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I've never had trouble with saddle sores on my road bike, but get some bad ones after 25 miles on my MTB. Which is a problem because I like long rides and bikepacking.
Here's what I've tried tweaking:
- I've tried multiple saddles and saddle positions with little improvement
- Bib shorts help, but not a lot
- Short travel FS a lot better than hardtail (another variable: I also run SPDs on the FS and flats on the hardtail)
Which leads me to think it's an issue with my technique and the way I'm constantly getting bounced around / moving on and off the saddle. As the sores are worse on a hardtail, better on a FS, and non-existent on a road bike.
Do I need to try the anti chafing cream? Any other ideas?
Now I've typed it out I wonder if SPDs could help, but googling I can't find anyone else saying that flat pedals are more likely to lead to saddle sores...
Can you really consider yourself a true cyclist if you haven't overshared about saddle "issues" 😉
I find that lycra shorts and bibs gets me hotter on the mtb than just lycra on the road bike. I also tend to stand around chatting a lot more before and after mtb rides. This isn't great and may be a symptom.
It could also be saddle and position but that can be hard to fix. Normally mtb is better as you are more dynamic which relieves the pressure. But if something in your setup is odd you may be putting pressure on the same spot and aggravating it. I find turbo through winter to be bad for this. Short sessions but very static and repetitive each day.
When you say saddle sores - do you mean abrasion and sore skin or spots and lumps. Abrasion type issues can be solved by chamois cream. It's worth a go. I like "happy bottom bum butter" because the owner seems like a nice guy and once gave me some free socks. It does actually work well too - as someone who does 15+ hours riding a week. Good shorts can help here too.
If it is spots and lumps then it is more of a hygiene thing in my experience. Chamois cream may help or may make things worse. I tend to get this problem when I spend a long time in lycra in warm damp conditions. Best thing here is to keep clean (skin and shorts) and minimise time in lycra and other sweaty clothing. Wet wipes are bad (although you can get biodegradable ones now) but are a convenient solution. I was advised to use the spot treatment creams you get for your face. Apparently it is the same thing - infected follicles and pores.
I find that lycra shorts and bibs gets me hotter on the mtb than just lycra on the road bike. I also tend to stand around chatting a lot more before and after mtb rides. This isn't great and may be a symptom.
It could also be saddle and position but that can be hard to fix. Normally mtb is better as you are more dynamic which relieves the pressure. But if something in your setup is odd you may be putting pressure on the same spot and aggravating it. I find turbo through winter to be bad for this. Short sessions but very static and repetitive each day.
I was going to say the same thing RE wearing chicken fillets under MTB shorts - definitely warmer and sweatier, hence often just wearing my road kit... chafing/sores can sometimes be linked to moisture management.
Plus everything else you said, +1.Â
Once a year we do a neighbourhood bike treasure hunt. It's the ride that hurts my bum more than any other because I'm sitting down for a couple of hours or so and not in a dynamic position and not taking any weight through my legs. On a road bike ride I'm leaning forward and taking the weight mostly through the pedals and the rest through my hands and the front part of the saddle.
So I think that might be part of the reason.
Handlebar position meaning you are sitting with your pelvis at a different angle thus putting weight on other bits?
In addition to all the other good suggestions above, do you use a wider saddle on your MTB? It's a bit counterintuitive, but the more upright the bike, the wider the saddle needs to be. Within reason, I'm not suggesting a massive Dutch bike sofa.Â
Are your cranks longer on the Mtb? - the trend towards shorter cranks, among other things, can lessen hip rock on the saddle. Side to side rocking hips which can worsen all types of saddle discomfort if the rider is marginal in hip rotation, and the old style 175mm mtb cranks are considered long for anything these days...
Simple one, have you tried lowering your saddle height?
I would try lower slightly than you feel it should be for optimal for pedaling efficiency; giving you the ability to move around on the saddle with out your being restricted by your leg extension, un-weighting from the saddle slightly while still being able to pedal smoothly without having to stand.