Guys, i always suffered from saddle pain and genital numbness. Indoor riding only made it worse. Never standing up, my butt is firmly and stably planted on the torture saddle. I see these 3D printed / honeycomb saddle all over the place now. Aliexpress is full of them. The prices are quite higher than you typical aliexpress saddle Even for “copies”. Are they any good?!

They’re good if it’s the right saddle for you. What’s your current saddle model, does it have a cut-out? How did you come by it, were you measured and tested on it? How have you arrived at its current set-up i.e. tilt, fore and aft, and height? What shorts do you use, do you wear anything under them?

For the pain and numbness: I highly suggest you get a proper bike fit like Retul. They will measure your sit bones to get the right saddle width and they will test out you flexibility to see what seat shape you need. Also, I found having the proper bibs helped a lot. I can only do Maap & certain Rapha bibs. People have sworn on Pas Normal Studios & Assos, but they don’t work for me

I also struggle to find a comfortable, even non painful, bike saddle. Black bib shorts helped a lot. I tried a mirror 3-D saddle. For me it was awful.

Sharing my usual resource with most of the common possibilities listed. [image] FAQ: Saddle Pain, Soreness, Numbness on the Trainer Training This is a summary post to capture some of the common problems and proposed remedies for Saddle Pain, Soreness, Numbness while riding on the Trainer. Initial info was sparked & pooled from this thread. Considerations: Is this the same bike and saddle setup that you use outside? Do you experience issues with this setup outside as well? Or, are your issues only apparent while riding inside? Possible Solutions: Is your bike properly fit for your needs? Consider a professional bike fit. Th…

[image] casantos: Guys, i always suffered from saddle pain and genital numbness. Indoor riding only made it worse. Never standing up, my butt is firmly and stably planted on the torture saddle. I would look up a fitter that can set you up with different saddles. Some are on a demo plan so you can try before you buy. Your indoor trainer will amplify any issues you have regarding fit. I have the Roman 3D printed saddle and it works great for me. So do other long nose saddles with cut outs.

I’ve had success with Mirror saddles REDUCING the issue, but not relieving it completely. Same for a rocker plate. I would buy them again.

I bought one of those aliexpres/eBay knock off mirror saddles. Save your money. Complete garbage.

[image] foxyscott: What’s your current saddle model, does it have a cut-out? How did you come by it, were you measured and tested on it? How have you arrived at its current set-up i.e. tilt, fore and aft, and height? What shorts do you use, do you wear anything under them? I got a Ergon SMC sport Gel women, even tough i’m a man. I got the woman model because it is larger. And because the cutout is closer to the tip. On a road bike, you lean more, so i don’t understand why the cutout is so many times so far in the back. Also, i got shorts with gel pads, I usually wear underwear for an extra layer of protection. [image] Mikey_Marjabs: For the pain and numbness: I highly suggest you get a proper bike fit like Retul. They will measure your sit bones to get the right saddle width and they will test out you flexibility to see what seat shape you need. Been thinking about that. Even tough i think i can fit my bike well enough, like, not at all that badly, but i’m not a pro fitter tough. [image] tmoomaw: I also struggle to find a comfortable, even non painful, bike saddle. Black bib shorts helped a lot. I tried a mirror 3-D saddle. For me it was awful. Sorry man, but what does “black bib shorts” do more than the usual bib shorts? [image] mcneese.chad: Sharing my usual resource with most of the common possibilities listed. Thanks for the link. Will read. [image] TrekCentury: I have the Roman 3D printed saddle and it works great for me. So do other long nose saddles with cut outs. Romin you mean. Yeah i’m thinking getting one of those specialized saddles and i can’t believe i’m close to spending 300€ on a saddle! [image] Pbase: I’ve had success with Mirror saddles REDUCING the issue, but not relieving it completely. Same for a rocker plate. I would buy them again. Yeah… 300 € for a saddle. But i’m desperate! Rocker plates, hmmm interesting… [image] jreinfeld: I bought one of those aliexpres/eBay knock off mirror saddles. Save your money. Complete garbage. I can see at least 3 or 4 different models there, which one you got?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/364036839760?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-pape-_cqig&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=xvGDBPpBSIu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Don’t buy this. I ride a 30 dollar knock off specialized lower saddle, the EC90 which is 100x better. But after 2 hours my butt hurts too. Black bibs referenced above me a brand. I always wear nice bibs on trainer. Not cheap. That helps. Better chamois helps

[image] casantos: Also, i got shorts with gel pads, I usually wear underwear for an extra layer of protection. Bib/shorts with pads are not designed to be worn with underwear. The extra layer of protection is causing unnecessary friction. Gel pads don’t stay uniform like foam pads. They may work ok brand new but, I think you will find the gel will offer less material between you and the seat over a short period of time. There is nothing magic about 3D saddles. Shape profile and outline still have to jive with your body and how you sit on the machine. All the Chinese knockoffs are really bad. The shell is very soft and they sway very quickly. Good way to save money in the short term but, a potential injury long term. Shorts and saddles are not areas to be a penny pincher IMO.

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3D printed / honeycomb / mirror saddles any good?

Equipment

mcneese.chad February 11, 2023, 9:24pm 5

Sharing my usual resource with most of the common possibilities listed.

Topic		Replies	Views
Specialized Power Mirror saddle Equipment	360	40866	August 2, 2026
The rabbit hole that is finding a comfortable saddle Equipment	52	4788	February 6, 2023
Genital numbness only on trainer Training	66	16789	May 27, 2019
How much saddle discomfort is normal? Equipment	65	5239	June 6, 2022
Saddle Flex? Bounce? Equipment	22	624	January 3, 2025

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