Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Nether Region Pain Question (ladies may want to skip this one)

Ok, I started commuting back in the spring after getting enough into shape to be able to survive the ride without dropping dead of a heart attack. I have dropped 60+ pounds so far, and I commute nearly every single weekday, and frequently ride on the weekend days just for fun. The commute is 6 miles each way. I mention all this because one very common statement I have read in other threads about seat pain is that you just need to ride more and you will adjust. I think by now I can reliably state that I am not going to adjust.

My current saddle, which came with the bike when I bought it new, is a Selle Italia XO. The dilemma for me is how I am supposed to sit on this thing. I can sit back on my sit bones and keep my butt from hurting, but when I do that my 'nads get a major trashing on the front of the seat. If I slide forward enough to spare the genital abuse, then I am not up on my sit bones and I get butt pain. More often than not I end up getting butt pain because quite frankly any pain is better than scrambled eggs.

I still tip the scales at around 250 pounds, and that is in the morning before the shower. Once I am dressed and add my loaded backpack I am sure I am up around 270 again when I park my seat on the saddle.

When I mentioned all this to the guys at my LBS they had no suggestions, and completely discouraged me from my own suggestion of tipping down the front of the saddle. So, I am hoping someone here can share some wisdom. Just what is it that must be done to overcome this tradeoff? Any ideas at all?

Likely a different saddle will take care of the entire problem. However, I have no idea what to suggest for you. We're all different down there and what works for me might not work for you. I use a Terry Fly, for whatever that's worth.

Is your saddle tipped back? Mine is level and I don't have the same problem, but I didn't ever have the same problem.

Are you wearing bike shorts?

If so, where are you placing "the boys" when you put on the shorts? That could fix some of your problem, from the little bit you posted.

uhhh, not to get too graphic but bike shorts, try a new sddle, check the tilt (level works best for me) and if your in bike gear, lift the boys towards your belly before getting on the bike. If its your belly (maybe?) getting in the way and pressing down, DO try angling the seat but just one notch. Worse comes to worse, when I started riding again I had to angle the seat off to one side *just* a bit in order to give the boys some wiggle room under my gut...

good luck!

I haven't met a saddle yet that didn't make my junk numb. I think next I'll try a hornless saddle and if that doesn't help I'm going to have to go recumbent.

I tried tilting my seat nose down just a hair and the pain went away but then my wrists started hurting...I'm guessing from having to hold by butt in the saddle, so i put it back. I recently tried moving the nose to the left a hair like Ban mentioned and so far so good. My next step is to try a new saddle.

I think the dude discouraging younot to tilt the seat down is wrong. I know a guy that does double centuries with his saddle tilted bitime. Maybe 40 degrees. Not sure how he does it but it works. for him!

Another trick is to turn the nose of the saddle a few degrees to either side. I've done it before, seemed to work. But best bet was investing in a good saddle. I have a WTB RocketV on one roadie and a Terry Fly on the other. Both were about $100.

I just about always have to stand, then insert hand, get a hold of the junk and lift before I sit if I want to be real comfy.:D

I had a similar issue in being rubbed sore. It wasn't the saddle. When I wore bike shorts or Jockey Sport (a type of compression briefs) the added support cured the problem. Since I lost weight it hasn't been an issue.

Probably a side issue, but do you have the problem when you are not wearing the backpack? That can change your positioning. I would get an inexpensive rear rack, and lose the backpack. You can get a rear rack at Nashbar for $10....

I haven't met a saddle yet that didn't make my junk numb. I think next I'll try a hornless saddle and if that doesn't help I'm going to have to go recumbent.

Come to the dark side... While I haven't yet ridden it (I didn't get the chain on it today after UPS brought it), the seat on my new-to-me 'bent is very comfy. No worries about numb nether regions. For me, it was wrist pain caused, as I discovered after a few doc visits, by mild carpal tunnel that made me go recumbent.

I agree with the seat tilt, it's your bike and your body, do what you need to do for comfort. I had numbness for a while and when I tilted the seat down a couple degree's and slid it forward a few millimeters the numbness went away. Make small adjustments until the pain disappears... if that doesn't work, go with a bent as mentioned already.

V

Probably a side issue, but do you have the problem when you are not wearing the backpack? That can change your positioning. I would get an inexpensive rear rack, and lose the backpack. You can get a rear rack at Nashbar for $10....

Probably a good idea anyway for commuting.

uhhh, not to get too graphic but bike shorts, try a new sddle, check the tilt (level works best for me) and if your in bike gear, lift the boys towards your belly before getting on the bike. If its your belly (maybe?) getting in the way and pressing down, DO try angling the seat but just one notch. Worse comes to worse, when I started riding again I had to angle the seat off to one side *just* a bit in order to give the boys some wiggle room under my gut...

good luck!

Hmm, angling the saddle nose didn't cause discomfort in itself? I've experimented with angling the nose for a different reason, to help force my crooked pelvis back in line, and it wasn't comfortable at all. (It didn't work in my case.)

+1 for tilting. I adjust the geometry of my saddle over quite a few rides, going up and down, just trying to figure out what works the best.

The worst nut crusher I experienced was a workout bike in my job's gym. It was unbelievable and there was nothing they could do with it.

Hmm, angling the saddle nose didn't cause discomfort in itself? I've experimented with angling the nose for a different reason, to help force my crooked pelvis back in line, and it wasn't comfortable at all. (It didn't work in my case.)

Well, it didn't originally. Now it would. Guess I needed room to breathe more than recliner cush. Now my saddles are dead straight and level on my bikes. Less gut to crowd the twins, now...

NOTHING will ever beat my RANS V-Rex seat.....but since I sold the V-Rex (a GREAT bike).....I just ordered and will be putting the following on my road bike:

www.selleanatomica.com

Check it out!
Bob

you might want to look into a seat post that allows for micro adjustments as well.