Road Cycling: Seat Pain

So, I just purchased my first road bike, and boy... the seat is really hurting my crotch (sorry, I can't think of any other way to put it). The pain is primarily in the front area and along the underwear line (my bum is fine), and leaves me swollen and sore after a quick 9km ride. Now, my question is... is it just a matter of getting used to the new seat and the different area of impact? Will getting a decent pair of padded biking shorts make a significant difference (I just wear normal shorts at the moment). Or, is this a situation where I might need an entirely new seat? Thanks for your insight!

Hi.  I completely agree with Slfdestrct.  The thing with the shorts is you should purchase a pair made specifically for you (there are shorts with men and women specific designs); Unisex is fine but you will be more comfortable wearing sex specific designed shorts (padding in the right places) and go with minimum 6 panels.  I would also look at your seat; is it Unisex (most are)?  You can also purchase sex specific designed seats as well (this can make a huge diffference).  Other than that adjust your seat to accomodate how you ride; ensure that the nose is not pointed too far up or down and move the seat fore and aft as you find your best riding position.  Since this is your first road bike, you will find the seat "different"; check with your local bike shop and they can help measure you up for proper seating and positioning (or check online for the way to measure it yourself).  Good luck and don't worry, this too shall pass and riding a road bike will become very satisfying.

Cheers.

Thanks for all of your comments, they are very helpful. The bike was originally fitted to me, but they had suggested I come back after riding around 30hrs for adjustment... which I think I will do tonight, along with picking up some bike shorts! Thanks again!

I've got the Giant OCR-3, and the seat that came with it. Thinking about it, I don't believe the majority of my weight is on my sit bones, it seems to be more directed to the front of my pelvic bone. I went to the bike store this afternoon, bought a pair of biking shorts (which I think will be necessary anyway). The attendant helping me suggested I first try out the shorts before switching seats... we'll see what happens tomorrow, I guess. Anything is better than what I had.

LOL.....See post about runners and toenails and blisters. 

Padded shorts help, but mostly it's just road time and hardening that soft tissue.  Are things going numb?   Don't worry that will get better too.

You can try a  different saddle, but stay away from the plush looking ones.

I have a Selle and I hated it at first, but now it's great. 

Good luck. 

OK - first off get rid of the undies.  The bike shorts are made with a chamois (i.e. the padding being referred to) that functions as both a liner and a pad.  Wearing underwear is not a good idea - too many seams for chafing and pressure points.  (For those interested these liners used to be made from real chamois hence the name.  Fortunately replacement materials have been found.) 

Second, check your saddle alignment - make sure that your saddle is horizontal to the ground.  With tires inflated use a torpedo level on the saddle and adjust until it is level (you may need a small board or piece of cardboard to compensate for any cutouts in the saddle).  Also, make sure the nose of the saddle is pointing directly at the handlebar stem and aligned with the top tube.

Lastly, check your fit - when you are riding in your normal position (hands on top of the bars, on the drops, etc.) your weight should still be on the pelvic bones.  You shouldn't feel like you are "rolling forward" on the saddle.  Two major causes if you are not seated properly - your saddle is too high or the bike is too long.  If your legs are stretched or hyperextend at the bottom of the pedal stroke your saddle is too high and you can lower it.  If this isn't the case you may need a shorter handlebar stem to shorten the reach a little bit.

 Once you ditch the undies and get make sure everything fits right the unfortunate truth is that you probably just need more seat time.  Every spring when I get back into riding the two areas that need the most time to aclimate are my seat and my shoulders/back.  Fortunately it will come with time. 

 

 

 

 

 

My experience is that not all bike seats and shorts are created equal.  I bought my first road bike this year too and bought a pair of Adidas bike shorts for about $45.  I then purchased a pair of Pearl Izumi's for about $80.  The Pearls are definitely more comfortable.  I think they have the ultra-sensor chamois.

For my seat I discovered Specialized Body Geometry (BG) seats and love them.  I was having problems with numbness and bought a BG seat to put on myh mtn bike and it really helped.  So when I bought my road bike I invested in a Specialized Alias seat.  I can't say enough about the BG seats.  They do make them specifically for ladies.  They are not cheap butr neither is biking.  Check them out at www.specialized.com.

Have fun biking.  It is a blast.

Mike.

 

Having a comfortable ride is very important, especially if you spend a lot of time on the bike. For a number of years I rode with relatively cheap saddles and bike shorts and always felt uncomfortable on the seat even with the proper set-up. I thought it was suppose to be that way, until a few months ago, I developed boils in the area of my sitbones and was forced to go and see a doctor. The recommendation was that the dead tissue will have to be removed  by an operation. I decided to wait a bit and invested in a pair of Assos bib shorts and a Fizzik Arione saddle. Within a month the problem completely disappeared and I can now even ride with my older shorts for up to 2hrs without discomfort. If I new this, I would have spend the money long time ago.

After a bit of skim reading over the posts I think another thing to consider is:

Chanious cream. This prevents the relitive movement between the chamious and the skin. Thus preventing chafing around the "underware line".

Again, thank you for all of your help.  I did try the utterly smooth cream which didn't really change much.  I'm pretty sure my seat needs adjustment, and I am going to take it to the shop and get them to do it.  I think the nose points upwards and that's where it's making contact with my pelvic bone.  And of course, I will look into getting a new seat, when I can afford it.

 

Thank you for all of your comments! 

i notice you mention the chafing along the edge of the chamois... i had that problem, too.  i used a pair of pearl izumi attack shorts, which i think somebody else in here has referred to (around $80, ultra sensor chamois).  several pairs of those lasted a long time, but when they were new, and when they got worn out, i got bad saddle sores.  i still have scars that perfectly outline the shape of that chamois from groin to half-way up my butt-cheeks.  I finally broke down and bought a righteous pair of Sugoi RS shorts ($125).  WOW.  that fixed the chamois problem, but i still had to experiment with seats.  specialized seats just didn't fly with me- padding was too firm and cutout was too narrow on all seats i tried.  I found an old Selle San Marco ERA saddle at the shop i work at and it is the most comfortable seat i have ridden in years.  selle san marco makes great seats, but if you want something a little more cushy, without being overly plush, try the selle royale series.  had one of those too, and not one complaint from it for 15,000 miles in two years.

Nice one Veera, yes we all learn from our mistakes and I am sure you speak from experience. Let me know where you ride!

I don't have much padding on my ass so I Use Santini gel twist plus a second cheaper pair of padded shorts over the top.

Ditto on the Specialized body geometry testing, escpecialy if you feel that your saddle is too narrow.  I ride a Selle and had the advantage of a dealer that had a test ride program set up.  I plopped down a security payment and had access to the saddle for about a week.  After 3 models I found the perfict fit.

Good shorts are worth the investment.  Go for bibs and nothing less than 6 panels.

Repeat the fit testing at your dealer with your new saddle and shorts.

Remember to rise out of the saddle on a regular basis to relieve pressure.

Keep those shorts clean!

Get out of your shorts and get clean as soon as you can after the end of the ride.  Some nice drying powder can help with the moisture chafing.

Become a chamois cream expert.  Assos, Chamois Butt's, Belgium Butter...the choices are endless.

If I chafe I tend to do so in the same spots where you have been having problems.  I started using RESKIN pads and the problem is solved.  They were well worth the cost and shipping charges from Belgium. 

Happy riding!