72andsunny

40 mile ride yesterday; 10 miles continuous uphill with a group. Never have I been so sore. Think I need to replace my stock Specialized saddle. Who’s got recs? Preferably something online as there’s not much selection out in these parts.

rubiksoval

Just ride more. Doesn't sound like you're used to sitting and pedaling.

Iride01 

Do you ride 40 miles or close to that very often? If not, give your butt some time and ride some more 40 mile or better rides more often. Sometimes an increase in of time in the saddle just needs your body to get used to it.

When ever I've played the saddle swap game, it amazed me how little difference there was in the final saddle and the one that started the search. Sometimes it even turned out that the first saddle got put back on and as it turned out was actually the most comfortable. Since I'd gotten hundreds of miles behind me in the time swapping, my butt had simply become use to the new amount of riding I was doing.

If your pain is skin sores and irritations, then that might be other stuff besides saddle.

shelbyfv

Stand occasionally to get blood flowing to all parts. Really, if the saddle has been comfortable until you encountered this specific situation, changes in technique may be all you need.

mschwett 

I’d second this. after around 1500 miles in a few months my newbie butt was sore all the time on long rides with lots of climbing. So far it seems that the biggest difference for me is thinking about my weight going down onto the pedals, not my butt or hands, using those for balance more than bearing. Also activates core muscles!

SoSmellyAir

Before swapping saddles, first try adjusting its fore aft position (by a couple mm) to see if it is more comfortable.

I used to think that a saddle position that had me shifting forward and back every now and then meant it was in the wrong spot and my bum was trying to find the sweet spot, before moving it too much forward so my bum stay planted, just to realize that my body was actually more comfortable with it in the original position, and that I was supposed to shift back and forth every now and then.

DaveSSS 

Try an smp saddle. The stratos worked for my narrow body. Google smp saddle chart. High quality bibs help too.

mstateglfr 

10mi of only a positive grade?
Even at just 4% grade, that is 2112' of climb in 10mi. That's a long time to never have flat road or downhill.


As for your issue- stand and mash. It uses different muscles/ your muscles in a different way, and it gets blood moving.

terrymorse 

It’s probably not the saddle. 10 miles uphill in the saddle would make my butt sore, too.

The longest local climb is 17 miles and takes me about 2 hours at my current fitness level. If I didn’t stand and pedal every few minutes, it would be excruciating.

mstateglfr 

There is a climb near Palo Alto that is 17 straight miles of climb? Where?

^ that isnt me doubting you, its interest. Parents moved to HMB when I went to college, so I explored most all of central CA each time I came 'home' from college.

Andy Somnifac 

In addition to all of the above, no one is going to be able to recommend anything other than what works for them. Everyone's bits are different. What works great for one is a device of torture to another.

If you really want to try different saddles, try to find a shop that has a saddle demo program.

terrymorse 

I'm referring to Mt. Hamilton, east of San Jose. It's the highest peak in the area, at ~4200 ft.

It's not a continuous ascent. There are two brief descents of ~1.8 and 0.8 miles.

From where I start, it's about 17 miles of uphill and 2.6 miles of downhill. The downhill sections go by far too quickly.



Mt. Hamilton West ascent. 21.6 miles, 4,573 feet

eduskator

I would tough it out and see if it was just ''regular'' soreness due to the unusual ride you did. You could also get out the saddle more.

dmanthree

Pretty funny, I did 40 today and, well, one of those days. Just didn't have it. Everything's sore except the seat.

Back to work on Tuesday. (work meaning...riding)

OldTryGuy

Tue, 5/25/2021 my FULL MOON RIDE in flat land SW FL time - 6:41:51, distance -107.96 miles, elevation - 102 ft

bykemike 

The more I ride the less the saddle seems to matter, or riding shorts either actually..

As time and miles have gone by over the years I guess you just get used to it.

In the beginning I set out with riding shorts so padded I felt like the Michelin Man and would be in huge butt pain by 15 miles. 20+ years later I almost never change out of my work clothes, pull a bike out of my car (single speed these days) and do 35-55 mile rides with zero discomfort. At some point in your cycling journey things will change, just ride as much as you can.

Symox

I totally agree with this.
If it hurts, stretch, take a break and ride more. Over time your body gets used to it.