Bib Shorts for Marathon/Long Rides

[RobertWhitehead]

17 hours ago, figjam_sa said:

Ok, I'm going to try and answer most of the suggestions.....

Previous saddles (on older bikes) were a Silverback Saddle - long saddle, hated it. Scott Belcara Saddle, struggled almost a year until I played a lot with the angle and it got much better when just tilted close to 1 degree forward. The Power saddle is definitely better than both of those saddles for me. Leveling it is quite interesting as it curves.. I will try and change the angle thanks. 

I get pain on the inside of my right leg under my sitbone/top of hamstring/groin.  I have been wondering if the Arc models could possibly help...

I have never tried a Phenom Saddle. 

At the moment my training is split between indoor and outside on the road. But I do ride a mtb. So 4-5 hours per week. All depends on how much time I have the given ride. 3-4 times per week. This will pick up the upcoming weeks if I get the time. 

My Ciovita bibs are both Medium. I can't go smaller than that. So would possibly be a large in some of the Italian brands??

No camelbak and I got fitted for my bike. 

 

Back to the bibs.... No one with any of those Santini models? Ciovita Apex?

 

Mr Fig sir, 

Hear this sweet deal: I am so convinced that it is the Power causing the issue that I will put my money where my mouth is. If you currently use a 143mm Power then I will send you a Phenom for you to try and if you like it you are welcome to purchase it from me. If it does not work for you then you can just send it back. Send me a DM if you're keen 👍. 

[tinmug]

My wife generally only wears Assos stuff, but she rates Kalas (https://www.kalas.co.za) and Privateer (https://privateer.co.za/product-category/privateer/) very highly.

Reasonably priced and of exceptionally high quality. 

[figjam_sa]

Quick update, I took Robert up on his offer, what a gent! So I will be testing the Specialized phenom saddle. Problem is, I tore my achilles on Tuesday night. Getting scan and most possibly surgery tomorrow. Racing season is over for this year. At least I will have a saddle to watch the races on!

[RossTopher]

On 4/22/2022 at 5:07 PM, figjam_sa said:

Ok, I'm going to try and answer most of the suggestions.....

Previous saddles (on older bikes) were a Silverback Saddle - long saddle, hated it. Scott Belcara Saddle, struggled almost a year until I played a lot with the angle and it got much better when just tilted close to 1 degree forward. The Power saddle is definitely better than both of those saddles for me. Leveling it is quite interesting as it curves.. I will try and change the angle thanks. 

I get pain on the inside of my right leg under my sitbone/top of hamstring/groin.  I have been wondering if the Arc models could possibly help...

I have never tried a Phenom Saddle. 

At the moment my training is split between indoor and outside on the road. But I do ride a mtb. So 4-5 hours per week. All depends on how much time I have the given ride. 3-4 times per week. This will pick up the upcoming weeks if I get the time. 

My Ciovita bibs are both Medium. I can't go smaller than that. So would possibly be a large in some of the Italian brands??

No camelbak and I got fitted for my bike. 

 

Back to the bibs.... No one with any of those Santini models? Ciovita Apex?

 

Did the bikefit show up any uneven interactions with the bike. If you're only getting it on 1 side and spot, are you maybe listing to the left. Are you left handed/footed? Different leg lengths or a pelvic alignment issue could cause that? Bib/saddle testing could get expensive. 

Good luck with the recovery. 

[Hennis]

My 10cents,also like to take part in the longer events.

Had a Farr saddle,the best there is,had the last 10 months a power saddle,will change that back to my old Farr saddle.

 

Bibs,any make with an HP Paris chamois in will take away the sore bum problem by 80%.
https://www.elasticinterface.com/cycling-pads/mtb-trail/

 

Can have a look there for a specific ultra chamois padding.

Go Cycle has them in their bibshorts and is not expensive.

Previously bought 2 Bibshorts from Privateer,seams came loose after a 360 ride.Contact the owner and he cant fix it so dont even bother buying from them.

[Tomik]

It's not the bibs. It's the saddle. I've ridden all the different Assos and the Ciovita Supremo are on par with the best of them. My go-to bibs now for 100+ rides, including cycle touring. 

I swapped a Phenom (which I have for a sale if you're interested, 143mm) for the gebiomized saddle and it was a revelation. No lam-gat no matter how long I ride for. I know that pain you refer to on the inside of the leg, but don't experience it anymore. 

While the Power saddle no doubt works for many people, it doesn't work for everyone just like the Phenom didn't work optimally for me. 

[Tomik]

On 4/28/2022 at 7:49 PM, RossTopher said:

Did the bikefit show up any uneven interactions with the bike. If you're only getting it on 1 side and spot, are you maybe listing to the left. Are you left handed/footed? Different leg lengths or a pelvic alignment issue could cause that? Bib/saddle testing could get expensive. 

Good luck with the recovery. 

And this. Instability on the saddle would contribute to that pain you referred to. 

P. S. I read about Robert's offer after posting my original reply. Hope it works out.

[figjam_sa]

On 4/28/2022 at 7:49 PM, RossTopher said:

Did the bikefit show up any uneven interactions with the bike. If you're only getting it on 1 side and spot, are you maybe listing to the left. Are you left handed/footed? Different leg lengths or a pelvic alignment issue could cause that? Bib/saddle testing could get expensive. 

Good luck with the recovery. 

Honestly that fitter made the changes and recommendations, I didnt hear anything about shorter or longer legs. But she listed that the power saddle could be the culprit as she personally experienced it as well. Idea was to get used to the new body positions the next 3 weeks at lower intensity.. which I did. But that specific injury persisted. Luckily I now have the time to recover from it. Reason I went for a pro fit is my previous bike shop fit caused an injury in the VMO area mostly because of cleat position and then overuse and I struggled with posture problems. New fit identified lots of those issues. Was just starting to get used to the new body position and now my season is over

[figjam_sa]

Tomik I've never heard of that saddle. Where did you buy it? How is it different from a phenom? Im positive that inner leg injury will now get enough rest haha

[RobertWhitehead]

14 hours ago, Tomik said:

 

I swapped a Phenom (which I have for a sale if you're interested, 143mm) 

Please let me know, I may be interested 

[Tomik]

13 hours ago, figjam_sa said:

Tomik I've never heard of that saddle. Where did you buy it? How is it different from a phenom? Im positive that inner leg injury will now get enough rest haha

David George brings them in. He's at Gear Change in Cape Town. The Syncros Tofino is the same saddle. I got two of those from bike24.com for a bit cheaper. 

I found I sat more square on the gebiomized / tofino. David showed the pressure distribution in real time. The phenom was on my mtb (road bike had a fabric saddle) but I swapped it out anyway. I'm not sure about the main difference but I suspect the small lift at the back made it difficult for me to find an optimal position. It could also be that this was only a problem because the cranks were too long on all my bikes, but now that I'm comfortable I'm not changing anything. 

Edited May 1, 2022 by Tomik
Typo

[figjam_sa]

Im changing cranks soon anyway as mine are too long as well.