"Regional" numbness
#26
Newbie
I know I'm late to the game but wanted to chime in as I've been dealing with and working through solutions for this issue for the past month riding indoors on rollers which obviously exacerbated, or at least brought to light an issue with my riding mechanics.
In my case, it was less to do with seat selection, but more seat height and fore/aft.
I've historically been an ankler, and tend to ride with a pretty aggressive ankle angle. Since being stationary, I bit my teeth into DIY bike fit using "Bike Fast Fit" (iOS, Android app), and only then realized how severe my ankling was. After reducing to within normal tolerances; ~3-5 degrees at 90, and 15-20 degrees at 180 through a combination of seat height reduction (SIGNIFICANT 38mm drop) and fore/aft positioning (mostly forward. I used Tibial Tuberosity as a guide- though am roughly 20mm over spindle) I've completely alleviated numbness.
My recent test rides have been upwards of 2 hours (90-100rpm @40Kmh with 550w resistance) with ZERO stand up/sprint time; so basically on the nuts 100%. Not only have I relieved the numbness in my member, but I've also reduced large toe numbness as well.
Side note, though often unmentioned, cleat fore/aft can also have an impact here as well, though more with toe numbness, but you may be artificially increasing the range of your ankle and thus putting more pressure down into the seat with every pedal stroke..
May your members remain sensitive.
In my case, it was less to do with seat selection, but more seat height and fore/aft.
I've historically been an ankler, and tend to ride with a pretty aggressive ankle angle. Since being stationary, I bit my teeth into DIY bike fit using "Bike Fast Fit" (iOS, Android app), and only then realized how severe my ankling was. After reducing to within normal tolerances; ~3-5 degrees at 90, and 15-20 degrees at 180 through a combination of seat height reduction (SIGNIFICANT 38mm drop) and fore/aft positioning (mostly forward. I used Tibial Tuberosity as a guide- though am roughly 20mm over spindle) I've completely alleviated numbness.
My recent test rides have been upwards of 2 hours (90-100rpm @40Kmh with 550w resistance) with ZERO stand up/sprint time; so basically on the nuts 100%. Not only have I relieved the numbness in my member, but I've also reduced large toe numbness as well.
Side note, though often unmentioned, cleat fore/aft can also have an impact here as well, though more with toe numbness, but you may be artificially increasing the range of your ankle and thus putting more pressure down into the seat with every pedal stroke..
May your members remain sensitive.
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#27
Senior Member
Based on the conversation in this thread I put one of these Selle SMP VT30C saddles on my bike. It arrived yesterday and I put about 9 miles on it while making adjustments. This morning, I rode 28, no member numbness. I'm thrilled. Right now the saddle is level, I may tip it down slightly to see if it improves comfort on the drop bars.
https://www.sellesmp.com/en/vt30c.html
https://www.sellesmp.com/en/vt30c.html
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#28
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Based on the conversation in this thread I put one of these Selle SMP VT30C saddles on my bike. It arrived yesterday and I put about 9 miles on it while making adjustments. This morning, I rode 28, no member numbness. I'm thrilled. Right now the saddle is level, I may tip it down slightly to see if it improves comfort on the drop bars.
https://www.sellesmp.com/en/vt30c.html
https://www.sellesmp.com/en/vt30c.html
The Adamo island reef saddle by ISM helped me a lot but I find it too wide at the nose.
#29
Senior Member
I still like the saddle, no plans on making a change. At the end of last season I was riding metric centuries. Old man winter is just now releasing his grip on Michigan, looking forward to riding again. I'm 6'0" 200 pounds, I lost 100 pounds last year.
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#30
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Awesome Hit Factor. So no numbness tingling or genital issues right? No chaffing? Finding the perfect saddle is driving me insane.
#31
Senior Member
Standing up and taking the pressure off for 15-30 seconds every ten minutes or so has become part of my routine.
I think chaffing is more of a shorts issue, at least it was for me. Bibs work better for me.
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#32
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I'm using the ISM PN1.1 similar in shape to Adamo with thin, unpadded shorts. I also thought it felt too wide at the nose at first. I had minor chafing for a few days and general discomfort using it.
Incredibly, after few weeks of use, all problems are gone! ISM company mentioned about an "adaptation period" and maybe that's it. Now, it's the most comfortable saddle I ever used!
I did change my riding posture though like rotating my pelvis forward more (flatter back) so I'm sitting on the "pubic rami" bone instead of the sit bone (as many youtube videos about ISM saddles seem to suggest)
I'm definitely sticking with ISM saddles indefinitely!
Incredibly, after few weeks of use, all problems are gone! ISM company mentioned about an "adaptation period" and maybe that's it. Now, it's the most comfortable saddle I ever used!
I did change my riding posture though like rotating my pelvis forward more (flatter back) so I'm sitting on the "pubic rami" bone instead of the sit bone (as many youtube videos about ISM saddles seem to suggest)
I'm definitely sticking with ISM saddles indefinitely!
#33
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No numbness - that's what I was trying to solve. Tipping the nose down and lowering the saddle were the last mechanical adjustments.
Standing up and taking the pressure off for 15-30 seconds every ten minutes or so has become part of my routine.
I think chaffing is more of a shorts issue, at least it was for me. Bibs work better for me.
Standing up and taking the pressure off for 15-30 seconds every ten minutes or so has become part of my routine.
I think chaffing is more of a shorts issue, at least it was for me. Bibs work better for me.
#34
Senior Member
I move around on this saddle, depending on where I grip the handlebar.
You can always sell a lightly used saddle, no need to feel stuck. You might loose a couple bucks in the deal, but a bad saddle fit can't be tolerated.
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#36
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Asymmetric problems is often caused by the saddle height being too high.
Another issue, common with ISM saddles is incorrect fore and aft adjustment. If memory serves me correctly, ISM saddle should be installed 2 to 3 inches further to the back (measured from the saddle nose) compared to regular nosed saddles.
I had the same issue at first with the saddle felt like it was too wide at the nose and I had chaffing at the same location you had blisters but in equal degree left and right.
I let it rest for a bit, just enough for the chaffing to heal and then got back to it and problem did not return.
Another issue, common with ISM saddles is incorrect fore and aft adjustment. If memory serves me correctly, ISM saddle should be installed 2 to 3 inches further to the back (measured from the saddle nose) compared to regular nosed saddles.
I had the same issue at first with the saddle felt like it was too wide at the nose and I had chaffing at the same location you had blisters but in equal degree left and right.
I let it rest for a bit, just enough for the chaffing to heal and then got back to it and problem did not return.
#38
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#39
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When you had the bike fit, did they use saddle mapping pressure pads? This will determin where you sit bones are and how you move on the saddle when you ride and will also look at your flexability
#40
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Unfortunately we don't have such services here so couldn't get sit bones measured nor any pressure maps
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