Bicycle Retailer and Industry News has published an article describing and linking to a cycling and health study which focuses on saddle comfort and potential for injury due to pressure from the saddle.
During my cycling career, I have used about 20 saddles, some of which I don’t even remember. I currently own and using several bicycles. I was therefore unable to answer the questions about saddles. I currently own and use several bicycles. Also, there was no saddle shown which looked at all like the Brooks leather saddle which I favor. The assumption that a cyclist would have and use only a single saddle at any point in a cycling career, was in conflict with the question about different types of cycling (road, mountain, triathlon, spin class), which allowed multiple answers.
The “how many miles/hours do you ride per week” question did not account for seasonal and day-to-day variation.
I occasionally used to have some moderate and transient penile numbness after rides (75 miles and up) but the study offered no way to correlate the length of a particular ride with that. I don’t have the problem any more. Maybe I adjust my bike fit better.
All in all, the researcher would have benefited from some exploration of cyclists’ habits, to formulate the questionnaire better.
My favorite way to avoid problems with overuse injury when cycling, of which this is only one of many kinds? Listen to what my body tells me. What is the need to ride until it hurts? Perhaps I’m not obsessive enough! And now I see in Lester Binegar’s comment on the Bicycle Retailer site that the researcher has an agenda. Sigh.
Testing comment timeout
Prostate problems and erectile problems are two different things. After 45 years of riding, I experienced moderate prostate problems recently, and after describing the frequency and duration of cycling, I asked my doctor if it contributed to the problem. He immediately answered “of course, the heels of your palms are calloused, your prostate’s made out of the same basic stuff.” The solution: drugs. I asked if I should quit: “does it hurt when you ride?” “No, my inseam gets nice and warm, that’s the one time it doesn’t.” “No, don’t stop. When it hurts to ride, get in here.”
“My favorite way to avoid problems with overuse injury when cycling [is to] Listen to what my body tells me”. Bravo sir. There’s only so much blame you can put on the saddle. If you know your riding habits, requirements and tendencies, its on you to pick the right saddle for your needs!
And to take heed of your limits…