Angleiron

Weather is turning nasty, time to set up the bike on the trainer. To avoid any issues (numbness) while riding the bike on the trainer has anyone used a nose less seat? The only downside I have ever read about these seats was in the actual use of them on the road, but it seems that they might be a good idea while the bike is on the trainer?

DesnaePhoto

Why would you have numbness issues on the trainer and not have the issue when on the road? Same bike, right? Numbness is not required -- get things adjusted correctly.

If it is a different bike, just put a 'real' bike seat on it. Preferably identical to what is on your normal bike.

Angleiron

Had a fitting, and went with the recommended seat...but when on the road you can get off the seat while riding to give the crotch a rest...not so much on the trainer. I did a century 2 months ago, and had a scare when after the ride things were numb for about 2 days...so I am looking to minimize any probelms!

ericm979

Many people do experience numbness when riding their bike on a trainer yet don't when riding the same bike on the road. It's because the trainer makes it easier to just sit there in the same position, and makes it feel wierd when you get off the saddle. Not to mention cheaper trainers where the bike moves around when you stand.

So a lot of riders don't stand much when on the trainer.

The fix is to make yourself stand up every so often. Set a timer if you need to.

Edit: if you are having problems when you are riding on the road you need a different saddle. I don't suggest a noseless saddle, the nose is there for a reason (bike control). Not that some riders can't make them work, but they are few. Instead, experiement with different normal saddles. They come in different shapes and sizes, and some have cut outs that reduce or eliminate pressure on the nerves in the middle. I like the Specialized Toupe saddle. I have zero numbness with it even after 10 hour rides or extensive time in the drops. But it's a thin racing saddle and some people find that their sitbones hurt afgter a while. Specialized make some other saddles with a bit more padding but with the same basic shape and cutout.

Angleiron

I went through a 3 hour fitting using the Speicialized FIT system, and they put the seat that their system recommended (Specialized Alias 155). I was fit pretty much for the century as the seat height was lowered as not to have such a steep angle as I was not racing.

Prior to the century, I was able to ride 4 hours at a time with no issues what so ever...no nubness, soreness, anything. I would get out of the saddle every 15 minutes, and this is what I did when I did the century ride as well.

After the ride, things felt normal until I showered...and then I realized that I could not feel anything with the junk...but I figured that this would go away after a few hours...it took 2 days. To make a long story short I went to see a Urologist because things were not working like they were supposed to. It took a little over 2 months for things to function like they used to...and I can say that I am only 90% there.

My urologist rides, so he assured me that it would just take some time for things to get back to where they were, but I will tell you that it scared the **** out of me because anyone can tell you anything but dealing with non functioning equipment and the associated pain...it messes with your mental state.

I love to ride, I have 2 road bikes and a mountain bike...and the urologist told me that I can ride again...just need to give it some time for things to correct themselves. So I have been thinking that one option for the interim would be to get a nose less saddle for the bike that will go on the trainer.

ericm979

Yikes. It's cool you got a urologist who rides, some of them think that cycling is the devil incarnate.

Obviously the control problem with noseless saddles isn't an issue on a trainer so that's where I would try it first. In all the centuries and races I have done I have only seen one rider with a noseless saddle. It was on the Everest Challenge, and the guy finished with a good time, so at least one rider can make them work.

I don't think there is a fitting system that can tell you what shape of saddle works best. They just tell you where to put it. The Specialized butt-o-meter only shows how wide your sit bones are. There's no measurement I know of that will tell you what shape actually works. I've figured out that I prefer saddles that are relatively flat side to side and front to back. The side to side flatness is important since if it's more crowned it puts pressure on the nerves in the center. I prefer to sit on my sit bones.

Looking at the Alias it looks like it should have plenty of clearance in the center cut out so you wouldn't be sitting on the nerves. Perhaps the saddle is too wide, forcing you to sit too far forward? The butt-o-meter said I'd sit on a 143mm saddle but that's way too wide for me. I swapped for a 130mm and on that I can sit all the way back on it so I am not resting on the nose.

Angleiron

The butt-o-meter stated a 155, and up until the century there were no issues with anything. I was set up on my Orbea Orca, was told that I needed wider bars and a longer stem...which I did. Everything I did for my Orbea I transferred over to my Giant aluminum...took all of the measurements to make both bikes as close as possible and they both ended up riding great.

It was a p-nerve issue, and I would not wish this on anybody. It has been 2 months since I have been on a bike, and I want to ride again...even if it is just on the trainer.

Carbonfiberboy 

I have a buddy who does 1200 k's, etc., on a noseless saddle. Swears by it. I've probably been through 20 saddles. Do not ride that saddle again. Whatever it's doing to you, it's not good. My guess is that a previous poster is correct and something about the saddle shape is causing you to move forward on it. Also, the nose on Specialized BG saddles should be tilted down 2°-3° for the cutout to function properly. I found the Alias to be a little wide in the vicinity of the cutout, which caused friction sores if I sat back where I'm supposed to - only noticed that at century and up distances.

I disagree with the doc. Smushing peritoneal nerves and blood vessels is additive.

Angleiron

Everything that I have read was that the seat needs to be level, and the seat was set up that way at the fitting...level. That is not to say that what you suggested is wrong by any means, it is just confusing at times as to what to go with. I had no issues with sores, or rubbing between the legs with the seat. I had tried a few seats before this, but they were not very comfortable (Stella, and other ergo seats).

Carbonfiberboy 

I read somewhere that Specialized engineers observed blood flow during saddle testing and concluded that, even with the cutout, blood flow was compromised unless the saddle was tilted foward a small amount. I can't find the study right off, only this reference to it:

https://www.serotta.com/forum/showpos...8&postcount=22

thedutchtouch

granted, i come from a tri background, but the saddle i've heard the most good things about for this is the ISM adamo.