Road Cycling - My bottom hurts, help!

I just got my new road bike Monday and have riding about a 1/2 hour on my trainer per night (it's snowing here already!). My problem besdies being totally out if shape is when I got on my bike tonight, I could sit on the seat! My sit bones were really sore! The bike seems to have kinda a cheapo seat on it and I was wondering what type of seat is best for a newbie? I have read the cushy seats are not good for long riding, but will they help break my butt in? The seat I have now has a shallow channel in the center.
Thanks,
Chris in Alaska
PS: I bought my bike used for CEMRacin and he did me totally right! Really good guy!:D

Save your money... Your butt will adapt in short order. Like anything else, don't over do it. Give your back side a day or two off. My seat is pretty darned hard and my behind felt fine after a couple of weeks. Don't worry, it's normal.

A common problem. First, even though you are not outdoors, I would wear padded biking shorts. They really help.

Next, see if you can find an LBS or another cyclist who will let you test some different saddles. Too soft is not good, and as odd as it sounds, a harder saddle will feel better. I personally ride a Surfas Cosmos dual density saddle, and I have also ridden a Brooks B-17 that was really a nice ride, too. But, I rode 7 different saddles before I made my choice!

And, another tip is to stand on the pedals once in a while to help restore blood flow down there. Every 10 to 15 minutes, just stand for a few seconds is all it takes.

Good luck, and enjoy the road bike!

My problem besdies being totally out if shape is when I got on my bike tonight, I could sit on the seat! My sit bones were really sore!

I'd give your current saddle a few more weeks. I had only cycled once in the past twenty years until four weeks ago and am seriously out of shape.

First off I had aching thighs after even a short run, these soon went, the I started longer rides (15 miles) and the sore 'taint' (as someone here put it :o) started, but without changing saddles or trying padded shorts numbness or soreness of the posterior isn't really a problem now (shifting my butt back on the saddle and occassionally lifting it off cures the problem). If after three or four weeks it isn't easier then try another saddle, but personally I'd try the shorts first.

After three weeks of commuting around 16 (hilly :() miles a day three days a week (hey I'm building up to more :o) my bum isn't too bad, my thighs are fine, the muscles above my butt but below my belt line are starting to ease up, just as the muscles above one knee are starting to complain. I guess that too will soon sort itself out as well :)

Give your body time to adjust before you look at the saddle.

Richard

double check your seat height.

I have been wearing padded shorts, I figure the problem is just that I'm getting used to it.

I set my set height so I just a small bend in my knee when that leg is at the bottum of the pedal stroke. I heard this a good way to do it, any suggestions?
Thanks
Chris

Hey! Join the club (see my handle :) ).. I was wondering the same thing, when would it get better, and the way it felt I didn't really enjoyed it. Until I got me a new seat the type that is sp[lit in the middle, which I picked up on the Specialized web site for under $20.

It did the job for me, and I never looked back. Now I can spend 2 hrs a day on the bike and although it is not as comfortable as in my BMW, it works...
Another tip from a beginner, when you get padded pants, don't temped to get the one with a think layer of Gel, just get the type that has a Chamois (spell?), which is not too thick. I have found that the thick gel kinda bunches in places and creates pressure point in places you don't want.. :)

Here's the seat I got..
http://www.litman.com/pixs/saddle.jpg

A

Originally posted by sorebutt

Another tip from a beginner, when you get padded pants, don't temped to get the one with a think layer of Gel, just get the type that has a Chamois (spell?), which is not too thick. I have found that the thick gel kinda bunches in places and creates pressure point in places you don't want.. :)

A

Yes, definitely stay away from the gel shorts. The inserts do bunch up, and the gel just causes you to move around more on the saddle which just causes more friction. You don't want that.

velo

The pain will eventually go away and then you will be part of this ever growing group of calloused butted forum readers! :D

Congrats on the new bike and enjoy every minute of it.

Mike

For some reason I don't mind saddle sores that much really. They're OK

Why does no one mention leather saddles? Are they not as good as I thought, or just not common?

Eckroth,
Several of us are Brooks saddle fans. They are nothing but a shell of hard leather shaped like a saddle. Many people find them to be the most comfortable saddles of all though they do require a bit of getting used to at first.
Regards,
Raymond

I agree with some of the others; let your sit bones get used to riding a bicycle. The saddle you have maybe the wrong one but you will be sore with ANY saddle at this point.
Let your crotch get used to supporting weight before you blow $$ on another saddle. If it doesn't seem to be getting better, than go for another saddle.

Saddle recommendations are a bit peculiar because everyone has different needs. But I will recommend the TERRY FLY for those that need extra comfort on top of a lightweight, race-worthy saddle.

I love the Selle Italia Flite Gel Ti. I can do 8 hours on it, no problem.

The Brooks leather saddle is great in that retro-style way! It is really comfortable after you break it in. Like a baseball glove, its hard when new but is a perfect, custom fit once you have it broken in.