Road Cycling - Cannondale owners, swap stem or seat for saddle-sore?

Hello all! It's nice to have the forums back up.
Anyways, I have a '03 R1000 (has the CAAD7 frame), and ever since starting riding about a month ago, I haven't been able to get rid of a saddle sore. It's only on one side, my right were the cheek meets the leg. I've tried resting, but it always comes back. I ride with Pearl Izumi Attack (mid-range) shorts, and recently bought their top of the line shorts. I like the 3D chamois in the top of the line shorts, but it still hasn't solved my problems. I was considering changing to a different seat...do you think this will help? Also, many have commented on the stiffness of the CAAD7...could this stiffness result in saddle sores? If so, do you think a carbon seatpost will help? How much improvement do you think I will see, given that there's only 4" of exposed seatpost?

I've already checked the alignment of my seat, both in direction and slope...everything seems on the level. I've also recently tried lubrication, but don't know if it's helping yet (I used BodyGlide...should I spring for some Chamois Butter?) Any suggestions? Thank you.

which seat did they give you the selle royale or fitiz

which seat did they give you the selle royale or fitiz

it came with the fi'zi:k Pavé

Hello all! It's nice to have the forums back up.
Anyways, I have a '03 R1000 (has the CAAD7 frame), and ever since starting riding about a month ago, I haven't been able to get rid of a saddle sore. It's only on one side, my right were the cheek meets the leg. I've tried resting, but it always comes back. I ride with Pearl Izumi Attack (mid-range) shorts, and recently bought their top of the line shorts. I like the 3D chamois in the top of the line shorts, but it still hasn't solved my problems. I was considering changing to a different seat...do you think this will help? Also, many have commented on the stiffness of the CAAD7...could this stiffness result in saddle sores? If so, do you think a carbon seatpost will help? How much improvement do you think I will see, given that there's only 4" of exposed seatpost?

I've already checked the alignment of my seat, both in direction and slope...everything seems on the level. I've also recently tried lubrication, but don't know if it's helping yet (I used BodyGlide...should I spring for some Chamois Butter?) Any suggestions? Thank you.
Different seat.Did you use a level to check or just eye it.

I just purchased a R2000 about a month ago. I use to have a 2003 specialized allez. When I first started on the R2000 I was very sore due to the stiff frame. I swapped my seatpost for a carbon fiber one and that made a huge difference. Now I am not so sore anymore. Not sure if I like the pave seat or not. Seems to have a little to much cushion in it. I would rather have the seat I had on the specialized and that was a cheap one.

jmeitz, there is a huge difference between being saddle sore (having a sore ass) and having a saddle sore (an actual inflamed boil like creature that has taken the likes of Eddy Merckx out of races). The latter is seriously bad.

Renault, I'd suggest having a pro fit done with your bike. I changed saddles to the Fizik Aliante and, if it's not adjusted right, I'll still get sores. I've also found that the Pearl chamois doesn't fit me as well as does one from Castelli. IT seems to help when I'm in my Castellis. But, saddle tilt, saddle height, bar height and reach...there's a lot of adjusting that you can do before you replace the saddle. Find somewhere to get a fit done. If you don't have anywhere to do that, seek advice from the likes of us, but it's hard without seeing your bike and knowing how it's set up. I would check saddle height, though. If you're too high, you'll rock back and forth and rub a saddle sore in. Tilt can also play in, but what works for me (tilting the saddle a bit up at the nose) might not work at all for you. Also, do you use a chamois cream at all? That should help, but it won't do the job completely if you're not positioned right.

The other issue that has not been disgusted here is the issue of hygiene. Cycling hygiene differs from regular hygiene. I’ve changed my routine this year, and have zapped a saddle sore that I’ve dealt with on and off for the last several years. Here is what I did:

-Remove shorts immediately after riding, and shower

-Use anti-bacterial soap on nether-regions

-Use chamois lube (I’ve been using Assos Chamois Crème with good results)

-If you have chafing, or pain, use an antibacterial cream after showering (I’m using Brave Soldier Antiseptic Healing Ointment with good results)

Good luck!!! :)

Good points, bac.

Saddle sores are tough to get rid of once you have one. They like to come back in the same place if you don't make a change. Combine these posts in this thread, and whatever comes after, and you're on your way to slowing that thing down.

Oh dude, you gotta switch the seat and the post. I got an R800 last spring and couldn't stand the Pave, I changed it after the test ride. I also put on a carbon seat post for the fun of it. SOOOOOOOO much better. Selle Pro Link and a Specialized cabon post is what I use now.