Originally Posted by
Idak
I'm up to 80+ miles a week, 30 miles yesterday, and I've made some progress. I bought a Selle SMP TRK Mans. That's the best I've had so far. Still not there. On the 30 mile ride, numbness was the biggest problem, though it recovered better than it has on past rides.
I spent a lot of time on YouTube and similar sources today and decided bike fit might be a driving issue. I'm not nearly as flexible as I was 25 years ago. I am heavier, my left hip is titanium and my right hip will need it soon. Based on some of what I read or watched, and the fact that hand discomfort is a close second on limiting me in a long ride, I flipped my stem. We'll how that works on the next ride.
I did the cardboard test, for sit bone width, and got 165mm. Based on my reading, this seems way too large. I am a big guy. At 42, I was 6'2", 220 lbs and only 7% body fat. So I am large frame. But this seems way too high for sit bone width. Is this measurement reasonable?
My goal is a century next year and the Seattle to Portland ride someday. So I need to get the saddle right.
The reason I've ben searching for a better saddle is also looking forward to a century ride. I was having problems on a more upright bike at 45 miles, I knew 100 on a road bike wasn't going to be fun.
I also have a problem with either wrist or elbow pain. There's a fine line between having the seat too level (and therefore more uncomfortable to sit on) and having it pitched too far forward and then adding pressure to the elbows and wrists. Tire pressure plays a role too. I've moved my seat a bit forward, and have gone with a 12 degree stem that was about 15mm shorter than the stock stem. That has reduced the pressure on my elbows and they don't bother me unless I ride more than 200 miles a week or so.
I'm guessing 168 mm is not accurate. That seems wide.
-Matt