Still trying to tweak comfort
 

I *think* I finally have a saddle that works for me. I had had none of the horrible pain my second one caused or the numbness my first one caused. That said I have my seat as far forward as it will go, and I still keep finding myself constantly having to slide my butt back to get it properly on the seat. Also my hands have pain and numbness. I wear good gloves and have good ergo grips, I am not yet comfortable using the bar ends. I ordered an adjustable stem, but after I received it I realized it was the wrong size, but kept it for my backup bike. I was able to fit one more small spacer under the bars, but not sure just that tiny bit will make much of a difference. I ordered a riser extender so I can raise my bars a bit higher and an 80mm Stem, my stock one is 100mm. I am hoping that's not too big of a difference.

I feel like I am soooo close. If I can just eliminate these last couple of issues then I should be able to ride further more often. Last option if these two don't work is ordering a zero offset seatpost.

Let's see a photo of the bike.

This is the most recent I have Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

Since this was taken I changed the saddle and the pedals.

I know you say you have a new saddle, but the old one looks angled down. Is the new one similarly angled?

If so, that'll be why you're sliding forward

Exactly.
Start with the saddle perfectly level and go from there. Ride a couple times before you make any changes and only make small (1 or 2 degrees, <1/2") changes to tune it in.

I suggest you look for opportunities to use the bar ends - stretches where you don't have to brake much, etc. Learn to get comfortable with them and get in the habit of switching hand positions as a matter of routine.

It would kill me to keep my hands in one position for more than an hour.

I actually had to angle my saddle EVER so slightly upward to prevent the sliding forward, which was making my hands numb.

Also, oddly enough, I had to turn the nose of the saddle just slightly to the left to finally solve an ongoing saddle sore issue on my left side

After a couple of recent adjustments to my bike I was finding some issues with my hands on long rides. I found that moving the saddle BACK tied that issue. It seems to change the balance point and how you support yourself. I know that it seems counterintuitive, but fixed the problem.

This is exactly what I was going to mention. I shoved my seat all the way back on the seatpost and put on a much longer stem than I ever thought would work and it's the most comfortable set up I've ever ridden. Completely counter-intuitive. I think at a specific body angle, the lower back/core kicks in and supports your weight, instead of your hands.

find a place that does a computerised bike fit .... not cheap, but may be worth the money if they get it right

Thanks all. Yes, my seat is still slightly angled down, I was doing that to prevent the numbness issue I was having with my first saddle, but I don't think that is an issue so I will change the angle and see it that helps.

When the parts get here I will try just the riser first before adding the shorter stem.

Do a Youtube search for bike fitting or positioning, there are several things you can do to ensure you are in the right spot on your bike. Down angle will cause you to slide and not being in the right position may cause numbness and sore hands or arms, bar height can also impact this. A bike fitting by a pro is a good answer but this could run upwards of $200.

maybe slide the seat back a bit. this will put your center mass above the middle of the bike and engage your core more accurately to allow a more even balance of the three contact points to the bike. I did this it worked like a charm

I installed my stem riser yesterday, it raised my handlebars by a good 2.5 inches. I did my longest ride to date this morning, 35 miles. The raised handlebars helped a lot, the majority of the pain and numbness in my hands was gone. The side effect being more weight on my rear end and I felt that for sure. Even though my butt was a bit sore while riding, its not sore as I sit here typing this. So far I still think I am good on my saddle.

I think it is time now to find a good professional bike fitting, I just really don't want to spend the money on it. I don't think I really have a choice though.

yes by raising the bars you effectively moved back the center mass, this caused more weight to go where it is needs to be, but you still need to engage your core to create a stronger balance.

I believe that, once the bike is properly fitted, the key then is to build core strength. You don't want the weight on your hands; you want your back holding up your torso.

CONGRATS on that 35 mile ride!

I rode 25 miles this morning and my butt was in a lot of pain almost the whole trip. I really wanted to hit at least 30 again, but the pain was so bad when I hit 12.5 miles that I decided to head back. I had to stop way more than normal as well, the only issue was butt pain. I am pretty sure the pain is where it is supposed to be now that I have my handlebars in a better position and I moved my seat back a bit. I sit correctly on the biggest part of the seat now and I don't find myself scooting back constantly.

Now I just have to decide if I just need to get use to the new (more correct) riding position or try yet another saddle. The last three rides, since I tweaked my handlebars, the pain has gotten worse every time. I know I need to get a fitting done, I am just having a hard time allocating funds for that.

There are a couple variables to consider:
First, you'll need a couple weeks to build up your backside to what you're asking of it. Not to say you'll reach a Barcalounger nirvana, but it some point, once you're 5 minutes or so into your ride, the discomfort will disappear.

While that process is moving along, you can work the saddle angle a bit to see if the pressure isn't better distributed. Try tilting it back a bit (mine has always been a couple degrees off level, tilted back). The trade-off is you'll start to encounter increased numbness ...ah..down there. Time to tilt back toward level (you should also be like the Pros and train yourself to stand for 5 or 10 seconds every 10 or 15 minutes). Just don't make big changes; a degree at a time, ride for a while to let your body adjust and reassess.

And at some point, maybe after a month of this, you'll run out of options and consider another saddle. They come in different widths and some men have had good luck with womens' saddles. Nothing wrong with that.

I mentioned it before have been measured for proper saddle width... this can make a huge difference.

How are you affording trying out so many different saddles? Those beggars are expensive!

also, remember to change on thing at a time, then you see the results of the change if you change multiple things it is hard to determine what made things better or worsd

...if you want to get detailed, take measurements and keep a log of changes and results.... a bit data geeky, but can help.

They have all been cheap saddles lol. The one I am currently using was a gift, but its also a sub $30 saddle.

:) I guess it is a matter of perspective. $30 is not very cheap for me.

I replaced my saddle after I crashed and tore it. I thought I had ordered the same one from Specialized's website, but it turns out it isn't the same. It less of a sleek look, more of a comfort style saddle appearance. I have "lived with it." So far but I am not excited about it.

some shops have loaner/trial saddles