General Cycling Discussion - Standard Saddles Impacting Reproductive Health?

I stumbled upon noseless saddles the other day, and was a bit intrigued by some government studies, which indicated "nosed" saddles encourage erectile dysfunction. Any thoughts to this end?

There have been a lot of studies on this, I'm not sure if it has really been determined whether a different saddle will make a difference. Look on the bright side. You can always start taking Viagara.

Someone applied for, and received a grant to do research. That doesn't necessarily make it a 'government study.' But it sure sounds more official that way! Mostly, those weird saddles are a case of inventing a solution for a hypothetical problem. If you're afraid of saddles, get a recumbent; otherwise go out and ride yer bike.

Well, pro tour riders spend a lot of time on the bike. And they seem to be able to re produce. Get a bike and a seat that fits and stop worrying.

I stumbled upon noseless saddles the other day, and was a bit intrigued by some government studies, which indicated "nosed" saddles encourage erectile dysfunction. Any thoughts to this end?

I'm 51 and have been riding a Brooks since about 1976. I've got several kids to show for it. No problem here.

I stumbled upon noseless saddles the other day, and was a bit intrigued by some government studies, which indicated "nosed" saddles encourage erectile dysfunction. Any thoughts to this end?

I think that sometimes the line between research and marketing can be pretty thin.

Erectile disfunction is no more prevalent in cycling than in any other part of society.

Lots of hype about a "Normal" saddle causing problems- but it is hype.However- if you are experiencing "Associated" saddle problems- get yourself off to the Doctor and get checked out

Almost impossible these days to even define what a "standard saddle" is. Many so called anatomic saddles have center grooves or cutouts to relieve pressure on the soft tissues between the sit bones. Supposed to relieve pressure in the areas which could potentially cause reduced blood flow to the reproductive organs and numbness there.

A noseless saddle would not provide adequate support for riders using drop bars IMO or even straight bars set up at the same height or below the saddle height as on many MTBs and higher performance commuter/urban bikes.

The noseless saddle idea, and other variations, dates back 100 years or more and has not been truly successful in all that time so the number of people with problems from normal saddles must be small or the "solution" causes more and worse problems than saddles with noses.

I've had short term problems with a cheap seat cutting off the circulation, which is actually the big concern within the medical community. The lack of proper blood flow damages the circulatory system in the region.

I have no ED issue though.


Well, pro tour riders spend a lot of time on the bike. And they seem to be able to re produce. Get a bike and a seat that fits and stop worrying.

pro tour riders also wear properly padded cycling shorts, not everyone does.

Well, pro tour riders spend a lot of time on the bike. And they seem to be able to re produce. Get a bike and a seat that fits and stop worrying.

Lance Armstrong? Just throwing it out there.

It seems like an overblown issue, I agree, and probably the result of an ill-adjusted rig. But still, figured I'd test the waters and see what info is out there.

Prior to taking up recumbent-riding three+ years ago, I had three decades and many thousands of miles of upright riding.
Haven't been able to father a child in the last couple of decades.
Coincidence?
I think not.







Might have something to do with the wife having me fixed, I suppose.:lol:

Saddle induced ED is a problem for some of us. Yes, being over 50 and 0ver 250 lbs made up the rest of the equation. That, and chronic wrist pain is what drove me to a recumbent. Funny thing, the first 5 minutes I spent on a LWB recumbent convinced me DFs were obsolete. Can't get me on one, now. bk

Lance Armstrong? Just throwing it out there.

It seems like an overblown issue, I agree, and probably the result of an ill-adjusted rig. But still, figured I'd test the waters and see what info is out there.

He has kids, and seems to be able to get his fair share of babes.

You mean his cancer? Seems unrelated.

And if you ride sitting on your testicles, then you should not breed and deserve to be impotent.

Impotence is NOT infertility. If you have ED, you can take Viagra and still get it up. The argument that professional cyclists can still have kids proves nothing either way.

When Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer, his doc told him to get sperm taken in the event he ever wanted kids. That sperm was used to artificially inseminate his wife. The kids were not had via natural means, as far as I'm aware.

Not trying to turn this into a pedantic back and fourth, though. When it comes to my twig and berries, I'd give up my right arm before them, so it only makes sense to ask about this. I'm actually surprised so many of you are being flippant.

That said, I'm looking into an Electra Townie, which probably has the most Johnson-friendly seating arrangement going.

I am anewbie here, found it on a search for prostate + cycling

I posted on the prostate thread about a scienctific study that is mentioned on this site about smp4bike saddles (http://www.smpsaddle.co.uk/index.php/the-science-behind-the-smp4bike-saddle.html)

I ride SMP4Bike saddles now and can testify that, for me, they offer unsurpassed levels of comfort on longer rides.

Appreciating that they are not going to be the perfect saddle for absolutely everyone, they are certainly worth adding to the list to look at if you are considering a change.