New guy here! First off I just wanted to say thanks for all the information here. While this is my first post, I've been reading the forums for a few months now, gathering as much information as possible before buying my first road bike.

A few months ago I purchased the Nashbar AL1 road bike and started training for my first century in August. This past Saturday I completed my first substantial ride of 55 miles, which is where I had some concerns with my saddle. Luckily, so far, I haven't encountered any type of chaffing or sores, just soreness from my sit bones. I assumed it was just my butt getting used to the distance (I've also experienced this pain when I ride 25 miles, which I've done 6 times or so). My real question is are there saddle/short/fit combinations that truly eliminate all pain in that area? Or can I always count on getting sore with some numb pain (not sharp pain, but like pushing on a bruise)? I'm really just trying to gauge if I'm being a wimp or if there are saddles that help significantly. Also, when I bought my bike, I read the saddle was horrible, so I ended up buying a Forza saddle without any type of measurement or anything (I now know I should've been more educated).

Thanks for all the help so far in my journey.

Go to a Specialized shop and get fit for a saddle. They have a "device."
Would help to know your size, for sure.
You might try some other saddles with a demo program.
The Specialized shop I went to had a real liberal return policy, in that, they wanted you to be happy so they did some exchanges.
I prefer a split design that's pretty firm. Currently on a Selle Italia MAX SLR Gel Flow.
Good luck.

S

If the soreness is confined to your sit bones, it's likely it will get better as you get used to it.

I don't think you will ever mistake sitting in the saddle with sitting on a couch, but the discomfort shouldn't be awful. There is a breaking in period for your muscles and psyche. As for which saddle, everyone is different. I had a hard time finding something that felt acceptable until I got my most recent bike, which came with a fitting. The fitting probably had more to do with it than the saddle, though I will say, I will not be trying a different saddle anytime soon.

You have to give it some time for the flesh covering your sitbones to toughen up. It doesn't help if you're always sitting up with your hands glued to the brake hoods as new riders tend to do since that puts more pressure on the butt bones. I wouldn't go blowing money on saddles just yet, that's a roll of the dice anyway. You can play around with the tilt, just a degree up or down can make a big difference.

But, if you want to, I have at least 4 almost new ones sitting in my garage. Oh, the things we cyclists learn the hard (expensive) way.

The key is improvement. When you stop seeing improvement (less pain, or it takes longer in the saddle to develop the pain), then it's time for a new saddle.

If it seems like your pain is getting better with more riding, then stick with what you got.

That's not enough time to get used to it.

Yes although the specifics depend on your body and riding position.

More padding and softer padding aren't better whether in shorts or saddle since it compresses your soft tissues once you sink into it. Beyond that you can't generalize.

Some shops have great saddle exchange programs. A few on-line shops let you return shorts after riding in them.

This is very good advice. If you have been fitted properly you just have to ride for awhile and get used to it. If you do not see that anything changes over time than perhaps you should look at equipment changes.
I am assuming that you are using some type of chamois butter for the chafing and bike shorts with a chamois. I may be lucky but I have not found a seat to be uncomfortable yet. The longer you ride, the more accustomed you get. Seats are expensive so make sure it is actually the seat and not just a break in period that is the issue.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not seeing any improvement yet, but I'm probably still adjusting to being in the same position for multiple hours. I find myself uncomfortable up until mile 10 or so, then I start to settle in, but at mile 25 or so I find myself adjusting my position and standing for some relief. I don't use any kind of chamois butter, but I do have pair of bike shorts. I definitely feel like my pain could be worse compared to some stories I've read on here, but it could also be better. I might try getting fitted but we don't have a specialized store here in central Ohio, so I'll see what options I have.

You really should use bike shorts if you want more comfort. Chamois butter is really a good idea as well. It will prevent chafing in a big way. For short rides it is not a big deal but if you are riding 20 miles or more it is a good idea.
Have you have you had a bike fitting for this bike? If so and you are looking for only a seat fitting you do not have to go to a Specialized dealer. Many LBS have a tool for seat fitting.
I know some people that have had them and thought they were good and others that felt like it was a waste. I guess comfort and seats is very subjective so there is no one way. I have a torn hip and I do get some discomfort in the saddle but it is only from the hip and on that side. For the most part bikes, when set up properly, are very comfortable.

You have to use bike shorts but they need to be good (cost money) ones. I like to have quality shorts from different brands so the stitching of the chamois is a bit different. Chamois butter is good, but I've been using utter cream (for milking cows) lately. It is much cheaper and works better for me. I don't put cream on the chamois but on me.

Me too :|

It does take time to get used to a saddle. Chamois cream, whichever you chose, will help on longer rides. And nice ($$$) shorts tend to have nicer, more comfortable chamois pads.
Saddle shape is a personal thing, and it may take time tp find one you like (and then you find one you like and WTB stops making the Valcon. Dang it) In general, less padding is better for longer rides. Other than that, is try and see. Some brands offer ssaddles for test rides. And you can often find take-otake-off saddles at shops fpr cheap. They tend to be the lower end versions (i.e
chromoly rails, heavier) but same shape as the higher end ones.
Finally, no saddle thread is complete without a mention of Brooks saddles. They are made out leather and they are heavy, expensive, and high maintenance. But some people swear they are the most comfortable saddles ever made. Haven't tried one, but I know several people who love them.

It takes time, time, and more time IMHO.

How many miles/hours have you put in for the last 90 days ?? It can be good to stand on the pedals for 30 seconds every 15 minutes to let blood flow back into all the stuff you sit on. Standing or at least taking some weight off your butt as you go over rough stuff helps a lot too. It is also a lot easier on your wheels, your legs act like shock absorbers kinda...and it puts the shock into your bottom bracket not higher up on the frame. I have put a lot of my miles the last 12 months around the same 22 mile loop, this let me learn where the bumps are, but after the weather last winter it looks like a minefield now.

Don't forget to play with the one you have. A seemingly miniscule adjustment in saddle fore/aft, tilt, and angle of the nose relative to your top tube can make a huge difference. I run my saddles angled slightly to the left. My man-parts are much happier that way.

It also never really goes away, you just notice it less. My butt still hurts a lot after a 70 mile ride, and I've probably done ~30,000 miles since I got into it a few years ago, others here have many more than that with similar observations. Don't be afraid to get out of the saddle for a few pedal strokes every 5 minutes or so, most people do it and it's good for circulation and changing things up. Also makes my back feel better.

Mmmm, with the type saddle I ride it's pretty close to sitting on the couch. Granted I ride old vintage bikes. And the type saddle I ride would look out of place on modern bikes. But French saddles from the 1950's, yes they are still around, are out of this world comfortable. Thick supple leather that just doesn't exist anymore. I can ride all day with no discomfort. The saddle is almost inperceptible. But like I said, not for the modern bike.

I have put in probably 250 miles since the middle of April, mainly on 25 mile treks until this most recent of 55 miles.

I don't experience any type of saddle sores or chaffing, so will cream benefit me very much? I did tilt the seat up a little and it has helped a little but I still experience some pain and discomfort. I figured it was good to get off my butt every now and then, just didn't figure it always had to be because I was sore.

No, you don't need cream unless you get chafing, as you say. Every time you increase your distance it'll hurt a bit, then you'll get used to it. As someone has said, if it doesn't get better, perhaps look for a solution.

As was mentioned before the type of shorts mean a lot too. I rode over 2000 miles on a hybrid with a 40 buck pair of shorts that bontrager says are for mostly short rides. I moved to Aerotech design bibs when I started riding rollers in October on a road bike. The Aerotech chamious is a much better one.

IMHO training for a century you if at all possible should work up to 30-40 mile days and metric centuries on sat or Sunday, but add a few miles at a time to your 25's. By rear bothers me more at higher intensities too.

alternate hard and easy days, or go one day hard, then two easy.

Where in Ohio are you located? I'm in the Dayton area and we recently got a specialized dealer, nice guy too. The shop I work at also has a set of Selle SMP and Fizik demo saddles so you can ride it for a while before committing to $200. Check your lbs for something similar. Saddles and shorts are so personal, what works for you probably doesn't work for me.

You don't need a special tool to measure your sit bones. Here's how at home:

1. Put the toilet seat down.
2. Spread a hand towel over it.
3. Put a sheet of aluminum foil over the towel, try not to wrinkle it much.
4. Wearing your tighty whities, sit down in a position similar to how you'd be on the bike (your back should be leaning forward similarly), and don't move around.
5. Stand up and observe 2 dimples in the foil. Mark their centers with a sharpie pen and measure.

Right, avoid cream unless you notice the onset of chaffing. If you use it when you don't need it you can end up with more saddle sores (in my experience) because it adds another layer of goop along with sweat that can clog up your pores and have less than pleasant results. Definitely something you'd want to consider using for a century, though.

I'm located in Columbus. Oh, I believe there are Specialized dealers around, I was thinking of an actual store and not just a dealer/retailer. I'll have to visit those dealers this weekend then.

I'll also try to home method of measuring sit bone width. I know it's probably not 100% accurate but it's better than taking a guess like I did the first time.

I appreciate all the support and replies.

I use corn starch on that area before I go on a ride. Corn starch is the major ingredient in baby powder, but it doesn't have the perfume. And the corn starch works better in that area than talcum powder for me.

GH