Study Finds No-Nose Bicycle Saddles Are Kinder to Male Genitalia
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 08.12.08
Controversy and Confusion About Bicycle Saddles and Erectile Dysfunction
There has been controversy and confusion about the connection between cycling and erectile disfunction ever since urologist Dr Irwin Goldstein said, in a Bicycling Magazine article, that “there are two kinds of cyclists: those who are impotent and those who will be.” Obviously, that's an overstatement. In fact, having ridden a bicycle nearly every day for the last 7 years and having spoken to countless other cyclists, I am of the opinion that bicycle saddles only cause numbness 1)if the bike is improperly adjusted; 2)when a rider isn't fit and 3)after a very long and intense ride.
Three Preventable Causes of Numbness
The first problem is the most common, and can be remedied by a simple visit to your local bike shop. Proper bike fit means more than a saddle that is adjusted to the right height; stems can be made longer or shorter, saddles can be moved back and forth, handlebars tilted up and down, etc. In addition, you want to be sure that you are riding a frame that is the right size!
The second issue is something that most people misunderstand: bicycle saddles are not seats. In other words, they are not meant to bear the entire weight of the rider. A fit cyclist will distribute his weight on the pedals and the handlebars, as well as on the seat, minimizing pressure on the perineum. New riders find it hard to lean far forward enough to properly distributed their weight on the bars, and they tend to pedal more tentatively; as a result, they sit more heavily on the saddle. Racers prefer hard, flat saddles because they make it easier to lean far forward (in fact, soft, spongey saddles cause more numbness, because as you lean forward the foam bunches up and presses into the genitals).
Finally, it is true that some numbness is inevitable on really long, hard rides. However, for most people this is not a problem, as they don't ride 6-7 hours in a day, and I've yet to meet a racer who complains about problems with persistent numbness.
People Still Worry About Erectile Dysfunction
Still, despite all this, many people have fears about bicycle seats. For them, noseless saddles might be the perfect solution. And, a recent study of "ninety bicycling police officers from 5 metropolitan regions in the U.S. . .using traditional saddles [that] were evaluated prior to changing saddles and then again after 6 months of using the noseless bicycle saddle" found that noseless saddles do improve penile sensation. The study showed that
use of the noseless saddle resulted in a reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region. There was a significant improvement in penile tactile sensation, and the number of men indicating they had not experienced genital numbness while cycling for the preceding 6 months rose from 27 percent to 82 percent using no-nose saddles
I think this is great news for people that are really having problems with numbness from riding and who have tried everything else to alleviate the problem first. That said, noseless saddles take time to get used to, as they make it harder to steer the bike. What's more, the easiest way to ensure proper blood flow during a ride is to get out of the saddle every once in a while (this is a good idea anyway to stretch the legs and work different muscles). My concern is that people will think cycling is going to somehow ruin their sex lives and avoid riding. If you are one of those people, remember a few key points:
1)exercise is good for sexual health! Sitting in a car and cubicle every day is not a recipe for studliness.
2)with proper bike fit cycling should be numbness and pain free
3)experiment with different saddles--nose as well as no-nose. Everyone's physiology is different and there are myriad saddle styles to choose from. Here's a little tip, though: don't go with the saddle that feels softest to the touch, and do a reasonably-long ride on a saddle before making a decision!
Regardless of if you agree with this study or not, the fact of the matter is that there are numerous ways to ensure that cycling is comfortable, safe and fun for all.
Via: ::ScienceDaily.com
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I've had the Spongywonder for about 3 years now. Took some getting used to, but I will NEVER go back to a saddle again.
Most people think a soft saddle will be more comfortable but this is only true for short infrequent rides. If you are going to ride a lot you will need a much firmer saddle. You want the weight to be on your "sit bones" and not the fleshy parts of your bottom. On a soft saddle you just sink in until the weight is on the fleshy bits. Think about back in school when you sat in a wooden desk all day. Did your but hurt?
I ride every day and there is only one saddle i can recommend: Brooks Leather. It takes a bit of breaking in but after that nothing can compare. They wear out after 200k miles or so but they are made out of biodegradable leather and recyclable steel. See what Sheldon Brown had to say about them: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/leather.html
P.S. If your wrists hurt your saddle may be tilted too nose down. If you find your knees hurt and you tend to pedal with your heals raise the seat-post. Most beginners keep their seats much to low.
That said (adjustments), I've ridden bicycles pretty much daily since 1972. I'm 56, and potent (though clipped). The bicyle seat hurts a hell of a lot more as I age (right behind the scrotum). As far as a hornless seat, I use the horn when I'm up on the pedals, and grab it with my thighs for control. I'd hate to lose that control so I have not switched seats (& vainity plays a big factor too!)
Yeah. A lot. I solve the problem by carrying a towel with me and sitting on that.
I borrowed my dad's old racer bike to see if it would be worth it for commuting. The very first ride, my ischial bones (the "sit bones") hurt like hell, and it's still sitting in the basement.
A saddle with "no nose"....is not a saddle...and that kind of noseless saddle do not solve the problems...
The Nose of the saddle allows you to control the bike and to have more feeling on road and on dirty terrain. For people with important numbness problems go to a recumber bike that is for several reason the best "velocipede"
As far as I'm concerned, the problem are:
1. the quality of the inner pad of the cycling shorts. Assos are the best in the world even if expensive but worth to invest money in. Assos shorts come with a fantastic cream and a dedicated laundry detergent. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before to wear and go...!!!
2. Lack of experience and skill. Biking does not means only seating on a bike and pushing the pedals... Bike means also training and time to adapt our body at a frame geometry. It's very important training out of the saddle too, that's many people don't.
3. Prepare your body along three month with a specific weight lifting...means to strenght your muscle for a better riding!
3. Brooks is a great saddle it's the true. Others company deal the big market of your bum....Not for all anyhow...
I suggest to visit selle Anatomica.com and you'll be surprised.
Sincerely
STF
Most modern saddles have a groove that goes down the middle. Keeps more blood flowing down there.
If you start riding after a long time of not riding, or are new to the game, your butt will hurt after an hour or so. This WILL go away after 2 - 3 weeks, don't let it deter you. You will realize that you could ride on a piece of wood if it's shaped right. I've seen hard plastic BMX seats that are fine if they fit the bones right.
All good info.
vsk
Men, Men, Men... Has anyone done any studies on women! What about the possible reduction to clitorial, etc. sensitivity due to bicycle saddles? I'd be interested to see what Treehugger can find about such studies, or lack there of.
I can't imagine how that contraption could be comfortable. I mean, some of us bikers are a bit too muscled in the rear end for something like that to work...
Buy a Brooks, point the nose down slightly, oil it only rarely, and for god's sake don't ride it when its drenched.
-Patrick-
I ride my bike everyday to commute and go out on long intense rides on the weekends, as well as having great sex often, so I don't see what the big deal is. Get a saddle with a cut out if you are concerned, and make sure you are properly fitted. Also as mentioned get out of the saddle every so often, it's good for a number of reasons.
Bike shorts? Creme's? ..I don't know...sometimes you just want to go for a ride...not climb Everest. The seat is comfortable. I like mine. :)
The nose of the saddle is very important for bicycle control. These seats (they aren't saddles) compromise the rider's ability to steer and maintain stability. A seat like this should only be used on a dedicated bike path or by someone who values comfort while riding over comfort while in traction after being broad-sided in rush-hour traffic.
The nose of the saddle is very important for bicycle control. These seats (they aren't saddles) compromise the rider's ability to steer and maintain stability. A seat like this should only be used on a dedicated bike path or by someone who values comfort while riding over comfort while in traction after being broad-sided in rush-hour traffic.
the saddle pictured is the spondy wonder. i rode it for almost two years. i have to say that it is uncomfortable at first and it does interfere with the leg movement. it's hard to get a full stroke when sitting down. it's also harder to balance. riding no handed wasn't as easy as it was before.
all that said, i would still suggest it for any man -- or woman -- concerned with genitle blood supply.
"Brooks Leather. It takes a bit of breaking in but after that nothing can compare. They wear out after 200k miles or so"
Sadly, no longer true. Current Brooks saddles are not nearly as long lasting as the older models. I've known several people whose Brooks saddles began to sag noticeably in just a couple thousand miles. The quality simply isn't what it used to be.
Also the Brooks saddle has some compatibility issues with many modern bikes. The rails on the Brooks are unchanged from back when bikes had 68-72 degree seat tube angles. Modern bikes have steeper seat tubes and as a result it can be hard to get the saddle far enough back, especially if you have a longer femur. None of my current bikes will allow me to run a Brooks and still have the saddle far enough back. Can't help but notice many people who do ride a Brooks do so with the saddle slammed all the way back on the seat post and even then many of them are sitting so far forward you'd think they were triathletes! I don't know why Brooks refuses to adopt standard saddle rail dimensions.
The Sella Anatomica saddle was a major disappointment. Great design and nice that they adopted standard rails. However mine lasted less than half a season. In just a few short months I'd maxed out the tension bolt and towards the end it felt as if I were riding on the rails themselves. Not good. Hopefully they can resolve this quality control issue.
All I can say is, I never have any butt/male parts problem sitting on my recumbent bike.
I agree with the pro-nose posters, I use the nose of the saddle for lateral control during manoeuvring. I tried hard racing saddles, but found them painful, so I currently use a old Selle Royal Italia, comfort-style, back sprung saddle, it works fine, even at speed, I find the firm gel makes it easy to comfortably grip the saddle. My ATB does not have suspension, other than fat tyres, so I find the springs very useful for bumpy terrain, especially down hills.
As for me, I solved my sore bicycle saddle problem a long time ago, by switching to a recumbent bicycle. Now it's like sitting in a recliner -- instead of having a board shoved up my a*s!
Who needs a saddle?
I had some discomfort with soft and hard modern-ish saddles. My friend bet me $25 that I'd come to love a Brooks B17.
I lost the bet.
Years later, I use the same B17 saddles with zero discomfort, because my sit bones prop up everything else with no pressure.
I've not experienced any problems with the build quality; but I apply Obenauf's leather preservative yearly and cover the saddle when it rains. No sag, and I ride almost every day of the year.
Total. convert.
I see a lot of serious bikers here and lots of useful information. I also think that this is a great saddle, if you don't take long trips and prefer comfort over speed. But when performance becomes an issue, you will sooner or later need to switch to a narrow and firm saddle.
Also, specialized clothing can perform wonders in comfort, ventilation and circulation.
I have been commuting by bike (9 miles one way)for 5 years now. I went through 6 different "special penal pressure releaving" saddles before finding about the Hobson Seat (a noseless saddle/seat).
Since switching to the Hobson seat I have had no issues! There is no interferance with my petal stroke, there is no longer any numbness. I also have not had any issues controling any of my three bikes with a hobson seat. One bike is a road bike, one a commuter and a third a mountain bike.
I have also competed in single track (off road) bike racing with a hobson seat on my mountain bike and I have placed on the podium, so don't let anyone tell you "you can't race with a noseless saddle!"
I sure do wish I'd known about this 25 years ago. I used to ride my bike extensively & now I have the nerve damage to show for it.
I understand that blogs are about opinion and not facts, but this topic is about other’s health. Are you so sure about your opinion that you feel you can tell others to disregard biomedical science? Did you read the scientific paper published in the medical journal that is presented here or the other 35 medical journal reports presenting data about urogential numbness and sexual dysfunction in bicyclists or is your opinion only that your sexual function is fine (for now) and therefore medicine and science are wrong?
As explained in the medical journal article these bicycle police officers do understand bicycle fit. There are national and international organizations which teach bicycle fit to police officers. These cyclists ride an average of 25 hours a week. Do you really think that bike fit just slipped their mind? Do bicycle police officers ride different than others? Yes, first they ride mountain bikes which put them in a more upright position than a road racer. Sitting more upright still caused problems; every scientific article on road racers show a much greater increased pressure on the groin (perineum) which would make the situation even worse for racers than the mountain bike policemen.
This is based cumulative trauma an area of the body that was not meant to bear your body weigh. Blood vessels supplying the penis (labia and clitoris in women) are being flattened and restricting blood flow to the genitals. There are data suggesting nerve damage from nerve compression but not nerve entrapment in cyclists. With time numbness does not completely subside and sexual dysfunction develops. This is not about a single bicycle ride or an immediate effect. Biomedical research also indicates that the saddles with cutouts are not beneficial and in some cases may be worse for the cyclist.
Research studies also have shown that cutout or grooved saddles do NOT fix the problem and are often worse because the blood vessels supplying the genitals are bilateral lie along the ridge of the cutout.
Research science is not someone’s whim. This is the culmination of years of research building on their scientific knowledge and the scientific data published around the world. The study protocol underwent stringent peer review as did the publication of the journal article.
Women have also been studied see:
http://opa.yale.edu/news/article.aspx?id=1695
The bottom line is to believe others opinions or believe medical science. The choice is yours – it’s your penis (or clitoris)!