pain in the arse

gagomes

I got myself a track pump and increased the tire pressure and decided to go to the gym as my first long ride on the bike. The journey is 2km long and about 1/4 of the way in, I was already feeling discomfort around the asscheeks/assbone. Now, I know probably need a new saddle and I have already received some advice by PM from a member of the forum on brands and models, but feel free to give your own advice.

I was also wondering if until I manage to walk into a shop to get one if I could do something about it to make it "easier" as I would like to keep going to the gym and also wondering how long do we take to adapt to a saddle on average?

n.b: I'm 6'8 and 160kg (~24stone) at the moment, so I reckon I'm probably putting more weight on the saddle than a regular person would...

07Lapierre

What tyre size are on your bike and what pressure did you inflate them too?

gagomes

07Lapierre wrote: »

What tyre size are on your bike and what pressure did you inflate them too?

The wheel is 28" and I pumped it to the max as written on the wheel itself, 75 PSI

quozl

If you're that new to the bike then your arse is going to get sore no matter the saddle.

The problem is that your legs aren't used to the exercise and won't be able to hold much of your weight for very long. So you put the weight on the saddle.

As you get used to cycling, your legs will hold more of your weight and for a longer period of time. So your arse will be much happier

Takes a few weeks to start getting a noticable difference.

Also, the max pressure is not a target. For comfort you would want it as low as you can go without increasing the risk of pinch flats.

Check out and note that that is per tyre, so ie half you+bike weight.

You'll need to know your tyre width to be able to use that chart but if your max PSI is 75 then you must have fairly wide tyres. Which is good from a comfort point of view.

[edit]Oh and good on you! Keep it up and you'll notice a hell of a difference in your cycling and general fitness over the next few months.[/edit]

gagomes

Appreciate your thoughts quozi. I am too afraid of pinch flats at this stage, that's why I went for max (I understand it's not a target) but my fear is that I don't think I'm meant to cycle when I'm this heavy... Sounds like tomorrow I am going to have to walk to the gym as I don't think I will be able to seat on that saddle again... :-(

cdaly_

I watched somebody go from seriously overweight and wobbling along on the bike to ordinary sized over a period of maybe a year. Keep at it, your ass will get used to the saddle and, as you increase your distance and fitness the weight will fall off...

ZiabR

cdaly_ wrote: »

I watched somebody go from seriously overweight and wobbling along on the bike to ordinary sized over a period of maybe a year. Keep at it, your ass will get used to the saddle and, as you increase your distance and fitness the weight will fall off...

Good advice, fair play to you OP. The bug will bite and you will fall in love with cycling.

browsing

gagomes wrote: »

Appreciate your thoughts quozi. I am too afraid of pinch flats at this stage, that's why I went for max (I understand it's not a target) but my fear is that I don't think I'm meant to cycle when I'm this heavy... Sounds like tomorrow I am going to have to walk to the gym as I don't think I will be able to seat on that saddle again... :-(

Whatever you do, don't stop cycling!

I was a fair bit heavier when I started and have lost a few stone since. I think cycling is great for this as it's "free", i.e. when you're commuting you need to get to that place so the exercise doesn't require extra time as you would have spent that via any other mode of transport (and cycling is quicker usually!). The weight will fly off.

I'd recommend you just plug away with your current saddle. When I started on a 90's road bike I had (what I thought) was a horrible racer saddle. literally no cushioning, just some plastic rapped in leather or something similar. My ass would kill me after 30 minutes. However, I kept at it and found after a few weeks it was very comfortable and never gave any soreness. I went off the bike for a few weeks and then the discomfort came back but was gone in a day or two.

I don't think you need a new saddle, but instead just brave it for a few weeks and i think you might be pleasantly surprised! As with regards to "too heavy", I don't think this is a problem. I think the opposite can happen when you get too skinny. In Tyler Hamilton's book, he said when he was in "peak" condition, he couldn't sit on wooden chairs without a cushion as there was no natural cushioning. Just plug away and you'll get more comfortable.

ZiabR

Are you using padded shorts or gel shorts at the moment?

JIdontknow

I am a complete novice cyclist compared to the guys here, but I must say a decent pair of padded shorts is a must (got a pair of specialized myself-they are not overly expensive to buy). Seriously they made a big difference to me, and I am carrying plenty extra weight... I have a cube sl cross hybrid, and used cycle about 20-25km on days I wasn't doing other exercise, and when I got it, thought the saddle was for opening tins of beans not sitting on!! But after a few cycles, a week or two you really do get used to it, I THINK the saddles are designed that way for ergonomic reasons to pick up your arse anatomy and structure (I could be wrong but the narrow saddles are designed for your bones to sit on them, as opposed to the pain coming from you pinching flesh/muscle between the bones and saddle - as I said I could be totally wrong and stand corrected), gradually ease into it, if you feel your arse aching or getting sore, get up out of it and cycle with your legs, standing out of the saddle a little and clenching your muscles a few times to exercise them, then sit back down, I did this method and after about two weeks the saddle felt very comfortable to sit on.

gagomes

Wow, you guys are killing me with support and motivation. Thank you!

logik wrote: »

Are you using padded shorts or gel shorts at the moment?

I'm not. I used some regular unpadded shorts. As I am so tall and big, I can't just walk into a shop and get "cushioned" shorts unless I go for bespoke which would be a fair bit more expensive. Not affordable now

NeedMoreGears

gagomes wrote: »

....... my fear is that I don't think I'm meant to cycle when I'm this heavy... (

Nope - everyone is meant to cycle And it's a very gentle and fun way of improving overall fitness.

gagomes wrote: »

....... I don't think I will be able to seat on that saddle again... :-(

Been there, done that ! It does get easier with practice.

ZiabR

gagomes wrote: »

Wow, you guys are killing me with support and motivation. Thank you!



I'm not. I used some regular unpadded shorts. As I am so tall and big, I can't just walk into a shop and get "cushioned" shorts unless I go for bespoke which would be a fair bit more expensive. Not affordable now

Would you not get away with something like this in XXL or XXXL?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/funkier-7-panel-basic-shorts/rp-prod89671

Diggabot

gagomes wrote: »

I don't think I will be able to seat on that saddle again... :-(

You will, I recently changed my saddle to a thinner, harder one and my arse was sore the first few spins on it. I'd get to about 30km and start feeling it but its grand now. You'll definitely get used to it

ZiabR

Diggabot wrote: »

You will, I recently changed my saddle to a thinner, harder one and my arse was sore the first few spins on it. I'd get to about 30km and start feeling it but its grand now. You'll definitely get used to it

+1 on this. When i started on my newer saddle, was was walking like John Wayne after the first few spins. It was so sore but it is grand now.

krissovo

gagomes wrote: »

I'm not. I used some regular unpadded shorts. As I am so tall and big, I can't just walk into a shop and get "cushioned" shorts unless I go for bespoke which would be a fair bit more expensive. Not affordable now

Trust me, you will squeeze into XL padded lycra Even if you dont you will soon

Lidl have specials next week, get a couple of these shorts as they will wear out quite quickly for larger gents from experience.
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-608F01E5-B1AE5718/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?id=101

endacl

Read this thread again in a year OP. See if you still regard 2km to be a long spin.



Your bum will toughen up!

gagomes

I don't find 2km a long journey, in fact, I hope that soon enough (hopefully in less than 2 months) I will be able to cycle down the N4 from Lucan to Kilmainham/Houston so as to help lose some of the weight. I'll give the shorts a try, maybe they will fit... I was just speculating based on my height/weight at the moment

Thanks fhe tips (chain reaction && lidl)

petethedrummer

There's no need for shorts for a 2km journey, that's bonkers talk. The saddle doesn't suit you or perhaps the bike is set up all wrong. or both.

krissovo

petethedrummer wrote: »

There's no need for shorts for a 2km journey, that's bonkers talk. The saddle doesn't suit you or perhaps the bike is set up all wrong. or both.

He wants to increase the distance;)

petethedrummer

krissovo wrote: »

He wants to increase the distance;)

Well I would advise buying a new saddle. Not new shorts.

dave_o_brien

petethedrummer wrote: »

Well I would advise buying a new saddle. Not new shorts.

After a single cycle?!

OP, I began cycling when I was around 18stone/115kg. I struggled with saddles, with clothing, and with easier options than cycling. Stick with it, and you'll see the rewards. I'm now between 82-89kg and race frequently. For now, just keep getting on your bike whenever you can. Shorts or not, new saddle or not, just keep going.

petethedrummer

dave_o_brien wrote: »

After a single cycle?!

Well I'd give it a few more cycles. But <2kms and pain means there is something fundamentally wrong with the setup that shorts won't fix. Been there myself.

dave_o_brien

petethedrummer wrote: »

Well I'd give it a few more cycles. But <2kms and pain means there is something fundamentally wrong with the setup that shorts won't fix. Been there myself.

I agree that shorts won't fix it. I don't think changing the saddle will either. Or at the very least, with one cycle done, of relatively short length, I think what the OP has to accept is that he's new to this. His arse will toughen up a bit over the next few weeks. If he's still uncomfortable, then start experimenting. First off, he needs to sit on the saddle for a little bit longer. And fair play to him for starting.

gagomes

Thanks a million for the encouragement - I'll toughen up my glutes/ass before considering new saddle, but I might pick up the shorts in any case... Thanks everyone!

blobbie

These guys do larger sizes

http://www.prendas.co.uk

Unknown Soldier

gagomes wrote: »

Thanks a million for the encouragement - I'll toughen up my glutes/ass before considering new saddle, but I might pick up the shorts in any case... Thanks everyone!

Might be easier to get one of those padded saddle covers, just till your ass starts to "break in"

I started with a gel saddle with a cover on > cover off in about two weeks.

You can get the padded cover in halfords or online. Might be worth having a rummage in an Aldi or Lidl bargain bin as they had them on sale awhile back.

If you're near D24/16 I can give you one for free.

gagomes

Great unknown soldier. I'm not really very close to D24, I'm based in Lucan (clondalkin - D22 is our closest post code) - but I appreciate the offer.

I will look around the nearest shop to where I live - wheelworx, I think. I tried seating on the bike today and my arse is still too sore. I might force myself to go the gym tomorrow again. Will look in lidl and aldi as there is one of each in the same industrial park where wheelworx is.

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Might be easier to get one of those padded saddle covers, just till your ass starts to "break in"

I started with a gel saddle with a cover on > cover off in about two weeks.

You can get the padded cover in halfords or online. Might be worth having a rummage in an Aldi or Lidl bargain bin as they had them on sale awhile back.

If you're near D24/16 I can give you one for free.

Just bear in mind that it is often friction not pressure which causes discomfort. Padded saddles tend to be wider which can cause more chaffing whereas a firmer saddle will give better support to your sit bones.

gagomes

In my case, the problem appears to be pressure related, the seat is a bit too hard. I used to live in Cambridge and I used to cycle about 2km every day back in 2012 for a period of about 6months, but the seat whilst not 100% comfortable in the bike I had, it was a 100% more comfortable than this one. I just need to get used to mine. I reckon the pads will probably be useful at this stage whilst I still get a lot of pain from the pressure...

Unknown Soldier

This Thursday in lidl.....

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-9CAC1856-B788835F/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?action=showDetail&id=3360

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-EAF7D2C8-4D8073DA/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?action=showDetail&id=3349

You can wear trackie bottoms or something else over the shorts. I tend to wear a pair of baggy cargo shorts but I have the long leg cycling bottoms. They still have some good long leg ones in Aldi. The "pro" versions.

If your saddle is one of those skinny long hard road ones, a padded saddle cover might be too big to fit. They are designed for "commuter" type saddles. The "fatter" ones in the Lidl link, for example.

If you get the bug and after a few months, when your bum turns to concrete and you feel like you are sitting on a squishy couch, I'd highly recommend the following saddle.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/selle-italia-q-bik-flow-saddle/rp-prod82171