help with numbness
Bill Somrak
Hello,
Just subscribed to this NG to enlist the aid of those more
knowledgeable than me regarding this subject. If this question
and/or topic has been covered in the past, excuse my repetition.
I USED to be able to ride my "single speed, coaster brake, saddle
seat, exercise bike" for miles ... hours .. with no problem. In
the past 3 or 4 years, I've not been able to do this. If I am
on the bike for 4 or 5 miles (20 minutes), I get VERY numb in the
crotch area. In fact, after I get off the bike, the numbness
actually gets a bit worse momentarily, before getting better. Its
sort of like when you wake up, and find that you've slept on your
arm, and its completely numb. However, the numbness from my
bike riding is in a very compromising area of the body, if you get
my drift.
I've tried replacing the original bike seat with a new one (also
a saddle type) that I got at a bike shop. While it wasn't very
expensive ($25), it is of good quality, has adequate padding and
nice springs. Putting on this seat DID NOT provide any relief. I
talked to a biking friend, and he suggested that my seat was out
of adjustment. Well, I tried re-adjusting the seat .. the height,
the tilt angle .. everything, at least a dozen times, all to no
avail, although some positions seemed a little better than others.
The next thing I tried was to get a pair of bike shorts with the
"supersuede" insert. These failed to do anything for me either.
At this point, I'm pretty discouraged that I'll never be able to
do any bike riding again. Its a shame, as I really enjoyed some of
my nice long (well, 15 miles is long for me ..) rides in the country.
I once saw someone that had a very deep, plush "seat cover" for their
saddle seats, made from what looked like sheep's wool. I don't know
if adding more padding would help.
Does anyone have any suggestions for remedying this situation?
I understand that this "problem" is more common than once thought.
Surely there must be a solution .. other than giving up biking.
Thanks,
Bill < mailto:coo...@ncweb.com >
Richard Kaiser
In article <3577D010...@ncweb.com>, Bill Somrak <coo...@ncweb.com> wrote:
>Hello,
<snip>
>I USED to be able to ride my "single speed, coaster brake, saddle
>seat, exercise bike" for miles ... hours .. with no problem. In
>the past 3 or 4 years, I've not been able to do this. If I am
>on the bike for 4 or 5 miles (20 minutes), I get VERY numb in the
>crotch area. In fact, after I get off the bike, the numbness
>actually gets a bit worse momentarily, before getting better. Its
>sort of like when you wake up, and find that you've slept on your
>arm, and its completely numb. However, the numbness from my
>bike riding is in a very compromising area of the body, if you get
>my drift.
This is a serious problem that must be solved before it starts becoming
permanent. Numbness is caused by pressure on nerves and/or
blood vessels restricting operation or flow. This sounds like a blood
flow problem. Ironically, it cause by too soft a seat that conforms
too much to your body putting pressure where there should be
no pressure.
Party of the solution is to get a firm seat that limits the main
contact area to the "sit bones" in the buttocks. You can find your
sit bones by putting a piece of carbon paper and regular paper on
a hard chair and sitting on it. This will make two marks shaped
like "o o" or " \ / " where your forward is the top of this posting.
You can feel your sit bones by sitting on you hands.
Another factor is having the nose of the seat too high, again,
with too much weight and pressure on the soft under-body tissue.
Most people get best results with the seat level. Some, like myself,
like the seat to be a little nose down. (A strange few like the seat
nose-up). The more upright position typical of your style of bike should
still require a level seat.
A more head down racing position would help by putting
more weight on you bars via you hands. Riding harder
also puts more weight on you legs. Both of these
adjustments may require a new bike to implement.
A final factor is getting a seat that fits you shape. This is
rider specifiec. Some people have a half dozen seats in
a bike-stuff box that did not work.
>I've tried replacing the original bike seat with a new one (also
>a saddle type) that I got at a bike shop. While it wasn't very
>expensive ($25), it is of good quality, has adequate padding and
<snip>
I used to buy cheap take-off (taken off a new bike because the buyer
wanted a replacement) hard leather seats for very little money. They
took a bit of pain to break-in then provided two years of very good
service. Now you have to pay real money to get leather.
If tipping the nose of the seat down does not help then
you might go to your LBS (Local Bike Shop) and try out several
new bikes to find a seat you like. Road bikes are more likely to
have a firm seat than a MTB. Of course, you could end up with a
new bike attached to your new seat 8-)
>I once saw someone that had a very deep, plush "seat cover" for their
>saddle seats, made from what looked like sheep's wool. I don't know
>if adding more padding would help.
<snip>
Run away. It might be good for polishing the bike though.
>Bill < mailto:coo...@ncweb.com >
Richard Kaiser
Moabster
A couple of additional suggestions. Make sure your seat is wide enough.
Some seats are too narrow: they push up between the sit bones instead of
supporting them. Make sure that the seat does not come into contact with
the inside of the crotch. All weight must be supported by your rear.
Extra padding can cause problems, as was stated in an earlier post. This
goes for personal padding as well. You gave no indication whether you were
overweight or not. If you are, extra fat in the thighs and groin can cause
pressure and result in numbness.
Finally, make sure you take frequent breaks by pedaling standing up for
fifteen to thirty seconds or getting of the bike for a bit. This may slow
down the pace, but it lets you still ride.
Good Luck.