Originally Posted by
philbob57
I fought numbness for 2-3 years. Went through an Avocet Touring and a fizik Aliante. Then a B17 Imperial -I got numb after 12-15 miles on that. The Selle Anatomica looks like it might be better than the B17 Imperial. The C17 looks like it may be better, too.
I tried out an ISM saddle, but I have forgotten which one. It put too much weight on my pubic rami, IMO, but it solved the numbness problem for rides up to 25 miles.
I've been riding a Selle SMP TRK for 3 years (2500 miles) with pretty good success, but recently I've been getting some numbness again. Since that has happened only after I've slogged for 10 miles against a 15+ mph headwind, maybe it's my poor cycling and not a saddle problem. Also, I'm 25 lbs lighter than 3 years ago, though, I may need new shorts. Once I change shorts, who knows what else will have to change?
I think the cure for numbness is to remove pressure from the perineum. If the TRK stops working, I think my next experiment might be a Rido (rido-cycling.com)....
Thanks for your firsthand experience. This is what I really wanted to hear. I wonder why the C17 carved would be better than the B17 Imperial? Seems to work on a similar principle but maybe with better rails. The top is more arched from the pics I see. I'm only speculating though. Upon checking out the online sources on the Selle SMP's and the Rido, the Selle SMP's interest me more. You have the TRK which from what I understand is their more budget model. This model is described as more padded which allegedly can shift more material and pressure toward the perineum. I wonder if their less padded, higher end models may be better for this reason(but they seem twice as expensive). I don't like the idea of the Rido's flat hard nose without cutout so I think I'll pass on that.
I think I'm going to try the Selle SMP, probably the TRK and if that gets me closer to the ideal, I may upgrade to one of their better saddles and transfer the TRK to the trail bike. I think the ultimate solution may be both a saddle upgrade and somewhat elevated stem.
Speaking of clothes, I don't wear shorts. Usually track pants. I'm not really a shorts-wearer(except when swimming). I don't know if I should try a non-padded cycling short as an undergarment or if there are any good cycling pants(a limited market, I'm sure).
Originally Posted by
sumgy
Get a saddle with cut out and make sure that your saddle is not tilted up in the front would be my recommendations.
I keep mine level or if any tilt, nose slightly downward. Adjustments are a good point. I thought about adjustments and the fact that on my trail bike, I don't have this issue anywhere near as much. My trail bike has a newer saddle and a much better cutout but I pondered if the more upright position helps and that perhaps I had my saddle too far back, causing me to slide more pressure down on the area. Upon bringing my saddle, which was positioned all the way back, to the mid-point and bringing it slightly higher to compensate, it did make a slight but noticeable improvement. This leads me to believe that an elevated stem may bring some more improvement.