Wot kind of saddle can save I frm gettin dependent on viagra

[G]

In yesterday's waterfall ride, my seat got loose and slipped back and pointed upward. Riding the bike like that left me with a numb/sore arse, and a feeling that it is not good to ride like that. I wouldn't mind spending on a good seat that could save my fertility. But does expensive seat means it is good for me? I often ride in budgy smugglers (as a transition ride after swim), and they don't have padding. Therefore, I am looking for a saddle that has gap in the middle to avoid pressure on prostrate area. Any recommendations?

[weiyun]

But does expensive seat means it is good for me?

No is the simple answer.

Comfortable saddle is an individual thing and often can not be judged on price. To find that best saddle for you, you'll have to try one after another. Then there'll be some who live and die by Brooks saddles.

[G]

Look at this "how to lose your fertility" saddle:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html

Ouch!!!!

[shrubb face]

As weiyun said saddles are a very personal thing and you may have to try several before you find one you like.

For example yesterday I did 170Kms in the saddle with no real soreness at all, but on one occasion i borrowed simons track bike which has a different saddle on it and i had to get off it after about 10 min because of the pain.

If you ask around, many people have a spare saddle or two which you could probably take for a test ride, which will make the whole experiance a lot cheaper.

[wallman]

I was having very occasional issues with numbness on my old saddle. This would only occur on particular rides - Centennial Park was guaranteed to cause me problems, presumably because I'd hold the same (bad) position for sustained periods. So I went for a saddle by these guys: http://www.sellesmp.com/en/default.htm. As their site says, "The central channel of the saddle is an uncommon characteristic because of its dimensions: almost a whole hand can be put in there and this prevents crushing of the anus, prostate, venae pudendae, deep dorsal vein and artery of the penis, scrotum and testicles in men, and the labia majora and minora and the clitoris, in women." Now I don't know what any of those body parts are but I thought they sounded important, hence the purchase. I hadn't had any issues since until I started training for the TTT when I mucked about quite a lot with my position and eventually found one that left me numb from the belly button to the knees. I guess the moral of the story is that any saddle can cause problems if you and it are in the wrong spot on the bike.

[weiyun]

Given that the bulk of the pro riders doing mega miles a year aren't using those cut-out saddles, I remain sceptical of the benefits of that design. And then there are those who swear by their Brooks saddle and there are no cut-outs.

[simon.sharwood]

Check out this yarn: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news ... -crkz.html
Long story short, it's a seat designer for Specialized on the reasons cutaway seats are important.
While you're there, click an ad - save a journo!

[Toff]

Check out this yarn: http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news ... -crkz.html
Long story short, it's a seat designer for Specialized on the reasons cutaway seats are important.
While you're there, click an ad - save a journo!

Well that was the biggest steaming pile of BS I've ever had to look at. No wonder doctors have lost standing in society, when they can be paid to peddle this garbage. Trouble is... some people will read it, and believe it, despite the substantial documented proof that exists in the medical literature to the contrary. So continue the same myths that have been around for the last hundred years. And the bicycle seat snake oil salesmen cash in on a new generation of gullible bike riders...

[weiyun]

Well, I wouldn't say it's BS as there's anatomic and physiological truth in those concerns along with clinical data. However, not all riders are affected and those cut-out saddles won't fix everyone's problem.

But I think the most important "design" feature of a comfortable saddle is,

Dr Pruitt says cyclists should also make sure they regularly stand up in their pedals - about every five minutes during a ride - to ensure the blood kept circulating.

[Adrian E]

ahhh. the big saddle debate...

A couple of thoughts here. I've read a tonne of scientific medical studies on the effects of saddles on erectile disfunction (i'm not sure about fertility). Its not something that interests me much but I do a bit of research on cycling and it seems that almost every 3th scientific paper on cycling is dedicated to this issue. The findings I've looked at suggested that the most important aspect of the saddle is its width in that holds your sit bones up instead of putting pressure on your perineum (where the saddle can cause compression of the main artery and nerve damage). (That is why some saddle companies are now selling saddles with different sizes... and some butts are wider than others). The problem with saddle choice is that a good wide saddle (like a brooks b17) is not suited for an aggressive racing position, hence so many of the racing saddles have cutout to reduce pressure when your leaning forward. I rode to melbourne eairler this year on a b17 doing over 200km each day had no saddle soreness whatsoever. But could anyone race on a B17? If I was on my racing saddle it mayhave been different.

The second thing to think about is time exposure. If your doing lots of long all day rides then there will be more sustained pressure on your perineum and this "could' have negative effects over time. But your risks depend on how often you do such rides. A 2.5 hr jaunt to waterfall or stint at Dunc Gray is probably not going to cause you much grief, however training for a long enduro event like Audax Paris-Breast-Paris might have a different effect.

Finally, just being fit is good for fertility and your sex life so you've got to take the positives of cycling with the potential negatives.

[mikesbytes]

Part of the problem is that seats are a personal thing, one seat that worked great for one person is not necessarily the correct seat for someone else.

[Trouty]

ahhh. the big saddle debate...

A couple of thoughts here. I've read a tonne of scientific medical studies on the effects of saddles on erectile disfunction (i'm not sure about fertility).

I think we can be pretty sure your saddle hasn't hurt your fertility. Congratulations on being an up and coming dad.

[G]

I think we can be pretty sure your saddle hasn't hurt your fertility. Congratulations on being an up and coming dad.

up and coming dad?
That's bit reading too much into it. I would rather continue being responsible for abortions.

Anyways, thanks a lot for all your suggestions guys! After a bit of research, I have installed a triathlon seat. Sitting on it in TT poisition feels quite comfy at the groin area. I liked that it has air vents to channel air upwards, as I think it will help dry the budgy smugglers after the swim. I will find out more about how comfortable it is at today's rollers session.
http://www.trivillage.com/prosad0100.html

[G]

Chafing ouch!