Sounds like IT band pain.



Not sure what specifically about the aero fit would do it, but I'd look into a fit issue.

Edit: image isn't working for some reason...

https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/...e%2Fitbs.gif&f=1

Yes, probably. But, I'm not clear on exactly where you are saying the pain is. Is the IT band picture above accurate for where your pain is?

As far as split nose saddles....I switched to one last year from a standard road saddle. I also use a red-shift seat post on a standard road bike. I started with the seat post and my standard saddle. In the aero position, you can't really roll your hips forward unless you just crush the twig&berries. So, even though you are "forward", your hip angle is still closed down which could put excess tension on the back/side of your legs. THAT could eventually lead to a little overuse pain like you are describing.

The split nose saddle takes the material out of the way of the "twig" so you can roll your hips forward without going numb. This opens your hip angle back up while you are aero. But, it takes a lot of getting used to. The pressure is in the wrong spots, there's no saddle nose to "lever" against, etc. Its just different.

I "hated" it for at least 6 weeks. I questioned the money I spent every time I road it. Everything is different. I got saddle sores for the first time in ages. it took a while to figure out where to put the chamois cream to help. After 6-8 weeks I finally began to adjust. Now, I don't think anything of it. My suggestion is to treat it like you haven't ridden in ages and go back to square 1 for getting used to sitting on a bike again---if you decide to go that route. Don't assume that you can just switch and go.

Well, you did just about everything 'wrong', in what you did to yourself. Not having any miles in your training, 'forcing' yourself into a position for the first time and in competition etc. So now you suffer, sorry!

You'll need to do the aspirin/ibuprophen regimen. May not be IT band more likely Glute minimus or tensor fascia latae. Gentle massage in a few days. Beer and whiskey.

Yes, you are getting old, and you can't expect your body to adapt as rapidly as when younger, nor will it recover as quickly to extreme ROM changes. :)

split nose saddles are primarily to relieve soft tissue pain - each 'nose' supports its respective pubic rami, allows all your sensitive parts to hang between. As you don't seem to have any complaints in that dept, you may be able to avoid the ugly. However, if you are going to be spending more time in a more aggressive TT/tri position, considering some sort of cutout might be a good thing. Have a look at the Fizik Mistica, or the SMP TT saddles.

In regards hip pain in TT position, this is a reason to look at crank length more so than saddle shape.

feel better soon!

---

Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com

Some terrible advice in this thread. You basically have sore glutes. You never rode in the aero position and then decided you would just show up and race a 56mi TT in aero... You don't need to be a PhD to figure out that you are using significantly different muscle groups and you need to train and adapt to that position before you go and race for 2h+ in it. Also it's very likely your position is horrible and you need a proper bike fit.

---

What's your CdA?

Halfmax?

I don't think it's muscle soreness (or my glutes), that's a different feeling. This is an ache at the top of my IT band. And during the ride there was some funkiness (feeling of instability around outer edge of kneecap). So maybe that'd be the bottom of the IT band?

Anyhow, I've ridden the aero position last season but never more than a sprint. At Oly distance, I'd always flip the seat back-and-forth to give myself a break. Prior to this ride my only training was.. last week's sprint. (And very limited Zwift over the winter.) I was proud of myself to stick it out the full 56miles in aero. I'll use the foam roller for next few days and see how it goes...

Could be IT band pain, could be greater trochanteric bursitis, could be all sorts.....
I think it is a bit more uncommon to have ITB pain where you are describing with cycling, my ITB issues are more around the knee area.
What I would suggest:
See a sports medicine specialist (eg sports med doctor or decent physio).
Have a history taken.
Have a physical examination.
Have investigations as required depending on the above.
Follow the advice of said specialist.
Train in the position you will race.

You want an explanation of the relationship between hip pain, aero position and split nose saddles? Utterly silly question under the circumstances.

However, the relationship between not training for a task and suffering after forcing yourself to endure it is very relevant and quite adequate to explain your pain.

Sure it may be your IT band or your glutes, or an aggravated nerve, or whatever else. But the position or saddle is not to blame. The lack of adaptation is. There is no mystery here. If you want to be comfortable and uninjured, prepare. Otherwise you'll have to endure the consequences. I've done stuff I was inadequately prepared for, I'm sure most of us have on occasion, and I hurt afterwards, but it seems odd trying to find a complex explanation when there's a perfectly obvious one that most people understand long before they reach 49 years of age!
Aero position can put you lower for longer than typical. If you rotate your pelvis to accomplish this, it can put a lot of load on delicate soft tissue. That's very uncomfortable/painful for many people (myself included) and is also risky as it can effect functionality of things with a rather enjoyable function!
Split nose saddles support you differently (pictures and explanations are easily found - try the ISM website) and work very well at eliminating blood flow restrictions and pain caused by conventional saddles. If I try to ride a TT position on a conventional saddle I end up very numb very quickly. I've never once had that problem with a split nose saddle. I do still prefer conventional for my road bike. Different tools for different jobs.

Saddles are for sitting on. Would you knowingly compromise your comfort (and potentially the full use of certain anatomy) because you don't like the appearance? Cyclists like conventional saddles because that's what they're used to seeing and because most cyclists are absurdly conventional. The basic shape wasn't designed for style and development should not be obstructed by an ignorant adherence to aesthetic. Excessive reverence for the past seems to be a major problem for many cyclists IMO.

All of those suggestions seem a bit premature. He'll probably be fine in a few days!

Fixed it for you.

Well, it sounds like I've either destroyed my body for life, or I just need to HTFU.
Thank you, ST.

You have been spoon fed the answer several times now and still ignore it, instead going down the nonsensical IT band rabbit hole? You're hopeless.

In what way? That's not true of most triathletes I know, nor is it what you typically see on ST. Most triathletes simply want to know what works and are very willing to try something new if there's reason to believe it's an improvement. I don't see lots of triathletes being unconventional just for the sake of it.

It's very common, on the other hand to come across a cyclist who acts like bicycle design is now finished and who resists every single development almost on principle. I think you'd have a very hard time arguing that cycling is not a VERY conservative sport.

Hopefully it's nothing that won't take care of itself soon enough. You can either HTFU and do the same again, or be prepared next time. No need to HTFU if you nail down your aero position and train in it (including using a suitable saddle if necessary). I'm not judging your level of preparation. I regularly do races for which I'm under-prepared for either the swim or run. But if I go in under-prepared, I accept the risk of injury and the likelihood of discomfort afterwards!

When viewed from a cyclist's eye, tri is extremely quirky. It takes cycling's long-standing aesthetic and throws it out the window.
I guess I am a triathlete now; this is my 3rd season.
I am trying to resist calf socks, trisuits, split-saddles, baby cranks, BTA hydration, and dedicated tri bike, for as long as possible.

Ah, so you agree with me then! 😉

Why are you trying to resist stuff that works?
Calf guards/socks are debatable. But trisuits, split nose saddles, BTA hydration and a tri specific bike all make you faster and/or more comfortable. Why resist?
Triathletes aren't doing anything crazy. Only hardcore "cyclists" think embracing continuous improvement is quirky and weird.