I've been trying to spend more time in the aero position but I turn numb in my nether regions after a while. I tried switching to shorts with less padding. It seemed to help a bit. I've tried tilting my seat down but I have to tilt it down so far that I'm sliding off it to get rid of the numbness. I'm thinking that a different seat might solve the problem. Any recommendations specifically for keeping my manhood comfortable?

Recumbent bikes do not cause numbness in the nether regions and many models are more aero than upright bikes. Mr. Johnson loves this style of bikes.
(Y'all can quit waiting for this response.)

Or, your position related to the seat, handlebars, stem, etc. need adjustment. Bars/stem too low? Saddle shouldn't be pointed down. A different saddle could help. I previously had good luck with WTB Rocket V Race saddles on two flatbar bikes.

I'd recommend a hornless saddle.

You don't say the make and model of the saddle - how long you have been riding- or after how long the numbness comes in and without this any recommendations are guess work or personal preferences.

Need those details before any suggestion is made

It may have nothing to do with the saddle at all. Hbar position is likely a major culprit here. Too far out and/or too low. One or the other or both. I would have an experience fitter look at this at some point.

The seat I've got is a WTB Rocket V. I started riding last spring and have been riding on average 3 x a week. It starts to get numb after about 20 minutes.

In case you're near Toronto

Bike shop: https://www.labicicletta.com/

Saddles there: https://www.labicicletta.com/components/saddles.html

This is where I'd start. Getting the basic bike to body relationship right could help a lot.

...Am I really going to respond to another saddle post.... I guess so.

Find a LBS that allows you to demo Selle SMP saddles. This is not a saddle line you want to order from blindly, you need to try different models. A nice recreational saddle for riding fully rotated, but, alas, also pretty darn expensive. https://www.sellesmp.com/smp4bike/en/pro

If you decide to replace the saddle take a look at Specialized. They will give you a 30 day trial period and if it doesn't work out you can exchange it for a different model or full refund.

I've tried the Rocket V and also did not like it. It's pretty narrow. This is a very individual thing but three saddles that are extremely popular are: Brooks B17 with cutout, Selle Anatomica (also leather with cutout) and Fizik Aliante. A wider WTB model might also be worth a try or one of the Specialized models with cutout.

Good luck.

There may also be a flexibility issue, you say that your are riding in the "aero" position, what do you man by that - In the drops or using full blown areobars? You may need to work on your hip flexibility to bend over that far.

+1

Back in the olden days I used to suffer from "numb manhood". A Brooks saddle solved the problem for me. Switching to recumbents REALLY solved the problem for me.

If your manhood is taking any pressure at all it suggests something isn't set up right, you're not supposed to put your weight on the narrow part of the saddle.

If you've got a lot of padding on the saddle or shorts that could cause it, if the saddle is too far back that could cause it, if the saddle is at the wrong angle that could cause it.

If you tried reducing padding and tipping the saddle's nose down, try sliding it forward a bit to see if that helps.

"Any recommendations specifically for keeping my manhood comfortable?"
Lower the seat, or better yet ,don't bend over so far you crowd "The Boys" like you are.

Saddle problems are very real and can develop at any point in a cyclist's life. Most people have had issues at some time or other. Don't be shy about asking here. Some of us have alot of experience and can help you out. After many years of being miserable and trying just about every saddle available, I finally found the answer. The Ride Out Carbon Comfort Saddle by : https://www.rideouttech.com/ I can ride all day with this one. It is expensive, very technical, very comfortable and took years to develop, but it's a marvel. First of all, unless your racing, try a more upright position. Like others mentioned, raise your handlebars, lower your saddle and get the dimensions adjusted accordingly and find a saddle with more support for your sit bones and a very short horn if any at all.

A few more questions to ask is how long have you been riding this bike without being aero and have you only started having these issues when you tried riding the aerobars? If you have been riding this bike for any length of time and have never had any issues until now, it just may be the saddle or a flexibility issue. If it is a saddle problem, there are several saddles in the market that are made more for aero positions than riding upright. Saddles are an individual thing and everyone has their favorites that they swear by, including myself.

I ride 30-40 miles a day at a MUP and do 90% of the ride on aerobars. I never had any problems until I started losing more weight, especially from my butt. Then it got to the point that after 20 or so miles, I was ready to quit. I know it wasn't the fit because I get a Retul adjustment every six months and I had just had one done about a month before I changed saddles. I had been looking into ISM saddles but was a little leery in buying one because of the price. I went to my fitter and asked him about them and he highly recommended it. Several of my riding friends, as well as team members, ride on ISMs and all of them swear by them. I tried it and from the moment my butt hit the saddle, it was bliss. I have ridden 60 mile rides using the hoods, drops and aerobars and never had another issue with discomfort, pain or numbness since going with the ISM. I have the Prologue model which is made more for distance riding. After riding on an ISM, I will never ride another road bike without one.

If you determine that it is a saddle issue and adjusting your current saddle doesn't solve the issue, look into various saddles and find the one that is best for you and not one that is the best for someone else. However, you should use some of the testimonials and saddles mentioned here to get you started in your search. Good luck.

I just started riding last spring on a 25 year old 10 speed. In August I got this bike and have been riding 3 x per week. They fitted me when I bought the bike but it didn't have aerobars on then. I got them a couple of weeks later. I'm going to try adjusting the seat and then a fit and then a different saddle if I'm still numb.

Agree. I missed that in the OP. If you were comfortable and are not after a change of position, perhaps you have gone too far too fast. OTOH a saddle change might still help.

Check out this article by bike-fitter Steve Hogg:

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/...ll-about-smps/

Come over to the 'Bent' side Grasshopper,
No more pain anywhere at all,
Unreal comfort,
Finish every ride ready for more,

When you stop for a breather or a drink you will
watch the others get off their bikes and need to stretch
While you stay in your seat all relaxed.

You Will be different,
You will no longer fit in,
People will think you are strange,

Most will never know a pain free ride, but you will..

If you dare......

Just look at this seat,,

Just my 2 cents... throw the aero bars in the trash.

This thread was bound to gather two camps. One camp says that a high price "proper fit" on a DF bike will fix all problems. The other camp says go to a recumbent. The latter is the only one that really works.

Cycling is definitely painful and gets worse as you grow older so comfort features are very important. I agree that a recumbant is the most comfy of all. That's a no brainer. The 25 year old 10 speed will never be comfortable no matter what you try. I've got one of those too and love it but can't ride it for very long. My best advise would be, for starters get yourself a good comfortable saddle with SUPPORT. Get yourself adjusted in a more upright position. Get rid of the Aero bars and drop bars and all that racing stuff and set up your bike for long distance, endurance riding. You will be able to go all day this way, just not as far and a little slower. JMHO.