Bike Seat Hurts Butt: Possile Reasons and Ways to Prevent It

From this article, you'll learn the reasons why your bike seat hurts butt, as well as what to do to prevent it and ride without pain.
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
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Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: August 20, 2023
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Riding a bike for an extended period and through far distances may be fun but have you ever felt the uncomfortable pain that comes from your butt for sitting too long? Regardless of how comfortable the bike’s saddle may appear to be, after a while, you’ll get uneasy.

So why bike seat hurts butt? Your bum is bound to feel sore after riding for a while, and there are several reasons for it. We shall discuss the reasons for the discomfort and ways to fix that.

Butt Hurts from Bike Seat: Possible Reasons

Bike Seat Hurts Butt: Possile Reasons and Ways to Prevent It

Biking is one of the best activities to pass the time, a good source of transportation, and a way to exercise your body and stay fit. It is one of the most common vehicles in the world, and people love them. The popularity of cycles is growing daily, and there are different brands with their own designs, but one common thing every bike manufacturer aims at is comfort for the riders.

So, you may ask yourself, why does my butt hurt after riding a bike? It may seem unusual, but it’s not something weird in the slightest. It’s very common with people who ride bikes often, primarily through long distances.

Most riders will have gone through this before, regardless of whether you’re new to biking or have been on wheels all your life. At some point, you’ll get a sore butt Trusted Source Pain in Buttocks: What’s Causing It? Pain in the buttocks can be caused by many conditions, which range in terms of severity. If the pain doesn’t go away over time, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to talk to a doctor. www.healthline.com from biking. But why exactly does this discomfort happen?

Different muscles are used to make the pelvis and also the femur stable. When riding, these muscles are constantly being worked, which leads to them stressing. It can often come from the saddle being too high or lousy seating positions. This leads the butt muscles to get tight, leading to discomfort around the bum area.

Different factors will lead to your bum hurting while biking, and some of them include the following.

Incorrect riding position

The wrong riding position is a future problem for a lot of people. Besides the discomfort you get from sitting incorrectly, it isn’t delightful to be seen as a rookie rider. When riding your bike, the lower parts of your body should be supporting you, and your upper body should be used to push the bike forward. If you’re doing it well, you shouldn’t feel any pain in your buttocks or other parts.

Also, your bike seat should never be too low, which can lead to severe pains in your back and strain your muscles. At the same time, if your bike seat is too high, your pelvis is feeling the total weight of your body, and this is where the pain starts. You should find the most comfortable way to sit Trusted Source Proper Bike Fit | Aurora Health Care Physical therapists at Aurora can help you overcome pain from improper bike fit, including lower back pain, knee pain and shoulder pain. www.aurorahealthcare.org at an appropriate height. Aside from a sore butt, there are other effects of an incorrect riding position.

Wrong size of the seat

The size of your bike seat can also lead to unwanted pains in your prostrate area. The saddle is one of the most critical parts of the bike, and finding the perfect size for you is something that you should never overlook.

Bike Seat Hurts Butt: Possile Reasons and Ways to Prevent It

There are different sizes, and using one that’s too small will lead riders to adjust their bodies in very uncomfortable positions, and after a while, they’ll feel the pressure and pain from their butt. You should also avoid using a seat that is too big for you. If your bike seat doesn’t fit your body size, you should look at replacing it with one more suitable.

If you’ve suffered pain from using the wrong size of the seat and looking for a seat post that’s comfortable and also cost-friendly, you should take a look at this guide. It will help you find the best suspension seatpost and also give you the best biking experience.

Wrong size of the bike

Apart from the size of your seat, if the size of your bike doesn’t match your body size, then you’re probably going to end up asking, why does my bike seat hurt my butt? If you’re on the bigger side and using a small bike, it’s almost impossible to avoid hurting yourself.

When a biker is using a too-big or small bike, it is more likely that they experience a lot of pain in their butt area. If you’re wondering how to know the most suitable bike for your size, you should check this bike size chart. It is a fitting guide that will help you get the right bike size and the best riding experience.

Too long riding time

Taking a bike ride is one of the most fun and peaceful activities, and it also serves as a form of exercise for your body, but after a while, it gets uncomfortable, and a feeling of unease comes in.

When riding for an extended time, you don’t only get tired, but your bum gets sore, and this is because you’re sitting in one place too long. It is essential to take breaks in between your rides and also stretch as much as you can to avoid the pain that comes with riding for too long.

Bad clothing

Another reason why your bum might hurt after a bike ride is that you’re not wearing the appropriate clothing. Instead of jeans or other types of pants, cycling shorts have been made for precisely this purpose. These shorts have paddings, and they’re made to make riding feel more comfortable. Also, the shorts prevent cyclists from pain by taking in sweat and reducing the risk of chafing.

This happens when you have been sitting on a bike for an extended period. If you’re interested in getting one of these cycling shorts, then one that we can recommend for you is the Backcountry Slickrock 11in Bike Short. They are made from good stretchy material so that you won’t get uncomfortable, and because it is slim fit, it removes unwanted saddle snags.

How to Prevent Butt Hurts from Biking

Now that you know why you’re feeling pain in your buttocks after a bike ride, you should know that there are different ways to prevent this from happening. Follow these few guidelines, and you’ll never get uncomfortable again.

Use saddle padding

Bike Seat Hurts Butt: Possile Reasons and Ways to Prevent It

Saddle padding is the addition of extra cushioning to the saddle of your bike, and this is an excellent way to reduce the pain you feel in your butt. Extra padding makes the bike more comfortable, and you can sit down longer.

If you’re looking for more comfort, then saddle padding is the best option for you. Multiple saddle pads are available, but you should be careful when picking one. It’s essential to choose one that fits the exact size of your saddle. Also, using saddle padding made of leather or cotton is advised to reduce heat.

Use pannier

A pannier is an extra accessory for bikes that helps you carry items. They can also be defined as an extra bag or box attached to either side of the rest wheels of your cycle. Panniers help reduce discomfort from butt pains by giving extra storage space to keep items instead of carrying them on your bike while riding.

Carrying additional weight on your back will put extra pressure on your bum, and it’ll make you uncomfortable. It is advised to use a pannier that can be converted into a backpack, and through various reviews, it can be said that the Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Pannier is one of the best options.

Adjust seat and handlebars

If you’re looking for a more comfortable bike ride, you should consider adjusting your bike seat and the handlebars to positions that satisfy you. If you are using pedals that are far away and you have to stretch your body further than usual to pedal, then your glutes will become stressed, and this will lead to pain in your buttocks.

Luckily for you, you can easily position the seat and the handlebar to make it comfier. These may seem like small changes, but in the long run, you’ll realize how important it is for your comfort. If you can’t adjust it yourself, many bike fitters can help you with that.

Changing the pedals is another way to make adjustments. If your pedals are uncomfortable, you should view our compilation of the best flat pedals for road bike. You can find something suitable for you there.

Have a rest

Rest is one of the most underrated ways to heal from annoying pain. If you feel uncomfortable and there’s unwanted pain in your bum, you should get off your bike and take a break. If you’re riding for long and start feeling uneasy, you should park your wheels and relax before going again. It is also an excellent way to get some energy before continuing a bike ride.

Use proper clothing

Bike Seat Hurts Butt: Possile Reasons and Ways to Prevent It

As previously stated, it is essential to use the proper clothing. You shouldn’t just get on your bike with jeans or shorts. There are different clothes explicitly made for biking that is more convenient than other forms of clothing. Never underestimate the importance of suitable clothing and gear when riding a bike. It is vital that you stay comfortable and also safe when riding.

Use chamois cream

Chamois cream is an ointment that provides more comfort and protection. It can also be said to be an anti-bacterial lubricant that reduces the friction between your clothing and your skin. Using this cream reduces the chaffing that happens when riding for an extended period.

Chamois cream is essential to avoid sores and injuries from your saddle, and the cream has helped many riders out. There are multiple types that you can use, but one of the advised options is the Assos Chamois Cream.

Change saddle

If you’re not using the right saddle in size and comfort, you should consider replacing it. Sitting on a saddle that’s not right for you will eventually lead to severe pains in your buttocks, and luckily for you, there are multiple saddle brands.

If you’re considering using a new one, you should look at the Selle Italia FLITE Boost Gravel TI316 Superflow Saddle, it is a reliable saddle that’ll reduce stress on your bum.

How to Choose the Right Bike Saddle

Changing your bike saddle if it doesn’t work well for you is easy, but choosing the right one is the hard part. Without the right bike saddle, you can’t take advantage of the benefits of cycling. Trusted Source Cycling Benefits: 12 Reasons Cycling Is Good for You Cycling is a low impact exercise that can help you manage your weight as well as prevent health risks. It’s good for beginners and advanced athletes alike. www.healthline.com Different factors affect your saddle choice, and here are the things you should look out for when picking the right one.

1. Your riding style:

The way you ride is one of the most critical factors you should look at when choosing a bike saddle. There are different saddles used for different purposes. For example, road bike saddles aren’t the same that are used on mountain bikes. So, it all depends on your preferred style of riding.

2. Anatomy:

Men and women are built differently, and the same applies to their bike saddles. There are different types of male and female saddles to suit the uniqueness of their anatomy.

3. The shape and width:

Saddles come in different sizes and shapes, and when picking one, you should look at one that’ll fit your body size. If you’re big, then you should go for a more prominent saddle.

4. How much you’re ready to spend:

How much you’re ready to spend is also an essential factor when purchasing a new saddle. There are really expensive saddles, and they’re also cheap ones, so it depends on how much you’re looking to pay.

Final Thoughts

The muscles in your butt are tiny, making it easily pressured. So, it can be said that riding for too long can bring pain. When you feel that your bike seat hurts butt,  you should try to use the proper clothing and replace parts of your bike that aren’t comfortable. Also, it would help if you used chamois cream. These methods will reduce the risk of getting injured and prevent nasty sores.

References

1.
Pain in Buttocks: What’s Causing It?
Pain in the buttocks can be caused by many conditions, which range in terms of severity. If the pain doesn’t go away over time, gets worse, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s best to talk to a doctor.
2.
Proper Bike Fit | Aurora Health Care
Physical therapists at Aurora can help you overcome pain from improper bike fit, including lower back pain, knee pain and shoulder pain.
3.
Cycling Benefits: 12 Reasons Cycling Is Good for You
Cycling is a low impact exercise that can help you manage your weight as well as prevent health risks. It’s good for beginners and advanced athletes alike.

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