Padding in shorts
 

I had prostate surgery in January. Now back on the bike I'm finding the padding in my cycling shorts doesn't seem to provide as much comfort as I need or would like to have. The padding seems fairly thin on my shorts and as a matter of fact that padding has never really provided the level of comfort I'd like to have, but the problem seems worse now.

Is there any way to "thicken" the padding on cycling shorts that anyone knows of? Can you buy shorts with thicker padding? Does anyone else have this problem and found or improvised a solution?

I could say "three inches of upholstery foam would do the trick," but it would not involve the shorts. This probably isn't the answer you want, so I withdraw it. ;)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ingpedals1.jpg

Because of your surgery have you considered a Saddle with a large cut out?

A couple of ideas:
1. Different shorts with thicker pad.
2. Two pairs of shorts.
3. If you have any old shorts with padding, cut it out & sew on top of pad in another pair.
4. Sew in a layer or two of carpet padding.
5. Different saddle.

I suspect thicker padding won't help, but is easy to try. I find thick padding bunches up and tends to have an effect opposite of desired.

I had problems a couple of years ago with bruising the twins. I have been using an ISM Adamo Road saddle (no nose) with good results. It isn't very comfortable for longer rides, but serves the intended purpose well. Not sure if it would help you, but it got me back on the bike.

Good luck.

I think the whole idea of the padding isnt to provide cushioning, it is to give 2 separated material surfaces so they can slide independently of each other thus eliminating direct friction.

Was in your condition 11 years ago. RP in June and it was 6 weeks before I got on the bike and got off it very quickly. That hurt. Trip to the LBS and saddles had just come out with the cutout. Tried one and it seemed better- but not perfect. For the next few weeks and things improved but I did a lot of riding out of the saddle. Then it was back to the old Pain. The saddle had gone off again.Tried another saddle but this time took my bike down to the LBS. In fact tried 6 or so but no great improvement. Decided to try saddles on friends bikes and found an old one that I swopped for a new saddle. Worked for a while but then the pain came back.

It was not the saddles going off- it was my body adjusting to no prostate.

I eventually found a cure and that was to change from MTB and upright seating position- To a Road bike. That put pressure in a completely different place and the pain started easing. I hate to say it but you may have a few months of pain and you may be tempted to buy a lot of saddle to cure the problem. What worked for me on the MTB-and I don't recommend it to anyone that does not have the problem-Was to tilt the nose of the saddle up. Gives pain in a different place but after the problems I had for many months before I found this out- it was a GOOD Pain.

EDIT----If you do go for the nose up on the saddle- get a narrow nosed saddle like the Flight or Fizic. A wide nose can cause chaffing with this style of riding--As I found out.

Padding in shorts is for moisture wiking not comfort, that's the saddles job.

^^^ This!

This will sound pretty weird, but before you ruin your shorts by sewing pads into it, try putting a thick, feminine napkin (the one's with adhesive wings) over the pad and take it for a ride. If you still have the pain with the added padding, then more padding isn't the solution. Also, if you decide to try new shorts, stay away from shorts that have gel pads rather than chamois as those do not wick the moisture and will cause chaffing.

I have to agree with Stapfam about trying different saddles. And if you are riding a bike that puts you in an upright position, after trying various options, a new bike (road or recumbent) may end up being your final choice. I hope you find a solution and keep up the riding rather than give up because of the discomfort.

Thanks to everyone for the information and ideas on my problem. Many of these things I never knew (padding is for wicking, not comfort) or never thought to try (John_V)! I love my Brooks B67 and would hate to give it up to something else though, but am starting to think it's the culprit.

Not True.

The chamois serves a greater purpose then just moisture wicking.

Quote:

---

The shape of these high-technology elastic cycling short inserts help to reduce or eliminate problems related to compression in the GPUG zone; for example, the syndrome of compression of the pubic nerve: the position while riding on a relatively rigid saddle is in a relatively small area where pressure is generated in the perineal zone and is transmitted to the pubic nerve and Alcock channel (the pubic canal that allows pubic nerve to pass under the pubic bone and connect with the genital and perineal zone). This constant pressure reduces the ability of the nerve to heal and exposes it to constant trauma.

---

Read this...
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/spons...007/cytech.php

Stay open to the bent possibility.

If the saddle fitted well before surgery - then it is not the saddle. Brooks are not my favourite but a lot of people won't like my choice of saddle either. The other alternative to nose up on the saddle is to "ONLY" sit on the sit bones. Bring the saddle forward and tilt the nose down so that you cannot feel the saddle at all underneath. If you do not bring the saddle forward you will keep slipping down the saddle.

I did this with a mate of mine who had NORMAL butt pain and it cured him after a couple of weeks. Pitry really as he is now the rider I have to chase on the flat bits as he is fit. Thank goodness he can't climb for toffee.

Thanks. I will be fiddling with the saddle before I try any more drastic measures. Unfortunately a new bike is not in the cards at this point (retired school teacher's pension won't allow it).

+1

Maybe your problem is too much padding. After my surgery I have found that I can't ride in my heaviest padded shorts any more as they put you much pressure on the taint area. My shorts with the lesser padding allow the sit bones to carry the load providing much more comfort.

Correct. The 'padding' is to provide moisture management and to minimize chaffing, not to pad your tushy (though it can help minimize road vibration). I would recommend that the OP:

1. Try making slight adjustments to saddle position.
2. Try a new saddle
3. Start riding a 'bent

Interesting. I'm willing to try anything!

Why is it ALWAYS an either/or position people take. Can't the padding offer cushion, a separate contact point to lessen friction AND add moisture wicking? But I digress. Feel free to argue which it's for...

padding is for wussy

... 'cos won't help you drope the hamer ...

The chamois padding DOES offer all those things; cushioning, perennial relief, reducing friction and moisture wicking. Except there is a lot of differences between the different chamois pads, as I'm finding out.

Everything related to cycling has evolved, the chamois is no exception.
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/spons...007/cytech.php

Not everyone has "buns of steel"! :giver:

I might have known this article it a sales gimmick. Sure his pads cure all ills. Don't believe everything your read in an ad.

Sales gimmick?!!

Guess I'm buying the kool-aid.

All the reviews I've read recommend higher ends shorts, from Assos, DeSoto, Sugoi and Castelli. From what I've seen, the biggest difference between low end and high end is the quality of the chamois. These are not simple basic single density pads. These are multi-density pads with relief channels and contours to help relieve pressure points, besides reducing friction and wicking moisture.

CyTech, makes pads for some major bike short manufacturers, like; Assos, Rapha, Gore, and DeMarchi. I've read enough reviews to understand people like their high end shorts with high tech chamois pads.

jalbri, is the prostate area swollen still or is there scar tissue there after the surgery? Odd question, I know, but that seems to be a clue to your current discomfort. If the area has changed is size or shape, it is indeed likely that the chamois in your current shorts will feel uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, from my experience, it really does come down to experimenting to find the right sized padding that will suit you. The most expensive, highest-quality shorts in the world might be the most uncomfortable for you, yet the cheapest might be heavenly.

Fiddling with the adjustment on your Brooks also will be essential to take account of any changes to your prostate area. You say you love your Brooks. How long have you had it, and how deep are the sit bone divots?

I ask because if the divots are quite pronounced, and the centre of the saddle a bit humped, you might need to tighten the bolt and/or lace it to lift up the divots so they better support your sitbones. Decreasing the upward angle of the saddle should be a starting point because keeping the the prostate area up and the sitbones down is essential.

So how does the cool aid taste.

I can barely remember times of old when a chamois was really chamois leather inside wool shorts, which in combination provided a bit of padding and some moisture control.
Wicking polyester briefs under unpadded shorts on a RANS Comfy Chair seat work much better.

You might try temporarily wrapping your seat top with bubble wrap till healed. I know it's cheesy but it is cheap and actually helps!

No doubt about it. Its time for a recumbent bike or trike!!!!

Anyone that tells me "proper fit" or a good saddle is the answer to butt or crotch pain, probable believes in the phrase "tastes just as good as fresh perked".

If recumbents are so "great", how come I see literally hundreds of standard framed bikes to every bent? Apparently the cycling community is a stupid lot.