The Bicycling Thread

[wildbears]

Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Preventive Strategies for Pudendal Neuropathy in Cyclists, A Systematic Review

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/article...ess%20%5B14%5D.

[wildbears]

Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Preventive Strategies for Pudendal Neuropathy in Cyclists, A Systematic Review

Key Points

Bike
Bicycle characteristics associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction included a mountain bicycle compared to a road bicycle [14].

Seat
Prolonged sitting on a hard, narrow, and upward-tilted seat contributes to the development of impotence [3]. The narrow saddle is associated with a significant reduction in penile blood flow and could be a source of blunt perineal trauma with consequent erectile dysfunction [20]. The upward-tilted seat places greater pressure on the perineum [21].

The use of cut-out saddles could increase the pressure along the area of the pudendal nerves and vessels [22], with a higher risk of ED compared with a traditional saddle shape, particularly in those who had perineal numbness [14].

According to Carpes et al. [23], the seat pressure was not different between men and women. Using plain saddles, the men’s average seat pressure increased as the workload increased. Using a holed saddle, the mean pressure increased as the workload increased both in men and in women [23]. This study [23] was not included in the systematic review because the tested cyclists did not report any symptoms.

Handlebars
A height of the handlebars parallel with or higher than the saddle could increase the risk of pudendal neuropathy compared to handlebar height lower than the saddle [14]. A height of handlebars lower than the saddle could increase vibratory thresholds and cause decreased genital sensation in the anterior vagina and labia [17].

The use of triathlon bars causes cyclists to move forwards the body with an excessive pressure on the perineum and compression of the pudendal nerve [5].

[wildbears]

Note that "wave" saddles have an upward tilted nose when the seating area is level.

[wildbears]

Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Preventive Strategies for Pudendal Neuropathy in Cyclists, A Systematic Review

Key Points Continued

Breaks and Rest
The changes of the riding position during the training can alleviate symptoms [5,9]. During the training, frequent breaks, shifting to a higher gear, and standing on the pedals periodically can take pressure off the genital area [9,26]. Several authors recommend a period of rest during the race [3,9,26], exactly 20–30 s of rest every 20 min [23,24].

Reduction of activity [18] or rest [19] can reduce the symptoms after their onset.

4.2.2. Seat Arrangement
Bicycles should be fitted properly, and the saddle should be adjusted to the proper height and angle to avoid nerve compression. The US Army equestrian saddle has a slot in the center so that there is no pressure against the penis [9]. The therapeutic recommendations include a greater and wider seat padding, an absent or flexible nose on the saddle, a gel saddle, a more downward seat position or slighter tilt downwards to avoid anterior compression [3,9,23,24]. The seated weight should set down on the ischial tuberosities. The seated height should permit a slight flexion during pedaling at the lowest point of the pedal. Reducing the pressure on the perineum appears to be the solution, because in the cyclists the repetitive sliding of the fascia lata could decrease penile perfusion [25].

A saddle without a cut-out could help in the cases of perineal numbness [14].

Alongside wide and padded saddles, padded biking shorts increase comfort and protect the perineal soft tissue more than the other seat designs [26].

4.2.3. Handlebars
In addition to adjusting the seat, cyclists should attend to the handlebar position [31]. Maintaining height of the handlebar lower than the saddle could prevent nerve compression [14].

[wildbears]

Selle Italia SLR Superflow

The best Saddle for Preventing Nerve Issues, iMHO, is the Selle Italia SLR Superflow.

This has a flat configuration without a wave and has a very wide cutout. Narrow cutouts may actually cause nerve issues as can a wave configuration.

[wildbears]

Women’s bike seats: a pressing matter for competitive female cyclists

A study focusing on women.

​​​​​​https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4343541/

[955i]

Pretty detailed research paper. Might prove nothing, but it is interresting. I don'e use a cutout saddle. My adult daughter rides with one. When I borrow her bike, it seems comfortable enough, but no great, or even noticeable, improvement over a tradidional saddle.

[wildbears]

Another paper suggests women should keep the handlebars even with or higher than the saddle to avoid nerve problems. Can't find it now. It was pretty anecdotal.

[wildbears]

[955i]

I love girls having fun on bicycles!

[wildbears]

The tire size debate continues....

Have We Been Lied To About 28mm Tyres? | GCN Tech Show Ep. 376: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsQxD0GNeD0

Bottom line for road bikes: if you ride at 20 mph or slower, go with 28 mm tires; 25 mph or faster, go with 25 mm.

It's aerodynamics versus rolling resistance. Which begs the question, why not 25 mm fore and 28 aft if riding at 25 mph or faster.

[955i]

Beara, 28mm'a qon't fit on any of my road bikes.

You asked about saddles. I use a Brooks B-17 on my Merckx. On my gravel bike, a Bianchi Zurigo, I use whatever came on it. I'm not real particular, but I do mount all my saddles with the nose pointed slightly down.

[wildbears]

So just ride at 25 mph or faster......

My Trek 970 wont take a 29 on the Bontrager 19.5 mm IW rims but I can fit 28s on my old Camy 13 mm IW rims and they will work on it. BTW, some tire/rim charts do not recommend this tire/rim combo for the latter. But been using it for a while and no problems.

25s are the largest that will work on the Trek with the 19.5 mm IW rims.

[wildbears]

I still have a Brooks Professional from the last century. Been treating with leather conditioner over the past year to soften it up for use. Wasn't used much and looks new.

[955i]

I used the Brooks saddle cream tha came with it when the saddle was new. I treated top and bottom. After about six months of that i really didn't have to do much to it anymore. I occassionally spray some Pledge on the top side. It seems to be doing fine 15 years in . . . other than the tensioner bolt in the front BROKE in the first year. An internet search showed that I certainly was not the Lone Ranger in this regard. Obtaining just the bolt was nigh impossible. I did a work around that was adequate, but still not quite right.

[wildbears]

It may be possible to tilt the Brooks saddles further down than the hard shells. Maybe the leather conforms and holds the sit bones in place so you are not sliding forward?

[wildbears]

Got my old Brooks out of storage. Used it today on the Turbo Trainer. Good so far. Nose is at 0 degrees tilt.

[955i]

My sit bones are in place. I don't slide forward. It's more comfortable in the drops that way.

There's also room to move around a bit toward the back for some relief to different areas after an hour or so in the saddle.

[wildbears]

Rode a section of the Ohio to Erie Trail yesterday north of Columbus. The spring peepers were out in force and wailing.

[wildbears]

Rode 20 miles yesterday on the trails near Columbus, OH. That's my 1980 San Rensho Criterium racing bike. New Continental Grand Prix 5000 28 mm tires. Comfortable and fast.

[wildbears]

Standardizing saddle set back for multiple bikes....

I use a proven distance from the back edges of the saddles to the intersection point for a line coming up thru the center of the seat posts to the seating surfaces of the saddles.

Works well for my three bikes when changing saddles. Two road bikes and one gravel.

[wildbears]

[955i]

She's on my Peugeot!

[955i]

The big wildfires cancelled Mid-South 2025. By Sunday, the fires were out but the north part of the course was still inundated with emergency personnel repair the damage and putting out hotspots.

So we made up an ad hoc course that took in part of the southern section of the course. I rode with four friends who are all faster (and younger) than I. My hundred miler pace is 10+ mph on gravel. Sunday these guys were cruising at 13-13.5. Since it was only a 45 mile route, I tried to keep up without too much bitching. They weren't in any hurry and were visiting as we rode. They'd wait for me at the top of a hill occassionally if I got a quarter-mile behind or so. Good riding mates, BUT I was completely nackered at the end.

Riding even a bit outside your comfort zone for any length of time is HARD.

[wildbears]

This year I'm staying in zone 2 for all training rides. Above that for fast group rides or HIIT once a week. Not riding if the legs feel tired going up stairs.

[955i]

That might be a good plan, Bears. My Garmin App has been suggesting that I rest more days.