Been getting numb nuts and general discomfort during cycling and suspect my saddle is the cause. Have tried a RIDO saddle but non-plussed: it is very uncomfortable unless tilted significantly down at the front, whereby I perpetual slide forwards exacerbating the problem.
So, what next? Anyone tried a Serfas saddle?
https://www.serfas.com/products/view/175/referer:products%7Cindex%7Csaddles%7Crx-saddles
Get your overall position checked out by someone who knows what they are doing. You should be sitting on your ischial tuberosities; the bony bits in your bum, not squishing your perineum.
I suspect from seeing various bike setup mistakes over the years, that you have your saddle too high and too far forwards.
lots of numbnob saddles out there - specialized, Selle (esp the SMP range but very expensive)
agree with crikey about positioning being a factor (but don't see how a forward saddle can increase pressure on yer bits ?) - seems to me that poor flexibility on a road bike can be an issue. If it's on a mtb, I suppose it's more to saddle shape/width unless you've got a very racy position
Have mucked about with saddle a lot, back, forwards, up, down etc but doesn't seem to help. Going to try my misses saddle which is wider (Specialized I think) to see if that helps - I do have quite a wide arse.
And whilst we are at it, what happened to spring saddles? Did they die a death for some real reason, or just fashion? And are they any better?
I had the same problem and tried a number of saddles. The Specialized Phenom fixed it for me. However, you need to measure the distance between your sit bones to pick the right size.
I found a Specialized Toupe was a big improvement over my Fizik. But there's also some merit in changing your riding style: get out of the saddle more frequently, stand up for rough bits etc.
Find a specialized dealer with the arse-ometer and get the saddle they recommend. Worked for me, I ended up with an Avatar Gel 142mm.
def worth the arse o meter. 143 spesh phenom here with good bib shorts and no problems.
i changed to a spesh avatar and my gonnads arent so numb anymore
i have the same problem not numb but uncomfortable charge spoon was almost unusable swapped to a spesh romin solved the problem but is very hard think any one with the hole up the middle of the saddle would help
using a brookes on my cross bike which is comfy would be ideal if it had the split up the middle but still breaking it in
not convinced about this arse measuring thing how does every othe saddle manufacturer manage i measured my sit bones and a 145 was supposed to be right but the brookes is 170 wide and just as if not more comfy
Go for the classic - Brooks.
I have a standard B17 and a skinnier B17 imperial. Looks the dogs and really comfortable.
Not cheap mind.
Best advice I got on this was to stand up on the pedals more. Takes time but you get used to it.
Also important that you have the correct fit. Professional bike fit via a local bike shop is recommended.
crikey - MemberGet your overall position checked out by someone who knows what they are doing. You should be sitting on your ischial tuberosities; the bony bits in your bum, not squishing your perineum.
This. If you are sitting on the right bits thenits not an issue.
Also look at a carbon post, they add comfort.
Again, get on the Spesh Arse-o-meter... 143mm Spesh Phenom/Romin's here literally saved my ass!
"i measured my sit bones and a 145 was supposed to be right but the brookes is 170 wide"
I dont think the 130/143/155 spesh saddle size is the sit bone measurement though is it? just the width of the saddle. Id have thought the narrow part of the saddle is more to do with your sit bone measurement?
Though I dont know
This is all good advice, cheers gents. I will go forth and get my gusset measured.
Another vote for arse-o-meter and Spesh Phenom here!
Cured it for me after years of trying loads of saddles.
You can demo Spesh saddles at some stores too.
Don't even think about it now.
Good luck.
I have a s/h Selle Italia Filante (I think) on my CX bike. Hard, narrow. Most comfortable thing ever. Nominally same shape SLR on my road bike is a test of purgatory after a while.
If only I could find another Filante..!
About 3 years ago, I ended a near enough 2 year abstinence from biking and began commuting by bike. I very quickly found that my trusty Flite Titanium that I used to swear by had metamorphasised into an instrument of torture, determined to cut me in half from my soft, saddle-shy butt upwards. I also had a complete numbness of the gentleman's area. After a bit of internet research, I invested in a Specialized Alias 143 which was a night and day improvement, no more numb nuts or walking like John Wayne when I got to work.
Dont sit down so much then any saddle will do. 🙂