gthomson

***ALERT GUY STUFF***
Has anyone ever heard of riding over extended periods of time having any negative impact on Jim and the twins, down below? Not sure if I have a problem.

10 Wheels

Do you wear bike shorts?

gthomson

I do on my long rides on my road bike. For shorter, casual rides I don't and when I'm Zwifting I have one of those Gel pad covers on the bike seat.

OldTryGuy

Gleason 10 PCa (look it up) for me and I opted for bi-lateral orchiectomy (look it up) so no current concerns and truthfully was never any before.

10 Wheels

Have you been Fitted to the Bike and Saddle?

Mojo31

You mean Richard and the twins?

Dick ≠ Jim

Have never had a problem, and saddle cutouts help easy any discomfort.

Jim

gthomson

I have not. Was supposed to do this in the spring and well, the COVID hit and the bikes stores wouldn't do it. I saw some videos and even posted a pic. of me on in the forum and got some very useful tips.

It's just been a very recent thing.

gthomson

Yikes, I don't really have any other symptoms though? I had bowel surgery 3 years ago and I got tested and probed extensively and was all clear at the time.

canklecat

Check out split nose saddles, common among tri-folk and others with circulation problems.

Some folks swear by ISM saddles, including retired pro Phil Gaimon, who switched to ISM as soon as he retired from pro racing where riders had to use whatever the sponsor provided. At first I figured Phil recommended them only because ISM sponsors his YouTube channel and it didn't really matter for his relatively short distance KOM efforts. But he still rides long distance training sessions and trains hard for mostly solo record attempts, so I doubt he'd choose an ISM if it wasn't really comfortable.

I've tried a few conventionally shaped saddles with cutouts that supposedly help but I can't tell that they did any good, and in some cases the lack of support under my perineum only shifted the extra pressure to my sit bones, which ended up hurting worse than a conventional solid top saddle. I've used a Selle Italia Q-Bik, Bontrager Ajna Gel, and Cobb saddle (once very popular with triathlon riders). Same problem with all of them. They're initially comfortable, but over distance -- 2 hours or longer without a rest break -- the lack of support under my perineum shifts too much pressure to my sit bones (ischium/ischial tuberosities) and I end up with more aching sensation and loss of circulation.

My most comfortable conventional solid top road bike saddle is an old Selle San Marco from around 20 years ago. It's ratty looking by now and the cover is so roughed up it looks like I brushed it with a cheese grater. But it's still really comfortable. Very little padding, but the shell is just flexible enough to conform to my sit bones without merely shifting the discomfort elsewhere. Nearly as comfortable is an inexpensive Selle Italia SLS Kit Carbonio, the bargain version of their race saddle but made with steel rails rather than titanium or carbon fiber. My longest rides are usually up to 50 miles and curtailed mainly by neck and shoulder pain from injuries, rather than by saddle discomfort.

But I'll probably try an ISM saddle, at least for a time trial/tri-bike project.

Wildwood 

Do you put you full weight on the saddle the entire ride?

Try to get you butt off the saddle regularly. Thru standing and pedaling + standing when coasting. Also if you do not have an upright riding position you can lift your weight 1-2mm off the saddle while still pedaling.


As to the saddle, regarding the above comments touting cut-outs and split rail - I use them on several bikes and agree they help many riders.

Carbonfiberboy 

Yes. It's been 20 years since I rode a saddle without a cutout, but back then I did my first 10 hour ride and had a numbie for 3 days afterward. My wife said, "Never do that again!" So I didn't. I went out and searched for a saddle that didn't do that. Success. Repeated numbies over a considerable period of time have resulted in permanent ED. I don't think one's balls are similarly effected. I think that a numbie is the start of permanent damage, i.e. there's damage but only to a minor extent. I don't like the idea of any damage at all. Even with a saddle with a cutout or split, I've found that standing for a little bit every 10 minutes helps with butt discomfort. The idea of the right saddle is that you can ride forever on it. I have to ride a saddle for at least 3 continuous hours before I know whether it'll work or not.

This isn't just guy stuff. Women have a similar problem and need a larger cutout to deal with it.

jppe

If you’re having those kinds of issues it’s either the saddle or fit or both.

gthomson

Thanks again all for the advice, and I'm now switching up between about 5 bikes and they all have a different saddle so that combined with more sitting while zwifting, is probably the cause (I hope). I will remember to stand up more as I zwift which is harder to do because it's just kind of awkward to do when on the trainer, even going up hills. My outdoor rides tend to be sitting more as well because they are shorter and less intense now that it's colder out.

rydabent

Not a problem on bent bikes and trikes.

Flip Flop Rider

moon saddle

jpescatore

Ridiing on an indoor trainer definitely different impact on your rear end - no bumps but also nothing causing your butt to be moving around and spreading the pressure.

I found that immediately when I started on Zwift, standing and pedaling every 10 minutes or so works. I know someone else who bought on of those accessories that raises the front wheel when you are going up a hill on Zwift - he says that worked for him. Standing up is cheaper!

On a related front, my urologist pooh poohs it but I'm convinced that when I do long rides within a day or two before having blood drawn for a PSA test, I get an abnormally high PSA score. The last few times I've scheduled it I've stayed off the bike for a few days and back to normal range for me.

OldTryGuy

IMO, your Uro is Old World understanding. There are MANY Doctors with closed minds and behind the times. All one needs to do is join a PCa (Prostate Cancer) Forum and read the experiences of men who have been miss-informed.

jpescatore

I'm actually a big believer in data over anecdotes. My father died of prostate cancer and there is much data behind genetics being the top predictor. My urologist went though other studies that showed I'm not that high risk with other factors, but the genetic factor says err on the cautious side.

My urologist did point me to a 2013 NIH study that did conclude long distance biking causing elevation in PSA when measured 5 minutes after the end of the ride. But by 48 hours, less statistically significant. But he pointed out the same paper showed that the standard recommendation of avoiding sex (or ejaculating, anyway) for 48 hours before the test was a bigger factor. I now avoid both for a few days before the test!

Russ Roth

Heard of it and specialized even started the whole pressure relieving saddle phase. Since I ride regularly if my saddle hurts in under an hour it doesn't fit and I toss it. I've got 3 kids and a very happy wife so no saddle problems. If you feel there's pressure it isn't the right saddle, try others.

gthomson

So taking the advice above and have definitely been able to attribute it to the increased Zwifting as the weather gets crappy out. I use a gel bike seat cover on my bike but I noticed I would slip to the front and that was putting unnecessary pressure in that area. You could so sweaty Zwifting that I couldn't help the sliding but standing up as often as possible. helped.

What is a PSA test?

billridesbikes

Gel seat covers generally don’t work because they aren’t tight enough so they cause chafing and don’t allow your sit bones to take your weight, instead there is more pressure on soft tissue which can lead to numbness. Kind of like a super soft mattress might not give the best sleep. You’re generally better off with a hard leather saddle and bike shorts.

davester

This is a well documented condition dating back many decades. I think it first became widely published about in the 1990s but I became aware of the problem when I was training for, and riding, double centuries in the late 1970s and 1980s. The fix is to ensure that your bike is fit to you properly (i.e. proper fore-aft saddle position, correct stem height and length) and to try different saddles. I definitely suffer numbness on long rides on any saddle that doesn't have a split or cutout in the middle. My current best saddle for dealing with this issue is a Brooks B-17 Imperial with cutout.

jpescatore

PSA = prostate specific antigen

PSA test is a blood test where you get a number indicating how much of a certain protein is in your blood and high levels can indicate prostate cancer cells. But, other conditions can raise the levels, too.

OldTryGuy

My PSA at almost 65 was 14+ and my PCa (Prostate Cancer) Gleason Score was 10. Other than the PSA being a bit high for age and health condition, it was not an indicator of cancer only an indicator of an issue thus requiring further investigation. A first time colonoscopy is now being suggested in the 40's and IMO the beginning of tracking one's PSA should start in 20's/30's.

GlennR

My PSA rises when actively riding. I know it side I get my PSA tested twice a year and found it higher in the summer than the winter. I found if I stop riding 2 weeks before the test it returns to normal. My urologist is a cyclist and he explains that the higher PSA is due to inflammation from riding and not a indicator of cancer. This was confirmed by a test in February, one in March and one in April and it was normal, increased and returned to normal. Since I take a break before getting tested and it's been normal.

BTW, had a biopsy the first time to confirm i'm OK.

Saddle shape and saddle position all affect he amount of pressure you put on the prostate.

As to the "boyz", i'm hung like a gnat so they're not a problem.

Your typical "a$$ hatchet" but it is comfortable for me,