Asymmetric Sit-Bones
 

I think my Sit-Bones are asymmetric. I've used an Arione, Brooks Team Pro, and now a Specialized Toupe. The Toupe is by far the best fit for me so far, but on all of the saddles i've noticed that it feels like my left sit-bone is farther forward than my right sit-bone. Having noticed this sparked my endeavour with the Brooks Team Pro, but instead of comforting that asymmetry, it felt like my left hip wasn't being able to rotate correctly, resulting in more than sit-bone pain.

Anyway, my question is...
Does anyone else feel like their points of contact on the saddle aren't even? What have you done to correct for this?

I tried angeling my saddle a bit to the right and it felt better for about 5 miles but i don't think it's a good long term solution

Maybe your hip is tighter and less flexible on one side? Just a guess and maybe worth looking into.

I think we need DR PETE!

Me. It's annoyed me ever since I started riding a year and a half ago, and I just don't know what to do about it. But for me, my right feels further forward than my left. Maybe I just have really screwed up posture or something.

sounds like it could be lots of things. perhaps your back, your arms, your leg length.

Get a Brooks. Swift or Swallow if you're a weight weenie. They conform to your body and if you ARE asymmetrical, the indents that your butt will make on it will be asymmetrical too, thus eliminating any further need for adjustment of other parts of your body or the bike. It will just compensate for your misalignment.

This, of course, only if the problem is minor and only in your sitbones/legs/feet.

I don't have this problem and don't speak from experience, but i've heard that it helps. MY indents are perfectly aligned.:o

No war of words intended, but why is the standard answer for every rider that has a saddle problem "get a Brooks"? This could be multiple things.

Hey, i'm not a Brooks fanatic - i think they're great, i recommend them to most people, because they seem to work for most people, but i don't mind if you don't agree.
Also, i really have heard of people with asymmetries of different kinds, that were sorted out when they got a Brooks. It's the only saddle that conforms to your anatomy - unlike other saddles that make you conform to them.
Besides, a basic Brooks doesn't cost that much, and they last a lifetime, so why not give it a try?If all else fails, that is.


All in good intentions. :beer:

If your having a fit issue. You should get fitted by a professional. I've also heard of riders that need there saddles pointed off to the side to get a proper fit. A brooks may also be your answer as it breaks in to you.

I think I do (left side rotated forward some), but I don't feel it causes saddle discomfort. I tend to rotate my hips a little, but I think it's because my left foot is smaller than my right (slides further forward in the shoe), left leg is shorter than the right, and I have a little scoliosis (sp) in my back. I play games with cleat position and extra socks, and try to pay attention to my posture to try to compensate.

I've had numerous saddles, including Brooks, assorted Terry, Arione, and Alliante. I've been on the Alliante for the last 3 years. But one persons experience with a saddle means nothing about what your experience will be.

Then again, you could step out of the road box(http://www.hobsonseats.com/index.html) but maybe not?

My right sit bone gives me trouble: generally, an increasing feeling of tenderness after an hour of riding or so. Depending on the saddle this can be mild, or at times result in some deep tissue bruising which lingers for a few days. This problem could definitely stem from some kind of muscular or connective tissue imbalance - I'm 60 years old with a back "history."

I've been a road biker only 8 months and have clocked about 2,000 miles, riding vigorously for fitness. Should be plenty of time for my butt to adjust to a saddle, yet I'm now on my third one, a Specialized Toupe. With each saddle I've made a conscious effort to vary position while keeping my butt centered.

The first twenty minutes of the first three rides on the Toupe were painful. But after stopping and walking around a bit, I would get back on the bike - and it was like it had a completely different saddle - it felt fine! (can anyone offer a theory on this?) Now, with seven rides and about 240 miles on the Toupe, I'm finding that if I'm situated in the seat "just right" - especially at the beginning of the ride, it seems to do ok. But if I don't find just the right spot for that quirky right sit bone, it still complains.

This is frustrating because I'd love to ride a Century in a few months, but don't know if my butt can handle it. And I really want to keep the Toupe 'cause I know it will make me look hot :).

will a saddle with a longer sit-bone patch work? it would accommodate both sides but "might" get in the way of the farther sit bone.

As mentioned above, you might have a functional leg length issue. A proper fit might discover the cause or it might not. Most likely a good fitter can compensate for the problem, but often it can take a PT or Orthopaedic to find the answer. You can try a few things yourself though. Try a stretching program. Often you will discover that one side is significantly tighter than the other. Move the cleat forward a little on the side that has the forward hip or back on the other side depending where your cleats are to begin with. That will lengthen the reach to the pedal. Make sure your knees are tracking in a straight plane over the pedal. There should be no side to side wobble. If there is some wobble a shim like the LeMond wedge or the Specialized insert can help.

Saddle imbalances can also be cause by upper body and lower back issues. Again, stretching can help but some people have skeletal problems that have to be worked around.

Do Yoga. Yoga straightens and aligns the bones of your body by stretching and strengthening the tiny muscles that hold them in place. It's very good for your lower back and there is a good chance that misalignment in your lower back is causing this.

Yoga, yoga, yoga.

Don't think I'm assymetrical, but the one that works best for me for all pain and numbness is the saddleco flow mesh one. It's like being on a hammock. Of course, I'm usually too heavy to use it in preseason and have to wait until I get to my racing weight before I can put it on.

Yes. My right sit bone sticks out more than my left so I tried a Brooks Swift thinking along the lines that you did and it worked for me. The leather actually has a deeper dent on the right side accommodating my anatomy. You may want to consult with a chiropractor.