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Feb 26, 2012 3:38 PM GMT
I'm new to biking and I just took my new bike on a 26 mile ride yesterday. After just a few miles, I noticed my "junk" was getting numb. It was freaking me out and made the ride alot less enjoyable. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions about how to keep this from happening again? Adjusting the seat? Getting a new seat? New shorts? Thanks for taking the time to help.
FORUMS > Cycling Forum Rules
Crotch numbness during biking
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Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profile
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QUOTE Feb 26, 2012 3:40 PM GMTA good tongue massage will get the circulation going again quite quickly.
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QUOTE Feb 26, 2012 3:57 PM GMTChange out your seat to a 'prostate friendly' one as peterstrong said. And get your seat height checked. It could be too high or too low and that can cause problems. Most bike shops will do a 'quick and dirty' fit for you for free (or just a few bucks) and it's definitely worth it.
Edit: And yes, you're right, get new bike shorts - ones with a thick and comfortable chamois. Especially if you're on a hard race seat currently. Check out Sugoi or Voler or Blackbottoms. -
QUOTE Feb 26, 2012 5:06 PM GMTI disagree that it will happen on long rides no matter what you do--I do centuries regularly and don't have the numbness...anymore.
You don't need a cutout saddle. I was experiencing numbness on long rides and brought the bike in for a fitting. Turned out my saddle was too narrow for my size, so i got a wider saddle that allowed my sit bones to rest comfortably on the saddle and it hasn't been a problem since. It's still a racing saddle, so it's still narrow by most people's standards. The way they measured me was to sit on a piece of plastic film that left butt prints on it and they were able to measure from the center of each cheek mark to determine the correct saddle size. Also, make sure the saddle is level--if it is angled up or down that can contribute to numbness. -
QUOTE Feb 26, 2012 5:20 PM GMT
jessetriguy saidIts going to happen on long rides no matter what you do. You can make your ride more comfortable by getting a good pair of padded cycling shorts. Make sure they fit snug to support your boys and don't wear anything underneath. Also, try riding off the saddle on long rides and take the pressure of your crotch. Let the blood flow.
This is not true. It will not happen no matter what. I do about 60 km a day..and have done 100. Never numbness. The suggestions here should fix his problem. -
QUOTE Feb 26, 2012 5:29 PM GMT
DesireIron saidA good tongue massage will get the circulation going again quite quickly.
aside from this comment, there's some good advice here. you shouldn't feel numbness, and if you do that's a bad sign. there's a correlation between bike seats that don't fit you properly and impotence. go to a bike shop that knows what they're doing and ask them to help size you for a correct seat. -
Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Feb 26, 2012 5:35 PM GMTThe Effects of Bicycle Riding on the Prostate
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/327199-the-effects-of-bicycle-riding-on-the-prostate/#ixzz1nVhbk5t6
But prostate massage is good right?? -
Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Feb 26, 2012 8:51 PM GMTPlease tell me you are wearing cycle shorts!
You also need to get the right seat for you. Everyone is different. -
QUOTE Mar 02, 2012 11:34 PM GMTNot to pile on, but the comments here are correct. I cycle 5 days/week a minimum of an hour and experience no numbness. Make sure you wear quality shorts but the most important aspect is bike fit and an appropriate saddle. The small amount you spend on shorts, saddle and fit will make all the difference in your ride experience.
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Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Mar 03, 2012 1:01 AM GMTA good road bike seat lets you fine-tune the seating angle and fore-and-aft placement in very small increments. You may simply have the front of your saddle angled up too high.
Some saddles have gel padding inserts, and other solutions like cutouts that are supposed to keep pressure off your perineum. That perineum pressure has been blamed for nerve damage that can result in the numbness you're experiencing.
Plus many new bikers can expect some degree of local soreness until the crotch "toughens up" a bit. But that's not the same as numbness extending to your junk, which can result in sexual dysfunction issues over time.
Bike shorts will have a "chamois" built into the crotch, which nowadays will be a gel padding. Since you may not always want to wear those skin-tight shorts, for instance if you're making some stops to conduct other business during your ride, an alternative is gel-padded underwear, that you wear under the shorts of your choice. One brand I use is Andiamo!
http://andiamounderwear.com/ -
Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Mar 04, 2012 4:31 PM GMTThanks everyone for all of your input. I was wearing padded shorts last week but i also wore some boxer briefs underneath them.
Yesterday, i just wore the shorts with nothing underneath, and I also lowered my seat a bit. We rode over 20 miles and I didn't have any numbness at all.
I think the main issue was wearing underwear underneath the cycling shorts.
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Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Mar 06, 2012 2:58 PM GMT
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QUOTE Mar 06, 2012 3:17 PM GMTMost of the advice on here has been very good. It's really a combination of the type of saddle and how it's positioned on your bike. Definitely check in with your bike professionals to gauge your positioning on the bike. You can make adjustments to the saddle by moving it slightly forward/backward, if necessary. Regarding saddles, you may have to try a few different kinds to find the one that's best for your anatomy. Good bike shops will let you try a saddle for a few rides before purchasing (they can be very expensive, so good to know in advance, right?).
Also--DO NOT WEAR UNDERWEAR UNDER YOUR BIKE SHORTS. Invest in a good pair of bib shorts--Pearl Izumi, Louis Garneau, Voler all have decent kinds at various price levels. They all have chamois/padding that are designed for comfort, but you might find that one brand is better than the other for your personal anatomy. -
Posted by a hidden member.Log in to view his profileQUOTE Mar 06, 2012 3:33 PM GMT
txguy1977 saidI think the main issue was wearing underwear underneath the cycling shorts.
Perhaps. Men wear padded bike shorts commando. But review all the responses you've had here, especially about proper bike fit. You may obtain additional gains in comfort, control and pedaling efficiency by fine-tuning your ride.
I've been riding derailleur road bikes since 1962, and pretty much have my own "formula" down pat. I know every dimension on a bike I want, and there are literally dozens. But even I still consult with bike experts when I get a new bike, and have them assist me with my fit.
A road bike is like a pair of shoes - if the fit isn't exactly right you will have these problems. Fortunately a bike has a range of adjustments, whereas a shoe has few. With some good advice you'll hopefully find that your new bike will ultimately be your perfect fit.
And you'll learn that some components can be swapped for ones better suited to your physical size and needs. The bike will become customized for you, which is what most serious bikers do.
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