Thegratefuldad

Sorry for the basic question, but I've read about the possible problems that can be created by seats that make you "go numb," and I have to confess that I'm not exactly sure what that means. To quote the famous Seinfeld line, there is definitely "shrinkage," as blood is being routed to the biking muscles, but does shrinkage constitute numbness?

I have been riding a Fizik Arione for the last year. It has been a very comfortable saddle for me--no pain whatsoever. Upon reflection, it seems that maybe it routinely makes me go numb--but there again, I'm not exactly sure what numb means. Certainly if one goes numb, there is by definition no pain. A week ago, I bought a used Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow (cut out, and slightly wider), expecting it to correct any "numbing" problem I might be experiencing. I find it also to be a very comfortable saddle, but it seems that I am about as "numb" (or not) as I was with the Arione. By the way, my sit bones, as measured by the Specialized arse-o-meter, are about 130 mm apart (which puts me squarely between the Specialized size 143 and 155 on their system). The Arione isn't even that wide to begin with, so my taint must be supporting the entire weight of my body. The Flite Gel Flow is about 142 mm wide, so it probably supports my sit bones better (and the Arione not at all, evidently).

So again, what is numbness, exactly. And if one does or doesn't go numb when riding, how do you know?

I expect that this thread might run the risk of degenerating into a running joke, but I'm hoping for some real help on this. Thanks.