exas

does riding aero on road bikes increases the likelihood of impotence? i read that info here on the forums, the extra pressure exerted on the groin by pressing down on the bars cuts off even more blood flow than just only sitting on the saddle itself.

if its true, then what puzzles me is that so many bikes come with aero bars, why do people still put up with them? an alternative would be mountain bike style. mountain bike style is the best and should be adopted by every bike. not only do they look more contemporary (drop bars makes the bike look like it was made 100 years ago) but they are more comfortable and most importantly they do not cause impotence.

djSlvt

My friend. 90% of men does not get together with a woman that often, perhaps once a year, or less. Quiet fat women get more of it than 90% of men.

Thus the argument of who cares?




Certainly not the other 10% of men. As you can see I don't care.

operator

This is not an issue. This whole "impotence" thing is the result of one study taken out of context and propagated and turned into a myth.

rickyaustin

If that were true — it would be widespread throughout the community and widely publicized (think cancer from smoking) as they have been riding drops for (as you imply) 100+ years.

One study won't make you permanently flacid just by looking at a bike. Get a good fit and ride on. Link to a study about drops & impotence? (no pun intended)

barba

This is your second impotence thread I have seen in the last few days; First Brooks saddles and now drop bars. Is this really a huge concern of yours vis a vis bicycles? Trust me, as long as your bike fits you reasonably, you can be assured that your parts won't go dead.

Astronomical

GTFO. Kay? Drops do not make a bike look 100 years old, ape hangers do. And risers are only good if you chop 'em.

Cyclaholic

Your hands go on the handlebars, not your groin. The only way your choice of handlebars will cause impotence is if your sex life revolves around your hand.

Riiiiiiight, ok then..... I see how it could cause an impotence problem for you

JanMM

You can wrap your drop bars with tape impregnated with testosterone and that will prevent trouble for ppl down there. Don't wear gloves.

alanbikehouston

The best informed and most factual discussion of this topic is in "Bike for Life" by Roy Wallack and Bill Katovsky. Their book is THE best book about cycling as a core element of a healthy lifestyle that includes other forms of exercise and a sensible diet.

BFL summarizes the key studies in this area. And, the studies all agree that cyclists who ride twenty or thirty hours per week with poor saddles or poor riding position suffer vastly impaired blood flow in the crotch area. For many of these riders, that decreased blood flow leads to temporary numbness or temporary pain, or both. The reports of serious, permanent problems involve only a tiny percentage of cyclists.

The solution is very clear: your weight should be balanced between the "sitbones" of your pelvis, your hands, and your feet. There should never be significant weight on the "soft bits" for any significant amount of time.

The best modern saddles, such as the Specialized Body Geometry saddles, are designed to place weight on the sitbones, and not on the crotch. But, these saddles won't help unless you buy a saddle suitable for your own rear end. Most guys like those three inch wide saddles used by 150 pound pro cyclists. Wrong saddle.

And, to keep your weight on the sitbones, your pelvis needs to be upright. If the highest portion of your bars is level with the top of the saddle, and you ride with your hands near the stem, or on top of the brake levers, your back will be at about a 45% angle to a horizontal top tube. At that angle, your weight will be on your sitbones. And, if the top of the bars is level with the top of the saddle and the bars have a "shallow" distance from the high portion to the drops, the drops will be about at the same level as the top tube. Riding on drops that are level with the top tube places increased pressure on the crotch, but not to a painful degree.

What is sad is that millions of recreational cyclists, age forty, fifty, or sixty, have seen pro time trial on TV where the high portion of the bars is three or four inches lower than the top of the saddle and the rider's backs are down almost level with the top tube. That is the "right" position for a pro to use for a 30 minute or 60 minute time trial on a closed course. That is the WORST position for a recreational rider to use hour after hour on public roads, surrounded by motor vehicles. It impairs the cyclist's ability to monitor what those motor vehicles are doing, and those hours of pressure on the crotch are doing damage.

By the way, the studies also show that pedaling with your weight OFF the saddle increase blood flow back to normal (or higher than normaL0 in just a minute or so. Try to raise your rear an inch or so off the saddle anytime you are not pedaling, such as when you are coasting, cornering, braking. Try to pedal for a minute or so out of the saddle every fifteen minutes or so. A good workout, and good for the blood circulation.

Cyclaholic

Floyd Landis is now marketing a range of cycling accessories which include just this item. Available in every color except yellow.

roughrider504

Constantly riding in the drop portion of the drop bars if they are positioned much lower that your saddle may cause a increase in the curvature of your spine, if anything. Impotence, bleh.

Jarery

Another impotence thread? And now one stating all bikes need to be mtn bike style" to go in addition with your "no bike should be riden faster than 14 mph" , "all bike seats cause impotence" , " no bike tire is meant to go flat which is why tires were not meant to be skiny" threads.

If your not a troll you definately have some bizarre views on cycling

Heck, maybe try actually riding your new bike before telling the rest of us the rules of biking

Cyclist0383

My penis fell of due to my using a road bike with a Brooks saddle.

JanMM

How unfortunate.

atomship47

i guess i owe my wife an apology. i thought SHE was the cause of my problems down there.

East Hill

She can't help it. It's all that excess estrogen she produces that does it, you know. . Keeps you from being buff and low fat, or so we've been informed lately .

East Hill

I-Like-To-Bike

OP; find something else to blame for your problem.

Cosmoline

Boyo, I see your weird little posts on every single thread here about sex or impotence.

roadfix

Also, pushing a 53T or larger chainring causes impotency.

JanMM

The big ring on my recumbent is a 56T. Am I at risk for problems down there even though my wheels are only 20 inches? (Sometimes I feel inadequate because of my small wheels. My wife tells me not to worry about my small wheels.)

I-Like-To-Bike

How wide are your wheels? Width is what counts. Or so I hear.

JanMM

My small tires have Kevlar belts. I have heard that Kevlar belts can prevent problems.

roadfix

I think you're within the limit......it's the gear inches that count.

DataJunkie

Yet no mention of super tight lycra shorts causing impotence? Just a suggestion for the next thread.

East Hill

I think you cut him off at the pass.

I thought the silly season was in the winter, when people couldn't get out and ride .

East Hill