Momtothreeboys

Finally got my Trek 7.3FX yesterday and got to go for my first ride today (8 miles through hilly neighborhoods)! Now remember that this is the first bike ride I have been on in a long time (excluding my rides at the beach with rented bikes). Ladies--is it normal to feel like I sat on a brick?? LOL I did wear padded bike shorts and my seat is a "women's specific" seat that came with my bike. I have heard women talk about needing to get an "iron crotch" when new to riding. Will this go away? I know I am going to be hurting tomorrow morning!

Bockman

Nicole,

It's not just the ladies. Everyone has a toughening up phase when they start out. Keeping the area scrupulously clean and using your padded shorts will really help speed the process.

Nightshade

While I'm not a lady I did have to fiddle with my wife's
seat to get the angle of the horn correct. Make sure the
seat height and horn angle are correct for YOU to improve
your comfort.

If that doesn't work then you'll need a different seat.

Boudicca

Go back to the shop where you bought it and ask them to check that they set the bike up right for you. You might just need to move the seat up, or down, or tilt is slightly one way or another. And yes, padded shorts do help, although don't be fooled into thinking a softer seat is going to be more comfortable. Quite often it isn't, because you just squidge into it, and the squidgy bits of you get beaten up something rotten.

There's a lot of debate on seat issues over in the women's forum if you want to join us there.

Machka 

If you haven't ridden in a long time, it is normal to have some SIT BONE pain at first. Pain elsewhere, however, is not normal.

Speaking as a woman who rides very, very long distances, you do NOT have to have an iron crotch. That part of your anatomy should barely come in contact with the saddle. If it does one of the following things needs to be fixed:

1) Bicycle setup (saddle height, and fore-aft)
2) Saddle setup (nose up, down, level)
3) Saddle ... saddles are personal things and sometimes women-specific don't work for women.
4) Shorts ... some shorts have too much padding or the seams in the wrong places
5) Posture ... if you sit in the saddle like a sack of potatoes, your crotch area will hurt. However, if you "perch" on the saddle, you'll feel better. "Perching" involves sitting on a saddle wide enough so that your sitbones are comfortably on the saddle, tucking your pelvis under (just like standing with good posture), and tightening your abs. Doing abdominal exercises really helps your cycling posture. That way your sitbones take the weight ... not other parts.

stapfam

That saddle has to settle into your butt and your butt has to settle into the saddle. On top of that saddle height, for and aft position, bar height and reach and finally seat angle all come into seat comfort. It's not as difficult as it sounds- but give it a few days before riding and break the saddle and butt in gently with a few shorter rides.

rmwun54

From my experience with helping my women friends with their bikes, I find that getting the right seat is where it starts. For instance my sister in law has been through five seats before I found her the right one. Of course the fore and aft and tilt are all important, but the right seat is definetly the final resolve. It's the width, the support, the give, the material of the seat, and overall design that works for you. Try as many seat as possible so that you can start to get an idea of what your anatomy needs. Everyone is different so you need to investigate and test as many seats as you can to get a real good idea. Also your riding position determines the type of seat you will require (road riding position, touring, mountain bike, cruiser, cross bike, and hybrids; they all have a unique seating position. Even for us guys I'll bet you there are alot us out there who have been through countless of seat, in search of that right one. I know I have; around eight I would say. Finding the perfect seat is a learning experience, and after 25 years of riding I would say I know by sight and touch what will work with my anatomy and those whom I have helped. And if you find the right seat buy more than one; it never fails that your favorite seat is discontinued. My two cents.

Slow Train

fyi - there is a Women's specific forum in case you have any "delicate" questions in the future. Just PM Koffee for the details.

Machka 

My favorite saddle is the Brooks B-17.

The Brooks saddles have been around since 1866 and show no signs of being discontinued.
https://www.brookssaddles.com/
https://www.brookssaddles.com/brooksengland.html

Wallingford bicycles also offers a 6 month guarantee on Brooks saddles so you've got lots of time to try the saddle before making a permanent commitment.
https://www.wallbike.com/

Just something to keep in mind during the saddle search.

DieselDan

Machka is THE cycling goddess on this forum. Listen to her.

skiahh

Can't answer for the crotch part, but as far as your butt goes, I call it building up "ass callouses"!

Mr. Beanz

Depends what youmean by "goddess"! If you're talking about riding, thenok! If you're talking about being purty, that's me!



Gina my wife just got a Specialized Dolce gel saddle at the LBS for $50. Did a 40 miler her time out on it and said it was gret. Didn't feel ANY discomfort! Saddle has plenty of meat and a cut out design. She loves it!