Tips for minimising a sore backside for a new commuter

[tjanssen]

I have changed jobs recently and from the change, it has become feasible to ride to work. Whilst I have been riding on and off for a while now, I find that with my new touring bike (a Marin Point Reyes 29er from Smiths in Fyshwick. They are good people!!!) that I am getting a sore backside when doing distances longer than 40km. My regular commute will be 14km each way but yesterday that was disrupted due to the chemical fire out at Mitchell I have padded bike pants but nothing else. If people can give me some tips, that would be great.

P.S. Digging this forum. It has been quite helpful indeed

[Redbull]

Ride more, ride more often. It will pass.

[Oxford]

what Redbull said, plus look at your saddle, maybe go for a harder one which seems counter intuitive, but the longer you ride the less padding you want. the more padding you have the more you sink into the saddle and the more pressure is placed on parts of your anatomy that will not be comfortable.

also make sure your knicks are clean for each ride, using the same ones to commute each way is not a real drama, but cleaning them at night for the next day would be advisable, this limits the potential for bacteria to accumulate and create a potentially infectious situation.

[trailgumby]

Mmmm +1 to hygeine measures. Saddle sores are not fun. I won't say any more because it will be TMI

[tjanssen]

Cheers for the advice, I'll make sure to take it on board. I am hoping that the regular commute will toughen me up a bit.

In regards to saddle, the one that came standard with my bike was a WTB Vigo Comp with Love Channel and Comfort Zone (according to the specs page of the Marin Bikes website. It is a little spongy so I may look at getting a tougher saddle. Redbull and Oxford, do you have any suggestions in terms of brands or widths for saddles?

On a side note, on my first ride with the bike It took three days to recover from soreness after a 50km ride. The last ride on Friday which had many more hill climbs that also lasted 50km, I am pretty much pain free after 36 hours. So it does seem to be getting better.

Thanks again,

Terence

[Oxford]

... Redbull and Oxford, do you have any suggestions in terms of brands or widths for saddles?

...

Well like many here, my choice of saddle is a Brooks B17, rawhide leather, do a search of the forums there's plenty of posts/threads about them and the other models of saddles.

As for widths, find a piece of closed cell foam and two marbles (ball bearings also work or any other small balls). Sit on the foam for about 30 seconds until you make an impression on it, roll the balls into the depressions and measure the distance apart. This is the width of your sit bones, you need to find a saddle that will support these areas firmly. Too narrow and the seat will just divide your cheeks, too wide and you may find no support in the right areas.

[Robdog]

As far as saddles go, everyone is different. I know Smith carry Selle SMP, and they have one to 'test drive'. I've found mine pretty good. For me though the big difference was getting a bike fit. My seat was waaay too high which caused me to tilt my hips forward on the saddle putting pressure on the perineum instead of the sit bones. Instant difference once I had that corrected.

[Nobody]

you need to find a saddle that will support these areas firmly. Too narrow and the seat will just divide your cheeks, too wide and you may find no support in the right areas.

In addition to this, for most, the main problem will probably be too narrow. I believe the general recommendation is at least 3cm wider than your sit bone measurement.

[mezla]

What type of knicks do you have?

I find bib-knicks better - they stay where they should. Also, a good pair of knicks versus a cheap pair of knicks will help a lot.