General Cycling Discussion - Pain from seat

Hello from Mass
I would like some advise on a problem that wont go away.Its pain from my bike seat.This has been going on two months now with little or no relief. I have tried two different bike seats and even bought a jellseat cover.I had not ridden a bike for almost 20 years, but I do not rememember this problem in the past. Can anyone recomend a good seat to try that wont break the bank. I have had a check up and was cleared of any problems.
Thanks
Scott

Do a search on "seat saddle" and you will find this is a much discussed subject. Also there is no universal correct seat as everybody has a different shaped butt. I am happy with a $15 Cdn seat that is firm, wide enough at the back for my sit-bones, but narrow at the front so it doesnt rub the inside of my thighs. When you go to a bike shop for seats, first check out their return/exchange policy, because there is no substitute for time riding to find out if it fits you.

One tip I might give, is underwear, If you wear boxers, wear the sports one, and avoid those baggy boxers, or any trousers/pants/underwear that have thick seams. Those rub against your skin and make it painfull, no matter how much padding you have.

oh, and welcome to this board.

Hello from Mass
I would like some advise on a problem that wont go away.Its pain from my bike seat.This has been going on two months now with little or no relief. I have tried two different bike seats and even bought a jellseat cover.I had not ridden a bike for almost 20 years, but I do not rememember this problem in the past. Can anyone recomend a good seat to try that wont break the bank. I have had a check up and was cleared of any problems.
Thanks
Scott

Forget underwear, get bike shorts with a chamois and wear those with nothing underneath. If you don't want bike shorts, by biking underwear with a chamois. I like the Body Geometry saddle by Specialized personally. But as another person said, we all have special butts and a different saddle by be better for you. Welcome to the Forum. Keep riding, if your butt hurts just stand more on the pedals!!

I haven't tried the gel seats or seat covers, but heard they make the situation worse. I have a Brooks B-17N that I got in March. Butt pain is a thing of the past.

Good avice so far. Try padded shorts, and as many seats as you can get your hands on. Recheck all of the fit adjustments on your bike. We change shape as we age so propper fit will change some over time. As a very last resort get a recumbent. There is nothing like a nice comfy lounge chair on wheels!

'bent Brian

Hello from Mass
I would like some advise on a problem that wont go away.Its pain from my bike seat.This has been going on two months now with little or no relief. I have tried two different bike seats and even bought a jellseat cover.I had not ridden a bike for almost 20 years, but I do not rememember this problem in the past. Can anyone recomend a good seat to try that wont break the bank. I have had a check up and was cleared of any problems.
Thanks
Scott

I'm suprised that nobody asked yet...what kind of bike? meaning road bike, comfort, hybrid, mountain? They all have different riding positions, and a seat that might be comfortable on one might not be comfortable on another due to the angle that your pelvis is tilted. In any case, proper bike shorts will help, and lose the underwear, as others have said. And while it may seem logical that soft = more comfort, that doesn't pan out for more than a few minutes.

I agree that a saddle is a very individual choice when it comes to comfort. Sometimes you just have to keep trying new ones (if your bike store will let you exchange) until you get the right one.

A general tip though, many people equat a soft saddle with comfort. I guess the analogy comes from lounging on a soft sofa or recliner. But the opposite is almost always true for cycling. You want a firm saddle and most people will do better with a flat butt area on the saddle rather than an arch and a very firm saddle. This will put the weight of your body on those bony points in your behind that are often reffered to as the Sit Bones or Ischial Tuberosity. These bones are designed to bear the weight of the body. This will remove the weight from the soft tissue between the anus and genitals (the perineum), which is the source of agony for many cyclists with improper or too soft saddles. This will usually solve the problem with a firmer saddle that is the propoer width. Be forewarned though, that the first comfortable saddle you find might work until you really start putting on more miles and then you might find that you require an even firmer saddle.

Good Luck.

I agree that a saddle is a very individual choice when it comes to comfort. Sometimes you just have to keep trying new ones (if your bike store will let you exchange) until you get the right one.

A general tip though, many people equat a soft saddle with comfort. I guess the analogy comes from lounging on a soft sofa or recliner. But the opposite is almost always true for cycling. You want a firm saddle and most people will do better with a flat butt area on the saddle rather than an arch and a very firm saddle. This will put the weight of your body on those bony points in your behind that are often reffered to as the Sit Bones or Ischial Tuberosity. These bones are designed to bear the weight of the body. This will remove the weight from the soft tissue between the anus and genitals (the perineum), which is the source of agony for many cyclists with improper or too soft saddles. This will usually solve the problem with a firmer saddle that is the propoer width. Be forewarned though, that the first comfortable saddle you find might work until you really start putting on more miles and then you might find that you require an even firmer saddle.

Good Luck.

A great reply! Your post backs up what owners (including me) will say about their Brooks saddles. While they are made of very hard leather, they are considered by most to be the "all-day" saddle. Perhaps that's why Brooks has been making basically the same bicycle saddles for almost 100 years.