I’m definitely a newb to indoor training, and really pleased with the purchase of my smart shift kickr trainer which I bought last Sept with the aim of improving my fitness level. I’m using it with SYSTM. I’ve done a couple of training plans and completed full frontal and am making, albeit slow, progress, so I’m pleased with that. I’ve even signed up for the February 2025 DPF wahoo tour and am doing the prep plan. I have also included the Elements of Style into my plan. I have been able to start to increase to longer workouts and here lies the problem. I am feeling so uncomfortable on the saddle. The discomfort is worse than my lack of fitness! Can anyone give me tips on how to reduce the discomfort which is on my coccyx and I literally have to stand to relieve discomfort on my buttocks. I did change the saddle that came with the bike to a more comfortable saddle but it hasn’t helped, but maybe I chose the wrong saddle? When the discomfort is at its worst, it definitely negatively impacts my training. Any tips would be very welcome thank you.
Are you sure the problem is with the saddle, and not the way the trainer set up has you sitting? Perhaps a bike fit (which should include saddle recommendations) might help;?
Yeah literally one of the MOST personal aspects of cycling - bike fit and saddle. If it makes you feel any better, we’ve ALL been there…so you’re a real cyclist now!
You said you changed the saddle to “a more comfortable one”, but what does that mean? Lots of cushion? If your saddle is too wide (or narrow) for your sit bones it’s going to bother you. A trip to your LBS (a good one) might be in order to look at saddle possibilities. There’s also plenty of info and reviews online for saddles - including female specific saddles.
But as per Sir @Heretic, bike fit is critical for comfortable riding - especially as you start racking up miles. The fact that you’re feeling coccyx pain can be both A) increasing mileage, and B) bike fit/positioning. Again, there’s plenty of online info available regarding proper positioning and fit. You should be looking at saddle height, knee positioning relative to pedal position, stem height, and saddle positioning relative to reach.
If you have a local LBS or fitter you can work with, that’s ideal, but again - you can get better at dialing in your position through books or online as well. A lot of info out there.
Best of luck, and again - we’ve all had to work through this.
Thank you Heretic, yes that sounds like a good option and I will do some research on this, much appreciated
I feel better just reading this, you made me laugh and to be called a real cyclist went straight to my head and numbed the pain!
Thank you for replying so comprehensively and you have given me a lot to consider. Both you and @Heretic are leaning me towards the bike setup. I did find that the wahoo setup measurements didn’t work for me but I will try that again and try a different riding position as well.
I did go for a cushioned saddle and that might have been a problem rather than a help too.
It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone and there are steps that I will need to take as I really enjoy my training and the community.
Thank you very much
A good book on bike fit is Phil Burt’s “Bike Fit”. Make sure you get the 2nd edition.
+1 on everything Cap’n Sir Ian @CPT_A and @Heretic said.
Saddle discomfort is such a “touchy” issue for so many of us.
In addition to what has already been said, I also recommend a couple of things.
- One, REALLY good bib shorts with a really good endurance based chamois. Don’t make the mistake of wearing your most worn-out and cheapest shorts just cuz you’re riding indoors.
- Two, a liberally applied chamois cream that works for you (another super personal choice).
- Three, just knowing that sitting on a saddle (no matter how good your fit and your kit) indoors is both qualitatively and quantitatively different than riding outdoors. Unless you’re on a good quality rocker plate, there is no fore/aft and little to no side-to-side movement indoors all of which function to more evenly distribute the “load”
. So, knowing this, whether the workout I am doing calls for it or not, I will intentionally get out of the saddle every 5-10 minutes even if it’s just for a few seconds.
Glad to have you with us!
Also, consider a rocker plate if you can afford to buy or build one. I had issues with my sitting bones on even the best (for me) saddles from my other bikes after about an hour indoor riding. The more natural slight movement cushions the ride and increases comfort for those of us who rarely stand, even outdoors.
Thank you again @Heretic I had a look and I’ve just ordered a second hand 2nd edition copy, thank you for the help👍
Thank you @Glen.Coutts I hadn’t even considered any of those points so I will be getting onto this, especially the part about getting off the trainer, it’s such a simple thing to do, I was fixated with just battling on and this tip in particular resonates, and I will also get some proper clothes, and thanks for the welcome, to be honest I have never took part in a forum before and it’s so helpful here, much appreciated
Thank you @CraigM you reminded me I have seen these online but didn’t take much notice at the time, what you said now makes more sense to me and i will have a look further into these as well, thank you for helping
I 100% agree with everything that has been said and would add that at the end of each interval on the bottom of your screen there is a warning of when the power is going to change. This gives you about 10 seconds warning. I frequently chose to stand at the end of a hard interval right before a rest interval. Standing for even 7-8 seconds makes a big difference. I stand at least every 10 minutes, but I stand more often towards the end of a long ride. I don’t have a rocker plate so indoor riding is much harder on the saddle region than outdoor riding.
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice @Mecons what a good idea to use the countdown to stand up, and I will test out including a timescale where I stand throughout my workouts, it makes perfect sense that this will help, I’m so glad I asked for help
Saddle fit can be very individual and personal. As stated by others bike setup is key. If you have an experienced cycling friend who can look at your riding position, perhaps even with some photos or video they may be able to suggest tweaks to help.
A cushioned saddle is possibly not the best especially on a static bike as once seated you tend not to move around much. This creates pressure points and can be exacerbated on a cushioned saddle. A firmed saddle which allows you “slide” around a little can offer some relief from a static seated position. Combine this with the short periods of standing and the relief may just be enough to make it work.
I have a Brooks cambium saddle on my tourer. Whilst it is not padded it did have a tacky finish which, initially, made sliding around when riding difficult. My bibs would stick to the rubbery finish. It took a few weeks of riding to polish the finish and allow me to slide my bum around.
Other points which don’t seem to have been discussed:
No underwear, just you and your bib shorts with some chamois cream/butter. This takes away the risk of seam pressures.
Hygiene - change out of your bibs as soon as you finish your session. This reduces the risk of yeast/sweat infections. Even sitting about for a coffee can start that itch/scratch cycle…
Finally, and perhaps the most personal so excuse me, take care with shaving and exfoliation. Nothing worse than an infected ingrown hair on a pressure point.
Yeah this. Not to scare you, @Anne, but my indoor bike saddle (also on my road bike) is a carbon fiber slab. No padding at all. Weighs about 50g. May seem counterintuitive for a new rider, but “plush” saddles aren’t doing you any favors.
@Anne, some bike shops have a collection of saddles that you can borrow to test out. They can do some basic width testing for you in the store, then you can try some of their loaners to see how they feel. Good luck with finding the right one.
For online info, this video might be a good starting point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ4-Cx5s1kE
Thanks @way9e0 I watched the video and as with most of my research it has prompted more questions in me so will try and get more info on it as well, thank you
Thanks @CraigM @way9e0 @Heretic @Glen.Coutts @Navrig @CPT_A again for such detailed help. It has really given me a lot to focus on which I hope will get me to where I want to be, and thanks for giving me your time, much appreciated all
Fwiw, after watching that video I’m thinking of maybe trying one of those SQLab saddles is there’s a local supplier.
Oh we’re GREAT at overwhelming you with advice around here…