StuckInMud

Hi All,

I completed an 85km ride yesterday and could have gone further if it wasn't for pain that developed
in the soft tissue area. I have a Brooks saddle and it and my padded shorts didn't completely get along. I'm really worried that I won't be able to finish my upcoming TransAm due to saddle sores. I know the saddle takes some time to wear in but it seems that my shorts bunch somewhat and rub against my nether regions in the action of pedalling. From what happen yesterday, if this was to keep up over a few days I would be in a lot of trouble.

Any advice or suggestions?

dahoss2002

Try riding with non-padded shorts or some Tri shorts with thin padding. In my case, the longer the ride, the more the padding bothers me. I still wear lycra compression shorts as a base layer to keep from chaffing .

chrisch

Try changing the seat angle. I had to adjust mine a few times before I found an angle that didn't put too much pressure on a single spot, or I didn't feel like I was about to slip off.

staehpj1

Have you had better luck with other saddles or shorts? Or is this the only thing you have used for that type of mileage?

I found that all shorts are definitely not equal and that for me the Pearl Izumi Ultrasensor shorts work particularly well. I started using them about 1/3 of the way through my TransAmerica last year and was very happy with them.

I am not a brooks fan, but don't see any reason that your shorts should have more trouble with a brooks than with other saddles. Despite what the true believers say the brooks is after all just another saddle. It works well for those who like it. That said I saw very few of them on the TA last year, so it certainly isn't a requirement. Personally I just used the no name OEM saddle that came on my lower end touring bike (Windsor Tourist) on the TA and was satisfied with it.

I suspect that you need to build the length of your rides on a steady gradual basis. I find that when getting ready for a tour miles per week are more important than miles per ride. The main thing is to just get some saddle time in without getting sore. That is most easily accomplished with frequent shorter rides at least until you are in top form. Even on tour it makes sense to start with lower mileage and to build as you go. Taking it easy for the first 10 days won't hurt the schedule much on a trip that long and will make the tour more pleasant and survive-able.

Also for me, a more aggressive position is more tolerable than the more upright position that most tourists use. Different strokes and all that. Just don't be afraid to experiment to see what works for you.

If all else fails try different shorts and/or a different saddle, but most of the time I suspect that saddle problems come because riders are trying to ride longer miles before their bottom is ready.

IronMac

+1. It's odd to hear that your shorts are bunching? I've never come across this. I use a B17 and Pearl Izumi's Micro and Ultra shorts and do way longer than 85 kms with no problems except for the usual bruising.

Like dahoss suggests...try different shorts?

kpfeif

Sounds like your shorts are too big.

The Smokester

I've had this happen. Sometimes you can tug on the legs of the shorts a bit so that they pull away from the nether regions a bit. This usually only works for a short time.

I have also had shorts that had an unfortunate coincidence between the edge of the saddle and a seam in the padding. Changing to different shorts made this problem go away.

Recently I have been riding a new saddle. For the first forty miles it was great. Then, for the next one hundred I was having problems. I made a few adjustments and changed shorts and for the last one hundred it seems to be fine.

I think, as others have said here, that you need to try some saddle adjustments, try some different shorts, and allow some time for your butt and the saddle to become friends. Or, maybe that's just not the saddle for you.

truman

If your seat angle is perfect, try Chamois Butt'r?

dreamy

Buy a large tube of diaper rash cream. Lather it on before you ride. Was my best friend until my Brooks got broken in and stopped my developing saddle sores in their tracks

slowjoe66

Deal with it. No just kidding. I've been there. That's why I ride brooks, because other saddles have been killers. Get the angle right; slightly nose up, and make sure that saddle is broken in; and then slowly increase your mileage. I would recommend commuting to work. Before you know it, you will have a 1k mileage on the saddle, your tush toughens up, you will be dialed in on the angle...and hey, spring is here and you will save money on gasoline.

chipcom 

+1 If they are bunching up, they are too big.

vosyer

Change of shorts and on long tourers in the heat of summer when I sweat alot - butt butter or assos cream - both excellent products

DBC Steve

+1 for Assos cream, proper fitting shorts, and -- in my case -- a Selle An-Atomica saddle, properly fitted. It is important to address all variables. Good luck!

FCBrian

All great ideas. +2 for Assos chamois cream. It gives a nice little kick too - it's great. Also, a slight upward angle in the saddle (although not too much, unless you go for numbness down under ).

Also, perhaps breaking your saddle in a bit will help. When I bought my first Brooks saddle last year, a good friend (and LBS owner) urged me to beat it with a rubber mallet for about 20 minutes (I mean full-arm BEAT it), then rub on leather cream and leave my bike in the shade until it soaked in. It felt weird hitting such a beautiful piece of equipment like that...Great ride, right off the bat.

b