Jarrett2

Sorry bout the title, I couldn't think of a cute euphemism. After doing 1300+ miles on my hybrids with no issues, two days into riding my new road bike, I've got some numbness happening. It's intense right after the ride, but has typically subsided after two days of no riding. The issue is, I ride every day historically and want to continue.

I've tried two different saddles that worked fine on my Hybrids at a couple of different angles and no difference really. It seems if I go less miles or ride with less intensity, the numbness is less. If I ride hard or long, the numbness is greater.

I'd like to do away with this completely and begin to fully enjoy my new road bike. Anyone have any suggestions on fixes that are known to work? Thanks in advance?

RaleighSport

See a doctor who also rides perhaps?

Number400

It happens...try standing for a minute every 15 minutes in the saddle. I would make some adjustments as well to see if you can correct.

This predicament does not bother me so much on the bike but my VW is a different story. No long term effects so far but still uncomfortable.

Black wallnut 

I'll echo seeing a Dr. also with a preference for one that rides. Also see a BG fitter.

IAMAMRA

Maybe adjust your seat a bit mor nose down?

TrojanHorse

I don't think you should consider that normal! See if your shop can help you figure it out. Make sure your saddle isn't angled up too (although I reckon that would hurt before you started getting numb, so I'm just throwing spaghetti on the wall there)

genejockey 

Stop riding that saddle RIGHT NOW!! Numbness that doesn't resolve within a few SECONDS of standing up or stopping is the quick path to permanent damage!!!!

Do not try to tough it out. This is some SERIOUS stuff. You will ride your way to impotence.

If you had no problem on your hybrid, what did you change when switching to a road bike? More pressure on the perineum, so is your saddle higher, or are your bars too low? See a professional fitter, and maybe take both bikes.

Try more saddles. I went through 5 saddles before I found one that works for me. Then the company that made it went out of business, so I ran out and bought the last 4 I could find!

ill.clyde

1. Relax ... this isn't end of the world stuff. (No need for multiple exclamation points).
2. Go back to your LBS, explain to them what's going on, and ask for their help.
3. Ride. Tinker with your fit. Rinse. Repeat.
4. Also would be a good idea to stand, change your position on the saddle every now and then, etc.

genejockey 

If he said, "Sometimes during a ride, I find my junk goes numb, but if I stand a bit, it goes away quickly." That's not end of the world stuff. He's saying it's lasting for DAYS after the ride, so it really, really IS end of the world stuff.

Jarrett2

It's very similar feeling to when I first started riding my Trek FX 7.2. For a couple of days after, the index and middle finger on my right hand would be numb and then slowly go away. Changing grips fixed that. Trying to figure out what will fix this. Going to meet with LBS today on options, just wondering if anyone had experienced this before and what sort of fixes worked.

bassjones

You need a different seat. One that is perfect on a hybrid will (or might) be completely wrong on a roadie, especially if you're set up aggressively at all.

Cyril 

Sounds to me like a fit and equipment issue.
First, make sure the fit on the saddle is dialed in for your legs...not to high and not too low, just right.
Then make sure your bars are at the correct height and reach for your arms (it probably is for you make no mention of hand and/or arm pain). Then, tilt your saddle in small increments, a couple of millimeters at a time, probably down, and see if that gives you some relief.

If this doesn't do it, it's time to shop for a new saddle.
If a new saddle doesn't do it, it's possible you need a slightly larger or smaller bike.

But do search aggressively for a solution. This is one time where HTFU is not the answer.

MattInFla

Completely agree. Transient numbness that resolves quickly once pressure is removed is no big deal. Numbness that lasts hours or days is bad juju.

floatsinwater

2 days of numbness definitely isn't normal. Are you wearing cycling shorts or a saddle with tons of gel padding? That can severely constrict your bloodflow without you noticing. Also this padding might be interfering with you riding with the correct part of the saddle. Some cyclists with tons of padding ride directly on their junk and get problems later on.

Try to find a good LBS that has a good fitter that will re-fit you until your ride is comfortable. Make sure the fitter watches you pedal on a bike trainer to check your form. Also a big plus if they do saddle rentals.

genejockey 

Ironic use of HTFU, I'd say...

jsigone

are you wearing bike shorts/bib? Try a saddle w/ a cutout if the bike didn't come with one or vise versa if it did. LBS would be my first visit then doctor...most likely all he will say is stop riding your bike

Jarrett2

Compression shorts, bib, baggy shorts. Same thing I rode with my hybrid. No pain in the area during the ride at all.

Jarrett2

I don't mean to imply its not functioning normally, it is. If it were not, I might be panicking.

jsigone

have u tried w/o the compression shorts? Just rock out the bibs

genejockey 

Numb for hours, with effects still felt days later is, as Woody (haha) in Toy Story says, is "the perfect time to panic".

"Not functioning properly" is too late to panic.

phoebeisis

Get the weight COMPLETELY off your perineum.
Nothing should touch saddle from your anus on forward-a 2 " swath.
Your "sit bones" are for sitting
Your perineum is NOT designed to be weight bearing.
You will damage nerves
Get a saddle with a HUGE cutout-
AND point the nose down
Yeah it will feel uncomfortable at first,
but the alternative-well numb penis says it pretty well
but you can also damage the tube in your penis-scar or narrow it!

Jarrett2

I have, but not a fan of the feel.

genejockey 

We Clydes are more vulnerable to this, because our extra mass puts more pressure on the saddle, so we're more likely to squeeze off blood flow and pinch nerves. The good news is that the fit/saddle issue is probably easily resolved, especially if you had no problem on the hybrid. It's really just a matter of taking pressure off the perineum and the nerves and blood vessels there.

genejockey 

I gotta disagree on 'point the nose down'. Tilting the nose down will give you hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder problems, you'll feel like you're sliding forward all the time and being thrown at the bars.

And it's a false dichotomy. The saddle should be level, AND you should have no numbness problems, not either/or.

Cyril 

Indeed...