I'm getting into randonneuring and only have done a 200k, although I've also ridden a couple 150 milers with my local club. The thing that always stops me isn't my legs or fatigue... but my butt. I have experimented with 5 different saddles, and it seems that something is rubbing against me until it hurts so much that I cringe and bear it until the end of the 150. I weight 188, so I don't think it's my weight. I've also tried shammy lube, but I've never carried enough around with me to keep refreshing it.

I'm thinking perhaps an aero bar will help because my friend who uses them tells me that for long rides, it can be used to take weight off your butt. Sure, I can stand, but I can only do it for so long.

What do you guys think? Do aero bars help with long distance, especially when my limiting factor is sitting for too long.

Have you tried riding without padded shorts? Just use the shorts that look like cycling shorts, but don't have any padding in them.

IME aero bars don't help with saddle issues. If anything it's the other way 'round. 5 saddles is not nearly enough. Think about exactly what's rubbing you and start testing saddles that don't have anything in that area. I'm not a no-padding guy, but IME it is true that there are certain shorts pads that match certain saddles and others which do not. I carry a 35mm film can with extra butt cream in it. If it takes more than that, you aren't close on the saddle choice. So where does it rub?

Riding without shorts only worsens it. I think it has to do with my habit of moving around on the saddle a lot. Every so often (more than you) I feel like alleviating the pressure, so I kind of hop to a subtly different position on the saddle. After between 80 to 100 miles on the saddle, it starts to hurt. If you run your finger up your leg, as soon as your skin curves at the start of your butt is where it hurts. I never understood why no one else ever had this problem, and it makes rides longer than 150 nearly impossible for me.

I have that exact problem if I ride a bike with not enough setback, or on long rides if I don't use chamois cream.

don't know about aerobars but in your case, something like this might work:

https://www.meta-bikes.com/randoedition.html

I get that exact problem from saddles that are too wide in the nose or don't have a sufficiently smooth roll-off between top and skirt. What saddle are you riding?

^^ that's a good point I have that problem on saddles like that too. I have a Fizik Pave that's very 'abrupt' on the sides and it leads to such chafing.

+1 What saddles have you been riding up to now? If you can remember all 5, that might be useful information.

Could be the saddle but also the saddle position/way it's adjusted. Since you tried five, my bet is it's the position.

when my butt really hurts, I shift up a gear, helps a little.

Have you tried chamois cream?

What saddle are you using?

I also move around on my saddle quite a bit. It's one of the challenges I have with riding a tandem ... I have to sit still.

But one reason for hopping around on the saddle is a poor bicycle fit. Another reason is poor core strength and poor cycling fitness. I move more when my saddle isn't quite the right height (often too low, or with the nose pointed down too far), and when I'm a bit out of shape.


If those aren't the problems, then I'd look at the saddle. You might need something more suited to you.

is the rubbing always on one side? and in the same spot? you may have some asymmetry and/or pedal stroke issues that can be addressed with cleat shims.

I have ridden on:
1. Cannondale Caad9 5 stock saddle (not comfortable at all, quick replaced)
2. WTB SST Comp, stock on the LHT
3. Stock Mountain bike saddle (decent, but not for long riding)
4. Brooks Flyer
5. Selle Anatomica's Titanico

So try the Performance Forte Classic and the Specialized Romin. I'm sure others will chime in.

Is one of your legs shorter than the other?

Do you experience this pain equally on both sides or just one?

Can you post a photo of your bicycle? And then a photo of you on your bicycle?

I don't think aero bars would help, but what do I know. I don't have the problem you're having. If you think they might help, it's worth a try.

I'm inclined to think it's a setup problem of some kind. Machka's questions --especially regarding symmetry-- seem on point.

You seem to have tried a good variety of saddles. Were any of them really hard, like a new Brooks Professional?

Just means your hands wont be supporting your weight for a little while..
as the weight goes on your fore arms where the pads are..

and being so bent over the frontal area you push through the air will be a bit smaller..

They do all seem a bit narrow, I found many saddles were concentrating force in some areas until i tried an old ideale.
the titanico and flyer can hammock which might make things worse. Some people find the floppe selle's a bit much for a lower more agressive position, the movement can be problematic. A wider giles berthoud perhaps. I found the narrower brooks were not my friend. I now use a b66 which is comfortable and sit on the center section even though the back is huge and the saddle looks funny on my setup. Also my left leg is very slightly shorter than mmy right, it took a thin insole in one shoe to get rid of similar problems and i found i could spin so much more easily