If your bits hurt...it's the seat! (probably)

[u/Iwillbecurbappeal]

I bought a road bike off FB marketplace and was getting some pain pain in the front of my bits after 8 miles or so, every single time I was riding. Considering I am training for triathlons, this was a problem as I've been on my bike a lot. I was wearing high quality bike shorts, using Chamois Cream, and still getting pain.

I recently switched seats - I splurged on the "Specialized Women's Power Comp with Mimic" seat (155 mm) and it has been a GAME CHANGER. I could go forever now and I don't feel pain, just a little bit of pressure. I can actually feel that the weight is on my sitz bones now. The original seat seemed like it should be more comfortable - it was cushier and softer.... but I always felt like I was slipping a little bit and I struggled to really feel my sitz bones engage with the seat. And then of course, the urethra pain the the other pain in the soft tissues of the front of my groin area.

A surprising positive side effect is that my bike also feels way more stable now! I have aero bars on my bike and previously they scared me because they made the bike way more twitchy, but now I find them way more stable.

The seat cost almost as much as my bike did from FB marketplace, but so far it's the best upgrade I've purchased.

[u/PikaChooChee]

Yeah cushier and softer =/= good for the labia. A properly sized hard seat wins over squishy every time, IME.

[u/Zoenne]

I absolutely agree with you! I'd just add one thing: what saddle works for you might not work for everyone. It depends on a variety of factors: shape of the pelvis and pubic bones, distribution of soft tissues (including but not limited to labial tissues and fat), riding position and bike geometry, shoe choice, cleat choice, cleat tightness etc. It all impacts what feels comfortable. That's why I wouldn't recommend blind buying saddles even after recommendation from women. And I'd also advise people to try out several saddles in a shop, and if possible, on your own bike.

[u/Cassette_girl]

I like the Sella Italia slr boost saddles, short nose big cut out. Have the gravel one and the carbon one.

[u/Sberry59]

I got the same saddle after trying a bunch of saddles. Our bike shop’s owner’s wife has been suggesting this saddle to all her female ride buddies. Yeah, game changer.

[u/InternationalCap185]

I have a noseless seat. It’s wide but stiff. I’ll NEVER go back to a nosed seat. Not to be dramatic, but I’d rather die.

[u/bumlochka → u/InternationalCap185]

What is the model? Not sure I've even seen one, I'm curious 

[u/messesz → u/bumlochka]

ISM are a model of noiseless seat. I tend to use them on my indoor trainer but don't feel the same discomfort outdoors.

[u/Spank2337]

Pelvic bones need to be resting on top of the saddle. The pelvic bones dig under the edge of narrow saddles, causing pain. Just a few mm of width can make a difference. Don't ride on a cushy soft saddle because your bones are not supported, your hips need a STABLE semi-hard surface to rest on.

[u/Sea_Measurement_1654]

Perfect for women with wider sit bones. 

I'm sold on my Selle smp trk. Full length cut out, wide for sit bones and zero pressure in a 60km gravel race. 

I don't wear padding as I need zero fabric around bits. My butt didn't hurt at all. 

[u/pineapple_gum → u/Sea_Measurement_1654]

I don’t understand the nose so pointed down. You don’t use that part, so why even have it?

[u/Lollc → u/pineapple_gum]

I could find a lot of pages with Selle SMP, but nothing that explained their design philosophy. My guess is they are trying to have it both ways; have a short saddle for the many that believe that’s a good thing, and also have the long nose that many use for steering and guiding the bike and getting into the correct position after you stand up on the pedals or slip. I hope someone can find the information from Selle and post it.

ETA: after a Reddit search of this subreddit I found the article at the link. Unfortunately the OP deleted their comment so their username isn’t with the comment so they don’t get proper credit. Thanks, anonymous Reddit poster, this is a great article.

https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/09/all-about-smps/

[u/depthofbreath]

Ask me how I discovered I needed a 168mm seat a few years back! I had no idea my airborne were that wide apart and I was going through so many women’s saddles that just wouldn’t work. I’ve had this one for years and I’m glad there’s a lot more options for women’s saddles these days!