PepperB

So, a little background info. I've got a '77 Schwinn Continental that I bought off ebay a few years ago. It's really a little high for me...when standing over my bike, my lower regions are touching the bar. But, it's not that far off from a good fit, and I can't afford another bike right now. It fits fine in the legs, though. I don't commute yet, but am using my work hour to train for the commute (40 miles round trip). I'll start commuting when my hub motor comes in.

So I've spent the last week and a half adjusting & tweaking my saddle position & angle. I think I've got it dialed in now since the after-ride numbness in my groin has gone away (thank heavens!). But now I've noticed that for the first hour or so after my hour-long ride, my tailbone hurts a lot when I sit down. It's not a muscle hurt, but a deep, bone soreness. It's worst during that initial pressure that first time I sit in my office chair after I've cooled off & redressed. It usually goes away within an hour.

My question is...is this just a function of me getting acclimated to long stretches in the saddle? Or do I have some further tweaking to do on my saddle?

ragboy

how long you been riding the saddle?

JeffS

A deep bruised feeling is normal, but not on your tailbone I don't think - at least I've never had it there.

I can't recall ever having a bike seat make contact with the tailbone area. Maybe I've just never noticed.

PepperB

The saddle is new...I bought i about a month ago, and have ridden on it about 10-12 times. Does that matter?

jpdesjar

pictures of saddle set up would be helpful

BroadSTPhilly

Is it you actual tailbone or you sits bones . I just wondered if you were saying tailbone generically or specifically.

PepperB

It's between and behind my sit bones...it could still be my pelvic bone, perhaps not necessarily my coccyx. Seems I'm alone in this particular pain.

bipedfred

I had that when I was commuting on a bike with a Specialized something-or-other saddle and an extremely upright posture. I felt it most when I was standing up after sitting. I don't use that particular bike for commuting anymore, just shorter, messing around the neighborhood kind of rides, otherwise I would have changed out the saddle. I'm sorry, but I don't know which saddle would be better.

ragboy

Yes, it matters. It usually takes a little while (2-3 weeks) of regular riding to condition your butt to the saddle. That being said, if you bought a cheapo saddle or if the saddle just plain doesn't fit your sit bones, find another one.

Don't chinse-out when buying a saddle. You get what you pay for -- it's a matter of finding one that fits your sit bones. And don't go for the big cushy saddles -- generally the more padding it has, the crappier it is. Don't be surprised to go through a few before you find one that utilmately works (that's why there is a saddle swap thread in the "for sale" forum.

When I first started commuting a couple years ago, I found some of the WTB mountain bike saddles to be the best of both worlds (a tad of cush yet firm to last without compressing). I've since moved on to a Brooks saddle, but you may start with the WTB saddles.

zebede

When you see yourself approaching a bump in the pavement do you raise yourself sligtly off the saddle and use your bent legs and bent arms like shock absorbers ? You might have bruised something down there?