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08-09-11, 10:53 AM
I know the subject has been beat to death, but I searched and am not really finding the answers to my questions so I thought I would post here anyway.
A little background, I am a big guy, 5' 10" just under 300 lbs now down 24 lbs since the beginning of June when I started cycling. I am riding a 2001 Jamis Aurora if that matters and plan on doing rides that put me in the saddle for a long time. This past weekend I rode 66 miles over about 5 and a half hours.
I have three different saddle's I've used the stock saddle that came with my bike (can't remember what it is, I was getting a lot of pain after about 20 miles on it) a Brooks B17 and a B17 Narrow that I found in a shed at my Dad's place. I've been using the B17 but have had some issues with chafing at the base of my butt. I did some reading and saw that it was suggested this could be caused by a saddle that is too wide. This prompted me to throw the B17N back on for a little and it seems to be better as far as the chafing goes but I've also had some perineum issues, not numbness but more like chafing. That are can be pretty tender after longer rides. The perineum issues are worse with the B17N probably because despite a few times over with the proofride it is still kinda like a board after being in a shed for about 20 years.
So my question then is how should I address this. My impression is that the issues I am having are not simply a matter of breaking the saddle in (although that is some of the issue with the B17N) but that I should look for something with a cutout. I have considered a Brooks imperial (maybe go with the narrow) along with the Selle An-Atomica (seems like a really nice saddle but more $$) or something completely different like a Selle SMP or Terry Fly.
Based on the issues I have been having I would value input on what you think would be the best option for me? Saddles are personal so my previous searches most came up with what people say works for them, but that doesn't really tell me if it'll work for me.
A little background, I am a big guy, 5' 10" just under 300 lbs now down 24 lbs since the beginning of June when I started cycling. I am riding a 2001 Jamis Aurora if that matters and plan on doing rides that put me in the saddle for a long time. This past weekend I rode 66 miles over about 5 and a half hours.
I have three different saddle's I've used the stock saddle that came with my bike (can't remember what it is, I was getting a lot of pain after about 20 miles on it) a Brooks B17 and a B17 Narrow that I found in a shed at my Dad's place. I've been using the B17 but have had some issues with chafing at the base of my butt. I did some reading and saw that it was suggested this could be caused by a saddle that is too wide. This prompted me to throw the B17N back on for a little and it seems to be better as far as the chafing goes but I've also had some perineum issues, not numbness but more like chafing. That are can be pretty tender after longer rides. The perineum issues are worse with the B17N probably because despite a few times over with the proofride it is still kinda like a board after being in a shed for about 20 years.
So my question then is how should I address this. My impression is that the issues I am having are not simply a matter of breaking the saddle in (although that is some of the issue with the B17N) but that I should look for something with a cutout. I have considered a Brooks imperial (maybe go with the narrow) along with the Selle An-Atomica (seems like a really nice saddle but more $$) or something completely different like a Selle SMP or Terry Fly.
Based on the issues I have been having I would value input on what you think would be the best option for me? Saddles are personal so my previous searches most came up with what people say works for them, but that doesn't really tell me if it'll work for me.