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Numbness

Old 05-09-13, 08:43 AM
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Numbness

This may not be the right forum to ask this, but I had some numbness... in the nether region after racing last night.

Weird thing is, my road bike and track bike were fit by the same guy, and I'm using the same seat on both bikes. The fits are slightly different, seat more forward on the track bike but with a longer stem. The seat is slightly lower on the track bike to accomodate spinning. I have a positive stem with compact drops on my track bike, so it's not really that agressive.

I have no problems with my road bike. Any tips? I'm going to try tilting the saddle down slightly to see if that helps at all but theoretically everything should be fine since I have the same seat on my roadie right?
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Old 05-09-13, 08:54 AM
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My experience with ANYONE having numbness "there" is simple. it's usually the saddle angle
A) Make sure the saddle is level (with a level)
B) Make sure the seat post or saddle have not moved since the fitting
C) Remember you are in the drops and track drops will put you in a much more forward leaning, crunching position than say the usual road bike fit.
D) Not all saddles will work well on the Track

Blah Blah, Okay I would check with your fitter, that's always the best place to start. Most likely he will do what you are doing, but isn't that why you paid him.
All fitters will take the time to correct=tweak a fit. That is what I would do, but yes I think the saddle a tad down "may" do it.
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Old 05-09-13, 10:23 AM
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The saddle was level (with a level).

I'll look into different saddles too if the problem persists.

My fitter was involved in a crazy bike accident and is recovering, I'd rather not bother him with my fitness issues now
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Old 05-09-13, 10:24 AM
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On the track you are pulling an extra half g or so in the bankings depending on speed and turn radius. This might be contributing. Your 150lb body might weigh over 200lbs through the turns.

Also, do you have trouble standing during a race (some people do)? Just standing every once in a while usually makes any numbness go away.
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Old 05-09-13, 10:50 AM
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I use a TT Saddle on my track bike, mostly because more of my weight in on the perenium instead of the sit-bones, because you are generally rolled further forward. That said, your butt is pretty much as personal as it gets. Some people I know do very well with a cut-out saddle.
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Old 05-09-13, 12:14 PM
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I have major comfort issues if i dont use chamois cream - I dont need to wear chamois cream for long all day rides on my mountain or road bike, but an hour at the track and it is a essential. Also wearing assos shorts help too, i think due to there being more padding towards the front.
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Old 05-09-13, 12:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian Ratliff
On the track you are pulling an extra half g or so in the bankings depending on speed and turn radius. This might be contributing. Your 150lb body might weigh over 200lbs through the turns.
+1
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Old 05-09-13, 09:17 PM
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Another non-equipment issue may be your spin. Is your seated spin really clean, or do your hips bounce? If there is bounce you are putting extra pressure on your bits every time you bounce down.
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Old 05-09-13, 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Kayce
Another non-equipment issue may be your spin. Is your seated spin really clean, or do your hips bounce? If there is bounce you are putting extra pressure on your bits every time you bounce down.
I think it's pretty clean.

What I've noticed though, is that sometimes when I transition from OTS to seated, I don't go far back enough. This puts pressure on the not so happy bits. I noticed it today when I was out at the track. The nose down definitely helped though, no numbness today.
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Old 05-10-13, 06:13 AM
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A red flag goes up in my head when I see "seat more forward" + "seat lower": that seems at odds with me. Rule of thumb that I'm familiar with is, when your saddle goes forward, it oughta go up in order to keep leg extension the same. Keeping it at the same height and moving it forward effectively lowers it; lowering it further could be a real change, and possibly - possibly - contribute to some of your numbness if, due to low saddle and awkward weight distribution, you're putting more of your weight on your saddle.

Mark your current fit, but try raising your saddle a little.
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Old 05-10-13, 08:49 AM
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Also a lower saddle usually means more of the weight balance will move from your hands to the saddle.
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Old 05-10-13, 11:18 AM
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His reason for lowering was because it would be easier to spin at higher rpms. Is that correct?
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