Here’s the deal. You hop on the bike, feel like the king of the road, then a few minutes in—bam!—the pain sets in. No, it’s not your ex texting you. It’s your sit bones screaming for mercy.
Now, you’re not a masochist, you’re just trying to ride without those cushy padded shorts everyone’s always talking about.
But, here’s the question—should your sit bones really feel like they’re being tortured after 45 minutes? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Hell yes.
But don’t get too comfortable yet. There’s more to this tale of pain and suffering than meets the eye.
Let’s dissect this uncomfortable mess and find out what’s going on down there.
1. What’s Normal When It Comes to Sit Bone Pain?
The first thing you need to know: Pain is normal—within reason. If you’ve been riding for 45 minutes without padded shorts and are feeling it in your sit bones, you’re in the same boat as a lot of cyclists. For some, this happens within just a few minutes of a ride. For others, a bit longer.
Consider it this way: You’ve been sitting on a hard surface for a while. Your body isn’t used to it. When you sit on a saddle without proper padding (or none at all), your bones—yes, those hard bits under you—have to take the brunt of your weight. It’s like asking someone to sit on a concrete block. Not fun.
If you’re not wearing padded shorts, the pain’s a sign that your body’s not happy. It’s not your saddle’s fault (necessarily), but it could be.
2. The Saddle: Your Love-Hate Relationship
Saddles. Those little pieces of bike torture equipment that get blamed for all the world’s cycling discomfort.
But here’s the thing—it’s not just the saddle’s fault.
Sure, if you’re not getting the right saddle for your body, your sit bones will revolt like they’re being stabbed by angry little elves.
However, sometimes your saddle just isn’t a good match for the kind of ride you’re doing.
So, if you’re committed to riding without padding (more power to you), make sure you have the right saddle—and don’t just settle for the one that “looks cool” or came with your bike.
Saddle discomfort isn’t the same for everyone, and the ideal saddle can vary based on your riding style, weight distribution, and how much of your body weight rests on your sit bones.
| Saddle Type | Best For | Comfort Level Without Padding |
|---|---|---|
| Harder, race-style saddles | Performance-focused riders | Not ideal without padding |
| Wider, comfort saddles | Casual riders, longer trips | Acceptable for short rides |
| Padded saddles | For comfort seekers | Better without shorts, but not optimal |
3. Your Body: Bone Structure and Adaptation
We’re all built differently. Your sit bones? They’re as unique as your fingerprint. Some people are just born with bones that want to cry after 30 minutes on a saddle, while others can ride for hours with no issue at all.
Your body will adapt over time, though. It’s like when you stop lifting weights for a while and your muscles scream when you pick up a bag of groceries.
If you don’t regularly ride long distances, your body will be like, “What the hell is going on here?” and complain.
The more you ride, the more your body will toughen up. That doesn’t mean it won’t hurt; it just means it won’t hurt as much, and the pain won’t last as long.
4. Saddle Fit: The Overlooked Culprit
You could have the best padded shorts on the market, but if your saddle isn’t sized right, your sit bones will never know peace. Saddle fit matters.
If you’re not sure, try a pressure map fitting to make sure the saddle matches your sit bone measurements.
You’d be surprised how much difference a little bit of precision can make in terms of comfort.
In fact, the best saddle might not be the one that’s the most expensive or the one that looks the coolest—it’s the one that fits your body and your riding style.
5. Are Padded Shorts Really That Important?
Listen, I get it. Sometimes you just don’t have time for all that fancy gear—riding to work? Fine. But when you plan on a longer ride, your sit bones will thank you if you wear proper padded shorts.
Padded shorts don’t just make things more comfortable, they also reduce friction, prevent chafing, and give you that cushion where you need it most.
If you’re really feeling adventurous, you can try biking without padded shorts, but just know that it’s not going to be fun. It’s a bit like walking barefoot over a gravel road. Sure, you can do it, but you won’t enjoy it.
| Riding Conditions | Should You Wear Padded Shorts? |
|---|---|
| Short, under an hour | Optional (but why not?) |
| Over an hour, longer rides | Absolutely |
| Off-road, rough terrain | 100% yes |
6. What About Seat Cushions and Gel Pads?
Some swear by these things. But don’t get your hopes up too high. Sure, they’ll give you some padding, but the reality is they’re just delaying the inevitable. They might make the ride a little more bearable, but they won’t stop the pain from coming. The fix? A proper saddle and padded shorts.
Conclusion: The Harsh Truth
So here it is: your sit bone pain is normal—but not necessarily inevitable. You can ride without padded shorts, but it’s gonna suck. The longer you ride, the more likely that discomfort will settle in like an unwanted guest.
Now, don’t get me wrong. If you’re truly committed to the minimalist, badass “no padding” ride, that’s your choice. Just don’t be surprised if your butt decides it hates you afterward.
But honestly, there’s a simple solution that most people ignore in their stubbornness: Padded shorts, my friend.
They’re not just for the pros, they’re for everyone who doesn’t want to feel like they sat on a cactus after 30 minutes.
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