How to ease saddle sore?

Question

I am a keen cyclist and have taken delivery of a new bike which gives me terrible saddle sore even though I wear support shorts. What can I do to help?

Answer 1

Vaseline !!

Oh and a Gel saddle.

Answer 2

Change the saddle for a gel one.

And i've seen shorts with gel inserts too.

if you're still sore..I've found as soon as you can after riding...you need to soak in a warm bath with epsom salts in..that seems to the pain away really quickly.

Answer 3

Try different saddles. Preferably, try before you buy. Some bike shops have loaners they will let you use before deciding on the one that fits you best. Also, be sure you ride with some kind of chamois creme. There are many varieties and brands available. Try them and find what you like. Once you ride with a butt soaked in creme you'll never go back to dry.

A properly fitting saddle and shorts will help prevent saddle sores but doesn't do anything for ones you may already have. Soaking in a warm bath may help, also try adding epsom salts to the water. I've heard Preparation H has worked for some people but I've not had much luck with it myself.

Answer 4

A year or two ago I had the same problem, the saddle on a new bike was giving me real pain in the backside.  As a short term measure I bought  new saddle for £5 in Aldi while I looked for a better one.  The saddle is still there, stil in regular use and still comfortable.  The really surprising thing is it was 50g lighter than the saddle I took off.

From this I would say the best thing is try as many different saddles as you can until you find a comfortable one then stick with it.

Answer 5

Just to add to what the other posters have said: Sudo cream (available from the likes of Boots) is great both pre and post cycling. Just coat your delicates with a layer of it and it really helps prevent sores. It also helps heal existing sores. I sometimes get sores were my bumcheek 'joins' the top of my thigh. This usually happens if my shorts have bunched up under my baggies and its been very hot so watch for that unless you only wear lycra.

As for saddles: Angle, position for/aft, and height can make things uncomfortable if not right. As for design, then one mans armchair is another mans cactus! Sometimes wider is not better likewise softer can be more painful than a firmer perch. Any chance you can swap saddles from your old bike or get a similar one?