So when riding 100+ miles is there actually a comfortable saddle or is it inevitable that your rear is going to get sore?
I upgraded my bike saddle to and ISM Prologue that was significantly better than the stock saddle but my rear still gets sore at about 35 miles. I’m just curious if this is inevitable with longer rides and something you just get used to the more you do it, or have you actually found a saddle that you actually feel comfortable with after being on it all day long?
There are comfortable saddles. You’ll either adapt to it or you’l have to get a new saddle. Saddles are like partners, you will experience many but there will be one right one for you. Until then you should whore your grundle out to many saddles and see which one it clicks with.
This should be a sticky post for EVERY question relating to saddles. Phrasing is perfect!
Have you had a proper fit done? That makes a huge difference. As for saddles themselves, I ditched the stock saddle on my tri bike years ago and went an Adamo Attack. I used it for a little more than a season and was always happy with it but never did any rides longer than 60 miles on it. I’ve now got a Dash Tri.7 and won’t ride on anything else. I’ve done a few rides over 100 miles and commonly ride 60+ and never have any saddle discomfort. As a note I almost always wear DeSoto tri bibs that have either 4mm or zero padding in them.
Maybe the issue is your saddle. Or it could be your fitness, your bike fit, your bib/shorts, or your lack of chamois butter. I’d recommend addressing the first two things on that list before worrying too much about the saddle.
I do have a preference in saddle, but I’ve found almost any saddle can work when my legs are strong enough. Conversely, when my fitness is down, any saddle will cause discomfort.
Maybe the issue is your saddle. Or it could be your fitness, your bike fit, your bib/shorts, or your lack of chamois butter. I’d recommend addressing the first two things on that list before worrying too much about the saddle.
I do have a preference in saddle, but I’ve found almost any saddle can work when my legs are strong enough. Conversely, when my fitness is down, any saddle will cause discomfort.
Well I actually wondered about this. I wondered if it was soreness from sitting, or soreness from weakness in the glutes. Not really sure how the glutes come into play on a bicycle saddle (educate me) but my fitness for the longer distance rides is certainly not there. My rides this year have typically not been more than 30-45 minutes. Longest rides generally being about 30 miles. I did 57 miles twice this year and both of those rides were where I noticed the significant saddle soreness. I am sure a proper fitting would help too. That is next on my list.
Maybe the issue is your saddle. Or it could be your fitness, your bike fit, your bib/shorts, or your lack of chamois butter. I’d recommend addressing the first two things on that list before worrying too much about the saddle.
I do have a preference in saddle, but I’ve found almost any saddle can work when my legs are strong enough. Conversely, when my fitness is down, any saddle will cause discomfort.
Well I actually wondered about this. I wondered if it was soreness from sitting, or soreness from weakness in the glutes. Not really sure how the glutes come into play on a bicycle saddle (educate me) but my fitness for the longer distance rides is certainly not there. ** My rides this year have typically not been more than 30-45 minutes. Longest rides generally being about 30 miles**. I did 57 miles twice this year and both of those rides were where I noticed the significant saddle soreness. I am sure a proper fitting would help too. That is next on my list.
Based on the bolded sentences, I’d suggest just riding more. As your legs get stronger, you won’t be putting near as much pressure on your sit bones, and the discomfort should lessen. Your saddle may be absolutely perfect for you!
I’ll add that when I’m riding outside I don’t notice much discomfort, even after 4+ hours, but indoor on the trainer (same bike, same saddle) I get sore 45 minutes. My point is, you might have a different saddle for different kinds of riding and just because it feels nice after a few minutes in the shop does not necessarily mean it will work after a day of riding outside.
Yes, ISM Atack. I am using this one. Highly recommend
Just about any saddle can be comfortable for 100+ miles. Positioning is far more important than saddles - body position, fore/aft, proper height, tilt, and sometimes skew. Many of us were Ironman racing 25 years ago in just speedos on stone age saddles with no problems (and still having kids!). Back then we experimented a lot to figure out the right position. Today many are lured by the quick fix of a fancy saddle. If that works, great, but most times position can fix the comfort issue.