blue balls

[Team2K]

Okay... this is gonna be a bit wierd, but I hope some of you have had similar problems and can tell me what to do????

When I rode Fromme yesterday for example - I climb from Lonsdale, over to Lynn Valley Road, then up Mountain Highway, then up the switchbacks.

By the time I get to the first switchback, I have lost ALL circulation to my nutsack. It's fallen asleep! There is nothing more uncomfortable! Even my dick has fallen asleep!

Yesterday I was rollin' commando, so it happened a little quicker than normal, but even when I wear "ginch" it happens. Generally the athletic cut ones.

Maybe my seat is too high on the climb, or I'm wearing inappropriate attire?

Can't be good for the team of future mini-TeamK2's I plan to have one day. Please help I don't wanna go sterile!!!!!

[Neo]

change your seat position. it may be tipped upwards to much. it sounds like the angle of your seat is not allowing you to sit with the proper pressure in the right places.

[Putty]

i had the same thing once because my seat was bent in the rear...puts strain on your plumbing and everything goes numb...fix it as fast as you can, new seat, or new position, you don't want to take any chances with the plumbing.

[Smoke]

Yeah man.

Jump style seat adjustment is no good for the boyz.

Put your bike on a level floor. Set your seat so that the front is 2mm lower than the rear. Not so good for no handers, but better for the vein.

[Keefer]

Either the angle of your seat, or the cut of your seat. That's why they make those seats with the holes cut in the middle, to relieve pressure on sensitive areas. Wearing Lycra helps too I hear.

Get it fixed, it could be a bad problem to have.

[Dude]

Get lycra w/ chamis, and wear it underneath your Roach or whatever DH shorts. That way you can be comfy, and a slave to fashion.

Angle the seat a little lower too. This sin't a new problem...anyone who's riden road knows this. You get used to it. Wait until the blood blisters show up under your bag...

[Dean W]

http://www.somersetmedicalcenter.com/13727.cfm

[Bryce]

thats not good - you won't go impotent (unless you ride like 20 hrs/day) but you may find that the flag only goes to half mast after long rides. its not permanent but its not something to be ignored. i had the same problem when I was a courier.

you're squishin' your pereneal (sp?) nerve and cutting off the circulation to your cock and balls. when you start to feel the tingling that means its time to climb out of the saddle for a while so that fresh blood can get back in there (this will also help build good core strength for the DH). the cutout seats kinda help. lycra and chamois won't do jack shit.

[Dude]

Chamois vs. comando? It makes a difference. Big difference in the saddle sore area.

[Team2K]

Hmmmm maybe i should get one of those new seats... but they are prolly ridiculous like something my mom would ride on haha big ass cusion seat - gotta suck for DH. Anyone got a link to some pics of one maybe???

[Putty]

No, the seats are not bad. Most seats these days have an indent in them in the middle.

Don't get one with a hole unless you have a vagina.

All you need is a little slit to relieve the pressure as I understand it.

[Dean W]

I have had enough.

Do some research and think for a moment before you give your opinion (please make it an educated opinion).

1. Lycra shorts with a chamois (cycling shorts) help slightly in the shock absorption while riding, however they are primarily used to hold the boys in place (your balls) and reduce chaffing (red raw soreness of the genital area when riding) If you ride commando, you are both crazy and have leather for a nut sack (I personally treat my privates very gently because the have brought me much joy in life).

2. Big downhill seats are generally not designed to be pedaled for long distances. They do not have padding in the right places to prevent to numbness that most are talking about or are just plain too big to be pedaled. They are great for hard landings and other such incidents.

3. Seats with the cutout or indents drastically prevent the numb nut/dick syndrome. Seats with the full holes are not just for women, they are primarily for XC riders. The best seats (to prevent numbness) for DH or Freeriding are generally the ones with indents and softer padding in the right spots.

4. You have to ride allot to get erectile dysfunction from riding, however any discomfort of the cock and balls should be paid attention to. (do some research).

5. Proper adjustment of the seat is most important to prevent numbness if you are pedaling a long distance. The proper seat position has already been discussed.

6. Riding a full suspension bike will reduce the amount of pressure on the area as the rear suspension absorbs the shock of the terrain rather than sending it up the bike to your privates.

All in all take care of your cock n balls they are very important to you and others. We people that ride the shore need to spread our seed and make the world a better place. So go forth and ride................just be gentle to your privates.

Later,

thedude

[Putty]

If you go to your LBS and look at male and female seats, only the female ones have the full hole, based on what I have seen. The male ones have the slit running most of the length of the seat.

[Dean W]

Putty,

Trust me, I know what I am talking about. There are male seats with the hole.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=581155&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=335915&bmUID=1060728481917

Later,

thedude

[Putty]

hey, what do you know, I'm wrong again. I apologise. I'm sure it will happened again.

[Dean W]

No worries Putty,

That seat in the link I posted is awesome for XC riding. Light, soft and keeps the boys comfy.

Have a good one,

thedude

[Neo]

of all the seats i've tried, the WTB comfort zone speeds are the best. nothing is worse than an uncomfortable or painful seat problem.

[Dude]

I'm suprised nobody has come out with the "Maybe you should try riding with a seat on your seatpost" blast.

Elephantitis,

Dude.

[Neo]

Originally posted by Dude
I'm suprised nobody has come out with the "Maybe you should try riding with a seat on your seatpost" blast.

Elephantitis,

Dude.


lol, all the anel-stretching took place back in the day of bc-andrew. :lol:

[sanrensho]

Start with the basics. Make sure your seat height is correct. Grab a tape measure and spend 10 minutes figuring out how high your seatpost should be for XC riding:

"Saddle Height - This is the biggie. You'll find various methods for calculating this critical number. Here's the one I like best. It has become known as the LeMond Method, because Greg brought it to us from his Renault team in the '80s. (Invite a friend over so you can help each other and both wind up with primo positions.) Stand on a hard surface with your shoes off and your feet about six inches apart. Using a metric tape, measure from the floor to your crotch, pressing with the same force a saddle does. Multiply this number by 0.883. The result is your saddle height, measured from the middle of the crank axle, along the seat tube, to the top of the saddle. Add 2 or 3 mm if you have long feet in proportion to your height. If you suffer from chondromalacia (knee pain caused by damage to the underside of the kneecap), a slightly higher saddle may feel better. However, it should never be so high that your hips must rock to help you reach the pedals. If this formula results in a big change from the height you've been using, make the adjustment by 2 or 3 mm per week, with several rides between, till you reach the new position. Changing too fast could strain something."

Obviously, I don't recommend having your seat this high while riding down Boogieman, just for XC riding or XC sections. And you could lower your seat a further 1-2 cm for navigating technical XC terrain. But you should definitely jack the seat up when doing long climbs like Fromme or Seymour, which it sounds like you do often.

Also, ditto on the lycra shorts under baggies. If you don't do this, you're nuts.:D

[sanrensho]

Also, for XC riding, your saddle should be level or tipped just slightly upward.

I would figure out your correct seat height, check with your saddle tilt, buy lycra shorts, and then consider a new seat in that order of priority.

[flowrider]

And just to add to sarensho, if you wear lycra shorts please for the love of god don't wear underwear. All that does is add a chafing layer.

*Edit: and some nasty panty lines for those who care

[Oldfart]

Yep. If you ride that far do yourself a favour and get some good lycra homohosen. No gonch underneath. Set the saddle height as above detailed by sanrensho. Consider a change in the chair if those adjustments don't fix it. Some guys actually do need a saddle with a hole, a happy weiner saddle I call 'em. I don't.

[eddiebrannan]

Originally posted by sanrensho
"Saddle Height - This is the biggie. You'll find various methods for calculating this critical number. Here's the one I like best. It has become known as the LeMond Method, because Greg brought it to us from his Renault team in the '80s. (Invite a friend over so you can help each other and both wind up with primo positions.).:D [/B]

:r:

[CraigH]

Originally posted by TeamK2
Hmmmm maybe i should get one of those new seats... but they are prolly ridiculous like something my mom would ride on haha big ass cusion seat - gotta suck for DH. Anyone got a link to some pics of one maybe???

Check out the WTB Speed V, and related models.

I'm using it on 2 of my bikes.

[Neo]

Originally posted by CraigH
Check out the WTB Speed V, and related models.

I'm using it on 2 of my bikes.

i swear by those seats. best saddle ever made.

[CraigH]

WTB Speed V: I just wish the cover on the corners was a little tougher.

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by CraigH
Check out the WTB Speed V, and related models.

I'm using it on 2 of my bikes.

I have the WTB Laser V (ti rails) and also think it is a good balance between comfort, durability, and sufficient cushioning to protect your uglies if you crash or land on the saddle wrong.

Note that comfort and cushioning can be mutually exclusive when it comes to pedaling comfort. (The shape and the way the saddle fits your sit bones is more important.) Generally, less cushioning like on many road-type saddles makes for a better XC saddle. I have a Selle Italia Gel Flite on another bike and the difference in comfort when doing the long climb up to CBC is remarkable. I can pedal roughly double the distance seated without standing up, as compared with the Laser V. Unfortunately, I'm not smooth enough that I would ride a Flite for light freeride without worrying about breaking the saddle.:P