Numb Plumbs!!

David Flint

Well I think 'the boys' were numb cos I couldn't feel 'em to be sure! 

Did a RR yesterday for my HIM A-race in 2 weeks - found a flattish course & got 'er done (actually goofed the mileage & did 61 miles, Doh!) - all pretty much in aero position and on the saddle nose most of the time 'gunning it' . 

Got pretty numb down below & can't imagine doing a flat full IM like that - or is the numbness just inevitable? 

First month on the TT bike & first time I've spent 2.5hrs+ @ 99% aero, i.e. without the need to move around much. Although my HIM is a hilly one, so won't make any changes until afterwards, my question is, does anyone actually get saddle comfort in a full-on aero position? Issue seems to be caused by not sitting on the sit-bones.

On my road/MTB bikes I went through the trial & error phase trying to find a comfy saddle - no point doing that if my current Fizik Arione is a good as it'll get?!  Had bike fit, feels a good position apart from this issue - for the RR I was wearing my race skinsuit with thin pad.

Don't think i fancy using my roadie saddle on the TT bike - its a Selle-Italia SLR with hardly any padding at all - understand they do a Tri version however..........

Thanks!

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

coachmike

I've had really good luck with the Cobb saddles (www.cobbcycling.com) and I know several people who swear by the Adamo saddles.

Scott Alexander

I switched from a Selle Italia saddle, with a very hard and long nose, a few years ago to an Adamo. Haven't had the problem since. BUT, it does take some getting used to on its own.

Chris G

 Nothing should be numb.  That just cant be good.  Gotta either buy an new saddle to adjust it so that does not happen.  Sometimes moving it a touch [1 or 2 degrees] off center works.  I recently bought a cobb saddle and it seems to be good although I was happy with the other one as well. Have not tried the Cobb one on a super long ride yet but I could ride my old saddle literally all day without any comfort of numbness issues. 

David Flint

Bummer! Kinda guessed that would be the response!! I'll have to start the annoying process of trial & error in that case - thanks for your thoughts guys.

mancona

Saddles are just too personal. You are going to need to start that trial & error process. If you can, find a local shop that will let you try out saddles on a bike or firends or something to save some money. Or buy used until from EN/slowtwitch/ebay.

I personally have great look with Fizik Arione Tri and Road saddles, but some of the other brands I tried were just outright painful.

jburbatt

Trisports.com does a saddle demo program, which for $25 (includes shipping) you can test out saddles, and send them back, and then $20 is credited to whatever saddle you end up wanting to buy. I haven't done it, but I thought it was a good idea

David Flint

@Matt - yep,' been there done that' with both road & MTB saddles - with the road saddle, I found it depended on my bodyweight at the time, the selle italia SLR was great in season but caused numbness when 6lbs heavier in winter (plus I guess when I'm wearing more clothes).
I guess TT position requires a different approach to fit & positioning.

The Adamo looks interesting, may start there & see what happens!

Cheers all.

Bryan Ogle

Rode a Profile Design TriStryke for last 2 years and got a Cobb this year.  Both have served me well.  Went through many periods of numbness while I found a saddle.  Actually, my RR for IMCDA on Saturday was uncomfortable for the first time on my Cobb.  Not sure if it is the fact I have really "leaned up" and no cushion on my ass or just not comfortable that day.  The Cobb is for sure not as cushy as the Profile.  Riding the Cobb tomorrow, but may be switching back.

Nice thing about Cobb is you can buy one and try it for 180 days and return if not comfortable.

Al Truscott

Maybe you need to be farther back, or the saddle needs to be farther forward. In any event, you need a saddle with a cut out, like a Terry Fly. I've been using some variation of Terry saddle on all my non-MTBs since 1996, and have had no numbness since then. 30 day money back guarantee.

redmann

My Adamo has made my man parts very happy...a refit may be necessary to dial in the right position.

Coach Patrick

Great advice from everyone. Could be that you are sitting differently on the TT bike per what Al said. Hard to believe last years saddle is now suddenly bad (on its own). I would try adjusting it a bit if possible, or perhaps consider a better pair of shorts? Shopping saddles is always an option, but I suggest you fix locally first!

P

DocHoffart

I never found a saddle I didn't have numbness with in the TT position until the Adamo or Cobb versions.

Vince

David Flint

Thanks for the input all, some great points - my Arione is pretty much slammed forwards (after my Retul fit) and the position is fairly aggressive which seems to work OK with other parts of the anatomy, except the 'boys'.
To be in the optimum position I have to be on the saddle nose which means for me, not on the sit-bones. Saddle is also slightly tipped down, may try levelling it; altho' it would suggest that would increase the pressure on the soft tissue it may force me back onto my ass-bones.
I'll give it a shot!
Cheers all!

D

William Jenks

Numb generally means cutting off of blood supply. Probably not good. Whatever the solution turns out to be, you probably ought to find it. :-)

jwpicciotto

If you have to be on the nose to be in optimal position, then the bike fit is off. It sounds like it is configured for short course TT. The saddle needs to be absorbing your weight without it being on that all important artery that is running to your "little friend". The adomo or similar short reach split saddle might help with this if the fit cannot be adjusted to move you back onto the saddle.