My last thread about saddle sores, I'm about to give up on riding forever.
07-25-15, 09:41 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 108
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Professional bike fit: the best purchase you can make ? VeloScience Bike Works
Link if anyone cares, talked for about 10 min this morning. I think a sports chiro or physiologist is going to be the real only solution but we just can't afford that **** man. I have insurance but it sucks and don't cover **** because America
Pulling into the water park I will check this thread throughout the weekend. Again, thanks guys and gals
Link if anyone cares, talked for about 10 min this morning. I think a sports chiro or physiologist is going to be the real only solution but we just can't afford that **** man. I have insurance but it sucks and don't cover **** because America
Pulling into the water park I will check this thread throughout the weekend. Again, thanks guys and gals
07-25-15, 09:52 AM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,207
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
The only other advice I can give is what helped me. I changed from tighty whities, punk panties, etc...etc...to Boxer Briefs. They seem to stay snug on my legs and not let things slip around. It worked and I no longer have any problems. I would say try it, cheap fix if you don't already use those type briefs.
07-25-15, 10:47 AM
#28
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
See if you can find a used 165 mm left crank arm on Ebay. Doesn't have to be the same model, as long as it matches your BB axle.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
07-25-15, 10:55 AM
#29
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
I've had a similar problem with chafing on one side. I just kept trying saddles. You might look at Performance Bike saddles. They have many that you won't see at your LBS. You need a saddle that necks in really quickly and with a smooth round-over from top to skirt.
The sure fix is going noseless. A riding buddy of mine has ridden his BiSaddle for many years. He's a randonneur and has ridden PBP on it. In his opinion there is no downside to this saddle.
Revolutionary Noseless Bicycle Saddle -
Yes, it's expensive but you might give them a call and see what they can do for you in the way of return if it doesn't work for you.
The sure fix is going noseless. A riding buddy of mine has ridden his BiSaddle for many years. He's a randonneur and has ridden PBP on it. In his opinion there is no downside to this saddle.
Revolutionary Noseless Bicycle Saddle -
Yes, it's expensive but you might give them a call and see what they can do for you in the way of return if it doesn't work for you.
07-25-15, 10:58 AM
#30
Professional Fuss-Budget
If those do not appeal to you, then... Yeah, maybe it's time to quit.
You've apparently solicited and followed a lot of advice. It seems very plausible that you have a physiological issue (thin skin at a bad spot, perhaps) which causes the sores. If so, then cycling just isn't a good sport for you. Sometimes, that's just how it goes.
There's plenty of other great sports that you can participate in such as running, swimming, tennis and so forth.
07-25-15, 11:29 AM
#31
Senior Member
There is a bike fitter in CO that was trained by Steve Hogg.
I think the suggestion of a shorter crank arm may actually work for you. If you ride with 172.5, then going to 170 on the left side may be good.
But sometimes, it is the other leg that is shorter and your body compensates by leaning over to that side so you feel the pain on the other side.
Best of luck. Maybe a recumbent would work better for you. There are many fast recumbent riders around my region. In fact, they are almost too fast.
I think the suggestion of a shorter crank arm may actually work for you. If you ride with 172.5, then going to 170 on the left side may be good.
But sometimes, it is the other leg that is shorter and your body compensates by leaning over to that side so you feel the pain on the other side.
Best of luck. Maybe a recumbent would work better for you. There are many fast recumbent riders around my region. In fact, they are almost too fast.
07-25-15, 11:52 AM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, R. I.
Posts: 4,340
Bikes: Specialized Secteur, old Peugeot
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 663 Post(s)
Liked 496 Times
in
299 Posts
For some reason, an imbalance of some sort, the right side of my crotch area is very sensitive to pressure. I need a saddle that narrows quickly from the sit bone area. I've have found that rotating nose of the saddle a bit to the right helps quite a lot. I also customize my saddle by softening the plastic with a heat gun and clamping it in position and letting it cool in that shape which then will stay indefinatly. As a tinkerer, I love modifying gear even with some failures along the way.
A final tactic for me is to clean the crotch area well before the ride as well as after.
A final tactic for me is to clean the crotch area well before the ride as well as after.
07-25-15, 12:00 PM
#33
Senior Member
I would see a doctor. You may have a clogged pore. If so they last for a very long time unless you have them removed. Just a thought. doctor can tell you in a second and can usually remove them in the office.
07-25-15, 12:04 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,001
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
07-25-15, 12:32 PM
#35
Senior Member
There is a bike fitter in CO that was trained by Steve Hogg.
I think the suggestion of a shorter crank arm may actually work for you. If you ride with 172.5, then going to 170 on the left side may be good.
But sometimes, it is the other leg that is shorter and your body compensates by leaning over to that side so you feel the pain on the other side.
Best of luck. Maybe a recumbent would work better for you. There are many fast recumbent riders around my region. In fact, they are almost too fast.
I think the suggestion of a shorter crank arm may actually work for you. If you ride with 172.5, then going to 170 on the left side may be good.
But sometimes, it is the other leg that is shorter and your body compensates by leaning over to that side so you feel the pain on the other side.
Best of luck. Maybe a recumbent would work better for you. There are many fast recumbent riders around my region. In fact, they are almost too fast.
you have never had anyone properly address the imbalance through fit. if you need to switch shoes that will allow proper shims/wedges isn't that also worth it?
i say this as one who had a significant leg discrepancy that caused the same saddle sore over and over and over. not until i got shims and wedges properly adjusted (plus inserts) did this go away.
07-25-15, 01:54 PM
#36
Full Member
Any dedicated Roadie will encounter the trouble experienced by @latexyankee.
Hygiene
My strategy includes 2 more fixes:
--before I wash the bib shorts, I prep them by soaping the chamois, then pour 2 cups of 140F+ (from microwave) onto it (chamois) with a light rinse. Only then are they ready for the wash.
--a few hours after riding (need to make time for this) I will try to cool my legs and lower waist area by sitting in about 6 inches of bath water, sometimes adding a 1/2 cup epsom salts. This can be for as little as 3-5 minutes. This is in addition to showering after a ride.
Contribution from Road Camber
I keep wondering why everyone experiences sores on the left area off the chamois. Could it be road camber?
So Brits and Aussies universally get the same sores on the right side?
Hygiene
My strategy includes 2 more fixes:
--before I wash the bib shorts, I prep them by soaping the chamois, then pour 2 cups of 140F+ (from microwave) onto it (chamois) with a light rinse. Only then are they ready for the wash.
--a few hours after riding (need to make time for this) I will try to cool my legs and lower waist area by sitting in about 6 inches of bath water, sometimes adding a 1/2 cup epsom salts. This can be for as little as 3-5 minutes. This is in addition to showering after a ride.
Contribution from Road Camber
I keep wondering why everyone experiences sores on the left area off the chamois. Could it be road camber?
So Brits and Aussies universally get the same sores on the right side?
07-25-15, 02:00 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 1,257
Bikes: 2012 Scott CR1 Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I found a leather saddle is the only thing that works for me, there are no saddles that are curved from front to back, firm, and narrow for sub 110mm apart sit-bones. Leather accommodates you no matter what your personal physiology. I too thought I was going to have to quit after the last "saddle sore" turned out to be a PNI (basically a knot of scar tissue from repeated irritation) which required surgery and 7 months off the bike. I tried a Selle Anatomica as a last act of desperation and have been happy ever since.
07-25-15, 02:31 PM
#38
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,843
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1173 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
612 Posts
Can be a factor with runners, though.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
07-25-15, 03:02 PM
#39
Senior Member
Op, the reason people keep going back to hygiene and bacteria is that the sores you are getting can only happen because of bacteria. But I agree with you, they are not the cause of your issues, they are a symptom.
07-25-15, 04:01 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,286
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1096 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I suspect the reason the sore persists is because you keep aggravating it and aren't giving it a chance to FULLY heal. The soreness may seem inevitable, but it's probably not; you probably won't need to give up cycling for good, but like others have suggested, you probably need to take a long time off. That may sound about as bad as giving up completely, but I'm sure you'll figure out something else to do in the meantime. Who knows: it may be something you enjoy more.
07-25-15, 04:12 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Burnaby, BC
Posts: 240
Bikes: Marinoni Piuma, Boulder All-Road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You have a fit problem and a skin problem. Neither has been solved, so the symptom persists. Get a(nother) fit, see a doctor.
07-25-15, 04:43 PM
#43
Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies no one has really been rude like I expected if you look up my previously started threads. It drives me nuts on any forum to see the same person asking and asking without research. Let me assure you I've spent as many hours online as on the bike this year.
Now I am of full belief that this is an imbalance within my pitiful weak excuse for a body. As others have mentioned, I believe I have a pelvis issue as it seems one sit bone feels further forward on the saddle than the other. The shorter crank and or using my shim was and is still my perceived short term solution. I had my shim at my fitting but she "determined" with her keen eyesight only that my legs are the same length. I do know that my left thigh is significantly larger in circumference than the other. My fitter saw this and told me oh well you're gonna have chafing, nothing you can do but build strength in the other leg. I replied that would make both legs rub then yes? And why if I lower the saddle does it go away? No real response ensued. I have a feeling, actually I know my pedal motion is off on the left side as I can see my knee track outwards slightly. Also it always feels as if my left side (saddle sore side) is pushing more power or watts or whatever. It always feels as if my right leg isn't trying as hard, or it easier to pedal with the right leg under any circumstance? So I am favoring the left side I suppose? Dropping that leg/hip. I could go on and on...
To the poster that suggested its a bacteria skin issue. Thank you but we've been over this. I do not ride unless there is a shower at my destination. It is one side only. They are like ingrown hairs, I used to get them all the time when working outdoors in the summer and forced to wear jeans. Bacteria may play a part while I'm sweating and riding but it down to friction and rubbing. I CAN feel it and I know when I'll be developing one. I've got alllll the basics down in regards to hygiene, bibs and finding a saddle that works, you'll have to trust me on that. Everyone I speak to only preaches these principles and refuses to accept that I follow them. All I ever get is "must not be showering fast enough" "ever tried chamois cream" "bibs aren't up to par"...my castelli free areos beg to differ.
I did speak to another local fitter who's rep is pretty solid involving tried and Olympic champions. Said he actually was hired by specialized as a consultant to help develop their BG fit. He seems like a good roll of the dice as he said he's used every system out there and has 28 years experience. But its tough to justify another willful purchase when you have 2 daughters and are saving to buy a home.
Lastly on this lengthy post. I thank everyone for letting me vent. None of my friends ride and say go for a run. So nobody can relate to not being able to hop on the bike and just go explore or set a record on that climb and go 40mph tucked on the descent. It makes me feel alive. I kinda do feel like a little boy who had his bike stolen, just sad. Sometimes just being able to complain with some people who understand is like talking to friends. Love ya
Now I am of full belief that this is an imbalance within my pitiful weak excuse for a body. As others have mentioned, I believe I have a pelvis issue as it seems one sit bone feels further forward on the saddle than the other. The shorter crank and or using my shim was and is still my perceived short term solution. I had my shim at my fitting but she "determined" with her keen eyesight only that my legs are the same length. I do know that my left thigh is significantly larger in circumference than the other. My fitter saw this and told me oh well you're gonna have chafing, nothing you can do but build strength in the other leg. I replied that would make both legs rub then yes? And why if I lower the saddle does it go away? No real response ensued. I have a feeling, actually I know my pedal motion is off on the left side as I can see my knee track outwards slightly. Also it always feels as if my left side (saddle sore side) is pushing more power or watts or whatever. It always feels as if my right leg isn't trying as hard, or it easier to pedal with the right leg under any circumstance? So I am favoring the left side I suppose? Dropping that leg/hip. I could go on and on...
To the poster that suggested its a bacteria skin issue. Thank you but we've been over this. I do not ride unless there is a shower at my destination. It is one side only. They are like ingrown hairs, I used to get them all the time when working outdoors in the summer and forced to wear jeans. Bacteria may play a part while I'm sweating and riding but it down to friction and rubbing. I CAN feel it and I know when I'll be developing one. I've got alllll the basics down in regards to hygiene, bibs and finding a saddle that works, you'll have to trust me on that. Everyone I speak to only preaches these principles and refuses to accept that I follow them. All I ever get is "must not be showering fast enough" "ever tried chamois cream" "bibs aren't up to par"...my castelli free areos beg to differ.
I did speak to another local fitter who's rep is pretty solid involving tried and Olympic champions. Said he actually was hired by specialized as a consultant to help develop their BG fit. He seems like a good roll of the dice as he said he's used every system out there and has 28 years experience. But its tough to justify another willful purchase when you have 2 daughters and are saving to buy a home.
Lastly on this lengthy post. I thank everyone for letting me vent. None of my friends ride and say go for a run. So nobody can relate to not being able to hop on the bike and just go explore or set a record on that climb and go 40mph tucked on the descent. It makes me feel alive. I kinda do feel like a little boy who had his bike stolen, just sad. Sometimes just being able to complain with some people who understand is like talking to friends. Love ya
J.
07-25-15, 05:02 PM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 749
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
without even asking or skimming through except for your first post:
throw away old bibs
take some time off - has to last year and it was at the end of the season where I'm usually still in great shape. it sucked
throw away old bibs
take some time off - has to last year and it was at the end of the season where I'm usually still in great shape. it sucked
07-25-15, 05:13 PM
#45
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Professional bike fit: the best purchase you can make ? VeloScience Bike Works
Link if anyone cares, talked for about 10 min this morning. I think a sports chiro or physiologist is going to be the real only solution but we just can't afford that **** man. I have insurance but it sucks and don't cover **** because America
Pulling into the water park I will check this thread throughout the weekend. Again, thanks guys and gals
Link if anyone cares, talked for about 10 min this morning. I think a sports chiro or physiologist is going to be the real only solution but we just can't afford that **** man. I have insurance but it sucks and don't cover **** because America
Pulling into the water park I will check this thread throughout the weekend. Again, thanks guys and gals
07-25-15, 05:13 PM
#46
Senior Member
I bet you're frustrated and I know the feeling, I'm dealing with another issue all together that's keeping me from enjoying what I enjoy the most. I know you've tried several saddles, bibs, etc... but lets start fresh and look at things for what they are. First off, choose the saddle with the width that best fits your sit bones and has the narrowest nose like a Fizik Arione or similar which will help with your thigh rubbing. Then choose the bibs that have that nice balance of comfort and padding, too much padding is just as bad as too little. Then adjust the saddle height using whatever method you believe works to get the proper leg extension for max power to the pedals. From that point see how upright you are? We are talking road bike, correct? For me, sitting too upright leads to discomfort after about 15-20mi and when I was trying to figure out how to correct that issue I was thinking it must be a saddle or just my body but someone here said to lower my bars which sounded crazy but it worked almost instantly for me and I can go 60-80mi without any pain at all and no more sores. The thinking is as you lower the bars your body rolls forward which takes pressure off of your sit bones plus raising your seat back up to the optimum height will take pressure off as well because straightening your legs will reduce the amount of weight on your saddle too with a proper leg extension. So what you've been trying to do seems counterproductive compared to what worked for me. Just for an exercise, sit in a chair or on a bar stool while in a riding position, then while pretending to hold your handlebars lean forward paying attention to pressure on your sit bones. It should reduce as you roll forward. This advice may not help you but it was invaluable for me, Good Luck!
Last edited by dvdslw; 07-25-15 at 05:17 PM.
07-25-15, 05:38 PM
#47
Senior Member
I had a similar problem. Earlier this year I had a sore that would not quite go away or kept coming back. I would still detect a small bup in the area. I happened to be at a dermatologist for a check up and mentioned it. He gave me a shot of cortisone in the area and it disappeared completely in a few days.
Good luck. Those can be a huge nuisance.
Good luck. Those can be a huge nuisance.
07-25-15, 06:16 PM
#48
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,173 Times
in
1,464 Posts
I'd invest in some time with a sports medicine doctor and/or physical therapist that has experience with cycling. It's clearly a system that requires the bike to set it off if it happens for no other reason. You have to get to an MD who is willing to invest some time in this and is willing to look at you, the bike and you on the bike as well as your skin issue.
J.
J.
07-25-15, 06:26 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 65
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a slight curve in the spine to the right. It's called scoliosis. It's imperceptible visually, but docs mention it on X-ray. Lots of people have it naturally.
This curve to the right causes your pelvis to tilt left ever so slightly, so that you're effectively sitting on the left sit bone with a bit more pressure.
I found that shimming the right saddle rail tilts my saddle just enough that it helps to even out the pressure.
I've never seen or heard of a saddle rail shim, so had to invent one. It's just a short length of 3/8 copper water tubing split open and wrapped around the right side rail. When the seat is clamped, it squeezes the tubing which squeezes the rail, so it's secure.
Last edited by New_IA_Rider; 07-25-15 at 06:35 PM.
07-25-15, 08:07 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,602
Bikes: Ridley Noah fast, Colnago CLX,Giant Propel Advanced, Pinnerello Gogma 65.1, Specialized S-works Venge, CAADX,Cervelo S3
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 74 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm about 20 minutes away from posting a beautiful cannondale on craigslist and hanging it up for good.
Saddle sore, angry pimple, boil whatever, left side only, crease between butt and leg. Perfect hygine, 20 different saddles, 143/145/155/168 sizes. Assos/garneua/PI/Performance/Voler/Castelli bibs. Cant ride 20 miles without one. I can feel the pressure on that side of my leg whenever I ride, it rubs the saddle while my right side is free and clear. Cannot get it to stop. Every chamois cream on the market. Tea tree oil/rubbing alcohol to treat it. They will go away but then after a ride it will come back.
bought a shim, would not stay put with my SPD cleats. Bikefit brand. Tried on both shoes.
The ONLY thing that will prevent it is to lower my saddle until its even with my current bar height, which puts me at a very upright position and does not let me pedal efficiently causing knee and hammy pain as well.
Have rode for 4500 miles in nothing but frustration and pain and I'm also broke as hell, spent every dime on a fix.
Had a serrota fit done, got a saddle sore from the fit process.
/end rant
Saddle sore, angry pimple, boil whatever, left side only, crease between butt and leg. Perfect hygine, 20 different saddles, 143/145/155/168 sizes. Assos/garneua/PI/Performance/Voler/Castelli bibs. Cant ride 20 miles without one. I can feel the pressure on that side of my leg whenever I ride, it rubs the saddle while my right side is free and clear. Cannot get it to stop. Every chamois cream on the market. Tea tree oil/rubbing alcohol to treat it. They will go away but then after a ride it will come back.
bought a shim, would not stay put with my SPD cleats. Bikefit brand. Tried on both shoes.
The ONLY thing that will prevent it is to lower my saddle until its even with my current bar height, which puts me at a very upright position and does not let me pedal efficiently causing knee and hammy pain as well.
Have rode for 4500 miles in nothing but frustration and pain and I'm also broke as hell, spent every dime on a fix.
Had a serrota fit done, got a saddle sore from the fit process.
/end rant