Noonievut

I'm trying to determine what to do next re: saddle, so a bit of a long story follows to give some context. Thanks for reading and replying!

I've been riding for over five years (3k-5k a year) and I've tried 5 or 6 saddles in this time. My current bike is a custom geometry frame built up at a LBS. I'm really happy with the feel/performance of this bike, though I'm not sure about the saddle.

For one year I didn't change the saddle that came on this bike, nor did I adjust in terms of fore/aft, height, or tilt; as it was fit for me. I usually ride 40-60km twice a week and in the first 6-9 months I can't recall ever having any discomfort (including butt/saddle). After 9 months, in prep for a 2-day charity ride (100km per day), I did a couple of 75km rides...still no complaints re: comfort. First day of the charity ride was 110km and after about 80km I was starting to feel very uncomfortable on the bike. My back/shoulders were ok, though my butt and legs were throbbing (in general, no specific area). On day 2 I starting feeling this after about 60km, and the last 40km was on-and-off discomfort the same as day 1.

A couple of months after this ride I decided to go back to an older saddle. I removed the post/saddle that came with the bike and put it aside should I want to put it back on later (as it was set-up). The old saddle I put on (wasn't actually that worn) felt great initially. It was softer, though having more 'curvature' didn't feel as stable/supportive. I did a couple of 50-75km rides and it felt fine (not sure if it was better than the saddle I just removed).

Then winter sets in and I'm on the trainer with only periodic rides outside.

Yesterday I'm out on the bike for about 2 hours and I'm generally uncomfortable towards the end of the ride (still using the saddle I changed before winter).

So now I'm wondering if it has NOTHING to do with the saddle and more to do with getting acustomed to riding longer distances that what I'm used to (before I pass judgement on any saddle). In the past each of these two saddles have been very good with rides at my usual distance or slightly more, but each has felt uncomfortable on those first couple of rides beyond my normal distance.

Does this make sense?

I'm thinking of putting the saddle that came with the bike, back on the bike, and just increasing my distance ridden before any big events (so it's not a big jump). But then a part of me wants to go buy a new saddle and give it a shot, hoping that if even if I, for example, ride 50km on average and then to that 2-day 100km/per day ride it wouldn't hurt...but is this unreasonable?

AngryScientist 

in my experience, what you're describing is perfectly normal. you get comfortable on the bike for a certain amount of time, when you start to crank up the amount of time in the saddle for the first few times, your body needs to get accustomed to the longer period. i agree that the saddle itself is probably not to blame, and it sounds like something you will overcome with more time.

Machka 

Yes ... your butt and the rest of your body have to get used to riding, which can include getting used to sitting on the bicycle properly so that you are more comfortable on the saddle.

And ... gradually building up to a 2-day 100 km/day ride is better than hoping that a random saddle change will take you from a 50 km/day average up to a 2-day 100 km/day ride all at once.

Gradually building up can reveal to you whether your current saddles are going to be a problem on a 60 km, 80 km, 100 km, and longer rides, or whether they will work.

Gradually building up can also give you the opportunity to work out nutrition issues and generally to get into shape.

jsutkeepspining

yeah, im having a similar problem. i wrestle during the winter, so i may only ride 0-3 hours a week during the sesion. right now i am having discomfort, i know that i just need a few more rides to get comfortable again.

StanSeven

I used to not ride much at all over the winter including stationary bikes. I found that I had to adjust my saddle differently in the Spring (lowered with nose pointed down slightly) to avoid saddle sores. Then as my fitness came back, I moved the saddle up. That makes me think I ride/sit differently as I get fitter.

rat fink

Same here. Even though I ride through the winter, I don't get to ride as hard or long during that time. So, when I start riding longer in the Spring, I have to lower my saddle for a while.

Noonievut

Good feedback, thanks.

I talked about my ride yesterday and I'm not surprised that others feel the same way during the early spring rides. However, the issue I had mid-season caused me more cause for concern as I would like to feel great after doing that ride this year. If I can built up the km's and feel better through the increases I'll know the saddle is right for me, though if after a certain km I feel the pain (after several rides) then I'll reconsider another saddle.