I bought my bike (Specialized Rubaix), almost two years ago (I was 265lbs), got fitted and adjusted with time to accommodate my progress (today, I’m 224lbs - goal of 200lbs). My LBS has a good reputation for fitting but from the first day until recently, I can’t get comfortable on the bike (or the seat?).
The “GUY” goes numb after only 15min on the trainer and about 30-45min on the road. I dismissed this at the beginning, suspecting it was due to being over-weight/out of shape and not being used to the bike. I thought that after some -20, -30lbs I would start to feel better/different…NOT!!
I’ve tried different seats, different brand of bike shorts (with/without chamois). I tried adjusting the seat, spoke to my fitter about this but he is still puzzled (he’s pretty sure it’s not the bike). Overall, I am comfortable on the bike with the exception of the numbness that never fails to appear. Forget aero (I tried clip ons), for more than a few minutes cause the tingling sensation before numbeness, overcomes any desire to continue so I removed the clip-ons early on.
Can anyone help with a possible solution? I’ve considered purchasing a different bike at this point (I’m not financially comfortable with this), yet at this point I’m a bit desparate.
Do you stand up often? I know that might seem a bit obvious but standing up every 15 or 20 minutes may help relieve some pressure. Also how much of a drop is there between your saddle and handlebars? A more upright position may help.
Maybe you should go to someone else for a fit? Or better yet post your position here and have everyone tell you how high your saddle is (maybe it is!)
Like so many of the questions here, there is is really no silver bullet for this.
My personal anicdote is this. I suffered from numbness in the aero position in much the same way until I changed seats to one with very minimal padding. I also tend to have better results with lees padding in the short, often using tri shorts on my road bike. Also I used to tilt the seat a degree or two in the oposite direction of the way I ‘dress’ if you know what I mean. This really helped and I was mostly cured. Since then I have gone back to a straight saddle but will sit to one side or the other as the rides get long.
Good luck. I know that trying different seats can get expensive, but I think that it might be your best shot.
FWIW I ride an Arione (road version on both my bikes)
Recently bought a bike from a ST member and learned something new, he had the seat turned off center to the right just a bit, I rode the bike for about 10 miles and didn’t even notice the seat was there, then during a break to admire the bike I noticed the seat turned off center and corrected it and suddenly noticed that the seat was hitting the package and causing some discomfort.
Turn the seat a bit left and pack right and see if that fixes your problem.
Congrats on the weight loss. keep at it, I was 280 at one time and I am now 198 pounds.
These are all good suggestions. I’ve worked with hundreds of athletes with this problem over the last several years and the one piece of advice I have is this: only change one thing at a time so that you can evaluate the efficacy of each adjustment. Working with a good fitter is key – they can help you track changes and offer a more objective view on your position than self-evaluation.
Seek a second opinion from another fitter, and ask for a money-back guarantee. I’m serious – a fitter who is really good should feel comfortable offering to help you fix your problem, or offer your money back. Often when clients with real issues that combine physical and psychological components ask for help, I offer an iterative approach that takes into account small changes over time.
Do stand up every so often, and shift around when I can - I have no choice
Have pointed the seat to either side - Has helped a lot but not the cure (probably 50%-ish better)
Have made adjustments and noted any progress, or non, to get closer to a solution - Pointing the nose to one side was the biggest improvement of several (process of eliminiation)
Checked the seat elevation to handle bar position - I’m in a very “relaxed” position right now cause any hint of agressive position and the “guy” is toast within seconds, literally. (I still watch in awe at the position most pros ride in, especially tri bike positions like F. Al Sultan & P. Reid…OUCH!!)
I am looking for another fitter I feel can probably help and I was not aware of the $ back guarantee (something to look into). The search continues.
If you are close to the central Indiana area and want a great fitter with excellent knowledge of the tri-specific set-up (FIST certified) check out Vern LaMere at fittechbylamere.com.
If you are close to the central Indiana area and want a great fitter with excellent knowledge of the tri-specific set-up (FIST certified) check out Vern LaMere at fittechbylamere.com.
90% of saddle comfort is bike fit. Make sure that who-ever is fitting you is doing so dynamically. ie. make sure that they are taking flexibility and athleticism into account. Even if your angles are dead on the standards, if your hamstrings are unnaturally tight, or your lower back is very inflexible, you will sit the bike around your tightness or imbalance versus your “angles”. A second for Vern LaMere, I realize that he isn’t close, but maybe a phone call or email. The guy is amazing.
Good luck, not much will keep you off the bike more than an unhappy big fella.
I would suggest one of our Adamo Road model seats for you. It has a 100% moneyback guarantee and I’ll help you get it set right if you have any problems.
Also check out the previous post on “best bike fitters in the country” as they list some excellent people in the NY area.
Kevin S. www.roarkcycle.com
Thanks, I will look at the post. R&A is way closer than my regular bike shop and I do purchase stuff there when in a bind but I will never go there for a bike fit.
Here is your diagnostic checklist:
Using high quality shorts that fit correctly, no underwear (refer to: http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/saddlecomfort.shtml) Using some form of chamois lubricant such as Assos Chamois Cream. Adequate saddle acclimation time (sounds like you already have this). Saddle height determined to be optimal by your fitter. Too low causes friction. Too high causes friction and pressure. Saddle fore/aft optimized. Either too far forward or too far back can create pressure that may contribute to numbness. Saddle angle or attack (relative to the horizontal) is optimized: No more than 3 degrees of any angle. Saddle yaw angle optimized: This may not mean it is straight, in line with the top tube. As a result of surgeries Lance Armstrong rides his saddle yawed significantly to the left for comfort. Appropriate saddle choice: Default to “problem solver” saddles like Profile Tri Stryke and Blackwell. Correct stem length, reach and drop: This is key I the likely best hope of improving your problem. If your pelvic angle and reach are both slightly off this could be a significant contributing factor. There may be a concentration of body weight localized on one area of your crotch that starts this problem. Correcting and optimizing your reach, drop and weight distribution at the torso may exert a profound benefit in the saddle area.
It is easy to single out bike fit as a primary factor for a problem like this. The truth is often more convoluted and it winds up being a conspiracy of factors. The issue becomes the one you can functionally address, and that comes back to bike fit and position.
Lots of good advice here from Tom D and others. John Cobb said he would help you get it right if you opt for the adamo. Not too bad a thread for you I would say.
One final comment: I realize the saddles I provided web-links to are more function than beauty, but you’ve got more important things to consider than having a cool traditional-style Tri saddle. One of my Clydesdale bike fit clients developed a serious case of prostatitis and is now riding a noseless saddle and loves it. Keep fine-tuning your fit to find what works best for you to relieve symptoms. One common error I often see to relieve saddle pressure is tilting the saddle nose down too far. This causes excessive pressure in hands, arms and shoulders due to sliding forward and having to hold yourself back. If you go with a noseless saddle, then this will not be an issue. Riding comfortably in aerobars is achievable no matter what size/weight you are. Best of luck to you.