This is reference to my “I have to stay off the bike for a while” thread.
Okay, I jumped on the road bike for the first time in a couple weeks. I leveled the Brooks B 17 and took off. With the saddle level, I constantly slide forward. I have a ton of pressure on my hands in order to hold my sit bones back where they need to be. My seat post is a one bolt style and the next notch up tipped the nose up quite a bit. This position kept me right in the perfect spot for my sit bones, I never felt like I was sliding forward or backwards. It also took the pressure off my hands. You can guess what happens though. This put a lot of pressure in the perineum area. So that doesn't work. The saddle was all the way back so I started moving it forward with the saddle level, to see if this helped and it really didn't. The way the Brooks B 17 is made, my sit bones naturally want to slide down and forward. I'm really not sure how anyone sits on them.
I've question whether or not my stem was to long and whether or not that had any thing to do with my issues. I took a mirror out to the garage and sat on the bike to see how I was sitting. In my unprofessional opinion I was leaning forward more than the 45 degrees that is recommended.
So my next steps are, waiting until I have enough money, to buy a shorter stem and seat post. I’m going to search around and see if I can pick up a used stem(90mm 17degree) and post or a cheap one of eBay.
solveg
08-15-07, 07:01 PM
Wait... before you do that....
You're supposed* to slide around on a new brooks for at least 100 miles, probably more. It's as slippery as the devil. But once it starts to wear in, you'll slide less and less.
(51)
08-16-07, 01:53 AM
Have you already been professionally fitted? If not, it may be worth a visit to your LBS.
What Brooks do you have? I went with a B-67 because the smaller saddles put too much pressure in that area. Of course I ride more upright (hybrid) so it may not apply to you.
My LBS gave me a little tip I didn't know about. When you're mounting the bike stick your booty out as far as you can when you sit down, then slide it forward a bit until you're comfortable.
Good luck
The Historian
08-16-07, 05:09 AM
This is reference to my “I have to stay off the bike for a while” thread.
Okay, I jumped on the road bike for the first time in a couple weeks. I leveled the Brooks B 17 and took off. With the saddle level, I constantly slide forward. I have a ton of pressure on my hands in order to hold my sit bones back where they need to be. My seat post is a one bolt style and the next notch up tipped the nose up quite a bit. This position kept me right in the perfect spot for my sit bones, I never felt like I was sliding forward or backwards. It also took the pressure off my hands. You can guess what happens though. This put a lot of pressure in the perineum area. So that doesn't work. The saddle was all the way back so I started moving it forward with the saddle level, to see if this helped and it really didn't. The way the Brooks B 17 is made, my sit bones naturally want to slide down and forward. I'm really not sure how anyone sits on them.
I've question whether or not my stem was to long and whether or not that had any thing to do with my issues. I took a mirror out to the garage and sat on the bike to see how I was sitting. In my unprofessional opinion I was leaning forward more than the 45 degrees that is recommended.
So my next steps are, waiting until I have enough money, to buy a shorter stem and seat post. I’m going to search around and see if I can pick up a used stem(90mm 17degree) and post or a cheap one of eBay.
I suggest getting the bike fitted with your problem in mind. Your LBS should be able to advise you of the alterations needed.
Caincando1
08-16-07, 07:09 AM
I'll check with the LBS and see what they charge for a fitting. It just worry's me to spend money for them to tell me what I already know. It's nice to have a professional opion though to either way.
When I test rode bikes, the LBS said I was between a 56 and 58 Trek. They told be if I went with a 58 they'd swap out the stem for a shorter one. So when I bough this 58 else where, I knew I was going to have to swap the stem. I thought I'd start with the saddle and once I had that dialed in, i'd swap the stem. I should have done it the other way around.
Regarding the saddle angle, I just can't get it dialed in. The adjustment notches on the post are so big that one notch is a CM or more. I really need it right in between the two. I might look at modifying the adjustment on the current post.
I'm kind of a DIY junky, so it seems like I do a lot of screwing around when I could just have it done right by the pros. That's just how I like to do things, I like to figure things out on my own. Even it gives me numb junk.:D:D
Scummer
08-16-07, 07:45 AM
Get yourself a indefinitely adjustable post. That's what I have on my Trek bike and you really can set the saddle angle by fractions of millimeters.
It's a Bontrager post btw.
My old roadbike has the same problem with the saddle angle btw... it's notched so the adjustability is limited and it makes for an awkward fiddle to get it right, if it ever will be right.
Caincando1
08-16-07, 07:56 AM
Get yourself a indefinitely adjustable post. That's what I have on my Trek bike and you really can set the saddle angle by fractions of millimeters.
It's a Bontrager post btw.
I'm seaching for one right now. The offest appears to be different that my current post though. The indefinite post attach the saddle directly on top of the post and my current one attaches towards the back of the post. Did you run into this problem?
Scummer
08-16-07, 08:01 AM
Hmm.. honestly I can't remember.. but taking a look at the Bontrager site I see that I have the X Lite post and it does go slightly back instead of mounting directly on top.
Caincando1
08-16-07, 08:07 AM
Hmm.. honestly I can't remember.. but taking a look at the Bontrager site I see that I have the X Lite post and it does go slightly back instead of mounting directly on top.
Here is my current seat post and the only one indefinite that Nashbar offers. I'll look and see what Bontrager offres.
Scummer
08-16-07, 08:39 AM
Ahh.. you do have a Bontrager seat post. Looks just like mine, only that mine is indefinitely adjustable.
Caincando1
08-16-07, 09:04 AM
Ahh.. you do have a Bontrager seat post. Looks just like mine, only that mine is indefinitely adjustable.
So you know what model it is? There's aren't any on Bonrtrager's website.
Scummer
08-16-07, 09:22 AM
So you know what model it is? There's aren't any on Bonrtrager's website.
I believe it's the race X lite. but to make sure you can check the specs on a Trek Madone 5.2SL and it will tell you what post is included.
Thomas
Caincando1
08-16-07, 10:14 AM
I believe it's the race X lite. but to make sure you can check the specs on a Trek Madone 5.2SL and it will tell you what post is included.
Thomas
Bingo!
The race lite looks like it has the same offset as your race X lite but for less money. Here is a picture of a race lite and I think this would work.
Halthane
08-16-07, 06:42 PM
tomson might also be an option a little pricey but worth every penny
Scummer
08-16-07, 08:22 PM
Ah.... dammit.. I was wrong. My post is not infinitely adjustable!!! I was just fiddling around with the saddle today again since I'm still trying to get the perfect position and it has notches to adjust angle!!!!
UtRacerDad
08-16-07, 08:49 PM
Bingo!
The race lite looks like it has the same offset as your race X lite but for less money. Here is a picture of a race lite and I think this would work.
+1 on the race lite, great seat post, thats what I have on the roadie.
Caincando1
08-16-07, 09:08 PM
Ah.... dammit.. I was wrong. My post is not infinitely adjustable!!! I was just fiddling around with the saddle today again since I'm still trying to get the perfect position and it has notches to adjust angle!!!!
So you don't have a race X lite on your Madone 5.2 or is the race X lite not an infinite adjustable post?
Scummer
08-16-07, 10:02 PM
So you don't have a race X lite on your Madone 5.2 or is the race X lite not an infinite adjustable post?
I do have the race X lite on my Madone, but the race X lite is not an infinite adjustable post!
For some reason when I was at work today I thought it was infinite adjustable. How wrong I was.
Ray Dockrey
08-17-07, 05:58 AM
Could it be possible that the Brooks saddle just isn't the right saddle for you? I am not familiar with your whole situation but it seems to me that maybe you need to try some different saddles to get one that fits you.
Caincando1
08-17-07, 06:37 AM
Could it be possible that the Brooks saddle just isn't the right saddle for you? I am not familiar with your whole situation but it seems to me that maybe you need to try some different saddles to get one that fits you.
It very well could be. The problem is, the Brooks, needs to be broke infirst to know for sure. I can't break it in because I can't ride it.:D:D Such an interesting peridox. If I could fine tune the adjustments I might be able to find the sweet spot. Righ now I can't find it, becasue it's in between the two notches on the adjuster. I'm going to try and shim the saddle clamp adjustment, to fine tune it a little more. If I still can't find the spot, them I'm goind to try another saddle.
Caincando1
08-17-07, 06:38 AM
I do have the race X lite on my Madone, but the race X lite is not an infinite adjustable post!
For some reason when I was at work today I thought it was infinite adjustable. How wrong I was.
Good to know before I bought one. Thanks!
(51)
08-17-07, 04:52 PM
Thomson might also be an option a little pricey but worth every penny
+1
http://www.lhthomson.com/elite_features.htm
The Historian
08-17-07, 05:19 PM
Could it be possible that the Brooks saddle just isn't the right saddle for you? I am not familiar with your whole situation but it seems to me that maybe you need to try some different saddles to get one that fits you.
I used to think recumbent bicycles were the world's 7th major religion. A bike shop employee corrected me. "The cult of the Brooks saddle is a religion. With 'bents people at least grudgingly accept that they may have advantages in some areas over diamond frame bikes. With Brooks you either love them or hate them."
Al Maviva:
"Brooks saddles. There’s your solution, Fatty. I think the light one weighs only about a pounds, although for mountain biking you probably want the three pounder that comes with springs. It looks very well engineered, in a ‘34 Shoebox Ford / steel trestle bridge kind of way and it’s kind of wide - maybe not super efficient but one of your skinny friends could probably sit beside you on the seat as you hammer through Leadville. It breaks in within three or four months of heavy use, so that won’t be an issue for you, plus the oozing from the blisters will help soften the leather up faster. Now, you’ll need to get the waxed cotton bag that goes over the seat if it rains or if you are sweating profusely - wouldn’t want to turn that nice leather into mush. And, if it starts to sag in the middle, you just use the wrench to tighten it back up. Don’t overtighten or you wreck the last! And every so often you can put on some proofride, which will help preserve the leather from rot, sweat damage, rain damage, and leather fatigue.
"Dang, no doubt about it. A Brooks saddle would definitely be the answer to your troubles. And while we’re at it, let me explain to you why the original Campagnolo Double Parallelogram rear derailer is better than SRAM Red… "
jcbryan
08-17-07, 08:43 PM
Could it be possible that the Brooks saddle just isn't the right saddle for you? I am not familiar with your whole situation but it seems to me that maybe you need to try some different saddles to get one that fits you.
What a bad Brooks? Yea, sometimes they simply don't work. I have three now. Just keep trying until you find the happy butt one!
I have an American Classic post I got at a swap meet and it has a small set screw to adjust the angle. I suppose they're still available.
Hope this helps.
Dr_Robert
08-17-07, 09:08 PM
tomson might also be an option a little pricey but worth every penny
+1. I have one on each of my bikes.
Caincando1
08-23-07, 06:27 AM
Just a little update to the update. We finally had a break in the rain so I was able to get out for a short ride yesterday.
I modified my seat post to enable it to be infinitely adjusted instead of notch by notch. I set the B 17 with the nose just a hair up. I couldn't adjust it to this position before, because the adjustment notches were to big. I was able to sit on my sit bones well, and keep my perineum up. I still feel like I want to slide forward, but not as bad as before. I rode 8 miles and didn't feel any perineum discomfort until the last mile, and even then it was a small amount. I'll put in another ride at this position before I adjust it any more.
I'm also pretty confident that a stem swap will help also. That's next on my list.