Saddle Question

crosstownk

As a sufferer of saddle sores, I'm wondering is there any benefit in saddles with a cut out to help prevent these bastards?

My bike is fitted with the stock Giant saddle that I've been perched on for over 400 hours.

I'm looking at either the Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow or a Fizik Arione.

Will either one play a part in preventing these nasty saddle sores or should I stick with the Giant saddle?

H.E. Pennypacker

Chafing or saddle sores? Saddle sores are usually caused by bacterial infection so the saddle is less likely to be the issue. Standard Giant saddles are horrible IMHO but it might be worth having a think about how it fits you. There's a width difference between the two replacements that you linked to so it'd be good if you had an idea about how your current saddle fits you width-wise.

martyc5674

Do you use cream??.. Makes a big difference with me.
I've tried 2 new saddles this year after a bike fitter commented that my stock bontrager saddle was rubbish(not his exact words)... I found both uncomfortable and resorted back to stock saddle.
It's v personal... You can have sit bones measured to at least get width right... But after that it's hit and miss.
Marty.

crosstownk

Saddle sores, unfortunately.

Good point about the width. I must look into that.

To be honest, the Giant saddle has only been OK - it's never been totally comfortable. I just tolerate it.

crosstownk

Thanks, marty. Yep, I use Assos Creme and also Assos Skin Repair Gel after a longer spin.

I get that it's hit and miss as saddles are specific to individuals so I'm looking for opinions on the cut out and it's potential benefit - if any...?

martyc5674

crosstownk wrote: »

Thanks, marty. Yep, I use Assos Creme and also Assos Skin Repair Gel after a longer spin.

I get that it's hit and miss as saddles are specific to individuals so I'm looking for opinions on the cut out and it's potential benefit - if any...?

We'll I tried an adamo one and it felt great initially... No pressure on the barse!!
However after a few spins it started chaffing inside my thighs because it's a bit wider..so might be different for you but that was my experience.
I then got a specialized body geometry one with a shallow cutout... And it just felt wrong from the start... I took it off as I'd a few >100k spins coming up and didn't want to take the risk, but I'll give it a go again.
Marty.

Bambaata

martyc5674 wrote: »

We'll I tried an adamo one and it felt great initially... No pressure on the barse!!
However after a few spins it started chaffing inside my thighs because it's a bit wider..so might be different for you but that was my experience.
I then got a specialized body geometry one with a shallow cutout... And it just felt wrong from the start... I took it off as I'd a few >100k spins coming up and didn't want to take the risk, but I'll give it a go again.
Marty.

A tip to sort the adamo thigh chaffing - tighten a cable tie between the front bars of the saddle. It'll bring the front a small bit closer together and thus prevent that chaffing

H.E. Pennypacker

Some dealers offer saddle trials before buying - might be worth looking in to:

https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewcontent.asp?idpage=194

aFlabbyPanda

I suffer from folliculitis and had a lot of problems with sores when I changed bike last year. I got a bike fit and that reduced the frequency but it wasn't until I switched from a flat to round type saddle that I managed to get rid of them. I use cream (body glide) for every ride also just to be sure.

eeeee

Can't do a non cut out saddle at all, I have an Adamo on the track bike and one on trial on the road bike. They're the only saddles I've ever been comfortable in. It's a totally individual thing though. I can't take a saddle with a nose on it, I sit forward on every saddle I sit on, no matter how high or low in front I am or how far forward or back the saddle is/long or short the stem. Maybe you're similar? Chamois cream essential for me, I put it on mid ride at the coffee stop. carry it in a tiny tub in on a road spin the jersey pocket. I'd be in bother without it!

Unknown Soldier

crosstownk wrote: »

As a sufferer of saddle sores, I'm wondering is there any benefit in saddles with a cut out to help prevent these bastards?

My bike is fitted with the stock Giant saddle that I've been perched on for over 400 hours.

I'm looking at either the Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow or a Fizik Arione.

Will either one play a part in preventing these nasty saddle sores or should I stick with the Giant saddle?

Don't know about the Giant saddle but the two you linked to have huge variances in width. One being 130mm and the other being 150mm.

I've found that thinner suited me, which went against my initial grain of thought... Fizik Arione and Selle Italia X1 Flow

I have a spare X1 and an Antares V'sx you can play with if you'd like. They're not really doing a lot in my attic/potential bike shop.

crosstownk

The_Sub wrote: »

I suffer from folliculitis and had a lot of problems with sores when I changed bike last year. I got a bike fit and that reduced the frequency but it wasn't until I switched from a flat to round type saddle that I managed to get rid of them. I use cream (body glide) for every ride also just to be sure.

Ahh - good old folliculitis. I didn't want to get too medical in the OP but I too suffer from it.

I've a round type on my hybrid - I might give that a try.

crosstownk

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Don't know about the Giant saddle but the two you linked to have huge variances in width. One being 130mm and the other being 150mm.

I've found that thinner suited me, which went against my initial grain of thought... Fizik Arione and Selle Italia X1 Flow

I have a spare X1 and an Antares V'sx you can play with if you'd like. They're not really doing a lot in my attic/potential bike shop.

Thank you, kind sir! I might take you up on that offer. I'll do a bit of Googling on both and I'll text you later/tomorrow.

I've enough hassle with my dodgy leg without additional grief from my ass!

aFlabbyPanda

If you're like me and suffer from the same thing then the sores are being caused by chaffing or friction of some kind. You just need to figure out how to stop it. Best of luck though as I know how painful they can be.

crosstownk

The_Sub wrote: »

If you're like me and suffer from the same thing then the sores are being caused by chaffing or friction of some kind. You just need to figure out how to stop it. Best of luck though as I know how painful they can be.

Agreed. I do all I can to prevent them. I'm clean using anti bacterial wash immediately after a spin. My shorts (Altura Pro Gel) are also washed promptly after each wear. I've gone from getting 5 or 6 sores per year to just one or two but even without cycling I'm still prone to one or two. So maybe there's little more I can do but upgrading to the right saddle might help.

I'm seeing a dermatologist for a different matter in the new year so maybe I'll surprise her with my saddle sore issue. I'm sure she'll be over the moon!

H.E. Pennypacker

crosstownk wrote: »

I'm seeing a dermatologist for a different matter in the new year so maybe I'll surprise her with my saddle sore issue. I'm sure she'll be over the moon!

As an ex-melanoma-ite I can tell you that there's nowhere that a dermatologist hasn't looked :eek:

nak

crosstownk wrote: »

Agreed. I do all I can to prevent them. I'm clean using anti bacterial wash immediately after a spin. My shorts (Altura Pro Gel) are also washed promptly after each wear.

Could be the shorts, the chamois in those is quick thick?

I tried a good few saddles and am really happy with the Specialized ones (Oura, Romin and Power work well for me). You can try several models before committing to buy.

Cee-Jay-Cee

crosstownk wrote: »

Agreed. I do all I can to prevent them. I'm clean using anti bacterial wash immediately after a spin. My shorts (Altura Pro Gel) are also washed promptly after each wear!

It could actually be the shorts. I have the same shorts and loved them at first when they were new but after a few washes I found the stitching around the pad very annoying and uncomfortable. It's like it went hard and so they chaffed. I only wear mine on short 1hr-2hr spins now and have other shorts for longer spins.

crosstownk

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

It could actually be the shorts. I have the same shorts and loved them at first when they were new but after a few washes I found the stitching around the pad very annoying and uncomfortable. It's like it went hard and so they chaffed. I only wear mine on short 1hr-2hr spins now and have other shorts for longer spins.

Out of interest, what are your preferred shorts for longer spins?

Wishbone Ash

S - are your shorts the correct size? They need to be fairly snug to prevent chaffing. (If you have lost a bit of weight, you may need to go down a size).


If you'd like to try a Brooks B17, give me a shout. My one is unused 95% of the time as I only really fit it for long rides so you're free to take for a few weeks.

Unknown Soldier

This stuff might be of interest to people.

http://riders-cafe.blogspot.my/2015/12/review-crotch-guard.html

http://dermatect.com/product/crotch-guard-4oz-bottle/

crosstownk

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

S - are your shorts the correct size? They need to be fairly snug to prevent chaffing. (If you have lost a bit of weight, you may need to go down a size).


If you'd like to try a Brooks B17, give me a shout. My one is unused 95% of the time as I only really fit it for long rides so you're free to take for a few weeks.

Nice one, WA. I might take you up on that offer but I'll give Unknown Soldier's saddles a shot first as he lives quite local to me.

I'll be out your way once I get back to work in the new year so I'll give you a shout then if needed. The offer is much appreciated.

The thing is, I can only judge the saddles for comfort as these sores only show about twice a year but I suppose the added perception of comfort might be a good indicator.

I'm sure the shorts are the correct size - I've been more or less just above or below 70kg for the last 2 years and I use a size M. The size S was painted onto me!!

Unknown Soldier

crosstownk wrote: »

Nice one, WA. I might take you up on that offer but I'll give Unknown Soldier's saddles a shot first as he lives quite local to me.

I'll be out your way once I get back to work in the new year so I'll give you a shout then if needed. The offer is much appreciated.

The thing is, I can only judge the saddles for comfort as these sores only show about twice a year but I suppose the added perception of comfort might be a good indicator.

I'm sure the shorts are the correct size - I've been more or less just above or below 70kg for the last 2 years and I use a size M. The size S was painted onto me!!

I'll text you later and hopefully drop some saddles up to you this evening/tomorrow.

FWIW I am about 70kg and 32 waist and I take S in most shorts now. I find that M is fine but S being a tighter fit initially, gives a little after a few spins and fits perfectly. I used to wonder why my Shorts used to ride up my thighs and most other peoples stayed put! I think the M gives after a few spins too and become a bit looser around the thighs, for me.

Sizing does seem to be very brand orientated and then the short type can even be different for the same brand! For example I ended up with the following fiasco when I initially tried on a 3/4 lenght set of Assos bibs in S and couldn't get them past my knees, thus assuming M was the way to go...

I'll always take an S and M into the fitting room with me these days.

Wishbone Ash

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

... I am about 70kg and 32 waist and I take S in most shorts now...

Strange - I'm 75kg with a 30 waist and usually go for a large or medium depending on the brand. I have a long back so a small would stretch the bib straps. (I have to get jerseys in XL all the same as I'm larger on top).

crosstownk

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

FWIW I am about 70kg and 32 waist and I take S in most shorts now. I find that M is fine but S being a tighter fit initially, gives a little after a few spins and fits perfectly. I used to wonder why my Shorts used to ride up my thighs and most other peoples stayed put! I think the M gives after a few spins too and become a bit looser around the thighs, for me.



I'll always take an S and M into the fitting room with me these days.

Interesting. I'll try S next time to see how the fit. I'm reluctant to but shorts online - much like shoes I prefer to try them on.

Cee-Jay-Cee

crosstownk wrote: »

Out of interest, what are your preferred shorts for longer spins?

I have a few different pairs- Nalini, Craft, Santini and I have a pair of Felt 'classic line' bib shorts which are my 4hr+ shorts and super comfortable.

ian_rush

I found switching to a romin to protect the barse put too much pressure on the sit bones. I switched to a more padded selle Italia max slr and then upgraded to decathlon 700 shorts from lidl\aldi and it is much improved but not 100%. I have been on the bike a lot less this year which also could heave helped. Interested in seeing how this works http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/radical-new-saddle-claims-greatly-reduced-pressure-on-rear-end-more-comfort/

stecleary

ian_rush wrote: »

I found switching to a romin to protect the barse put too much pressure on the sit bones. I switched to a more padded selle Italia max slr and then upgraded to decathlon 700 shorts from lidl\aldi and it is much improved but not 100%. I have been on the bike a lot less this year which also could heave helped. Interested in seeing how this works http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/radical-new-saddle-claims-greatly-reduced-pressure-on-rear-end-more-comfort/

I'm thinking about one of these but waiting to see a few more reviews before pulling the trigger.
I get a sore in the same spot a few times a year, I sit funny on my bike even after a number of fits as all my shorts ball up in the same spot.