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Saddle pain
Last Post 01/29/2019 02:22 AM by Orange Crush. 9 Replies.
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6ix

Posts:485

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01/27/2019 01:07 PM
Got a lot of years and miles under my belt but am at my wit's end trying to figure out saddle discomfort.  Been using quality Castelli bibs (whatever their $200 pair is), chamois butter and tried all kinds of different saddles. 

Used a Fizik Arione Tri for about 10 years but it finally wore out.  Ended up being shaped like a hammock over time.  Since then, I went through the painful process of finding a suitable replacement and landed on a Terry Fly Carbon.  A new Arione Tri didn't fit right and was instantly uncomfortable.

The Terry has been pretty good but I'm still getting pain/pinching/bruising seemingly along the sides just behind the nose.  So maybe 2.5"- 3" from tip of saddle. 

Do I need a saddle with an even narrower nose?  I might give one of those Specialized Power Arc saddles a try but all of this experimentation is really making a dent in my wallet. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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01/27/2019 03:47 PM
I haven’t tried the Power Arc, but I am really happy with the regular Power saddle. Takes a bit of getting used to since you don’t sit in it like a normal saddle. The shorter nose sets up about ~3cm further behind where your current saddle’s nose is....your “dangling down parts” then are supposed to hang off the front of the saddle.

It was NOT an instantaneous love affair...was comfortable but took awhile to get really comfortable on rides over 90 min. Started riding it about a year ago, really like it in NC and when I got the Canyon last summer, the Arione that came with it (which used to be my go-to saddle) wasn’t cutting it any more, so I got another Power.

A lot of shops will now have demo saddles for you to try....and I know Cobb saddles has a 30 or 90 day return policy if you buy direct from them (or at least they used to).

I gotta believe with all the high-end shops in Boulder area that you can do some demos on...
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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01/27/2019 11:38 PM
Hard to recommend a saddle, I've been through a couple a dozen over the past twenty years. I like the Fizik Aliante, Specialized Toupe Comp Gel, Prologo EVO Tri 40. All are different animals but they all work for me. Another thing to consider is your stem reach and rise, as it will change your angle and how you sit on your saddle. A lot of saddle problems are stem related. You have to take everything into consideration. Another thing is just moving your saddle forward a tad. Good luck. Just a slight change will make a huge difference..
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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01/28/2019 01:28 AM
I find I am very sensitive to saddle angle and that 2-bolt seatposts area real blessing. They allow playing with the seat mid-ride very feasible. (Loosen rear bolt, drop front bolt 1/8 turn, tighten rear. Doesn't work? Going back exactly where you started is easy.)

I'll second zoot. Tiny adjustments can mean a lot. (But also CK. POrt;and has one sh0op that has come ujp with a system that is genius - a saddle library. Roughly 25 saddles on shelves. Pay $25 for a "library card", take out any saddle for a week, ride it all you want. Next week you can take out another. Find one you like and that $25 goes toward a new, boxed one.

Six, I don't know how old you are. When I hit my 40s, the seats I'd been riding for years didn't work any more - at all. My riding time plummeted. At 47 I had hernia surgery and knew I needed a seat that worked so I could get on the trainer. Went to the bike shop and paid $40 for last years lowest line Specialized cut-out seat. I could ride again! I ended up getting a much better Specialized then discovered the Flys which work for me quite well. I have them on my 3 best bikes and ride the Specializeds on the rain bikes.

Ben
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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01/28/2019 02:32 AM
What others said, a good LBS will have ergo saddle fit capability and a return policy. I got a Specialized saddle through that program that works really well.

Other than that we need a photo here of what was his name again with the bike that had a nose diving saddle.
6ix

Posts:485

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01/28/2019 08:41 AM
Apparently there is a tri shop located in Boulder that does offer a library card for saddles. Only costs $40 so am going to try that this week. Think they sell Specialized too.

Actually had a pretty extensive fit done last year in hopes of it solving some arm pain and the saddle discomfort. Arm pain is basically gone but the saddle pain remains even with the Fly saddle. It's still the best I've ever had but isn't good enough. Jealous of the people that can ride 60+ miles with little discomfort.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
zootracer

Posts:833

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01/28/2019 10:11 AM
That library card for saddles sounds like an excellent idea...more thinking on this...when I was younger (maybe just ten years ago) I could ride any saddle out there with no problems. Sometimes I would pick a saddle just because if looked good on my bike. My fav was a San Marco Regal. Now they are too damn hard. Maybe as we age we lose a little bit of padding. I find I don't stand as much as I used to. Most of my riding is done seated, even when climbing. Now my feet are botherng me. Just ordered a new pair of shoes and going back to my old pedals.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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01/28/2019 12:41 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 01/28/2019 02:32 AM
...

Other than that we need a photo here of ...

I got this far.  No!  We really don't need to see!
6ix

Posts:485

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01/28/2019 03:31 PM
Stronzo? Think that's who it was. Had a Litespeed if I recall correctly.

His saddle position reminded me of Salvador Dalí's Melting Clocks painting. But hey, whatever works for ya!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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01/29/2019 02:22 AM
That's the one and only.
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