Hard to sit on the trainer for long...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,751
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
Hard to sit on the trainer for long...
There are lots of reasons why it's hard to stay on the trainer for long periods of time, boredom and exhaustion being two important examples, but what I mean is that it becomes painful for me to sit in the saddle for that long. Towards the end of my hour of torture, my groin/prostate/hips become the biggest source of aggravation. I don't have any trouble with the same bike outside for much longer periods of time. It's sitting on the trainer that is hard.
The problem is that on the trainer, there is essentially no variation in riding position, as there is outside and I shift my weight around on climbs vs. descents, curves, traffic stops, standing on the pedals, etc. On the trainer, I'm sitting nearly still in the same position continuously. And after a while, that hurts.
I try modest variations - moving my hands from the hoods to the drops and shifting my butt fore and aft on the saddle a little. These help, but not much.
I seldom stand on the pedals on the trainer - I find that it's almost impossible to do that without rocking the trainer side to side a little, and I worry about the stress this puts on the chain and seat stays of my carbon bike frame, locked into position on the trainer. And it just feels wrong.
Do others have similar problems, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Zwift has been crowded recently - with the cold weather in the eastern US, I think there are a lot more people than usual resorting to trainers.
The problem is that on the trainer, there is essentially no variation in riding position, as there is outside and I shift my weight around on climbs vs. descents, curves, traffic stops, standing on the pedals, etc. On the trainer, I'm sitting nearly still in the same position continuously. And after a while, that hurts.
I try modest variations - moving my hands from the hoods to the drops and shifting my butt fore and aft on the saddle a little. These help, but not much.
I seldom stand on the pedals on the trainer - I find that it's almost impossible to do that without rocking the trainer side to side a little, and I worry about the stress this puts on the chain and seat stays of my carbon bike frame, locked into position on the trainer. And it just feels wrong.
Do others have similar problems, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Zwift has been crowded recently - with the cold weather in the eastern US, I think there are a lot more people than usual resorting to trainers.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 720
Bikes: Road, mountain and track bikes and tandems.
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
15 Posts
Sorry, but I guess its part of the price you pay for choosing to live in such a cold place.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 9,201
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1186 Post(s)
Liked 289 Times
in
177 Posts
I stand for 30 seconds every 5 min starting at 2:30. My normal ride is 2x20 with a 10 min WU and CD. No issues with saddle pain. I have a Kurt Kinetic trainer and don't see any issues with the bike rocking. I keep the power the same while standing but shift up few gears so my cadence drops to 70RPM or so from 95 during intervals.
#5
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,431
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
1,027 Posts
I have the same issue that at about an hour, I'm getting mighty uncomfortable on the saddle. I ride both a CycleOps Pro300 stationary and one of my road bikes on a trainer, but it's really mainly the saddle I have on the Cycleops is ill suited. The real bike has a saddle I selected for road riding, an SMP Dynamic, and it's much more comfy than either of the three saddles I've had on the Cycleops, all of which were selected for being cheap to buy, primarily.
#6
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I find I have to use a saddle that is slightly wider than my outdoor saddle on the trainer.
Also, if I'm riding for more than an hour, it is good to get off the bicycle about once an hour to stretch.
And I have aerobars on my trainer ... they give me some extra hand positions.
Also, if I'm riding for more than an hour, it is good to get off the bicycle about once an hour to stretch.
And I have aerobars on my trainer ... they give me some extra hand positions.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 222
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello,
I spend a lot of time fine tuning my seat position variables. I've gotten very good at finding my sweet spot. I'll also try different things as a test to see if I can gain comfort at all of my contact points. I have improved things but as you say, it is more difficult on the trainer. It makes me perfect my relaxation techniques as I do longer and longer workouts as butt building.
I am not done looking for the perfect seat. Outdoors will so easy this spring!
I spend a lot of time fine tuning my seat position variables. I've gotten very good at finding my sweet spot. I'll also try different things as a test to see if I can gain comfort at all of my contact points. I have improved things but as you say, it is more difficult on the trainer. It makes me perfect my relaxation techniques as I do longer and longer workouts as butt building.
I am not done looking for the perfect seat. Outdoors will so easy this spring!
#8
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
Try a set of resistance rollers instead, like Sportcrafters. They feel totally natural. I move my hand position every 5 minutes by the clock and stand every 20 as long as I'm not in the middle of an interval or something. No butt problems though I limit myself to 1.5 hours. Don't want to burn out on it.
They take a little getting used to, but it's worth it in the long run. They're a lot easier to learn to ride if you have a still upper body and pedal with your legs. A woman I ride with who has an absolutely still upper body picked it up instantly. Also no tire issues, etc., like with a trainer. The Sportcrafters have a known power curve so you can use them with TrainerRoad if you don't have a PM.
Also you could try a different saddle. The Selle Italia MAN saddle is under a lot of butts here all of a sudden.
https://www.sportcrafters.com/produc...ve-pro-rollers
They take a little getting used to, but it's worth it in the long run. They're a lot easier to learn to ride if you have a still upper body and pedal with your legs. A woman I ride with who has an absolutely still upper body picked it up instantly. Also no tire issues, etc., like with a trainer. The Sportcrafters have a known power curve so you can use them with TrainerRoad if you don't have a PM.
Also you could try a different saddle. The Selle Italia MAN saddle is under a lot of butts here all of a sudden.
https://www.sportcrafters.com/produc...ve-pro-rollers
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#9
Senior Member
Yeah, have to move around to assist circulation down there. I also just stick to ~1.5hr on the high side.
Todays workout on FulGaz was the Columbia Ice Fields in Japser, Alberta. 26mi, 1hr 41mins, 1750ft of elevation and it was fine without discomfort getting unbearable. I sit up, hands off the bars for short stretches, get off the saddle and mash a bit for the hill tops....like i'm sure most do when the brain calls for it.
Mix shorter rides and big climbs and longer miles on flats up to the saddle time you tolerate. Interval train around your comfort, split rides on a given day you have to abide by a daily goal.
Have to admit as a 200lb guy, i do much better on the trainer than on the roads with the granular and irregular pavement feedback to the bum, shoulders etc...Some jarring sections around my ways just suck the life out of you beating up your joints while disrupting your pace and cadence. That cumulative effect is absent on the trainer ride and your joints feel much better the following day.
Todays workout on FulGaz was the Columbia Ice Fields in Japser, Alberta. 26mi, 1hr 41mins, 1750ft of elevation and it was fine without discomfort getting unbearable. I sit up, hands off the bars for short stretches, get off the saddle and mash a bit for the hill tops....like i'm sure most do when the brain calls for it.
Mix shorter rides and big climbs and longer miles on flats up to the saddle time you tolerate. Interval train around your comfort, split rides on a given day you have to abide by a daily goal.
Have to admit as a 200lb guy, i do much better on the trainer than on the roads with the granular and irregular pavement feedback to the bum, shoulders etc...Some jarring sections around my ways just suck the life out of you beating up your joints while disrupting your pace and cadence. That cumulative effect is absent on the trainer ride and your joints feel much better the following day.
Last edited by Esthetic; 01-06-18 at 12:54 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,751
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
It sounds like things can be made easier by changing positions at regular intervals, well before the discomfort sets in. I think probably some of you are better than me at standing on the pedals without rocking side to side too much. That's something I can work on.
#11
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I do commercial intervals. So during the show, I ride sitting bolt upright or with my hands on the arm rests of the aerobars or maybe on the hoods, and I ride at a moderate pace. Then during the commercial I stretch out onto the aerobars and ride as hard as I can for the duration of the commercial. When it is over, I sit up again.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#12
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
Get a mountain bike with some studded tires or a fat bike and enjoy winter riding.
#13
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
OTOH, we only prostrate ourselves to The Crazy once a week. During the week, we're indoors like most sane people.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#14
Full Member
For me, trainers feel dead as there’s no recruitment of the core. This small change in pedaling dynamic, when repeated thousands of times, can cause stress to the body.
Though I have a decent trainer (Wahoo KICKR), I feel much more comfortable on rollers
Though I have a decent trainer (Wahoo KICKR), I feel much more comfortable on rollers
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,751
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
Thanks for the answer to a question I didn't ask. I live in Minnesota and have a winter bike outfitted with studded tires and everything else. I love winter riding outdoors and I am comfortable down to about 0 °F, but there are days when it's much colder than that or icy and dangerous or otherwise inconvenient to ride outside. Further, while it's OK to ride base miles in the winter, it's much harder to do high intensity work because trail and road conditions can be treacherous or because effusive sweating is very uncomfortable in the hard cold. ergo, occasional use of the trainer.
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,751
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
Can we have a show of hands for those who enjoy cold weather rain riding? I posted a nice 35 mile ride, 2300' climbing for Saturday. Out of ~130 email addys, only my wife and I showed up on our tandem. We had a lovely ride in steady 39°-43° rain, mostly the former temp. I don't know what's wrong with people.
OTOH, we only prostrate ourselves to The Crazy once a week. During the week, we're indoors like most sane people.
OTOH, we only prostrate ourselves to The Crazy once a week. During the week, we're indoors like most sane people.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 222
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 65 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello MinnMan,
I never did catch which seat you were using. I know my OEM seat was terrible and a new Brook's Cambium 17 seat helped a lot. I learned to experiment and have it set best as I can through cause and effect. I can go much, much longer than I used to and I don't even think about it. Unfortunately, the C-17 has a rubber creak that starts and stops at will and is not fixable, so I will be searching for one more seat that is as comfortable. I've probably lost 25 pounds and that sure has to help. I try and do longer and longer seat time intervals as I wait for nicer weather (Butt Buildin').
I'm not sure if it matters, but I run my Zwift gradient setting at 85%. This is much harder on the legs and it takes some load off the butt compared to the spin training that Zwift is so into.
I love Minnesota and have many great memories visiting there.
I never did catch which seat you were using. I know my OEM seat was terrible and a new Brook's Cambium 17 seat helped a lot. I learned to experiment and have it set best as I can through cause and effect. I can go much, much longer than I used to and I don't even think about it. Unfortunately, the C-17 has a rubber creak that starts and stops at will and is not fixable, so I will be searching for one more seat that is as comfortable. I've probably lost 25 pounds and that sure has to help. I try and do longer and longer seat time intervals as I wait for nicer weather (Butt Buildin').
I'm not sure if it matters, but I run my Zwift gradient setting at 85%. This is much harder on the legs and it takes some load off the butt compared to the spin training that Zwift is so into.
I love Minnesota and have many great memories visiting there.
Last edited by PaddleFoot; 01-13-18 at 04:43 PM.
#19
Senior Member
It is a well known scientific fact that 1 trainer saddle hour = 12 road saddle hours. There was a mathematical proof, but the literature was bought by Wahoo, Zwift and the Sufferfest and burned.
#20
Señor Member
Earlier today, I put my Brooks on the trainer bike in the hopes that it will be better.
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 23
Bikes: Felt F55x Cross, Stumpjumper FSR 29 Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I make sure to get out of the saddle on my trainer about every 10 minutes to help with southern circulation
I totally know what you mean though. Anything over an hour starts to really become uncomfortable. I would also suggest taking a session to move your saddle around to different positions and change the post height a bit here and there and try and find the most comfortable position. You might lose a training session, but for me it paid off in the end.
Also, make sure you do some core workout here and there if you are on a stationary trainer a lot. You want to maintain strong core for when you get back to real life.
I totally know what you mean though. Anything over an hour starts to really become uncomfortable. I would also suggest taking a session to move your saddle around to different positions and change the post height a bit here and there and try and find the most comfortable position. You might lose a training session, but for me it paid off in the end.
Also, make sure you do some core workout here and there if you are on a stationary trainer a lot. You want to maintain strong core for when you get back to real life.
#22
meh
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,013 Times
in
519 Posts
There are lots of reasons why it's hard to stay on the trainer for long periods of time, boredom and exhaustion being two important examples, but what I mean is that it becomes painful for me to sit in the saddle for that long. Towards the end of my hour of torture, my groin/prostate/hips become the biggest source of aggravation. I don't have any trouble with the same bike outside for much longer periods of time. It's sitting on the trainer that is hard.
The problem is that on the trainer, there is essentially no variation in riding position, as there is outside and I shift my weight around on climbs vs. descents, curves, traffic stops, standing on the pedals, etc. On the trainer, I'm sitting nearly still in the same position continuously. And after a while, that hurts.
I try modest variations - moving my hands from the hoods to the drops and shifting my butt fore and aft on the saddle a little. These help, but not much.
I seldom stand on the pedals on the trainer - I find that it's almost impossible to do that without rocking the trainer side to side a little, and I worry about the stress this puts on the chain and seat stays of my carbon bike frame, locked into position on the trainer. And it just feels wrong.
Do others have similar problems, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Zwift has been crowded recently - with the cold weather in the eastern US, I think there are a lot more people than usual resorting to trainers.
The problem is that on the trainer, there is essentially no variation in riding position, as there is outside and I shift my weight around on climbs vs. descents, curves, traffic stops, standing on the pedals, etc. On the trainer, I'm sitting nearly still in the same position continuously. And after a while, that hurts.
I try modest variations - moving my hands from the hoods to the drops and shifting my butt fore and aft on the saddle a little. These help, but not much.
I seldom stand on the pedals on the trainer - I find that it's almost impossible to do that without rocking the trainer side to side a little, and I worry about the stress this puts on the chain and seat stays of my carbon bike frame, locked into position on the trainer. And it just feels wrong.
Do others have similar problems, and if so, how do you deal with them?
Zwift has been crowded recently - with the cold weather in the eastern US, I think there are a lot more people than usual resorting to trainers.
I found using chamois cream helps me, I rarely use it outdoors, but use it for every trainer ride. Also here's another thread on this subject that might have helpful info: Saddle sore when only a trainer
Saddle sore when only a trainer
#23
meh
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hopkins, MN
Posts: 4,704
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 1,013 Times
in
519 Posts
Can we have a show of hands for those who enjoy cold weather rain riding? I posted a nice 35 mile ride, 2300' climbing for Saturday. Out of ~130 email addys, only my wife and I showed up on our tandem. We had a lovely ride in steady 39°-43° rain, mostly the former temp. I don't know what's wrong with people.
OTOH, we only prostrate ourselves to The Crazy once a week. During the week, we're indoors like most sane people.
OTOH, we only prostrate ourselves to The Crazy once a week. During the week, we're indoors like most sane people.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,902
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4802 Post(s)
Liked 3,923 Times
in
2,552 Posts
Another take on trainer riding - look at it as the ultimate fit test, especially in regard to saddle issues. This is a great time to dial in the seat itself, the position fore and aft, the tilt. Trainers are the great testing ground. If you cannot sit comfortably on what you've got on the trainer, keep looking, keep adjusting. When you get there, your butt will be thanking you for years to come.
Ben
Ben
#25
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
^This is true. I ride my rollers seated for an hour, no breaks, no standing, no issues. I don't really even notice the saddle, maybe because of my legs. . . . But it took a box of saddles to get here.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter