I am over 50 years old and am having prostate problems.
My doctor says try a "prostate friendly" seat.
Doe REI have them?
What do you recommend?
Thanks
@Maison Thanks for reaching out!
While none of the bike saddles we carry specifically state that they are 'prostate friendly' here are a couple of options that would be a good starting point. We recommend checking with your doctor to make sure these are the correct saddles for your needs.
Selle Italia Max SLR Gel SuperFlow Saddle
Selle Italia Man Gel Flow Saddle
Selle Italia Max Flite Gel SuperFlow Saddle
I hope this helps, thanks!
John
To piggyback on REI-JohnJ,
A saddle you would want to look for is one with a "cutout" in the middle of the seat to allow your perineal nerve to not be pinched by your own weight against the saddle. On top of that I'm not a doctor but also the saddles are also classified on how aggressive they are and also width of the saddle will play on how comfortable a saddle can be for you. There are full blown racing saddles that are used for the most aerodynamic position on the bike to more comfort based saddles and everything between. Also to ease the pressure on your prostate I would also recommend cycling shorts used with shammy cream to help alleviate any pain as well. Hope that help and once again check with your doctor.
I strongly recommend getting sized at a good bike shop (they are an essential business in NY). Most of them have a thing I call a Butt-O-Meter, a piece of memory foam that you sit on to make measuring your sit-bones easier and less invasive. It is this part of your skeleton that should support your weight. The distance between these two bones will determine how wide your saddle should be. Go to a shop that has a good variety of saddles and a knowledgeable staff. Some even have trial periods for saddles. They should also ask you what kind of riding you do on the bike in question.
I'm 57 years old and put a lot of miles on my bike year 'round. I have a Specialized Toupé (I know, weird name) which does have a cut-away. But I also have a stock Surly saddle with no cut-away that does well for me. The Toupé is my favorite, though.
Don't be fooled by wide saddles with lots of padding. They won't go the distance.
Get thee to a good bike shop.
The best bike seat for you is going to depend on your riding position and you anatomy, among other variables, not just whether it has a cutout. In general, the more upright your riding position, the wider a saddle you might want. Also, the wider your sit-bones are the wider a saddle you need.
A good saddle is supportive and firm, not cushy.
Many cyclist go through a number of saddles before they find what is perfect. REI online has a good selection of saddles and I'm sure you'll be able find something that works for you.