latexyankee

I've been battling some chafing issues lately primarily on one side only. I know this is a symptom of a leg length issue but I want to attempt to sort it before $pending my precious cash on a fit.

Time in drops vs hoods is literally 50/50, last year it was more like 75/25 but as I ride more I began to develop more core strength and neck shoulder muscle (or resistance to the pain of being hunched over and lifting the head)

I feel great in the drops which makes sense because my pelvis is rotated and I have less pressure on my actual sitbones and more on the rami or what have you when the pelvis narrows. I'm wondering if this could just be an indication to move the saddle rearward? Lowering the saddle is not an option, I was riding about 1.5 inches too low to ease the pain. I decided no more and have dialed it in to where its bearable but not yet perfect. I'm on a specialized power atm. Average ride is 25-40mi roughly 200 mi per week depending on weather. Just looking for a suggestion on where to proceed.

Thanks for all the replies I get whenever I post. I know there are some goofballs out there but this site has been very helpful for a novice. Only have 24 months under my belt road riding.

Edit- Forgot to mention I'm using SPD pedals with shimano RT82's. I eventually would like to switch to a speedplay pedal but I already had the pedals from a previous bike I owned a few years before and a guy on craigslist happened to have the shoes damn near new in the box for $50. Money is tight this year in the family.

popeye

There is a narrow range for proper saddle height and setback. You need to play with the tilt, offset to one side (twist the saddle slightly to one side or the other) and finding a saddle that fits your behind. I also have a leg length issue and eliminated the damn chafe with just a twist to starboard.

latexyankee

I've tried most solutions, I think I'm going to move it back a bit, as I was getting some slight front knee soreness on last evenings ride.

A guy at specialized store this morning actually suggested trying a 168...this seems counter intuitive to me but who knows, my left hip is dropping causing the chafing. Maybe it will be more supported on a wider saddle? I tend to think it will exaggerate the issue. My sit bones are right around 140mm. I've always rode 155 on spesh saddles.

BillClinton

How do you like the power otherwise? Do they still work if you ride on the hoods frequently?

Gege-Bubu

I had similar issue with one side chaffing after I lowered my bars. I had to tilt the seat a little forward and move the saddle a little upfront too. It was done in two steps.
There is no problem now. In fact, I rod my bike in thin compression sport shorts (no chamois) yesterday for a short 17mi ride, and I has no problem whatsoever.

Obviously, initial position change did cause the chaffing. But! I believe that the problem got worse because I was riding the bike with the problem area not healed completely. It could be the case of unfortunate bibs, humidity, temperature, etc...
Make sure your skin healed before you start ride your bike hard.

latexyankee

I think its a game changer, I've been waiting to post my official thoughts until my chafing issues are sorted out. It's not the saddle, my problems have been ongoing with the last 6 or 7 saddles I've tried.

For the record I was happily on a romin for 1.5 years when the chafing issue occurred due to me raising my saddle to an appropriate height. I've tried all the nice models from selle italia and smp. The width of those brands were not sufficient for my fat ass but the cutouts were amazing...So i went back to the romin for the sitbone comfort but the pressure was so noticeable after riding superflows and smp's. FOR ME, the power is the best of both worlds, with the nose missing its a completely different experience my entire junk is out ahead of the short nose, flying freely in the wind. Its really hard to explain unless you've tried the ism seats I suppose. I highly recommend anyone on a romin to give it a shot when it comes time to replace the saddle, or trying to find something similar. It has a very similar concept as the romin where the rear flares up, but the nose obviously does not flare down, its just non existent.

I haven't really spoken with anyone who dislikes the saddle at all except maybe deciding which layer of padding. Im currently trying to make that decision myself, I have the expert which has a level 2 padding. I went with that model due to previously being on the romin evo gel which, to the touch, seemed to have a similar density. I do wish it was gel insert instead of foam but that is just my OCD.

One thing that stood out is going back to a "traditional" saddle after riding the power. The nose feels weird and intrusive, its not obvious until trying a noseless or snub nose seat but damn it makes a difference. Its one of those things, for me, that once you try its real hard to go back.

I highly recommend finding a spesh shop with 2 week return policy and giving it a shot, I knew before I left the neighborhood that was something special. I can see many more competitors design wise once it catches on. Having been released for only a few months its hard to find real rider experiences online.

latexyankee

Bibs are a consideration, I've tried 2 pair and same issue, but I'm not sure what a GREAT pair of bibs feel like, only been using bibs for about 6 months, took me a long time to make the transition from shorts.

Just heard back from my fitter (feels good to say that) about 10 min ago. Apparently I'm on the schedule for Saturday. Very excited-never had a professional fit before and the shop has 2 fitters whom I've researched and checked on serrota website. 20 years certified and they claim to have dome thousands of fits, I'm told they both play a role in the process. So hooray for me, not expecting to feel perfect but I definitely need a good starting point reset cause lately im making radical changes on a whim. Only $175 too, which is cheap in my area. The BG fit folks wanted $250 then attempted to try to sell me on a pedal stroke assessment for $125. Didn't sound very enthusiastic and also a young guy mid 20's. No disrespect but I feel more comfortable getting fitted by older persons with a proven track record. Ive always been told if I go for a fit, pay for the fitter, not the fit system.

I just hope the upsell tactics are reasonable, I know the first thing they are gonna want is me in 3 bolt pedals and shoes. Not gonna happen for awhile, that's roughly $300 on its own for average equipment.

Phew-sorry, guess im excited.

BillClinton

Right now I have a Romin Evo Gel 155 and if you look in the fitting sub forum I am having issues w taint pain. I think I am going to try a 168. I want try a Selle Italia max flite gel but it is only 150mm and Idk if that will suffice. I know that is smaller than what I currently have but as you know the Romin curves down on the wings.

RNAV

Ok. I'm over-simplifying things, but there's basically two ways to address a leg length discrepancy: 1) shim the shorter leg, or 2) set the saddle height to accommodate the shorter leg (i.e. lower overall saddle height).



So . . .
1. You're fine at your previous saddle height.
2. You raise the saddle height 1.5 inches (which is HUGE, btw), and you suddenly have problems.
3. You conclude the problem cannot be your saddle height.

Can you explain your logic/reasoning, because it appears that there's a key piece of info missing. Why do you think your current saddle height is correct or appropriate for you?

Dollars to donuts, your fitter is going to recommend you either shim the short leg (if you have a leg length discrepancy) or lower you saddle height . . . or both.

That aside, thanks for sharing your impressions on the Power saddle. It's next on my list of saddles to try out.

Maconi

I have 125mm sit bones. I tried the 155 Specialized Power Expert and I had an odd pain/aching on my sit bones for some reason (I ride an Endurance/Gravel bike, relaxed/upright position mostly). The lack of a nose was great and there was no chafing. Maybe I should try the Pro (less padding)? I thought about trying the 168mm but that seems way too wide for 125mm sit bones. Maybe the Power just isn't meant to be comfy in the upright position?

I have an SMP Avant, Specialized Avatar, and Selle Italia Man Gel ordered right now. I'm going to miss the lack of a nose though lol.

latexyankee

Well you couldnt be more wrong concering my saddle hieght. It is not fine where it was prevoiusly, it was a desperate attempt to aliviate sever left side pain. I wont get into how low it was because you already know. The fact that it needs to be raised 1.5 inches to be in an "acceptable range" for optimal power and knee comfort should mean something to the more experienced rider, I'll forgive you. the problems did not begin when raising it 1.5 inches, that is only the ballpark of where it should be, moving it north of my feet sitting almost flat on the ground will cause issues on the left side.

I know most likely what my fitter will say....most likely. But if I never get it done, I'll never know for sure. There are also other things I would like to address but this is first and foremost. I also like the one on one experience and being able to call someone who has a record of issues. Shimming the short leg is indeed an answer, but how much? How much more time do I need to ride uncomfortable to ballpark these figures. This is why I'm having it done, I want a professional opinion. Not to be rude, perhaps I haven't correctly described my frustration this season, but it is becoming overwhelming.

latexyankee

Bro, then the power is definite try. The max flite is flat, you will still most likely have those issues unless you can ride a degrees angled downward. I tried max flite, slr's superflows... they do provide some taint relief but the power in my opinion is better. I would say give it a shot before the selle's because your ass is already accustomed to the saddle profile. It was designed around the romin, at least in the rear. I found it a little harder to get used to flat saddles again after using the romin and smp's. The slr superflow did have an ever so slight dip or rise in the back but it was not as pronounced as the romin.

It is what it is but if you're happy with the romin profile wise makes sense to try something very similar with a larger cutout/short nose.

loimpact

Hmmmm.....interesting. I wasn't even aware of that new Power saddle. I might have to check it out.

I'm always amazed at watching pros ride for miles on the nose of their saddles.....OUCH!!! I think if you can ride like that, it really doesn't matter what's on your bike but I'm sure they still have a preference.

BillClinton

Just ordered a 168

rbk_3

Yes, I am rarely in the drops and it has been wonderful. I went through the Toupe and Romain before and they hurt my taint area, but the power has been flawless.

rbk_3

As I mentioned above, I was having the exact same issue. Get yourself the Power, you will not regret it.

rbk_3

125mm would be right on the edge of their chart for the power in 168mm. It fits smaller like the Romin.

BillClinton

I ordered a 168 today1

RNAV

I don't think you were rude at all. I didn't understand that you lowered your saddle height 1.5 inches from its normal setting in response to chafing. I read it as you got a new saddle and you decided to raise your saddle 1.5 inches but can't understand why you're having chafing issues after you'd raised your saddle 1.5 inches from your original position. I get what you're saying now.

Completely agree that getting a pro bike fit from an experienced fitter is the way to go, and I hope you get good results. I'm interested in hearing about your fitting experience, what changes the fitter suggests, and your satisfaction with the outcome.

Fiery

You have no chafing when in the drops and your back and neck are comfortable spending half the ride in that position... Why not lower your handlebar? It might bring your pelvis into a comfortable position when on the hoods and you should still be fine in the drops for at least a quarter of the ride time, which is perfectly fine. Another option is to bring the nose of the saddle up slightly - it will have a similar effect as rolling your pelvis forward.

latexyankee

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. It feels like a romin with less pressure. Can I ask what your sitbone measurement is? Do you normally ride 168 saddles?

BillClinton

Right now I ride a 155 and my sit bones are on the very edge of the wings of the Romin. We have a Bontrager measuring device at the LBS. It doesn't give specific size but rather uses color coding for specific saddles and I am the maximum width they have. I'm 5'10 150# not a big frame either.

wheelzqc

So far I find it fits bigger then the Romin. More like the Toupe for sizing (I prefer Romin 155, but Power 143).

latexyankee

I am thinking of trying a different size power as well. I love the saddle but I'm struggling to find that sweet spot on where to sit on the 155. I wonder if may even need a larger saddle or if the design doesn't fit me. My sit bones were measured at 140mm at the specialized dealer.

What size are your sitbones to run a 143?

wheelzqc

I was measured twice at 130 and once at 120. So not sure how precise it is. I should try it myself. Maybe clothes that you are wearing could influence results.

I rode a while with the 155 and lately trying the 143. The 143 I can sit further back without the saddle hitting the back of my leg. I feel platend/ supported with both. The 143 so far seems better, less restrictive. Also, I have right now a 1 degree nose down (to back). The 155 didn't hit the back of my leg as much when it was more nose down but I was sliding forward.