landesb

Earlier this week I swapped out the stock saddle on my bike for a new cutout saddle. On Saturday I rode 34 miles and had no pain. I came back with sore legs, but a comfortable rear end feeling great about finding a better saddle.

Then on Sunday I decided to take a shorter ride. I noticed my "saddle area" was a little tender, but settled in after a few minutes. After 7-8 miles I noticed soreness coming and felt every rough spot in the road (it didn't help to have a headwind during the entire second half of the ride )

Did I just overdo it this weekend? I'm trying to build up my mileage and I don't normally go as far as I did on Saturday; but I went much further because I still felt great through the ride. I felt great one day and the next was real rough. Will my body adjust to more high mileage rides?

Black wallnut 

It seems odd to me that you had delayed soreness. Time in the saddle is an endurance thing. The longer and farther you go the more your body will become accustomed to riding.

deapee

Well, if you don't tighten those rail bolts to 12NM (check your manufacturer) they can slip and depending on the clamp type, the saddle can start to tilt up or down by a lot over the course of a ride. Double check that you're still level. 12NM, on a scale of 1-10, with a multi tool or allen key (not a big ratchet) is pretty damn tight.

Otherwise, maybe you have it too far back and are sitting too far forward on the saddle. If the pain is in the middle, I'd probably assume that. If the pain is at the butt crease, I would assume that you could be sitting too far back on the saddle and that's hitting the wings on the saddle with each down stroke.

When it's dialed in, your last concern will be your butt. It's so worth it to find the proper saddle.

jsigone

was the saddle brand new? pending brand, shape, they time time/miles to break in. After a hundred miles on them it should feel allot better. If it doesn't, then its the wrong saddle shape for your sit bones.

Also wear some good bibs, if your not already doing that. It will help eliminate some processing of new parts.

ypsetihw

it takes many miles and sometimes a couple weeks of riding to fully adjust to a new saddle. keep riding

NYMXer

Assuming that the saddle didn't move in any way, check it in width and thickness of your old saddle. If there are differences between the two, you might have to make counter adjustments to compensate.
Finding the right saddle is an exercise in patience if your rear end is sensitive to things. I was lucky and found a good one right away, but feel sorry for those that didn't.
Good luck, post your solution

Drew Eckhardt 

It took 16nm on a greased bolt to keep a Nitto S65 level after I'd shrunk under 150 pounds.

Assembly paste (not just for carbon) or grit like sand on the clamp to seat post mounting surface can supposedly help, although I decided to use a more tenacious post - ones using the Campagnolo C-Record clamp have always stayed parked for me with a firm tug on a 6mm hex key, even with 215 pounds + back pack.

Witness marks can show whether anything is moving. Use black Sharpie on silver parts and silver on black.

Do something different if your saddle is moving.

pdlamb

OP, what's your normal ride schedule look like? If your longest ride went from 15 to 34 miles, that's your problem. If it went from 30 to 34 miles, it might be time to take a hard look at the new saddle.

landesb

That may be my problem. I normally do 25ish miles max, but with the new saddle and my rear end feeling no pain I just kept going. I'll working on easing up my mileage a bit more gradually.

HIPCHIP

If the saddle height isn't exactly the same as your old saddle, and/or it's a different length, you may need to have your fit checked. You may be sitting higher/lower, more forward/backward, than on your old saddle. If things are lining up differently then you may be putting pressures on new areas.

Nstoltzner

In my little bit of experience it appears to me that you may have put too many miles in at once.

jesspal

Did you use a different pair of cycling shorts?

oddjob2

Obviously, the OP never rode a horse for an extended period of time.

Dave Cutter

I am wondering if you are posting that it isn't your butt that hurt. But that you got some soft tissue damage where the cutout rubbed? That can happen... particularly just jumping in without a break-in period. PLUS... cutouts aren't for everyone.

Select your saddle with as much concern to fit as you do your bicycle. The saddle should hit your sit bones correctly and feel good immediately. HOWEVER... there will likely be a break-in period. And it is possible for part of the saddle to fit well and be comfortable and other areas to rub-you-raw.

Apparently.... you did over do. I can't tell if you ONLY over did it... or if the saddle isn't a good fit.

Yes! The right saddle, a well fitting bike, and good riding position/technique should make your cycling as comfortable as sitting in an easychair. No joke.