Doctor Sez NO!

[Turboterry]

TextI recently underwent a bout with prostate problems and my urologist suggested that "I find another hobby".  I didn't say anything at the time but did manage to go out and ride the next day.  I've ridden 1000's of miles over the last 10 years and average about 4 to 5000 annually.  The diagnosis was prostatitis with an abcess on the prostate.  I'm just not ready to throw in the towel without trying to get some more info on the subject.  My urologist is NOT a cyclist. My current bike is a TREK 5.2SL Madone with a stock Bontrager seat.  Suggestions anyone?  I love the magazine and look forward to it's arrival each time.  Thanks for answering, keep the round side down. Ciao.

[scott.laughlin]

I'm 68, and Iride a lot, everyday.  I don't cover the miles I once did, but I do put in the time.  

I haven't faced what you're facing. But I think if I were, I would buy a recumbent. Throwing in the towel?  It's not an option.

The cycling does so many positive things for me to even think about trading it for a rocking chair.

Scott

[DaveB]

The recumbent does sound like a good possibility.  

Another may be to try one of the new saddles with a center cutout.  It can't hurt what it doesn't touch.

This message was edited by DaveB on 10-11-05 @ 6:22 PM

[LobodeSolo]

I met a fellow in the spring in Calgary and he was doing a cross Canada trip with his family. His boys were in there 20's and he was 50ish. He was riding a recumbent and said that although it wasn't great on hills..at the end of the day he didn't have a sore butt!

[Peaks]

I'd get a second opinion.

[jack]

I use a seat with the cut out.  Actually its a specialized brand.  I couldn't go back to the stock seats after 3 years with the cut out.

 

[erniegrillo]

please see http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/04/health/nutrition/04bike.html?pagewante
d=1  

This is an excellent article on possible problems caused by bicycle seats. In short, they recommend a "noseless" saddle, commonly sold as "the Seat".
I'd suggest also checking your bike fit and saddle position.

[pmspirito]

For all the info on recumbents go to www.bentrideronline.com   its the only way to go

best wishes from the back of the pack,  Peter & Judy Spirito

[MrBent]

I urge you to take a serious look at recumbents.  They come in a vast array of designs suitable for almost all types of riding except technical single-track off road.  For anything else, you can find a recumbent to do the job.  Want to go fast?  Carbent makes an 18 lb. speed machine.  Want to ride the dirt back roads?  Check out a Lightfoot Ranger.  Seriously, the variety is mind blowing.  All of them will be much easier on your prostate than any upright.

Cheers,

Scotty

[phil]

Greetings,

My prostate has been a problem too. But, I love to ride. On the recommendation from a friend I started taking Saw Palmetto 160mg twice a day. My prostate has gotten smaller and my PSA is down to 2.3. My bike's saddle (23 years old) is all leather without padding. Riding isn't a problem anymore.

Best regards,

pedalpusher

[SoNouveau]

I'm also of the opinion that you should get a second opinion--and then a third. Science, at best, is really an art.

[driftlessregion]

Check out http://www.roadbikerider.com/noseless.htm?sessid=haTmpKUvUPJXw a review of the noseless saddles by Ed Pavelka,  one of the most respected cyclists in the country. The problem with the NY Times article is that it doesn't say who was in the test group and what kind of saddles were used. I've never met anyone who have had problems when using a Brooks saddle. Maybe that is because the leather gives. All other saddles except the Saddle Co Flow (http://www.saddleco.com) have a hard plastic base under that nice leather cover, which is why they are notoriously uncomfortable.

[driftlessregion]

Also check out a new saddle that supposedly "increases blood and oxygen supply to the genitals by an average of 4x over a traditional tear-drop shaped bicycle seat design while riding in an aero, drop bar position." See it at http://www.performancebike.com/E3saddle.cfm

[driftlessregion]

Here's a very promising alternative: http://www.bycycleinc.com.

[MrBent]

RANS bikes has a new line that looks really interesting.  Initial reviews are very positive.  These are so-called "crank forward" designs, not true recumbents.  They're worth looking into for folks who are not happy with conventional bike saddles.
http://www.ransbikes.com/ITRComfy.htm

Cheers,

Scott