Comments on: Does bicycling cause prostate or testicular complications?

By: Jon P

Jon P — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:00:48 +0000

Cycle saddle position is critical, as is the choice of saddle.

Check out the SMP4Bike range from http://www.smpsaddle.co.uk especially reading the science and ergonomics pages to understand how these saddles have been developed to minimise squashing of the genital area – particularly in men.

By: bloomfieldbike

bloomfieldbike — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:36:14 +0000

At our bike shop we have a simple set of guidelines for guys …

if your bike seat causes pain try adjusting the location of the seat or getting your bike fit or getting nice new spongy shorts.

if your bike seat cuases tingling try the above as well

if you are EVER numb stop riding immediately and proceed with personal massage until all feeling returns and the proceed to the nearest bike shop for a new seat.

Often it is not just the saddle but the FIT of the bike. Saddles can move forward and back on the rails to allow your knee to line up perfectly with the ball of your foot. Saddles can also angle nose up and nose down.

Many guys like a saddle with a hole in it for prostate relief or something like a WTB with a good”rocker” (raised rear section)

In the end you will need to go to a good bike shop, try some saddles out and get a good bike fit!!

take care
good luck and comfy riding!!

By: taylor

taylor — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:29:28 +0000

1) When just starting in cycling (like horse back riding) you will get sore
2) Get sized and fit for your bike
3) Get a new seat

Regarding #3…. You may need something wider/narrower, longer/shorter, harder (usually not softer)… Often the gel seats will cause issues because they go down in some area and press up in others. I would not get one with the cut-out until you work out the other issues.. Like sitting correctly.

After #1 and #2 … you can get the most benefit from #3

By: jm c

jm c — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:23:35 +0000

Your seat height is not set properly. You could also be using a seat that is too ‘cushy’. A couple of quick checks to perform:
1 – If when riding, your hips rock ‘side-to-side’, then your seat is too high.
2 – If your legs do not extend fully (your thigh should be close to, but not horizontal when your foot is in the 12 oclock position), then your seat is too low.

That being said, bicycle seats are very personal choices among riders. I prefer a seat like the San marco Aspide whereas others prefer the Terry or Fizik. The best thing to do is get your seat height adjusted properly, then try out seats for a ride or two. Some bicycle shops will allow you to try and ride seats and return for full price as long as the seat is not damaged or scuffed up.

By: intrepidfae

intrepidfae — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 03:39:51 +0000

A seat that “fits your meat” doesn’t create problems in front or in back. You might have to try more than one until you find the best fit. If you want a classic, comfortable seat to start with, I suggest the Terry Liberator Y, the male specific version. I have one and feel no pain from it even after a 100 mile ride.

By: phoster

phoster — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:40:16 +0000

they dont know. the problem is that science has trouble determining whether riding contributed or if the rider would have developed problems anyway. seeing as how so many men develop issues anyway, it is hard to point the finger and say this or that causes it. at this point in time they just dont know if there is a correlation. no one has compiled enough data to say that.

By: 55 and trying

55 and trying — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:46:12 +0000

You did not say how long you have been riding or how long you ride. Maybe you just need to give it some more miles to get used to it. If you have everything adjusted correctly just put on the miles. Do not go out and buy a big wide soft seat because they do not help they make it worse.

By: DH1

DH1 — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:47:38 +0000

You probably need to have someone show you how to fit your bike properly so your weight isn’t all on your meat and veggies. Most often you can dial the fit in so that you won’t experience any pain or numbness. Things to take into consideration are seat height, alignment over pedals (fore and aft on the seat rails…in the seatpost clamp), seat angle (adjustable by loosening the seat clamp and tilting the seat nose up or down), and reach to the handlebars (may require different stem or handlebars).

For those difficult to fix numbness issues they do make anatomically correct saddles with a cutout for soft tissue. They come in male and female specific designs and are readily available at any quality bike shop.

Specialized brand bike shops usually have a “sit-meter” or “butt-o-meter”. For lack of better explanation it is the equivalent of a shoe size gauge, for your rear end. It determines the spread of your sit bones and suggest the proper saddle width for your rear.

By: Richard H

Richard H — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:23:00 +0000

You should be comfortable sitting on a bike for hours. First, make sure that your bike is the right size for you, and is set up correctly. If you are prone to “issues” in the prostate area then I cannot recommend enough that you go to a quality bike shop and have them adjust the seat for you. Sometimes as little as a few mm’s can make a TREMENDOUS difference to someone with prostate issues.
The next thing you need to make sure of is that you allow your butt enough time to condition itself to riding, especially if you are a new rider. After getting the bike fit to you and then riding for a few weeks, you will usually find the pain will go away. I personally ride a saddle with an anatomic cutout, which is a groove down the center that removes a LOT of the pressure from my prostate area and it made a huge difference in the comfort level of my ride. There was some scare about prostate problems, but no follow up study in several years and everything that I personally have read has kind of debunked the fears of a seat causing issues, although it can certainly aggravate existing issues.