thing. I still cannot figure out why it took me so long to embrace the lycra short. But I fought it for a long time. Now I absolutely will not do a serious ride without a good pair of shorts on, lycra or baggies.

No one's mentioned the angle of seat yet? Most saddles are designed to be ridden so the are flat. This can add more comfort to the time in the saddle. From there, people will angle the seat up or down SLIGHTLY to find the most comfortable position for them. I'd start there but also look into some decent biking shorts. They are more comfortable in the long run.

Yeah, my first month of riding my ass was really sore. But I can't even notice it now

Your ass will definitely be sore for awile, but then it will go away. I made the mistake of succombing to the sore ass after two days of riding, and getting a big cushy Bell suspension seat. It's great for short rides, but after about 1 hour it makes your hips hurt, causes chafing and all other forms of nasty ****. Trust me.

I picked up a '07 Hardrock and it has about the best saddle ever on it. This tiny uncomfortable looking thing that I absolutely love. On Saturday I spent about 5 hours "in the saddle" and it really didn't get that uncomfortable. A little uncomfortable towards the end? Sure, but it's to be expected :).

Give you butt some time, you'll get used to it.

Thanks for all the replies.

Any specific styles/brands of shorts to be recommended?

I just ended up buying shorts as well, I was in some serious pain using my road bike and at I would have to stop or lift myself off the seat. The shorts do help a good deal, but as stated here, the right seat and angle are also important.

Funny enough I've had zero problems with my MTB, maybe because I don't spend as much time on the seat while on the trails as I'm usually up off the seat a lot. As to which type of shorts; for something that is going to be used a lot I prefer to spend money on something good that will last and be comfortable.

I'm a big fan of NEMA brand shorts.

Depends on what specifically hurts.

If the pain is the sit bones hurting - it's a mostly matter of getting used to it. When I started riding last year, I couldn't make it a mile without this pain.

If the pain is elsewhere like the tip of the spine or the soft tissue behind the sac or something, you probably need a new wider saddle. And maybe one with less padding.

If you are getting chaffing below or at the edge of the buttocks, you're saddle is probably too wide or has too much padding.

If the boys are getting pounded, you need to tilt the seat down in front.

Thanks for all the replies.

Any specific styles/brands of shorts to be recommended?
I have several pairs of Canari Matrix shorts. I liked the price, fit and made in the USA. I also have some Nashbar that look and feel just like the Canaris, are 1/2 the price and also made in USA. I am on my third year of them and they are still in good shape. I had one pair get trashed in a crash so I replaced them with the Nashbar elites
they are the lycra btw not the loose fits

Riding with basketball jersy shorts under shorts helps.

Riding with basketball jersy shorts under shorts helps.

yeah, but after they descend you will appreciate proper cycling shorts.

I had my local bike shop adjust my bike to fit me properly. They looked at my posture on the bike and adjusted the seat angle, height and distance from the bars etc. The diference was instant and a massive improvment to the happiness of my backside. I never knew it could make such a difference. My advice is ask your local bike shop or a long term cyclist for help befor reaching for your cheque book.

I had my local bike shop adjust my bike to fit me properly. They looked at my posture on the bike and adjusted the seat angle, height and distance from the bars etc. The diference was instant and a massive improvment to the happiness of my backside. I never knew it could make such a difference. My advice is ask your local bike shop or a long term cyclist for help befor reaching for your cheque book.
Good advice!

I just bought my first road bike today (new Allez Elite!) and my LBS spent about an hour and a half sizing me, adjusting my bike and seat position with me on a trainer, using a plumb-bob to check the position of my knees over my feet on the pedals and eventually replacing the 120mm stem with a 110. Boy what a difference from the test rides i took prior to proper adjustment!

Don't get me wrong, i'm new to road bikes and my ass hurts like hell! But i did notice a huge improvement in comfort after the pros showed me how to properly adjust the bike to better fit my body!

Hey all, I've just picked up biking and I've been out a few times. My ass is killing me, do I need a few weeks to break my butt in and get used to it all, or should I go out and buy a pair of pants w/ some padding? I don't mind dealing with it as it is part of the game, but I was just curious what others do.

Thanks

K
This might sound weird, but if you really don't want to invest in any shorts quite yet try using a Kotex inside your shorts, seriously. I used to use them in my junior days.
Love my Spandex/Lycra( not insinuating anything)

Puts a whole new spin on the phrase OTR :lol:

This might sound weird, but if you really don't want to invest in any shorts quite yet try using a Kotex inside your shorts, seriously. I used to use them in my junior days.
Love my Spandex/Lycra( not insinuating anything)

You gotta be kidding.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: