|
|
Post by franco on Sept 11, 2020 20:22:38 GMT
Not something openly discussed much but I had a burst haemorrhoid last weekend and I’ve been advised not to do any cycling for at least one week, maybe more depending on improvement. Which got me looking at pile-friendly saddles and online advice, quite common apparently and known as ‘roid rage’ in cycling circles. I was surprised to see the Brooks B17 saddle recommended, so I’ve ordered one for my return. Some of the other options either looked horrendous or were ridiculously expensive. Anyone else suffered with this problem? You can say “well, this guy I know...” if you like  |
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Sept 12, 2020 4:04:41 GMT
Not quite to your point of distress but enough to be worrisome. As far as the B17, I found all Brooks saddles quite uncomfortable in my early days of cycling. About 15 years ago, I tried both the B17 and the Brooks Pro and found them quite comfortable at the time. They were either broken in or pre-softened, though. I have had some success with the Terry TFI with the cutouts in the center and have used them on some of my "epic" rides. Some of the newer saddles with the center and tip depressions show some promise, one appropriately called A.R.S.E and sells for about $45US.
Currently, I'm using a Brooks Pro (on a Schwinn Paramount), 2 B17's, 2 TFI's, a Viscount (leather with holes on sides, which really surprised me as it felt rock hard), 2 Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa's (which are also a bit surprising), 1 unknown with a centerline depression, and a slim version of the C9 (Cloud 9) on my lone flat bar bike. I know, 10 bikes is obscene, and there seems to be no consistency here.
I don't know if this helps. In my experience bike shops over the years, I've found saddle selection to be one of the more difficult items in the purchase of a bike, and with new bike sales, we swap out the saddle at the customers request at least 25 percent of the time, mostly for some version of the C9. It helps that we allow tests rides of everything we sell.
I hope this helps, keep the faith.
Best,
John "wheelson"
|
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Sept 12, 2020 5:10:29 GMT
Not something openly discussed much but I had a burst haemorrhoid last weekend and I’ve been advised not to do any cycling for at least one week, maybe more depending on improvement. Which got me looking at pile-friendly saddles and online advice, quite common apparently and known as ‘roid rage’ in cycling circles. I was surprised to see the Brooks B17 saddle recommended, so I’ve ordered one for my return. Some of the other options either looked horrendous or were ridiculously expensive. Anyone else suffered with this problem? You can say “well, this guy I know...” if you like Ugh, that sounds terrible!
I agree with John that choosing the right saddle is very difficult. Over the years, the saddles I find most comfortable have changed. I have a huge box filled with used saddles. This is mostly caused by my ever changing butt, weight and riding position. For me the number one concern is that my weight is supported by my sit bones. I have a very large bone structure and require a very wide saddle. If the saddle is too narrow than my weight is supported by the soft tissue between my sit bones. I think too narrow a saddle would be the very irritating to hemorrhoids. My preferred saddles have a cut out. I find the Brooks C17, Brooks Imperial and Selle Anatomica Titanico to be my best fit. I wonder if (don't laugh) a ladies saddle might help during the healing process? They are designed to avoid pressure on the central area. I once had a fall that resulted in a hematoma near the area in question. Sitting on my bike saddle was excruciating. As a temporary fix (it worked) I bought a big fat comfort saddle like this Selle Royal Respiro Saddle
Best Jim
|
|
|
|
Post by lighthousejim on Sept 12, 2020 7:42:28 GMT
I am fortunate enough to have avoided such complaints but I do have experience of the B17. I have just replaced mine after about 35 years with........a B17. My old one has been transferred from bike to bike but the leather around one of the rivets has torn through. As John and Jim have said, choosing a new saddle seemed a minefield, so I stuck with what I knew. The new one did feel hard to start with but over a couple of hundred miles has broken in to my shape. I can do 4-5 hours without padded shorts perfectly comfortably. I do think you might be better off waiting until you've healed before trying to break yours in though.
Cheers,
Jim
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 12, 2020 8:28:59 GMT
Thanks for the advice and encouraging words everyone. It’s something I’ve suffered with for years but always kept under control until now. I actually think the cheap sprung saddle has caused the aggravation, the leather is very soft with little support even when the tension is tightened. So I’m not really riding on my sitting bones most of the time. I have a saddle with a central depression on the Aerospace and a Brooks Professional on another bike that gets moved around the bikes regularly. Going to try and stick to one or two saddles that suit me in future instead of messing around with different designs. Incidentally, the B17 arrived this morning, it is a ladies model and supposedly slightly pre softened at the factory, so hopefully ticks all the right boxes.  |
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,391 
|
Post by Jem on Sept 12, 2020 10:56:39 GMT
Sorry to hear that Fran
It’s the last thing you want if it’s a nice day and you just want to get out and ride. I’d give it a time to heal I think & forego the fun for a while.
That Brookes looks absolutely gorgeous though. And if it’s been pre softened , there can’t be a much better choice.
Best wishes for speedy recovery !
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 12, 2020 14:34:56 GMT
Sorry to hear that Fran It’s the last thing you want if it’s a nice day and you just want to get out and ride. I’d give it a time to heal I think & forego the fun for a while. That Brookes looks absolutely gorgeous though. And if it’s been pre softened , there can’t be a much better choice. Best wishes for speedy recovery ! Thanks Jem. I looked at the weather forecast and it looks good this weekend, especially tomorrow  |
|
|
|
Post by whippet on Sept 12, 2020 18:17:54 GMT
This guy I know... OK it was me! Used to suffer from piles until about 15 years ago. I had a minor operation paid by private insurance over here in the U.K. It pinched off the blood supply to the troubled area and I haven’t had one since. I think if I had paid with my own money it would have cost about £1000. Might be more in the USA I guess.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 12, 2020 20:23:22 GMT
Thanks Whippet, there is slow improvement and I’m hoping I can avoid further medical attention.
I bought a chain for the Mixte project today but haven’t fitted it because I won’t be able to resist riding it if I do. Decided to start another project instead.
|
|
robt
Viscount
Posts: 559
|
Post by robt on Sept 12, 2020 20:24:10 GMT
I have to admit to liking Brooks’ saddles, having found the B17, Professional and Cambiums (Cambia?) comfortable, though maybe I have a tolerant posterior, as the (much cheaper) Charge Spoon on my MTB works well for me too. I don’t know what instructions Brooks provide in the box, but I believe that a good slathering of Proofide on the underside of their leather saddles before installation can provide some protection from rainwater and grime, as well as offering a top-up of nourishing/softening oils for the leather. After that, I’ve generally massaged a couple of fingertips-worth of Proofide into the top of my leather Brooks’ saddles every 6 months or so, but I don’t know if the matt finish of the ‘pre-aged’ saddles need that. The internet is filled with alternative breaking-in routines, but that’s my two penn’orth.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 18, 2020 18:26:50 GMT
I called in Evans Cycles today, in the past I found the place a bit pretentious and overpriced but the assistant in there was really helpful. He gave me some similar advice to you guys but also talked about different cycling shorts that could help.
Because I like to have pockets I don’t always wear cycling shorts and certainly not on short rides, so started looking at MTB shorts. His advice was not to waste my money and go with something like Altura undershorts with my regular casual shorts. Apparently they have wider padding than most.
It’s an whole science when you start to look into it isn’t it.
|
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,391
|
Post by Jem on Sept 19, 2020 18:11:32 GMT
I called in Evans Cycles today, in the past I found the place a bit pretentious and overpriced but the assistant in there was really helpful. He gave me some similar advice to you guys but also talked about different cycling shorts that could help. Because I like to have pockets I don’t always wear cycling shorts and certainly not on short rides, so started looking at MTB shorts. His advice was not to waste my money and go with something like Altura undershorts with my regular casual shorts. Apparently they have wider padding than most. It’s an whole science when you start to look into it isn’t it. I have only ever bought them second hand from CTC Forum or eBay, but I have about 3 or 4 pairs, a couple them Altura. The padding is going to help to a certain extent I think, but not sure if it will be the total solution. The only slight draw back on a longer ride is that anything with seams in your shorts, or any extra stuff in there , can then potentially rub and give you a different kind of problem with sore spots |
|
|
|
Post by franco on Sept 19, 2020 21:04:35 GMT
I called in Evans Cycles today, in the past I found the place a bit pretentious and overpriced but the assistant in there was really helpful. He gave me some similar advice to you guys but also talked about different cycling shorts that could help. Because I like to have pockets I don’t always wear cycling shorts and certainly not on short rides, so started looking at MTB shorts. His advice was not to waste my money and go with something like Altura undershorts with my regular casual shorts. Apparently they have wider padding than most. It’s an whole science when you start to look into it isn’t it. I have only ever bought them second hand from CTC Forum or eBay, but I have about 3 or 4 pairs, a couple them Altura. The padding is going to help to a certain extent I think, but not sure if it will be the total solution. The only slight draw back on a longer ride is that anything with seams in your shorts, or any extra stuff in there , can then potentially rub and give you a different kind of problem with sore spots Progress today Jem, did seven miles on the new Brooks and used some cycling shorts I already had, no problems at all  Going to take it steady for a while but I need to get out on the bikes, it’s what we do isn’t it and part of our mental and physical well-being. |
|
Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,391
|
Post by Jem on Sept 20, 2020 16:33:40 GMT
Totally agree Franco. Although this morning, I went for a long walk instead. It was so windy, it put me off getting my bike out.
By 5pm today, much calmer, and a really nice day.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Oct 11, 2020 15:12:41 GMT
A bright update... Went out today on the road bike, first time in over four weeks, just been doing short rides on the 3 speeds recently. No problems and it felt good to be out in the middle of nowhere again, surprisingly I seemed to stay on the 52 ring for most of the ride, those outdated hub gears must have built up my leg strength! Took no chances with the saddle and removed the Turbo style one for a sprung body fit one that has rotated around my bikes for months. I’ll eventually order another Brooks but need to sell a few unused stuff to fund it.  |
|
