Hey guys – wondering how long the initial soreness from starting to cycle typically lasts? I’ve put in about 200mi over the last ~2 weeks but the pain hasn’t gotten any more tolerable, it’s likely gotten worse.
I’m on a Specialized Crux with a Power Saddle and wearing rapha core cargo bibs. I’m sure the bike fit could improve but the saddle seemingly hurts in any position I’m sitting in. Thanks!
by PreviousRaise4502
14 Comments
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Getting worse is a bad sign. It sounds like you are trying too much too fast. From never riding a bike to about 1 hour in saddle per day. Now the fun part. I would get a mirror and look at yourself. Is there a visible skin injury. Soreness from cycling is usually pain in the muscle around the sit bones but shouldn’t be soreness from red chafed skin. Getting worse sounds like a skin problem. If so you just have to heal up and take it easy.
Try measuring your sitbones and see if the saddle is a good fit, I have tried multiple saddles and only one of them has actually been comfortable for me personally
Are you using Chamois Butt’r? I had 2 friends who switched this saddle out because they were getting them also.
Get a seat fit lots people seem like selle italia saddles. You might want start slower build up. Also try some chamois cream.
Just swap saddle to something more comfy. With a decent pair of bibs, you should feel fine on your saddle.
I had the women’s version, but i really liked this one for comfort.
https://www.rei.com/product/172463/ergon-smc-sport-gel-saddle-mens
Seats are a very personal thing. As in YMMV.
But I can wholeheartedly recommend Selle SMP saddles and in particular the F20Csi and F30Csi. Good thing with SMP is that you can test various saddles for the cost of shipping for about one month. Send them back afterwards.
Very inexpensive way to properly test different saddles with minimal risk of ending up with something that may not work for you.
Dumb question, but you know that you’re not supposed to wear underwear under the bibs, right?
Also sometimes trying a few saddles may be the answer. Bontrager saddles come with a fit guarantee, may be a good place to start?
Saddles can take a little while to break in as well. Iirc correctly my fizik saddle says 400 mikes or something like that.
Make sure to get a bike fit. I had my saddle height too high and that fixed it. Also, lower pressure tires help. Also, bibs. Cream. Etc
If you’re truly a new rider and actually just be busted out 200 miles in 2 weeks. Slow down, take rest days and maybe try just adjusting seat angle but overall I think you’re just breaking your ass in and giving it not time to recover.
Your saddle looks a little nose down from the angle (it’s not a great angle to judge so take that for what it is). Your cockpit is also pretty low for a new rider. Bike fit for sure. Also, don’t override.
200 miles in your first two weeks of riding is really taking it to the extreme. Maybe back down to a little shorter rides and always take at least one day between them. At least until your body is more used to it.
Take some time off the bike. If you decide to switch saddles I recommend SQlab
– [https://sqlab-usa.com/pages/sitbones-measurement](https://sqlab-usa.com/pages/sitbones-measurement)
These saddles are designed for all weight on the sit bones and off of soft tissue, since your current issue is with sit bones probably not going to make a instant fix, but worth doing their saddle fit to get an idea of proper saddle width.