Saddle question: pressure on root of "joystick".
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
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From: Latvia
Bikes: Cube Nature CLS
Saddle question: pressure on root of "joystick".
Hi everyone,
first post here and as in many cases it is concerning saddles (it could be worse, it could be about new bike)
So in march I started cycling on my old Trek Navigator 2.0 (2007/08. model) with stock saddle, at the beginning very comfortably, but after getting to 20mile mark I noticed that my Private Dick "JoyStick" Jhonson started to become numb so I decided that it is time to get "real" saddle.
So I got Selle Monte Grappa Bora (145mm) saddle, but after few minutes on my first ride I understood that it is a wrong saddle. Almost immediately I felt VERY discomfortable pressure on nerve or something on the root (not sure how properly define that area) area (soft tissue?) of my private parts.
I tried different methods, tried sitting on different parts of the saddle (it felt a bit better to sit on the very end of the saddle), rising handle bar helped because now bigger weight is on my hands but it is not a solution and there is still a lot or pressure sensation.
Saddle is perfectly level and I would not like to rise its nose because I feel that there is a better solution.
Anyways it is time to buy new saddle but I am not sure what exactly is causing the problem so do not know in which direction to move.
If someone had experience with similar problem, please, give me advice or general direction. Should I try Brooks, saddle with cutout, wider saddle? Maybe I have problem with bike fit and there is different solution?
I know that nobody can give me a definite answer, but forums have a great amount of combined experience and so you could, at least, increase my chances of getting it right with my second try.
Additional info:
I am clyde, 1,88m (6 feet 2 inches) and 118kg (260lbs)
Saddle hight is good (heel test and comfort level is good)
In my area there are no sit bone measurement possibilities so I did it myself and result was around 110mm (method was sitting on a paper towel roll and then measuring distance between sit bone marks).
PS. If I missed/forgot to add something, please, do not hesitate to ask.
PPS. sorry for my English, languages are not my strongest skill.
first post here and as in many cases it is concerning saddles (it could be worse, it could be about new bike)

So in march I started cycling on my old Trek Navigator 2.0 (2007/08. model) with stock saddle, at the beginning very comfortably, but after getting to 20mile mark I noticed that my Private Dick "JoyStick" Jhonson started to become numb so I decided that it is time to get "real" saddle.
So I got Selle Monte Grappa Bora (145mm) saddle, but after few minutes on my first ride I understood that it is a wrong saddle. Almost immediately I felt VERY discomfortable pressure on nerve or something on the root (not sure how properly define that area) area (soft tissue?) of my private parts.
I tried different methods, tried sitting on different parts of the saddle (it felt a bit better to sit on the very end of the saddle), rising handle bar helped because now bigger weight is on my hands but it is not a solution and there is still a lot or pressure sensation.
Saddle is perfectly level and I would not like to rise its nose because I feel that there is a better solution.
Anyways it is time to buy new saddle but I am not sure what exactly is causing the problem so do not know in which direction to move.
If someone had experience with similar problem, please, give me advice or general direction. Should I try Brooks, saddle with cutout, wider saddle? Maybe I have problem with bike fit and there is different solution?
I know that nobody can give me a definite answer, but forums have a great amount of combined experience and so you could, at least, increase my chances of getting it right with my second try.
Additional info:
I am clyde, 1,88m (6 feet 2 inches) and 118kg (260lbs)
Saddle hight is good (heel test and comfort level is good)
In my area there are no sit bone measurement possibilities so I did it myself and result was around 110mm (method was sitting on a paper towel roll and then measuring distance between sit bone marks).
PS. If I missed/forgot to add something, please, do not hesitate to ask.
PPS. sorry for my English, languages are not my strongest skill.
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 772
From: Chicago North Shore
Bikes: frankenbike based on MKM frame
Have you seen this? The Four and a Half Rules of Road Saddles - Cervélo has a specific point of view that you may or may not agree with (I do), but it also gives some good info that you'll probably find useful. I've also found this and other stuff from Steve Hogg informative: https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com...ll-about-smps/
#5
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Latvia
Bikes: Cube Nature CLS
Just an update. Went to local LBS today with Brooks B17 in mind but the black version was sold out so I bought a cheap (17euros) 145mm saddle with a cutout, just to test and after 25km ride a can tell that cutout for me did almost nothing, so will be putting back comfort saddle till my B17 comes in (hope that it will help, otherwise I am out of ideas).
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Bikes: Scott Spark 30, Scott Sportster 10,Chesini X-Uno, Miyata Century, Cannondale SuperSix
I've found this to be a good read (pdf) : Bike Ergonomics for All People
I had the problems you describe and the solution for me was saddles with cut-outs. Brooks saddles didn't work at all for me.
But everyone's butt is different, so what works for me might be the worst thing ever for you.
--
Ragnar
I had the problems you describe and the solution for me was saddles with cut-outs. Brooks saddles didn't work at all for me.
But everyone's butt is different, so what works for me might be the worst thing ever for you.
--
Ragnar





