Horrific clitoris

Along with the Adamo, I would look into changes I could make inside my bike shorts.   Are they short worn out or maybe the padding is work?   Or a seam or something in a weird place?   I would try some long lasting lube.   Honestly I need to lube that EXACT spot, although I have only experienced very slight soreness not like you recommend.   Aquaphor (or vaseline) is okay in a pinch, but I would suggest Chamois Butter or something that doesn't soak in and is really oily.  I honestly think that will make a HUGE difference.

And I would be happy to fly down there and bring this stuff.  My courier fee is cheap (plane ticket) and I'd be willing to subsidize the cost.  However, I won't come until... November!

Is this the only saddle you've tried? I went through 3 or 4 before I found the one for me (which, by the way, has a cut-out). One particular saddle I got blisters after the first ride so naturally didn't ride on it again.

I strongly suggest trying many different saddles until you find one you agree with. No use in torturing yourself!

The bike fitter I use, does bike fits via video and internet.  Check it out as his site has lots of fit information.

With limited resources locally, getting a fit is challenging. But I think a solid fit can make a huge difference in saddle comfort. I know Todd sells Adamo and is very familiar with how to fit them.

Hope you figure it out Kathy!

Acknowledging I am a male, I have also done a number of thousand bike fits and had intimate relationships with female athletes that facilitated candid discussions about female saddle discomfort.

Firstly, you deserve credit for addressing the issue candidly. It will benefit a lot of athletes. Thank you.

A common retort from the uncomfortable female cyclist, especially to the male bike fitter, is "You're a man, you couldn't possibly understand." That isn't entirely true.

Saddle comfort- and discomfort, are basic: They are caused by four factors: heat, pressure, friction and moisture.

Heat can be environmental; i.e. it's hot out. It can also be caused by using vapor barrier shorts with a non-breathable "gel pad" in them. Not a good idea. The most common cause of heat is friction though.

Friction is caused by movement and generates heat. It is usually attributed to bad bike fit and position.

Pressure can damage tissues and is usually is the result of poor fit and position, most frequently a saddle that is too high.

Moisture is usually caused by perspiration but can also be caused by urinating (as with a long race) and by environmental factors like rain.

Managing these factors enables good saddle comfort and tolerance.

The most frequent problem is bike fit and position. Solution: Get a bike fit and position by a truly qualified bike fitter. It will cost you and you'll have to travel.

The second most common indicator is incorrect clothing. Solution: Do not wear undergarments with padded bike shorts. Wear technical fabrics designed to manage moisture, reduce friction and remain hygenic. Use chamois lubricant such as dznuts bliss female specific chamois cream during every ride if you have discomfort. Be sure your shorts fit absolutely skin tight.

Other factors that influence saddle comfort are differences in genital configuration, but these differences can be accomodated with the above remmedies in nearly every case. Another factor is hair, shaving and/or waxing. Hair can assist in the retention of heat which may add to discomfort. Poor shaving habits can create re-grown hairs that become irritated by saddle pressure and friction and even become infected with long term exposure to moisture. If this is a problem manage hair in the saddle so that it no longer contributes to heat accumulation and or saddle boils from hair (foliculitus).

Good saddle comfort isn't about novel or fancy saddles entirely. Different saddle designs are certainly a valid part of the saddle comfort equation for both genders. However, riders frequently default to a different saddle when, in fact, the other factors are the primary conspiracy to acheiving acceptable saddle tolerance, most commonly: Bike fit and position.

- Hope that helps. Again, thanks for you candor.

No clue how to multiquote, so...

Bikergirl - I use a pair of Descent women's bib shorts (new) and a mixture of old and new Cavalo men's bib shorts.  It really doesn't seem to make a difference what shorts I use and I bought the Descente just to see if a woman's chamois would make a difference - stranglely, I feel worse in those bibs than the others.  I'm looking to get DeSoto bibs (as they have a retailer here) to see if that might make a difference but I'm skeptical.  But thanks for the idea.  I use ChamoisButtr on Each and Every Ride and put a big gob all around the clitoral area.  I know it makes a difference (as I've gone without and it has been Much Much Worse) but not enough.  I've also tried Desitin.  Thanks for the offer and I'll look for you in November .

Lisac - no, it is the 2nd one I've tried but saddles are Very Expensive down here and there is very little selection.  Tying out various saddles, unless someone brings them down and takes them back, is pretty much impossible.

Kathy - THANK YOU for that link!  What a great idea.  I had no idea that fitters worked remotely.  THank you !

Tom - thank you so much for the long and educational post.  You are such a treasure!   Living in Mexico, we've got heat but I'm not convinced this is the issue or I'd expect to find sores and/or issues in other spots.  I have only ONE spot that has a problem and it is a doozy, as you'd expect.  I wear Cavalo bib shorts but will dig out my DeSoto tri shorts and see if I still have the problem in that spot with them.  I have never had a bike fit, so I expect my fit is not so hot so friction is most likely a big issue.  I have tried saddle height messing around and am not convinced it is too high.  I definitely have lowered the saddle but continue to be plagued with that one spot.  It is looking more and more like I really need the advice of a good fitter but I cannot afford to fly to the US and pay for a fitting so I will have to see if Kathy's guy might have some ideas.  Other than that, if you know anyone who is a really good fitter who would like a vacation maybe we can deal.    Again, thank you for taking so much time to address my issue!

Always welcome- your frank and candid post will help many people who have the same issues, so its appreciated.

Also, and I think you mentioned this already as have other posters in the this thread I think, an ISM Adamo or Cobb Cycling "noseless" or slotted- front type saddle may also be indicated here.

Best of luck Ma'am!

Could it be an allergy from the detergent that you use?  Maybe, try a new pair of bike shorts to be sure that you don't have any residual soap and then wash in a hypoallergenic soap.  We use All Free and Clear.  There are also other brands that claim to be hypoallergenic.  I don't have any info on which might be better.  I imagine you know this but wash the bike shorts every time you wear them.   

Another obvious comment but I would also suggest letting the irritation heal before really trying to draw conclusions about changes in fit.   Once you have the sore, it doesn't take much friction to get it inflamed again.

TW

Two things helped me: the Adamo saddle and new bike shorts.

The good news is that I paid $25 to try the demo Adamo from tripsorts.com for a week before I committed to buy (includes shipping and sending the saddle back).  If you like it and buy it from them they take the $25 and apply it to the new saddle.

My bike shorts were just worn, although they didn't show wear, when I got new ones it made a huge difference.

Prior to the above I was miserable on the saddle for the reasons you mention in your post.

Andi

My wife had issues in the same area, though not as severe as the ones you describe. We lowered her saddle 0.5 - 1 cm and it helped a ton. She also uses a cut-out saddle (Bontrager) which she really liked. She hated my Fizik Arrione.

I am not a fitter and haven't seen your position, so it may not help. Just remember you have 3 points of contact with your bike (5 actually...) - seat, hands (2) and feet (2). Putting a little more pressure on one area can relieve some pressure on the others. Other options include moving your seat forward slightly, or lowering your handlebars. Kathy's suggestion of a remote fit might be a good way to go.

Ouch - had that when I first started riding but after a good bike fit that saddle improved.  I now have a new Trek Speed Concept and yep - I have the sorest bits!  I am off to get the first free service and will be getting an Adamo.

post of the day

Try Cobb saddles.  The V-Flow and V-Flow Max have fairly large cutouts.  They're not cheap, but Cobb offers a 180 day return policy if you're not happy.

I actually returned a Cobb saddle after 150 days and got a refund, no hassle; so I know it's not BS.

thanks to everyone for their ideas. I actually have a Bontrager (sp?) with the dip in the middle but the nose of the saddle is still hitting me where it hurts so the dip in the middle is useless.  I have no issues anywhere south of the very tippy top of the vulvar area.  So I'm also skeptical that a Cobb would work.  IMO (which is very limited, I'll admit) having ANYTHING at the nose of the saddle is going to be a problem, right?  I can't be the only one having this hard a time...which leads me to believe this is really a fit issue.  Has anyone ever had serious issues in the same spot go away with a good fit?  I can't imagine ever being able to ride aero because of the nose of the saddle (and I've pointed it down and up and side to side).

Lastly, any opinions on whether or not a remote (by video) fit would be able to fix this?  thanks so much in advance for all your help and ideas.