On my longer XC gravel rides - sometimes few seconds stand up from saddle (or shift ride positon when criusing downhill) doing it's magic. And different saddle as well.
BRAVO GCN!!! The other day, Manon had a short dealing with ladies’ periods and cycling, and now this. It’s fantastic that this channel tackles these real and somewhat awkward topics. This is GCN’s highest purpose!!
I agree. This happens to me and I don't really know why, although I have an idea... I just need to lose weight, but perhaps there's a better answer in this video, I need to watch when I get a chance!
Foot numbness. > Overly flexing the ankle, saddle to high/low, cleat placement, insoles and importance of arch support and even metatarsal support. @@gcn I didn't know some these things when it came to foot support/insoles, I spent long days in the saddle and have permanently ruined the nerves in my feet.
Definitely an issue to avoid, or deal with. Very useful content. The cut out/short nosed saddle made a big difference for me personally. I also worked on where I sat on the saddle. I then moved it forward until I was able to sit on it correctly in my favored position. Spent a lot of hours gathering info and trial and error.
This is awesome. Thank you for not only tackling this issue, but also tackling it with specificity and maturity. This kind of content is very useful, informative, and hopefully help people out there.
Really great stuff! I've been teaching indoor cycling since 2003 and helped a bunch of people over the years with these issues exactly as described here. Nothing more to add - just great job on covering this topic in a complete way!!!
As helpful as the short nose and cut-out saddle may be, I found I was being forced forward onto the narrower part of the seat because I was on too WIDE a saddle for the width of my sit bones. Before discovering I was on too wide a saddle, I moved it as far forward on the rails as possible. In winter I ride ride rollers a lot and found it necessary to dismount every 20 minutes because of discomfort. Selecting a saddle which is the right width (for me nearer 130mm) has worked magic
I participate in ultra distance cycling races and suffered from a terribly painful perineum inflammation after racing for 1500km almost non-stop. It was really difficult to find a specialist who knows about cycling related issues, and actually first mistaken for prostate issues, which prolonged the issue unnecessarily. So I am really happy this is a topic you talk about! It's more common among cyclists than one might think! 😢
@gcn yes in the end it all worked out fine and I have spent long days in the saddle again since then. :) but it's really no joke! It took quite long to sit down confidently again, as I felt anxious about putting normal pressure on the saddle for many weeks.. really bad experience overall! 🤒🤕
I get it once in a while. I just stand up from my saddle, shake it off, adjust my butt on the saddle and carry on. Glad this topic was covered. Great video as always GCN!
When i was starting cycling i found out that the problem is not the bike saddle but the fact that i was obese and my groin area had considerable fat. I realized that when i also experienced the same numbness after sitting on a soft couch. Thanks to the fact that pedalling action turned out to be a good exercise to reduce fat in that area, i no longer experience "numbness" after losing 20 lbs. 😊
Typically excellent and informative video. Time honoured advice here, pretty much unchanged since I started riding seriously over 40 years ago, tilting the saddle forward being the most common sense one. My Brooks Cambrium cutout C15 has served me well in this respect - supremely comfortable.
@@MrEpsilonZero There are many windblocking fabrics (neoprene being one). There is even underwear made with windblocking. Personally, I wear a cycling short and on top of that a cross country ski pant, which has windblock (nylon or softshell) in the front. Excellent results with complete coverage right down to feet.
I bought a newer frame earlier this year and kept the saddle, seatpost from my much older bike, same position, and everything. I found it was working my lower back and upper glutes far more. I hadn't taken into consideration the racier geometry. I moved the saddle forward, and that solved the problem.
100% of the time if my ride is over 2 hours. Thanks for the content, good reminder of what to check and recheck every time an issue pops up or numbs out.
Yeah men can adjust themselves but our clits kinda stay in the way. Usually it's not too bad riding but then there are sometimes some shooting/jolts later to the good bits that make me fear I'll lose her 😮
Amy Hudson recently posted a video of getting a bike fit to resolve some of her pain/numbness issues. th-cam.com/video/YA6PX_OiGTA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oG7ws-Rpy_VQ_aDk The saddle pressure mapping definitely showed the difference bike fit can make.
I wish Companies would start adding extra room in the crotch of Men’s Cycling Bibs and Shorts, like modern boxer briefs have, because I don’t have any issues from the saddle, but I feel like most Shorts and Bibs mash my junk, and it’s just too tight and uncomfortable- adding a pouch like area, like modern boxer briefs would remedy this greatly….who’s with me on this? Come on Castelli, Rapha, and Gorewear, etc, let’s make Men’s bibs and shorts more comfortable please! 🙏🏼
Very good video! I have noticed that I suffer from this in indoor trainer, but not when I am riding outside. Also, selecting saddle is a very personal thing, one fit one person, but not the other person. I had to test 7 different saddles (Fizik), before I found the one that fit me the best (I was very lucky with the dealer, since they had lot of test saddles that I could try for couple days each). I also noticed that the one I wanted did not fit me at all (3D-printed one), riding after 1 hour with it was a total misery (I have bike fitting done, I will never buy a bike without fitting anymore), the one that I finally picked is a joy even after full day in the saddle! 😁
Hey - it's more common on indoor trainers as you tend to ride in a very fixed position, and shuffle around less. Some companies, like Wahoo, do trainers that allow some movement, but people also make rocker plates (and even use tennis balls) to allow a more realistic movement on the trainer which should also help.
In addition to all the tips in the vid, I would also add that its also helpful to get out of the saddle for a few seconds every now and then, to alleviate the pressure on the soft tissue.
This video nailed it. I found that a flat saddle tilted down just a little, and moved forward, put ALL the pressure on the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) and none on the perineum. I also don't use heavily padded shorts because that padding will put pressure on the perineum as well. Takes a little getting used to and those bones will be sore initially, but they adjust and I have no numbness or tingling no matter how long I ride. You do NOT want to get ED as a result of good exercise and fun.
Past sufferer here who fixed it after adjusting my saddle tilt. Even as someone who considers themselves pretty open about body and health it was one of those things I was not sure about seeing someone to help me fix it. Typical male stupidity and it took longer to fix than necessary. Congratulations GCN on making the content.
After installing a Spongey Wonder noseless saddle, my undercarriage problems disappeared. The saddle took a while to get used to and adjusted properly but it's made a positive difference in my cycling experience.
Agree with Phil, saddle tilt should be the first thing you adjust. I used to get numb on 20 mile rides, changed my tilt ever so slightly, and no signs of numbness on 50+ mile rides now.
Thank you for this content. During my indoor workouts on a free roll trainer I sometimes have this numbness which forrces me to get out of the saddle. This improves balance so I made the best out of it. Not to mention working on best fitting. Have a good day!
Great video. The only thing I would have liked would be the lack of a nose in the saddle at all. You touched on short nose or soft nose, but I have always been curious about how no nose at all (which I have seen for sale) would feel and what would I have to change in regard to adjustments in other areas such as angle. Needless to say, this particular issue is one I have had a problem with since I started cycling. So, kudos for the content. Well done, Si.
Без носа седла у тебя пропадет контроль над байком, который ты осуществляешь ногами. Это очень заметно, когд меняешь седло с длинным носом на короткое.
I needed this video, so bad.....On my first endurance ride (177 miles) I thought I was having a medical emergency when I could no longer feel my penis. Going to adjust my bike. Thanks again, you saved my balls quite literally
Can't believe the doctor actually said shake it off. 😂Made me laugh. But On a serious note Well done to GCN On tackling issues with men and women's health
I found that a saddle with thinner firmer cushioning and a cutout helped this issue. My biggest issue was on 8 to 10 hour mountain bike rides, particularly long stretches of sitting. I have found a saddle that seems to work so I put it on my endurance MTB and also on my gravel bike.
adjustment: I rotate the handle bar upwards a little bit so that the tips of the brake/ gear change top is closer nearer. Less aero ,, no issues at all with the million dollar spot at all since
Great video. Had horrible, sickly aching in one of my plumbs - to the extent I went to docs to get it checked out. All fine, so wondered more about the bike despite having had a fit and (key) it never hurt on the bike itself, or rather never seemed to cause it. Tried a wider pressure relief saddle (turns out I have wide sit bones despite relatively slim hips/waste) and it made all the difference. But, still - don't ever not go to the docs if things are causing concern. Seen him since and he said it was absolutely the right thing to do.
Thankyou GCN!!!! I'm an avid track racer and have had a persistent issue with this in longer races. I've juggled different saddles with limited success but I think bar height might be next
When watching elite TT’s many riders seem to be constantly, ahem, shuffling back on their saddle, which suggests the pro’s tend to have more of a tilt.
Simon mentioned that the wide part of the saddle where the sitting bones rest needs to be firmer than the front or the nose of the saddle. Indeed, the 3D printed saddles from Specialized (or others) are like that...Just in case somebody is looking into buying a new saddle.
Specialized Mirror saddle (short nosed and cut-out) and Assos cycle bibs solved all my problems. Can hardly believe the difference in comfort (a plague for 30+ years - especially front end numbness gone like magic). Both cost a lot - but would not use anything else today.
Thanks for tackling this taboo topic. Have been wondering about some small adjustments recently. I definitely find staying in a fixed position while indoor training causes numbness towards the end of workouts. Standing here and there is always helpful. And I’ll take the advice to nudge my saddle forward a bit. Thanks Si!!
Had very bad sudden perineal pain which kept me off the bike for a few weeks. Got a new cutout/shorter saddle and adjusted tilt to -1.6 deg and has been great since. Glad GCN is addressing this issue!
I'm at -1.6 as well. I had it at -2 but I found I was sliding off the sit bones on to the more narrow part of the saddle. Seems to be roughly the right tilt for me
Great to hear that you fixed the issue! Cut out saddles can be a great go to option 🙌 Did it take some trial and error before finding the perfect combination?
@@gcn Thanks! Like others have said here, I initially went too far with the tilt at -2 or more, then dialed it back. -1.6 seems right for me who always had a slight positive saddle tilt (strangely, was to avoid sit bone pain years ago). Also moved my saddle a bit forward as well.
Picking your saddle is like a perfect pair of jeans, once you find it buy a a few of them because they will stop making them in a few years. I've had the same saddle design for the last 30 years. Selle Italia flight.
Exactly. All my saddles are transfers from older bikes. I don't get the hard ones with channels. The narrow foamy gel ones have always worked fine for me.
I think the key is finding the right balance. Too steep of tilt and I find myself sliding off my sit bones and sitting on the more narrow portion of the saddle. All soft tissue. If the angle is too shallow I will be on the sit bones but the front of the saddle will dig in and cause pressure. So finding the point where your weight is on your sitbones but its nose down enough to relieve perennial pressure seems to be ideal for me. Switchin from 2 degrees nose down to 1.6 is enough to put me roughly in the right place.
i’ve had this issue since i started cycling, and recently changing my saddle to the fizik vento argo completely eliminated any numbness, never thought it would be possible to race and ride 5h+ without any signs of numbness
I found that a very stiff saddle with minimal padding or no padding at all, associated with a good bib is what work best for me. Never had any issues anymore ...to much padding on the saddle push material where is not needed ad compression of th soft tissues happen..
Strictly speaking for myself, it was a bike fit issue, my bike was just too big for me, reach was too long (left wrist numbness), saddle too high, too far back. I'd say the longer the ride the more the problem presents itself. Haven't had any issues with my new (correctly sized and fitted) bike in 1000+ km
Doc said it, it goes numb until i get out the saddle on a climb or raise up, the only problem is that it makes me want to urinate during the ride if i relieve numbness or relax my position . Sexual health, no problem.
One more thing: jersey fit. When it is too long, the zipper adds pressure and rubbing. Took me a while to notice after fruitless fiddling with the saddle
Thanks Si, great subject to discuss. I love my ISM PR 1.0 saddle. Solved my long Ironman 180km rides and on my Giant TCR road bike with my double century (200km +) rides. Some other subjects that you might have already discussed: * Numb feet * Sore backs (generally because of fit and lack of CORE strength for the position) - but i think you guys have already covered this before.
I never used to find it unpleasant (🙂), except if I'd gone behind a hedge for a wee mid-ride and the blood came rushing back and for 5 mins I'd be unable to wee or to be to be in public wearing lycra... 😬
Often experienced numb knackers on my 20 minute commute to work on my MTB. I think it's a combination of wearing work clothing, and not fitting a fat arse saddle. The one I've currently got fitted really needs padded shorts.
Great vid numbmess isnt an issue ive had (yet) but Prostatitis leading to UTI's was an issue with a new bike. A wider saddle with a cut out solved this for me. Maybe worth a follow up vid???
as some cyclists are hung like a horse - the old school Selle Italia seats with full padded uppers was definitely the source of my numbness and discomfort - even after short one hour rides - it was so bad I was close to hanging up the pedals as it took 3-days to recover - with the now near universal Selle Italia cut-out seats - I use a Selle Italia Flite + Castelli KISS chamois with LOTS of chamois grease - 6 hour rides later with zero discomfort or numbness - hee-haw - I have NEVER sat on anything else since - best cycling gear decision EVER - literally saved my road cycling
While I have had this issue in the past, I have been able to vastly reduce the frequency of the numbness by switching to a firmer saddle with a cutout and better bibs with gel inserts. Both work hand in hand to reduce any accute pressure causing numbness. Getting out of the saddle for a couple seconds every 20 minutes or so also seem to help. More recently, I have had a different issue where as soon as I take a break I have a sort of mild erection. Don't get me wrong I love cycling but not this much 😂 It gets pretty embarassing very fast since there isn't much to hide it and I don't always feel it right away 😅 Any tips on fixing that ?
My wife says it’s a real benefit of cycling, I can now last 3 minutes rather than 2 so it’s a big improvement for her after a big ride 🎉 I just can’t come to tell her I would rather be cleaning my ride rather than my shlong after a long day out in the saddle 🤣
A timely video, given that we are now firmly in indoor season and plenty of people, like me, will be finding that a fit that works great for them out on the road isn't so good in a more stationary environment. Well done GCN.
Exactly that - indoor trainers being much more fixed means you wiggle around less and are more prone to these issues. What do you try to alleviate the problem?
@@gcn Well, this is the first winter during which I am spending a lot of time on the turbo so I am still in the process of experimenting. I've just had my first session on a new saddle (shorty style with substantial cutout), so we'll see how that goes.
![เปิดบ้าน พี่ตูน Bodyslam หลังใหม่คนแรก ที่ภูเก็ต l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/flFwcmyDQSk/mqdefault.jpg)
How have you dealt with this issue on the bike? 🚴
It only happens when I wear certain bibs, but I'm so glad I'm not the only one with a numb penis....
I use an ISM Adamo on the windcatcher bike, otherwise I ride recumbents :)
I leaned my saddle more forward
On my longer XC gravel rides - sometimes few seconds stand up from saddle (or shift ride positon when criusing downhill) doing it's magic. And different saddle as well.
Training hip mobility to rotate my pelvis more to the front.
now this is the content we look for GCN
It has been covered by the GCN several times before.
@@philipcooper8297so it really is something we look for🗿
@@philipcooper8297only tickled. They really have in depth videos on it like this
No no, I really look for bike racing content too. Dammit WBD+....
@@philipcooper8297 get out bed and shake it off
BRAVO GCN!!! The other day, Manon had a short dealing with ladies’ periods and cycling, and now this. It’s fantastic that this channel tackles these real and somewhat awkward topics. This is GCN’s highest purpose!!
I agree. This happens to me and I don't really know why, although I have an idea... I just need to lose weight, but perhaps there's a better answer in this video, I need to watch when I get a chance!
Thanks Daniel - what would you like to see the team talk about next?
Foot numbness. > Overly flexing the ankle, saddle to high/low, cleat placement, insoles and importance of arch support and even metatarsal support. @@gcn
I didn't know some these things when it came to foot support/insoles, I spent long days in the saddle and have permanently ruined the nerves in my feet.
how to avoid .. uh... stomach issues while on endurance rides.
Great points!
If you can’t feel your paddle, you gotta sort your saddle
Oh John, we wished we'd thought of that for the video :D
Definitely an issue to avoid, or deal with. Very useful content. The cut out/short nosed saddle made a big difference for me personally. I also worked on where I sat on the saddle. I then moved it forward until I was able to sit on it correctly in my favored position. Spent a lot of hours gathering info and trial and error.
Going from solid to cut out did the trick for me years ago. Well done Si. You and your team are a skilled group of information presenters.
Thanks Tim! What would you like to see Si discuss next?
This is awesome. Thank you for not only tackling this issue, but also tackling it with specificity and maturity. This kind of content is very useful, informative, and hopefully help people out there.
Really great stuff! I've been teaching indoor cycling since 2003 and helped a bunch of people over the years with these issues exactly as described here.
Nothing more to add - just great job on covering this topic in a complete way!!!
As helpful as the short nose and cut-out saddle may be, I found I was being forced forward onto the narrower part of the seat because I was on too WIDE a saddle for the width of my sit bones. Before discovering I was on too wide a saddle, I moved it as far forward on the rails as possible. In winter I ride ride rollers a lot and found it necessary to dismount every 20 minutes because of discomfort. Selecting a saddle which is the right width (for me nearer 130mm) has worked magic
That's a great tip - glad you were able to solve the problem!
Not many ride a saddle with no cut-out nowadays I've noticed, great great video 👌
I participate in ultra distance cycling races and suffered from a terribly painful perineum inflammation after racing for 1500km almost non-stop. It was really difficult to find a specialist who knows about cycling related issues, and actually first mistaken for prostate issues, which prolonged the issue unnecessarily. So I am really happy this is a topic you talk about! It's more common among cyclists than one might think! 😢
Oh no! Hope you were able to get this fixed?
@gcn yes in the end it all worked out fine and I have spent long days in the saddle again since then. :) but it's really no joke! It took quite long to sit down confidently again, as I felt anxious about putting normal pressure on the saddle for many weeks.. really bad experience overall! 🤒🤕
I get it once in a while. I just stand up from my saddle, shake it off, adjust my butt on the saddle and carry on. Glad this topic was covered. Great video as always GCN!
Sent the video to my wife, she rarely watches GCN, but she'll definitely like this one.🎉
😂
When i was starting cycling i found out that the problem is not the bike saddle but the fact that i was obese and my groin area had considerable fat. I realized that when i also experienced the same numbness after sitting on a soft couch. Thanks to the fact that pedalling action turned out to be a good exercise to reduce fat in that area, i no longer experience "numbness" after losing 20 lbs. 😊
💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 nice man! Congrats
Obese or not, newbies just need to condition their butts to the routine.
Allahu Akbar Moment
Great to hear that cycling has helped your health 🙌 It's such a great tool to keeping fit, what's your next on the bike goal?
Typically excellent and informative video. Time honoured advice here, pretty much unchanged since I started riding seriously over 40 years ago, tilting the saddle forward being the most common sense one. My Brooks Cambrium cutout C15 has served me well in this respect - supremely comfortable.
Thanks Ian - glad you enjoyed it. What will you be watching next?
As a Canadian who has ridden in some pretty cold weather, the private parts can get very cold, both painful and numb. 😂😂😂
Maybe avoid naked cycling in those conditions??? 😆
Stop every 5 miles to do a start to finish diagnostic test. I did that when I lived in Wisconson.
Any tips and solutions ?
@@MrEpsilonZero There are many windblocking fabrics (neoprene being one). There is even underwear made with windblocking. Personally, I wear a cycling short and on top of that a cross country ski pant, which has windblock (nylon or softshell) in the front. Excellent results with complete coverage right down to feet.
Otherwise, in tropical region we are suffering from "overheat", but it’s just feel normal eventhough not good for men.
I bought a newer frame earlier this year and kept the saddle, seatpost from my much older bike, same position, and everything. I found it was working my lower back and upper glutes far more. I hadn't taken into consideration the racier geometry. I moved the saddle forward, and that solved the problem.
Race geometry can have a huge impact on the bike 👀 Great to hear you've found a system that works for you. What new bike did you go for?
I just started cycling more and more, and have noticed a tiny twinge in the region. Never anything numb, but just something. Great video to help!
100% of the time if my ride is over 2 hours. Thanks for the content, good reminder of what to check and recheck every time an issue pops up or numbs out.
Can we please have one of these videos for women. I've had a numbness problem in the past and couldnt figure out why.
Yeah men can adjust themselves but our clits kinda stay in the way. Usually it's not too bad riding but then there are sometimes some shooting/jolts later to the good bits that make me fear I'll lose her 😮
Amy Hudson recently posted a video of getting a bike fit to resolve some of her pain/numbness issues. th-cam.com/video/YA6PX_OiGTA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=oG7ws-Rpy_VQ_aDk
The saddle pressure mapping definitely showed the difference bike fit can make.
My fatass hasn’t been on my bike in forever! But this was an issue. Thanks 😅 my gonads appreciate it 🙏
I wish Companies would start adding extra room in the crotch of Men’s Cycling Bibs and Shorts, like modern boxer briefs have, because I don’t have any issues from the saddle, but I feel like most Shorts and Bibs mash my junk, and it’s just too tight and uncomfortable- adding a pouch like area, like modern boxer briefs would remedy this greatly….who’s with me on this? Come on Castelli, Rapha, and Gorewear, etc, let’s make Men’s bibs and shorts more comfortable please! 🙏🏼
Totally with you, that’s my most common source of discomfort. Got to scoop em up. Leaves nothing to imagination when your off the bike though😂
Very good video! I have noticed that I suffer from this in indoor trainer, but not when I am riding outside. Also, selecting saddle is a very personal thing, one fit one person, but not the other person. I had to test 7 different saddles (Fizik), before I found the one that fit me the best (I was very lucky with the dealer, since they had lot of test saddles that I could try for couple days each). I also noticed that the one I wanted did not fit me at all (3D-printed one), riding after 1 hour with it was a total misery (I have bike fitting done, I will never buy a bike without fitting anymore), the one that I finally picked is a joy even after full day in the saddle! 😁
Hey - it's more common on indoor trainers as you tend to ride in a very fixed position, and shuffle around less. Some companies, like Wahoo, do trainers that allow some movement, but people also make rocker plates (and even use tennis balls) to allow a more realistic movement on the trainer which should also help.
You heard the Dr... 'get out of bed and shake it off"🎉
That made me giggle
nose down was the game changer for me. The second thing was a saddle that was made for my size. the difference was immense.
Where has this video BEEN, CGN. Best Christmas present ever. My bashed loins thank you.
In addition to all the tips in the vid, I would also add that its also helpful to get out of the saddle for a few seconds every now and then, to alleviate the pressure on the soft tissue.
This video nailed it. I found that a flat saddle tilted down just a little, and moved forward, put ALL the pressure on the ischial tuberosities (sit bones) and none on the perineum. I also don't use heavily padded shorts because that padding will put pressure on the perineum as well. Takes a little getting used to and those bones will be sore initially, but they adjust and I have no numbness or tingling no matter how long I ride. You do NOT want to get ED as a result of good exercise and fun.
My wife says it never happens to her.....
My wife says she often can’t feel mine!
Past sufferer here who fixed it after adjusting my saddle tilt. Even as someone who considers themselves pretty open about body and health it was one of those things I was not sure about seeing someone to help me fix it. Typical male stupidity and it took longer to fix than necessary. Congratulations GCN on making the content.
Well done. GCN Important thing to talk about ❤
Great Vid Si, useful information and kudos for keeping a straight face through a minefield of potential puns.
A very good, informative and well presented article. Kudos 👍
I have had issues for years with this I finally found the SQ saddle and it’s a game changer
This is the hard hitting content we come for
After installing a Spongey Wonder noseless saddle, my undercarriage problems disappeared. The saddle took a while to get used to and adjusted properly but it's made a positive difference in my cycling experience.
I just throw mine over my shoulder 👍
Agree with Phil, saddle tilt should be the first thing you adjust. I used to get numb on 20 mile rides, changed my tilt ever so slightly, and no signs of numbness on 50+ mile rides now.
Great tip 🙌
Which way did u tilt it
@@johnrogers6616 tilted forward slightly
Thank you for this content. During my indoor workouts on a free roll trainer I sometimes have this numbness which forrces me to get out of the saddle. This improves balance so I made the best out of it. Not to mention working on best fitting. Have a good day!
Great video. The only thing I would have liked would be the lack of a nose in the saddle at all. You touched on short nose or soft nose, but I have always been curious about how no nose at all (which I have seen for sale) would feel and what would I have to change in regard to adjustments in other areas such as angle. Needless to say, this particular issue is one I have had a problem with since I started cycling. So, kudos for the content. Well done, Si.
Без носа седла у тебя пропадет контроль над байком, который ты осуществляешь ногами. Это очень заметно, когд меняешь седло с длинным носом на короткое.
“Is bigger better? In terms of saddle, that is”. I see what you did there! 😜 Very useful tips (no pun intended) that I will put to use right away.
I needed this video, so bad.....On my first endurance ride (177 miles) I thought I was having a medical emergency when I could no longer feel my penis. Going to adjust my bike. Thanks again, you saved my balls quite literally
Can't believe the doctor actually said shake it off. 😂Made me laugh. But On a serious note Well done to GCN On tackling issues with men and women's health
I found that a saddle with thinner firmer cushioning and a cutout helped this issue. My biggest issue was on 8 to 10 hour mountain bike rides, particularly long stretches of sitting. I have found a saddle that seems to work so I put it on my endurance MTB and also on my gravel bike.
MTB can be a whole different kettle of fish - All that in and out the saddle can really take its toll 👀
Good tips. Lower seat height is better than a few mm too high.
I feel like this video was made for me! Thanks a lot GCN!!
adjustment: I rotate the handle bar upwards a little bit so that the tips of the brake/ gear change top is closer nearer. Less aero ,, no issues at all with the million dollar spot at all since
Great video. Had horrible, sickly aching in one of my plumbs - to the extent I went to docs to get it checked out. All fine, so wondered more about the bike despite having had a fit and (key) it never hurt on the bike itself, or rather never seemed to cause it.
Tried a wider pressure relief saddle (turns out I have wide sit bones despite relatively slim hips/waste) and it made all the difference.
But, still - don't ever not go to the docs if things are causing concern. Seen him since and he said it was absolutely the right thing to do.
You just can't ride hard, when your knob gets numb... 🤔
THIS is a video I've been looking for! Seriously, I have..
Recumbent rider, just looking out of curiosity. 😜
When the TH-cam algorithm knows a little too much about you. :p
Thankyou GCN!!!! I'm an avid track racer and have had a persistent issue with this in longer races. I've juggled different saddles with limited success but I think bar height might be next
When watching elite TT’s many riders seem to be constantly, ahem, shuffling back on their saddle, which suggests the pro’s tend to have more of a tilt.
Thanks, Si!!! Great, important topic.
This makes me sooooo glad I ride a recumbent bicycle ...
Simon mentioned that the wide part of the saddle where the sitting bones rest needs to be firmer than the front or the nose of the saddle. Indeed, the 3D printed saddles from Specialized (or others) are like that...Just in case somebody is looking into buying a new saddle.
Specialized Mirror saddle (short nosed and cut-out) and Assos cycle bibs solved all my problems. Can hardly believe the difference in comfort (a plague for 30+ years - especially front end numbness gone like magic). Both cost a lot - but would not use anything else today.
Very useful and (for me) very timely!!!
Thanks for tackling this taboo topic. Have been wondering about some small adjustments recently. I definitely find staying in a fixed position while indoor training causes numbness towards the end of workouts. Standing here and there is always helpful. And I’ll take the advice to nudge my saddle forward a bit. Thanks Si!!
🎉 Great advice on a very sensitive topic !
Finally a video I can relate to
Happens to gals too. Numb (sorry) lips.
Had very bad sudden perineal pain which kept me off the bike for a few weeks. Got a new cutout/shorter saddle and adjusted tilt to -1.6 deg and has been great since. Glad GCN is addressing this issue!
I'm at -1.6 as well. I had it at -2 but I found I was sliding off the sit bones on to the more narrow part of the saddle. Seems to be roughly the right tilt for me
-1.2 for me. Flat my balls touch, any lower down I get saddle sores.
Great to hear that you fixed the issue! Cut out saddles can be a great go to option 🙌 Did it take some trial and error before finding the perfect combination?
@@gcn Thanks! Like others have said here, I initially went too far with the tilt at -2 or more, then dialed it back. -1.6 seems right for me who always had a slight positive saddle tilt (strangely, was to avoid sit bone pain years ago). Also moved my saddle a bit forward as well.
@@___Bebo___how do you get an angle so precise.??
Great video. I had this problem, particularly on day-long rides of 10+ hours. For me, new saddles with cut-outs fixed it for me.
Please make more content like this and make a women's version next. Great work overall, keep it up.
Great informative video.
Pick your cycling companions more carefully (oh no...that's how to avoid a numb pr*ck on a bike)
Picking your saddle is like a perfect pair of jeans, once you find it buy a a few of them because they will stop making them in a few years.
I've had the same saddle design for the last 30 years.
Selle Italia flight.
Exactly. All my saddles are transfers from older bikes. I don't get the hard ones with channels. The narrow foamy gel ones have always worked fine for me.
I think the key is finding the right balance. Too steep of tilt and I find myself sliding off my sit bones and sitting on the more narrow portion of the saddle. All soft tissue. If the angle is too shallow I will be on the sit bones but the front of the saddle will dig in and cause pressure. So finding the point where your weight is on your sitbones but its nose down enough to relieve perennial pressure seems to be ideal for me. Switchin from 2 degrees nose down to 1.6 is enough to put me roughly in the right place.
I don’t get numbness, but sometimes I do wonder were it goes on a ride, sometimes there’s nothing but hairs and wrinkles!
Tip no. 1: Never look away and say hi to random hot pedestrians that you pass by.
i’ve had this issue since i started cycling, and recently changing my saddle to the fizik vento argo completely eliminated any numbness, never thought it would be possible to race and ride 5h+ without any signs of numbness
I found that a very stiff saddle with minimal padding or no padding at all, associated with a good bib is what work best for me. Never had any issues anymore ...to much padding on the saddle push material where is not needed ad compression of th soft tissues happen..
What do you do when you wake up with a ded arm.
Strictly speaking for myself, it was a bike fit issue, my bike was just too big for me, reach was too long (left wrist numbness), saddle too high, too far back. I'd say the longer the ride the more the problem presents itself. Haven't had any issues with my new (correctly sized and fitted) bike in 1000+ km
Doc said it, it goes numb until i get out the saddle on a climb or raise up, the only problem is that it makes me want to urinate during the ride if i relieve numbness or relax my position . Sexual health, no problem.
Sooo the doc is suggesting that if we get a numb nob we should be shaking it off like if we get a numb arm.....right ok, got it 👍
Bravo GCN
Good thing mine isn’t that big enough… weight wennie perks
PLEASE change title of this vid to "a Numb Pee Pee On The Bike" lololol
or "a Numb Weiner On The Bike"
One more thing: jersey fit. When it is too long, the zipper adds pressure and rubbing. Took me a while to notice after fruitless fiddling with the saddle
All the GCN guys need to wear white or light grey cycling shorts and your views will go UP!!
Thanks Si, great subject to discuss. I love my ISM PR 1.0 saddle. Solved my long Ironman 180km rides and on my Giant TCR road bike with my double century (200km +) rides.
Some other subjects that you might have already discussed:
* Numb feet
* Sore backs (generally because of fit and lack of CORE strength for the position) - but i think you guys have already covered this before.
Can happen on the indoor trainer indeed if you don't stand up from time to time, it in general when pedalling too long flat roads.
I never used to find it unpleasant (🙂), except if I'd gone behind a hedge for a wee mid-ride and the blood came rushing back and for 5 mins I'd be unable to wee or to be to be in public wearing lycra... 😬
Oops 😮
In winter, I try to stop for a quickie about every hour.
What impresses me is how Simon manages to keep a very serious face while listening.
Hes a shower
Yeah, we're equally impressed!
If you wake up and your arm’s numb you just shake it off :-)
Dear Si, I thank you, my fiance' thanks you and my P_____s thank you. Oh ... that was Parents. Not the other P word. Lol 🤣😂😁😎
Often experienced numb knackers on my 20 minute commute to work on my MTB. I think it's a combination of wearing work clothing, and not fitting a fat arse saddle. The one I've currently got fitted really needs padded shorts.
I had no idea that was a problem for men. I thought it was only a problem for women .. because the whole industry is kind of cut out for men anyway.
hi, thanks for the comment. The more we learn and can make changes to improve the experience of riding a bike, the better!
saddles these days are so much better than what we rode even 10 years ago.
I unscrew mine and put it in my back pocket.
Great vid numbmess isnt an issue ive had (yet) but Prostatitis leading to UTI's was an issue with a new bike. A wider saddle with a cut out solved this for me. Maybe worth a follow up vid???
thanks so much for tackling such -no punn intended-such a tender topic.
This is exactly what I Google searched
as some cyclists are hung like a horse - the old school Selle Italia seats with full padded uppers was definitely the source of my numbness and discomfort - even after short one hour rides - it was so bad I was close to hanging up the pedals as it took 3-days to recover - with the now near universal Selle Italia cut-out seats - I use a Selle Italia Flite + Castelli KISS chamois with LOTS of chamois grease - 6 hour rides later with zero discomfort or numbness - hee-haw - I have NEVER sat on anything else since - best cycling gear decision EVER - literally saved my road cycling
While I have had this issue in the past, I have been able to vastly reduce the frequency of the numbness by switching to a firmer saddle with a cutout and better bibs with gel inserts.
Both work hand in hand to reduce any accute pressure causing numbness.
Getting out of the saddle for a couple seconds every 20 minutes or so also seem to help.
More recently, I have had a different issue where as soon as I take a break I have a sort of mild erection.
Don't get me wrong I love cycling but not this much 😂
It gets pretty embarassing very fast since there isn't much to hide it and I don't always feel it right away 😅
Any tips on fixing that ?
My wife says it’s a real benefit of cycling, I can now last 3 minutes rather than 2 so it’s a big improvement for her after a big ride 🎉 I just can’t come to tell her I would rather be cleaning my ride rather than my shlong after a long day out in the saddle 🤣
A timely video, given that we are now firmly in indoor season and plenty of people, like me, will be finding that a fit that works great for them out on the road isn't so good in a more stationary environment. Well done GCN.
Exactly that - indoor trainers being much more fixed means you wiggle around less and are more prone to these issues. What do you try to alleviate the problem?
@@gcn Well, this is the first winter during which I am spending a lot of time on the turbo so I am still in the process of experimenting. I've just had my first session on a new saddle (shorty style with substantial cutout), so we'll see how that goes.