Butt hurt! (Bike question)

serindipte
serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
For those who had gone a span of time without riding a bike, then started up again.. How long did it take before your butt toughened up enough it didn't hurt from the seat? I got a gel cover, still hurts and it's a wide butt seat (not as wide as my butt, but they don't make seats that wide lol)

Half the time, I have to call time on my bike ride not because of my legs, but my booty. Ready for that to stop, truly!
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Replies

  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    Sit bones... I never heard that before, but that's exactly where I'm hurting! The seat is wide enough for them so I'll look into the padded shorts and give it time.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Honestly I prefer a thinner seat (not super thin, but "correctly thin") where the supports of the seat hit the sit bones, and aren't wider than them (a bike shop can measure and recommend as seat), and good bike shorts instead of a gel cover.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
    Honestly I prefer a thinner seat (not super thin, but "correctly thin") where the supports of the seat hit the sit bones, and aren't wider than them (a bike shop can measure and recommend as seat), and good bike shorts instead of a gel cover.

    I'd have never thought a thinner seat could be more comfortable? I can't imagine having a bike shop guy measuring my sit bones lol... I did consider the bike shorts, but $$ wise, thought to go for the seat since I don't have to have more than one. On the shorts, I'd either be doing laundry every day or have to buy multiple pair. May have to just suck it up and buy multiple pair.
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    I would say two weeks. All the advice about sit bones and narrow seats is spot on. Stay with it - if you wait until it’s not tender before you ride again it takes longer.
  • db34fit69
    db34fit69 Posts: 189 Member
    If you haven't tried a Brooks saddle, they are a DREAM. They are made in the UK of leather. I have the Flyer model, and commute every day to work (40 min total). The springs let the whole saddle rotate on its axis to move with you. Also, after a while, it will break in and fit right to your body.

    I highly recommend this over any kind of plush saddle or gel cover.
  • Carolyntx16
    Carolyntx16 Posts: 13 Member
    thin seats can be very comfortable once you're used to them and I am wide in the hips. When I've stopped biking it usually only takes me about 2-3 multi-mile trips to "toughen up" but they need to be done either every day or every other day. You have to get "back in the saddle again" while it still hurts.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    I skipped last night because of the butt hurt, but planned to ride again today. I just couldn't stand the idea of getting on last night lol
  • garystrickland357
    garystrickland357 Posts: 598 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    I skipped last night because of the butt hurt, but planned to ride again today. I just couldn't stand the idea of getting on last night lol

    Quite kiterally we have all felt your pain. It will get better. Hang in there.
  • jorichards2
    jorichards2 Posts: 100 Member
    You could try padded unisex underpants instead of cycle shorts, that way you can wear normal clothes. Try and get ones with gel shock absorption as they are more comfortable than ones with thick fabric padding.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    The reason why the comments against the gel covers - picture the fact of the 2 sit bones, now picture where all that extra gel NOT under the sit bones is going to squeeze in to.

    You can also measure your own spacing decently enough.
    Piece of paper on flat solid chair.
    Sit on it .... naked ..... preferably not at the library hard chairs, placing emphasis on getting weight on just those 2 spots.
    Rotate waist until you feel those spots causing more movement.
    Get up and hopefully the paper has enough emphasis on just the sit bones to measure them. It'll be a tad vague, but measure from middle of vague to middle of vague.

    Unless you find LBS with a woman that will measure you.

    And ditto to 3-5 rides, with usually decreasing time between them required to allow pain to recover. And trying to keep the ride time shorter too.
    I'll mention the walk/bike paths are like the worst to start with, usually bumping, long periods of coasting just sitting there. At least pedaling the upward force lightens the load somewhat on the rear.
  • Thediamond13
    Thediamond13 Posts: 46 Member
    Invest in padded shorts. Don’t skimp because you get what you pay for!
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
    Honestly I prefer a thinner seat (not super thin, but "correctly thin") where the supports of the seat hit the sit bones, and aren't wider than them (a bike shop can measure and recommend as seat), and good bike shorts instead of a gel cover.

    I'd have never thought a thinner seat could be more comfortable? I can't imagine having a bike shop guy measuring my sit bones lol... I did consider the bike shorts, but $$ wise, thought to go for the seat since I don't have to have more than one. On the shorts, I'd either be doing laundry every day or have to buy multiple pair. May have to just suck it up and buy multiple pair.

    It's not like you bend over and they stick their hand up there ;). When I had it done, they had this cool sand thing. You literally just sit on it. Your sit bones (the part of your hips that make contact with the surface) will make an impression on the sand. You want the main support of the seats to be under these bones. Wider seats will be spreading out the pressure to all the other tissue of your rear which will be more uncomfortable in the long run than just supporting those bones.

    I think this might explain it better:
    https://www.ebicycles.com/article/guide-to-bicycle-saddles.html

    And yes, bike shorts ARE expensive and you have to own several pair. I like Pearl Izumi and they are generally some of the more affordable.
  • cleesus
    cleesus Posts: 87 Member
    make sure the seat is angled correctly and at the right height as well
  • 0ysterboy
    0ysterboy Posts: 192 Member
    Take a look at the seats that professional racers use, uber thin and rock hard. It doesn't take that long to get used to a seat if it fits you well.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    And because of that fits you well aspect - it's hard to give it up even when leather has worn off, because you can't seem to find the exact same model. (or at least same specs, model name may be kept as I've discovered, but different shape in just the wrong way).

    A good LBS should let you try it there, that's what you are paying extra for, personal service.
    And some things really benefit from that. (shoes and gloves too, basically the touch points with the bike)
  • amandaeve
    amandaeve Posts: 723 Member
    I found the gel padding thing to be terrible, unless you are sitting completely upright and riding on the beach. Any time on the saddle more than 10% of what you rode last week will likely hurt. I rode with no padding (street clothes) and a cheap saddle back when I had no money. I had the bike adjusted to fit me as best as it could and I just ramped up verrry slowly. It can be done. If you can afford it, get the best saddle and shorts and gloves you can afford and it will take you farther (literally). I'd start with one pair of shorts, make sure you like them.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    Thank you all for the pointers! Looks like I have some investments to make soon.
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,268 Member
    heybales wrote: »
    The reason why the comments against the gel covers - picture the fact of the 2 sit bones, now picture where all that extra gel NOT under the sit bones is going to squeeze in to.

    You can also measure your own spacing decently enough.
    Piece of paper on flat solid chair.
    Sit on it .... naked ..... preferably not at the library hard chairs, placing emphasis on getting weight on just those 2 spots.
    Rotate waist until you feel those spots causing more movement.
    Get up and hopefully the paper has enough emphasis on just the sit bones to measure them. It'll be a tad vague, but measure from middle of vague to middle of vague.

    Unless you find LBS with a woman that will measure you.

    And ditto to 3-5 rides, with usually decreasing time between them required to allow pain to recover. And trying to keep the ride time shorter too.
    I'll mention the walk/bike paths are like the worst to start with, usually bumping, long periods of coasting just sitting there. At least pedaling the upward force lightens the load somewhat on the rear.

    I've seen vid of a procedure ... fold a towel flatly to cover a step on your stairs as a pad. Place a piece of foil across the towel. Sit down carefully, without a lot of movement. You should leave a decent impression. Measure between the two lowest depressions, should be an approx. of your sit bones. A number of bike shops have better measurement tools for fitting.

    I gave up cycling 30+ yrs ago when weight gain (plus lack of time) made sitting on my touring saddle have all the um, comfort, of sitting on a flagpole (LOL).

    Getting back into it this year, I opted for a wider, softer, "commuter" saddle. I haven't been entirely happy with it - but as I continue to ride, I find it's getting more comfortable as my butt remodels shape (I've lost 28lbs since Jan 1st, and the muscles are tightening - not getting "tougher" per se). I may yet switch to a narrower, firmer saddle as the year progresses, as the soft one isn't optimal for riding longer distances. BTW, I'm male, over 60 and overweight.

    I also joined the "black lycra shorts league." 30 yrs ago, I didn't ride with padded bike shorts even when touring. Now I wouldn't NOT wear them. I think the redundant padding of the shorts and my current saddle might be too soft as noted above. I also bought some chamois cream proactively. I haven't used it. But nice to carry it in my sag bag just in case.
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,268 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    I skipped last night because of the butt hurt, but planned to ride again today. I just couldn't stand the idea of getting on last night lol

    you might need some rest time between rides for a while during your initial conditioning, but higher frequency will eventually help cure the problem.
  • mjbnj0001
    mjbnj0001 Posts: 1,268 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
    Honestly I prefer a thinner seat (not super thin, but "correctly thin") where the supports of the seat hit the sit bones, and aren't wider than them (a bike shop can measure and recommend as seat), and good bike shorts instead of a gel cover.

    I'd have never thought a thinner seat could be more comfortable? I can't imagine having a bike shop guy measuring my sit bones lol... I did consider the bike shorts, but $$ wise, thought to go for the seat since I don't have to have more than one. On the shorts, I'd either be doing laundry every day or have to buy multiple pair. May have to just suck it up and buy multiple pair.

    get multiple pair (even though i hang dry my washed things, they are good in 24 hrs - the "chamois" is a manmade material, not actually chamois). buy one first to be sure you like the fit and so forth. i'm a big guy, can't get bike clothing from any of the usual suppliers/brands. i found an online supplier of big person cycling clothes (male/female). so far, so good.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,615 Member
    db34fit69 wrote: »
    If you haven't tried a Brooks saddle, they are a DREAM. They are made in the UK of leather. I have the Flyer model, and commute every day to work (40 min total). The springs let the whole saddle rotate on its axis to move with you. Also, after a while, it will break in and fit right to your body.

    I highly recommend this over any kind of plush saddle or gel cover.

    :grin:

    I have B17s on all my bicycles.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    heybales wrote: »
    The reason why the comments against the gel covers - picture the fact of the 2 sit bones, now picture where all that extra gel NOT under the sit bones is going to squeeze in to.

    are we talking about some kind of specialized wedgie?

    disclaimer: has never used a gel seat.
  • Ardael
    Ardael Posts: 244 Member
    Ladies specific cyclists short.

    That's what got me through.

    Padding in cycling shorts is getting so ergonomic now that you could do more damage by wearing the wrong stuff. I wore my husbands shorts on a couple of occasion and came out bleeding from the friction.

    I know it's an outlay at first but it all depend on what your cycling is about. I'm a racer, so investing in a really good pair of shorts made sense.
    My most comfortable saddle is a glorified plank covered in fabric. The more padding the more I suffer. I was just getting wedgies form bulky saddles.
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    For now, I'm just getting started and only go a couple miles at a time. I think my butt's adjusting. The last two rides didn't leave me sore, so I can start adding a little more distance as my legs adjust to the workout. :) Thanks everyone!!!
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »

    :grin:

    I have B17s on all my bicycles.
    I have one on my distance bike. It it nothing for me to ride 50-70 miles on my days off just for fun. I highly recommend that saddle!

  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    BusyRaeNOTBusty wrote: »
    Honestly I prefer a thinner seat (not super thin, but "correctly thin") where the supports of the seat hit the sit bones, and aren't wider than them (a bike shop can measure and recommend as seat), and good bike shorts instead of a gel cover.

    I'd have never thought a thinner seat could be more comfortable? I can't imagine having a bike shop guy measuring my sit bones lol... I did consider the bike shorts, but $$ wise, thought to go for the seat since I don't have to have more than one. On the shorts, I'd either be doing laundry every day or have to buy multiple pair. May have to just suck it up and buy multiple pair.

    they also have padded covers to go over your seat as well. I got padded shorts and they were less than $15 on amazon for what I was told was a good brand but have yet to wear them. I may never as I never have the time to ride.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    edited June 2018
    Go to a LBS (local bike shop) that allows you to try different saddles. It's all well and good for us to recommend different saddles, but it is such an individual thing. I quite like my Brooks B17 Imperial, but there are plenty of people who can't stand them. The last saddle I had before this one was a Sella Italia Diva Gel Flow and I've seen a ton of good reviews for that saddle as well. Meanwhile it wasn't nearly as comfortable for me as the Brooks B17 Imperial. The same is true for essentially every other saddle out there. I suspect what really did it for me was the sheer lack of padding given that it was comfortable before it started breaking in.

    This is complicated further by people not actually talking much about pain, especially genital pain, among people with female genitalia (I am including trans men in this for pretty obvious reasons). There was an interesting article in The Guardian either right before or right after the London Olympics that talked about what the British women on the Olympic cycling team(s) were dealing with.

    Mild vent over - I would also suggest padded cycling shorts. Men's vs women's is pretty subjective (just like saddle choice...). I know people who wear both, myself included. For me what seriously made the difference was the saddle though there's no way I'd ride without padded shorts. For any ride over a few hours I also use chamois cream.
  • Ardael
    Ardael Posts: 244 Member
    Also one thing is to make sure your saddle is the right height !

    Rocking from side to side is not good and means your saddle could be too high. And of course augments friction ...

    Your leg should be extended just before a full extension, to make sure your knees don't lock up while you pedal. And your hips should be quite still.

    You can do it by feeling/eye, or using a measuring tape and something like this https://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/saddle-height/road-bike
    Or go to your local bike shop

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