More info on "How To Sit on a Bike"?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hi Folks,

Been experiencing some real pain in the saddle recently on longer rides. Issue is the “sit bones” and where they’re contacting the rear pads of the saddle. It’s a bone on saddle issue.

I’m riding a Selle San Marco Triathlon Aspide on a Cervelo P3.

Reading the brief article on John Cobb’s site it says this:

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http://www.bicyclesports.com/tech_news.asp

How to Sit on a Bike- 9/5/2003

I’ve been watching riders for many years now and it has really become apparent that most new riders never learned to sit on their bike seats correctly. I’m going to give a quick overview of something that really works, will make you more comfy and will make you “look right” on the bicycle. Most riders sit on their seats like they sit in a chair, then they bend forward at the waist.

The proper way to sit is slide back on the seat and roll forward on the front part of your crotch.This should rotate your pelvis bone forward and down.

None of this can usually be done comfortably unless you rotate your seat a little bit to the right or left side of the bike. This applies to men and women riders. Please call for more information or to schedule a fitting.

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I definitely am sitting more like I would on a chair and bending forward. What I’m reading here makes sense as the nose of my seat is extremely well cushioned. But the part I’m putting more pressure on (the rear of the seat) is much less cushioned. But I’m not sure I’m “getting” what he’s saying about rotating forward and the front part of the crotch.

Can anyone elaborate?

Much thanks and have a great week.

Joe

2

He’s suggesting you could/should put more pressure on your perineum on up to your nutsack (thus the advice to rotate the saddle a little to either side - kinda related to how you’re hangin’ in your pants…). But honestly, if you don’t think you can stomach such changes to your posture, just look for a different saddle! I ride the similar Azoto, and without a doubt, the back end is narrow and hard, especially compared to the front. I have it twisted to the right only the tiniest bit, and I’m quite fine with it. But WOW did the sitbones take a while to adapt to the narrow saddle hitting ‘inside’ instead of ‘under’. I still can’t handle it for more than 3 hours.

My advice, find a slightly wider saddle with at least a little cushy gel/padding directly under your bones.

-Zo

3

Thanks Zo,

Any thoughts on specific seats that have a little more padding towards the rear?

I’m good for about 3.5 hours on the seat but if I’m going to finish IMUSA, I’ll need a little more time in the saddle that that I’m afraid… :wink:

J