ross dungey

I've just started riding and, like most learners I suspect, suffer from a sore behind. I'm thinking of getting a seat post with a shock absorber. Has anyone tried one of these? Do they work?

Metieval

Try seat position first.

and then try padded shorts.

I have one on my hybrid. but until I got the seat dialed into the proper position I still had a sore bum. I continue to ride it and my bum soreness is slowly going away. but after that first week.... WOW.

I'd say seat positioning will do way more for sore bums. I am assuming this because I used to never have a problem with a cheap saddle and no shock absorber. but I was 17 then also.

Cyclaholic

Sore bum & sore wrists are normal when you start out untill your body adapts. Give it some time before you go spend money needlessly.

KingTermite 

I have a shock absorbing seat post, and like the other said...I don't think its the answer.

1. Get bike shorts if you don't already. If you are big (like me), you can get them from https://www.aerotechdesigns.com/ .
2. Play with seat position...often soreness means seat is too high. Try lowering the nose to level (if not already) or "slightly" lower.
3. Give it time....you need a few weeks or riding to build up your "saddle callouses".

Medpilot

I feel your pain. I had a hard time adjusting to my factory saddle, so I bought a gel saddle and used it for about 300 miles. After my bum got use to sitting on something small, I switched back to a harder saddle and the transition was a little smoother.

Bigmark

I had a shock seat post, but removed it when I got my new seat.
First the seat post would sink screwing my riding position.
Second the squishy seat gave me some nasty soreness in places where soreness is a bad thing.
I replaced both, and now I am good to go. It did take me a few miles to get the seat just right, but now I have no soreness, or numbness anywhere. I guess there is something to say about getting the right seat adjustment.

Good Luck

dagna

The first few times, my fanny got so sore I was miserable. Someone suggested a gel seat cover, but that was even worse--sore and numb. The best advice was 'give it time' and 'move around on the seat, stand up sometimes, don't stay in one position too long'. I suspect sometimes, though, the saddle is just wrong and one needs to try a different one.

Good luck,
Dagna

Metieval

before coming home from work today I messed with the settings on my seat post. Yeah this thread got me thinking lol.

anyways at it's softest setting it really didn't absorb that much, and at its hardest setting. all it does is slowly gets lower which means more sore bum because now my seat isn't at proper height.

I'll probably be replacing it as soon as I can afford to.

kerk

Different butts require different seats. I'm really comfortable on a brooks but not on a Selle Italia Flite, which some people swear by. You just have to find the right one for you and get it positioned right. Try several different positions with your current saddle before you buy a new one.

aikigreg

Yup, IMHO, a suspension seatpost is WORSE. On the butt and the knees.

ross dungey

Thanks, I wouldn't have thought of that. I'm getting a new bike soon so I'll talk to the bike mechanics about fitting it correctly.

desmobob

Tough it out... you'll feel better soon. Real bike shorts will help a whole lot, too.

I hated my first saddle. I spent a bunch of time looking, reading, comparing, etc., then finally ordered a replacement. By the time I ordered it, I realized my original saddle didn't hurt me any more.

(BTW- you'll have a sore neck next, I bet....)

Good riding,
desmobob