Bulbhorn

Here we go again. Thoughts?

https://www.latimes.com/features/heal...ostemailedlink

ItsJustMe

My thought is that a lot of people ride too far forwards on the horn, or don't have the saddle adjusted properly, or don't have a saddle that is properly sized to put the pressure on the sit bones where it belongs, or their saddle is too squishy and allows the sit bones to sink in and put undue pressure on the center.

On a properly fitted, adjusted and ridden saddle, this should not happen.

NoRacer

It will happen no matter what, because to employ different muscles when others are fatigued you have to change position. In other words, if your quads are getting tired, you may have to sit further back to get the hamstrings into play; sit further forward to get the quads re-engaged. The hip flexors and calf muscle region will be used differently depending on which position, as well.

The main reason to ride forward in the saddle or back in the saddle or stand is to change which muscles are being used so you can spread the fatigue between all of the muscles and not just one set by sitting in the same position for the entire time. This becomes more critical if the ride is long and fast.

Once you start changing positions more often, the whole genital dysfunction thing becomes less of a problem.

Bulbhorn

I agree. I think that this kind of article does great damage to cycling because people considering trying a cycle commute to work or what ever will be scared off.

unkchunk

I think it's hypocritical of the LA Times to act so concerned about my... Hey, what's the acceptable Bike Forums term for that anyway? I'll just go with "non threaded stem" for now. Anyway, in theory they act all concerned about the smooth operation of my non threaded stem, but in reality the reporters are going to say "No!" and probably get a restraining order.

Come to think about it... this is basically a mechanical issue. It probably should be posted in the Mechanic's forum.

dwainedibbly

When I was in my late 20s, riding ~200 miles/week, I'd get the "occassional male numbness" maybe after 30 or 40 miles, but not on every ride. I was 150 pounds, riding a Selle Italia Turbo saddle on a Vitus 979 frame. (A very comfortable road frame, flexy, but I'm a spinner, not a masher.) About 18 months ago I got back into cycling on the same bike & saddle. I was 48 when I got back into riding, 220 pounds. (Don't laugh. It could happen to you, too.) I was getting "male numbness" after 5 miles, every ride, even with changing positions, standing, etc. I switched to a Selle Italia SLK with a big cutout and now all is well.

Honestly, I probably would have quit riding if I hadn't found a solution. The last thing I wanted was to get into shape from riding but end up with permanent "problems" from chronic nerve damage.

^Damage to cycling? If you get past the sensationalistic first section, this kind of article does the opposite because it shows noobs that there are solutions to problems they may be having but don't want to talk about.

My point is that everyone is different. Yeah, a lot of people have mal-adjusted equipment, but sometimes there are other reasons. In my case it was probably my higher weight pushing me deeper into the saddle, bottoming out what little padding there is on an SI Turbo.

lyeinyoureye

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

"Stop doing it."

I might be concerned if I had a sex life.

fat_bike_nut

Will this ever get old? It got old at about the second or third one I read. This is the eleventh

WishYouWasMe

I just tilt my nose down and sit back on the seat. My balls dont hurt anymore.

ItsJustMe

^dwaynedibbly (yo, smeghead :-)
I think taking your weight into consideration should probably be part of selecting a proper saddle. I hadn't thought about it before, but that's a good point.

BigMacFU

I just want to set the record straight here, and anybody in NYC who's ridden the subway and seen the "Impotence" ad knows what I'm talking about:

WHY DO IDIOT COPY WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS INSIST THAT IMPOTENCE AND E-D ARE SYNONYMOUS**************************************************? Just because you cannot salute your threadless stem does not mean your fish don't swim. Just because your fish don't swim doesn't mean you cannot salute your threadless stem. CAN WE PLEASE GET SOME TERMINOLOGICAL ACCURACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If they want to insist on "impotence" for failing to rise to the occasion, then call it Limpotence!!!!!!

This has been brought to you by the board for better word-smithing!

G. Bucci

35 years old, two kids and going strong.

'nuff said!

Stay UPRIGHT

Winnipeg Canada

aadhils

Umm, Only two?...

caloso

I've got a chubby right now.

jyossarian

When will they do an article on car seats and how they make your ass bigger?

fat_bike_nut

I don't understand your answer

squeakywheel

That's it. I'm going recumbent.

I thought they should have included one of these nose-less saddles in the pictures. I recognized a Brooks in one of the pictures.

One of the used road bikes I have bought came with a flat saddle that had a large cutout in the center. I hate that saddle. It seems the edge of the hole is a pinch point. You have some flesh hanging over the edge unsupported. The flesh right on the edge of the hole seems to be bearing all the weight.

I seem to do best with the saddles that are elevated at the back edge. I put my sit bones back on the raised part. There is a gradual slope. So, I don't get that pinching sensation from the edge of a cutout.

Elkhound

Both my bikes have EasySeats. Much easier on the male body than the standard type, which tends to pinch and squeeze things that ought not to be pinched or squeezed.

caloso

Pix?

Elkhound

Both my bikes have EasySeats. My neighbor was complaining about his saddle pinching and squeezing something that ought not to be pinched or squeezed; I got him an EasySeat, and he loves it.

KrisA

4% of cyclists have ED according to the article, hardly sounds like something to get panicy about to me. I'll stick with my hard racing seats that have too little padding for my junk to sink into thank you very much.

Got all the kids I want (2), in fact I'm going to talk to the Dr. today about some voluntary reproductive damage!

HardyWeinberg

Have they compared that to the general populace? Bob Dole's TV ads lead me to believe cyclists might even be on the low end of the societal scale for that issue.

swwhite

I have seen these on the internet but haven't wanted to spend $30+ only to find out that I don't like them. So you find them OK to use, acceptably comfortable, no problems controlling the bike, etc. etc.?

Thank you.

wheel

Repost

https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/285573-article-erectile-dysfunction.html

kemmer

Many of the studies used runners and swimmers as control groups with as much as 2% of people in those groups suffering from ED. I would like to see a control group comprised of less active indivduals as well. I think the heath benfits of physical activity probably offset damage done by my bike seat, but who knows.