Groin numbness when biking

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2011-01-15 12:48 PM


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Subject: Groin numbness when biking
Is there anyone who can advise if this is normal or if I have a potential error with the bike set up?
When I am in the handlebar drop position for a 30 mins or more, my groin area (the whole wedding tackle area) goes numb and very cold..... At forst I thought is was because of the cold weather but it also happens indoors on my turbo trainer. Ive tried with underpants and without,  no change...
I am approx 10 lbs (5kgs) overweight, and I have tried to lower the front end of my saddle very slightly.
Any ideas or advice welcome?

2011-01-15 12:53 PM
in reply to: #3301499

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
There is a very good article about this very thing in this month's Triathlete magazine.  This is not a good thing and can lead to very bad things - "permanent swelling, nerve damage, or worse."  According to the article, it can be fixed with a better bike fit or possibly a different saddle.

I'd say read the article if you can find it.
2011-01-15 12:57 PM
in reply to: #3301505


18

Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Thanks, I have got Jan's Triathlon 220 and Triathlon plus magazines. Can you let me know which magazine exactly?
2011-01-15 1:03 PM
in reply to: #3301512

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Its Triathete, Feb 2011.  Its got Michael Raelert on the cover.  Pg. 92
2011-01-15 1:16 PM
in reply to: #3301499


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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Try a different saddle.  I had to try 4 a few years ago to find the one I like and have now been on for the past 3 seasons without a problem.
2011-01-15 4:00 PM
in reply to: #3301499

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Master
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Saddle!    Try the adamo it will change your riding life!  how do you spell relief?????  ha

2011-01-15 4:10 PM
in reply to: #3301499

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Master
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Might be worth switching out the shorts, as an easy experiment. I have one pair of bib shorts that has a very different effect than my other bike shorts.
2011-01-15 4:47 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
New saddle may help but if bike fit is off probably not.

If you haven't had bike fit do that first and talk to fitter about issue and he/she should help you with saddle issue.
2011-01-15 5:05 PM
in reply to: #3301499


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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
studies show groin numbness can lead to impotence in some cyclists

not a risk i'm willing to take

i have two Adamo saddles, check them out on amazon
2011-01-15 5:10 PM
in reply to: #3301844

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
KathyG - 2011-01-15 4:47 PM New saddle may help but if bike fit is off probably not.

If you haven't had bike fit do that first and talk to fitter about issue and he/she should help you with saddle issue.[/QUOTE]

This is what I did.  ^^^^
2011-01-15 8:15 PM
in reply to: #3301770

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
oriolepwr - 2011-01-15 4:00 PM Saddle!    Try the adamo it will change your riding life!  how do you spell relief?????  ha


X2!!!!! I had the same problem you did so I decided to try the Adamo....best decision of my cycling career.

2011-01-18 12:06 AM
in reply to: #3301499

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
if you push harder on the pedals, less of your weight will be resting on your cojones.  Its what i do toward the end of my long rides.  But i also reccomend the adamo, or cobb saddles. My thighs were a bit too muscular and wide so they rubbed too much on the side of the adamo.
2011-01-18 2:43 PM
in reply to: #3301536

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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
uwtriguy - 2011-01-15 1:16 PM Try a different saddle.  I had to try 4 a few years ago to find the one I like and have now been on for the past 3 seasons without a problem.


I agree, changed saddle and had no more issues.
2011-01-18 3:31 PM
in reply to: #3307002

Master
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
My thighs were a bit too muscular and wide so they rubbed too much on the side of the adamo.

Yeah some people zip tie the nose of the Adamo to narrow it down a bit.  There are a few different Cobb saddles to choose from.  The V-Flow Max is fairly wide, Plus is in-between, and the SHC-170 road saddle is fairly narrow.
2011-01-18 3:36 PM
in reply to: #3307155

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Sensei
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking

Let me throw something out there... JUST a caution...  I got a new saddle (Adamo).  And loved it.  Numbness went away.  In fact, I had numbness for a MONTH after my IM on my old saddle.  Got a bit worried.

However.  When I bought a new road bike, and had it fit a little better, I realized I can ride my normal saddle for hours just fine.  Granted, the road and MTB, I'm not in earo.

So what I'm trying to say, don't buy a saddle to solve a fitting problem.  But since I have it dialed in, I still have my Adamo on the TT bike for earo, and can ride any saddle on the other bikes.

2011-01-18 6:42 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
First thing to do, bike fit. Lots of time, this is a perfect indicator that your bike fit is less the optimal... second thing to do, get a new saddle. But what ever you do, don't ignore it!!!

2011-01-20 7:25 AM
in reply to: #3301499


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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
 other thing to consider..

make sure you are sitting far up on the saddle. When you are in the aero position and are positioned far up on the saddle, your problem area is actually not under much pressure at all. All of the pressure is on the bones that make up the butt (and forearms).

This partially explains why its so numb when you are in drop-down position and all of your weight is on your gambits.  

 
2011-01-20 8:34 AM
in reply to: #3301499


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Subject: RE: Groin numbness when biking
Get bike fit, get saddle.

I love being able to use...that area...so I asked a lot of questions about this when I started.  One thing suggested to me besides the two above is every half hour or so, shift to your hardest gear, get out of your saddles, and pedal hard for about 30 seconds.  You can feel everything get better when you do it.

Good luck
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