butt fatigue…updating my fit and probably saddle

With 8 weeks to go, I’m now finalizing my equipment choices for Ironman Florida.

As my rides have increased in volume, I’ve been getting some ‘butt fatigue’ as the hours roll along…hard to stay in that aero position if your butt is asking for…or demanding…relief…so decided it’s a good time to take another look at my bike fit, as well as my saddle….particularly with my new bony butt 🙂

I’ve been riding a Fizik Arione for years, and _reasonably_ happy with it, although never really thrilled as the miles increase, so have sort of put up with it…I’ve felt that it’s probably a bit narrow for me, but good enough…and the result of trying out a number of different saddles a few years ago

A comfortable butt, is first and foremost a matter of a good fit on the bike…the saddle itself and shorts are secondary…in fact, many would say that the less padding in your shorts the better…if your fit and saddle are right

…also goes to my considering Ironman in just tri-shorts with their thin padding, to save transition time…I’ve always made a full change into bike shorts, and then into running shorts…maybe not this year, if I can get my butt comfortable enough to stay aero for 5:30-6:00 hours.

I had a full-blown Retul bike fit early in the season
https://irondaughterirondad.com/bike-fit-today-always-a-great-idea/

And following my own advise, and now having it re-checked.

My fit has been very good this season…strong power, feeling solid on the bike, no strain points or pain anywhere…and butt comfortable enough…although, as the time in the saddle has increased…like over 3 hours last Saturday, followed by over 2 hours Sunday…and this is only going to increase…it reminds me that my butt is not as comfortable as it could be, so maybe something to look at.

I’ve always liked John Cobb’s stuff…http://cobbcycling.com/…he’s one of the pioneers in bike fit and cycling aerodynamics, and a BIG numbers guy…and now focused on his own line of saddles…nice.

…and the shop that I had my bike fit earlier in the season, Bruce Guild at Studio Velo http://www.studiovelonc.com/ in Mooresville, NC just happens to have a ‘demo seat’ program with Cobb saddles…what’s not to like 🙂

So I went to see Bruce, and we discussed the re-fit and saddle options…and decided to try out one of the Cobb saddles first, to see how I liked it…and then move on to looking at my final position again from there.

So last weekend I tried out the V-Flow

…and this week will try out the Plus.

On first impressions, the V-Flow was more solid on my sit bones…which is a good thing…although ‘thicker’ than the Fizik, so would take some getting use to…and although more comfortable than the Fizik, still not like sitting in my recliner…although after riding the same saddle for years, part of that would be getting use to the new feel

…so we’ll see how the Plus works out, and then fine tune the fit, to give me as comfortable and powerful a ride as I can get.

You’ve had your bike fit looked at this season…by somebody that _really_ knows what they’re doing…right? 🙂