Triathlon - Help, I Want a road/tri bike but only find MTB Saddle comfortable

A few years ago I purchased a CF road bike and quickly found I was getting numb in groin area. I tried several saddles including the Adamo but couldn’t stop the problem. Eventually I gave up.

Recently I started riding an old MTB in my shed that has a BIG squishy seat. With no issues, I threw on 1.25 road tires and am training again. I’d like to get a performance bike for triathlons but need something that is competitive but doesn’t injure me.

Can I put a big MTB (squishy seat) on a race bike? What other options do I have or can I do?

Mine did that too until I dropped the nose of the saddle about 1/8". Then the problem went away.

My bike fitter noted that my saddle was tilted and I explained why. He then tweaked the rest of my fit to work with the slightly tilted seat. Now I can get off the bike without the "pins and needles" in a most regrettable place.

So it may not be the seat itself, but just how it is adjusted. The seating position on a MTB is so different from a road bike that your lack of pain is more than likely due to the different position than the size of the seat.

Mine did that too until I dropped the nose of the saddle about 1/8". Then the problem went away.

My bike fitter noted that my saddle was tilted and I explained why. He then tweaked the rest of my fit to work with the slightly tilted seat. Now I can get off the bike without the "pins and needles" in a most regrettable place.

So it may not be the seat itself, but just how it is adjusted. The seating position on a MTB is so different from a road bike that your lack of pain is more than likely due to the different position than the size of the seat.

I agree, tilting my saddle down and sliding it forward a bit stopped my numbness as well. Then adding an Adamo removed all of it. You likely just had your saddles set wrong. You should *ALMOST* feel like youre gonna slide off...

To answer the original question, there is no reason why you can't have a MTB saddle on a road/tri bike.

I have a road saddle on my MTB.

Well ,the increased comfort might not be completely due to the different saddle. An MTB is typically ridden in a more upright position putting pressure at different points on your seat. I'm not saying *not* to try the MTB saddle on the road bike, just that itmight not solve your problem.

Other things to look into:
1. Make sure you are not rotating your pelvis forward on the road bike. Bend at the waist instead.
2. Try offsetting the nose of the saddle off to one side by 5 degrees or so (if you have a round seatpost).

If you are on a saddle hunt, you may try this one. They offer a 180 money back comfort guarantee. I haven't yet ordered one, but I'm debating long and hard.

http://www.cobbcycling.com/

You are wearing bike shorts with a chamois, right?

Personally, just about any saddle feels great on a mountain bike. I can thank the upright position of the MTB for that because most of the pressure will fall on my sit bones. However, only one of my saddles feels great on the tri bike. Saddles feel different depending on how you sit on them.

Comfort is important. Health is even more important. I believe most saddles should work on most bikes. One thing to be aware of, however, is that a soft or "cushy" seat that feels great after a few miles, may turn out to be incredibly uncomfortable on longer rides. The problem with a lot of cushioning, gel, etc. is that it fills in all the spaces between your seat and the part of your body that you're sitting on. This can impede circulation and lead to numbness. Because I had the same problem you do, I switched to a noseless saddle. After 3000+ miles, a 500 mile tour, and two triathlons, I have been incredibly pleased with it. I have had no problems with numbness or even discomfort (I ride about 120 miles a week on average). Unfortunately I do not think this is a perfect solution. Two problems with a noseless saddle: 1) increased pressure on hands and wrists due to a necessary forward tilt of the saddle (think wrist pain), and 2) a nose provides you with better steering and handling capabilities--the noseless saddle makes you slightly less stable/anchored to the bike. Good luck, and I hope you find a good solution.

I am wearing bike shorts and tended to use softer seats. My lbs recommended a specialized seat saying that it may hurt my sit bone initially, but in the long run circulation would be better. Sounds like this is similar to what Geewhiz is saying and worth a try.

Yes you can use a MTB saddle on a road bike, but keep in mind that the riding position is different between these types of bike; MTB usually more upright and road with more forward hip tilt. The MTB saddle you're finding to be oh-so comfortable may be a real pain on a road bike... or it may work for you... I'd testing it out is the only good way, and since you already have the saddle, why not just moving it over to your road bike and test it out?

I was happy with my mtb saddle road riding until I started doing some real mileage then I realized the wider saddle wasn't suitable for the leg movement and I was getting chaffing and hip discomfort. I switch to a road saddle and everything is fine - except it is not as soft and I find that annoying. they really should make a saddle that is soft like the new mtb ergonomic saddles by shapped for the road body position

I was happy with my mtb saddle road riding until I started doing some real mileage then I realized the wider saddle wasn't suitable for the leg movement and I was getting chaffing and hip discomfort. I switch to a road saddle and everything is fine - except it is not as soft and I find that annoying. they really should make a saddle that is soft like the new mtb ergonomic saddles by shapped for the road body position

A softer road saddle was what I also thought would be best. However, the softness distributes the weight (and cuts circulation) into areas that shouldn't get it. I'm starting to get the concept of having most of the weight on the sit bones.

Check your LBS as they usually have a gel cover that will wrap around your road saddle. Just be sure that it's tilted down and you're putting the weight on your sit bones.

I'm currently using a MTB saddle on my roadie. It's a men's Specialized Phenom, 143mm. Definitely NOT a soft, wide, squishy saddle...infact, quite the opposite. This saddle is very minimal...thin, flexible, with a cut-out. I've got about 500 miles on it, so far...haven't made up mind if it's a "keeper" yet.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7478/phenom.jpg

I also have the Spec Phenom on my road bike and I like it so much that I put one on my MTB. I know quite a few riders who have this saddle on their road bike and all recommend it.