Do I need a new seat?

[durbanjacques]

Hi everyone, I have been having trouble with my saddle since I bought my bike. I have now tried just about everything I could think of to solve the problem with little success. I have changed the angle both below and above horizontal, moved it forward and backwards and I have adjusted the seat post height. But without fail after about 10Km I go completely numb down there

 

When I got the bike about three months ago I was told that it would be a bit uncomfortable for a while until the sit bones got used to it but it is still not very comfortable. The saddle I have is a Felt branded unit that came with the bike so its nothing special. The question is should I go for a proper bike fitting or should I just invest in a new one, and if so what should I look for?

 

The bike is a HT but even when I ride it on the road during the week I get the same issue.

[Wil6]

Do a proper bike fit.

[V12man]

This is why you get numbnutness - i don't say this saddle is the answer, but it explains the problem and a potential solution.

 

 

Personally I have grown to like my SLR XC saddle which has a similar principle.

[JTK]

most go numb. numb is not too bad. sore is bad

 

edit: I must say I have also found the way I sit makes a big diffs. Just follow the logic in the clip above and when you position yourself on the seat make yourself purposefully sit on those twobpones in your rear. works a charm.

Edited October 15, 2012 by JTK

[V12man]

Medically - Numb (especially with associated pins and needles) is BAD if it is a regular thing, as it leads to nerve damage (which will NOT improve your evenings) - once in a blue moon is not a crisis though.

 

I do not personally suffer from numb bits, but the SLR XC does improve things a bit - I still ride an XLR XP on my road bikes - without issues, and it does not have a groove at all.

[JTK]

yeah sorry V12man is right. more specifically. When I say numb is ok I am not talking about anything other than the two bones you sit on. Number elsewhere with needles and pins is loss of blood flow and nerves being compressed...

[durbanjacques]

In my case it is the bad kind on numb. I have been checking out some videos on the net today about it and it does seem quite a serious problem. So I think I will book a proper fitting and maybe get a new saddle. Anyone been through the cycle lab fitting system?

[LeTurbo]

I've never tried it, but there's also that Assometer that Fizik has at most bike shops, and many lbs also have test saddles you can use for a trial.

[davidlangebaan]

get an Adamo...

[Agteros]

Maybe your saddle is too high? Go for a proper bike fit, and not one that the bloke at the LBS does. I had a fitment done a CycleFit recently, and while they made some dramatic changes to my setup, resulting in completely new muscles to be used (yeah that big a change!) saddle and handlebar discomfort has disappeared completely!

 

OK, I did followed every recommendation provided, but I'm very glad I did!

[durbanjacques]

Thanks for the link rob-o-x, that was exactly what I was looking for. I will give them a call this morning R550 is way cheaper than trying to fix nerve and vascular damage down the line.

[Agteros]

Thanks for the link rob-o-x, that was exactly what I was looking for. I will give them a call this morning R550 is way cheaper than trying to fix nerve and vascular damage down the line.

note: "every recommendation provided" meant I spent quite a bit of money: new saddle, new bars + tape, and ater (another shop) new shoes. Was all worth it though!

 

Good luck, hope the 'discomfort' disappears. If changes are made, you might find you'll be down on power as new muscles suddenly have to work. Just take it easy for a while on the bike, giving them some time to adapt.

[durbanjacques]

I have already committed to buying a new saddle so if they come up with a few more changes I will probably go with it as well. I hate being uncomfortable so I will do just about anything at this time.