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Men health issue, post ride pain from fixed

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Men health issue, post ride pain from fixed

Old 07-12-05, 01:57 PM
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Men health issue, post ride pain from fixed

When I ride my fixed gear I have a post ride testicle area pain that persists for 1 day or so. I get no pain or discomfort at all while actually riding. I have seen appropriate Dr. and have had range of tests, ultrasound, etc. It was explained its is a minor inflamation condition that is nothing to worry about and common.

But it is a problem as I much prefer riding the fixed.

When I ride a multi-geared bike I don't get the post ride pain. While it is a different frame, it is set up basically the same, same saddle/pedal height, same reach, same seat to bar drop. Swapping seats between bikes doesn't help. I've tried nearly a dozen seats and even more seat positions on the fixed and none seem to change. All the seats I've tried are generally comfortable while riding.

I finally wonder if it is induced by the muscular strain from starting fast in a higher gear (48x17) or alternately perhaps from spinning faster?

Has anyone else experienced this issue unique to a fixed gear bike.

Thanks for you help and respect.

Al
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Old 07-12-05, 11:32 PM
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I went through this same thing last week and was told it had nothing to do with cycling. They told me it was all to do with heat and humidity. Certainly nothing to do with riding fixed, I dunno about the heavier gear ratio, I ride 52x15 on my ss so maybe. Fun getting an ultrasound on your nuts, no?
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Old 07-12-05, 11:33 PM
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Funny, I was just discussing this exact topic of conversation at my LBS earlier today. A guy showed up with one of these----https://www.spongywonder.com/----and swore by it. I have seen them around and knew what they were for but had never had a chance to talk to the owner of one. He said that he had never had any pain in the nether-regions from riding but that his friend had and that the pain disappeared once he got one of these seats.

I have had those ergonomically designed seats with the groove in the middle and I don't think it made any difference at all. This thing looks like it would make a difference. I am pretty sure that I will buy one for my road bike, but riding fixed is a bit different, as you say. I wish I could be more helpful, but if I experience any pain in any area of my body from riding, I come up with a solution to the pain. Maybe this seat is your solution?
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Old 07-14-05, 08:25 AM
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Saddle beak may be a tad high. Dip it down a notch and see if that helps.
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Old 07-14-05, 08:49 AM
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Agreed with andygates. Your saddle tip/beak might be a little high or the seat itself. When I first went fixed I had the saddle height the same as I would any of my other bikes (at the time - only fixies now). It felt uncomfortable. It wasn't until I got a flatter minimally padded saddle and lowered my seatpost height by a almost 1cm that made a whole world of difference. Control, comfort, etc. all suddenly became available.
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Old 07-14-05, 09:06 AM
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you might also play with the fore/aft position of the saddle.
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Old 07-14-05, 09:17 AM
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I know this is a silly question but do you wear cycling shorts? I have experienced similar pain before but if I wear shorts this problem goes away. You can tuck your boys away to where they don't come into contact with your saddle

I think why you are seeing such a difference between the fixie and the roadie is that it is much easier to ride out of the saddle on the roadie thus reducing the, ahem, punishment.
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Old 07-14-05, 02:15 PM
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First I appreciate all the good advice. There has got to be something that will work in there.
I do have my saddle a bit lower than on the geared bike (at first I had it a bit higher as I had shorter cranks) but found I can spin better when its lower.
The current saddle I have is a Brooks B17, its set up with a very slight nose up, otherwise I slide forward to easy. It is very comfortable while riding. I also tried it for a week level. Other saddles (including cutouts) I've had have been totally level. I do wish I could push the B17 a bit 5mm further back, but its at the end of its rails.
I actually ride more out of the saddle on the fixed than on many geared. With gears I always shift down for start and hills, which I can't do on fixed, so I stand up a lot more. I also lift myself over bumps, etc.
I do wear cycling shorts.
Remember this is not a 'numbness' or 'pressure' issue when riding. Its a pretty strong pain in just one of the boys, always the same one, that develops ~30min after a ride and lasts ~24hrs. I never get this after riding any other bike or after any other activity. Dr. has thourgholry checked me out and I have no specific issues and basically said the only thing to do is not ride that bike.

Al
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Old 07-14-05, 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by FixednotBroken
you might also play with the fore/aft position of the saddle.
I might not do this because now, you're changing intended seat angles.
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