C&O Canal Trail & Great Allegheny Passage Comments
Saddle sore and seat area pain..

Hoping to get a few people to chime in about saddle sore and nerve pain in the crotch area.

Anyone here dealing with this? Anyone found any resolution they wish to share?

I have been doing some icing recently and applying baby powder to keep the skin dry and reduce friction prior to heading out on the limited riding schedule I've opted to go with for now.

I will possibly be looking into a more comfort-oriented seat, although the one I have had been working fine for most of the 2 yrs I've been using it. Do seats lose cushioning ability with time and wear?? Anything anyone wants to add in is appreciated..

Seat. do wear out, but good ones last longer.High quality seats are longer live and more comfortable.What is you gender, seats and liner are gender specific. How about a chamious cream it helps.A nd the more you ride the more desensitized the area becomes.

I'm male and the seat is ergonomically designed for males. It has a cut-out/recess down the center where the major nerves run under the surface of the crotch area.

It seems possible the seat cushioning material has packed-down somewhat, over time and with usage, allowing for less of a cushioning effect and more likelihood of the cushioning material compressing enough to be as though you are sitting directly against the solid frame of the seat.

try readjusting your seat. make saure your back and sitting on the sit bones, it may help. I personally like Brooks Saddles.

Yes, I have adjusted the angle of the nose of the seat down slightly, to some small improvement.

I will see if I can find that seat maker you mentioned. Thanks.

check nashbar.com for Brooks Saddles

Yes seats will wear out over time, especially the all Gel seats. I have had a lot of success with Avenir's "Comfort Saddle" seat on my Mountain Bike. The Comfort Saddle has Springs as well as Gel. I can go 50 miles and don't have any issues at all. It is a very comfortable seat! Avenir did a great job with the overall design.

on my first long ride in a while I experienced numbness and the sensation of vibration for a few days after the ride. . however starting last year I've invested in better quality bike shorts and an anti-friction powder called "Anti Monkey Butt",,between that and a new seat I've felt pretty good on longer trips...

I guess we'll find out in August when I do 88 miles (my longest trip yet)...

Comfort seats tend to cause more pain on long bike trips so I would look at a more conventional touring saddle. The biggest thing is to spend the time adjusting the riding position to find your sweet spot. Even something like adjusting the seat a 1/2 inch forward or backward can make a big difference.

I highly recommend from "personal experience" Avenir's: "Passage Comfort Saddle". Approx. price: $28 to $30. I ride between 30 to 50 miles on my bike outings and have no issues. Great design.