Question for Implanted Bicylists

[Greg1956]

I used to ride my bike a lot, but for a couple years it has been in storage. I plan to get it out and start riding again and I will definitely change out the seat to one that is more implant friendly. I have searched through previous questions about biking and they all seem to focus on the right type of seat to get. My question has to do with bike shorts.

Prior to my implant I always wore the typical body hugging bike shorts most guys wear. I tried them on today and my dick is fine (in a downward position) when I am standing, but in a seated position it points forward rather than down. The tightness of the shorts causes my glans to press against the fabric and pushes down on the cylinder tips. I can imagine that area will get very irritated during a longer ride. I also tried with my penis pointing up and that is even more uncomfortable.

So, my question is have any of you guys who ride seriously had this issue with your bike shorts? Have you found a solution? Aside from my penis, my shorts fit very well...they are not too small. I can try a larger size, but wondered if any of ou have switched to something else to overcome a similar issue? I will be grateful for any tips.

Greg

[warrenw]

Hi Greg,

Maybe I can help a little. I'm an enthusiastic biker, road and mountain bikes. I took my favorite saddle to the pre-op consultation with Dr Eid and explained that I hoped to return to cycling with the same or similar saddle. We talked about pump position and other considerations for bicycling, and I'm expecting a full return to biking. I'm collecting some used ergonometric saddles off eBay to experiment with when I'm fully healed. Right now (+16d) I don't want to risk banging my nuts on the top tube while screwing around on a bike.

I just tried on some of my cycling shorts for the first time since the implant. These are tight fitting lycra shorts with a full chamois pad in the crotch. There's no way I could point dick down in those shorts, too tight and the dick would touch the saddle. You should be able to point up in those shorts and be fully supported and padded. If there's irritation on the glans then try a pair of thin liner shorts like these https://smile.amazon.com/Pearl-Izumi-Li ... orts+liner The liner shorts don't need to be padded, they just prevent irritation to the sensitive parts from rubbing on the cycling shorts.

Hope that helps some, try pointing up and user liner shorts. Let me know how it goes.
Or tell me more if I'm misunderstanding the problem.

[Greg1956]

Warren,
In my case it is not rubbing against the glans, but pressure pushing my glans against the cylinder tips. Using the liner shorts wouldn’t reduce pressure. When pointed up my entire shaft gets squished and again pressure on the glans. I will probably need to try larger bike shorts to give my dick and balls more space.

Thanks,
Greg

[Hrc714]

I go for max deflate then a up or sideways position under the bike shorts. Sideways is least amount of rubbing and most comfortable for a long ride. It can be a bit visible when off the bike. I dont have any issues with the pump and seat.

[warrenw]

I dont have any issues with the pump and seat.

Good to know. Your saddle doesn't put too much pressure on the perineum? I'm not back on the bike yet but I did pickup some used saddles from ISM, SQ Lab, and Fizik to experiment with. All have a cutout on top to avoid pressure on the soft tissue. Also looking at the Selle SMP models as being the best of all with an implant.

Dr Eid said the pump/tubing are unlikely to be damaged by a bike seat but there could be comfort issues. He tried to place my pump with biking in mind. So we shall see how it goes.

What kind of distances are you riding?

[Greg1956]

I go for max deflate then a up or sideways position under the bike shorts. Sideways is least amount of rubbing and most comfortable for a long ride. It can be a bit visible when off the bike. I dont have any issues with the pump and seat.

I have not tried the sideways position. I can imagine it will be more visible off the bike, but everyone knows what a man's anatomy is so not too concerned. It does seem like it may be a good solution.

Thanks,
Greg

[Eveready]

Greg
I'm your age, give or take, implanted in May '17. Like hrc714, I wear sideways in lycra these days, and a very impressive sight it is, to be sure. Mind you, I have taken to wearing shorts over the lycra; I found that otherwise I simply had too many 20-something admirers overcome with lust and wanting a piece of me at every stop light. And, more seriously, my Titan bends in that general direction in any event: I wouldn't call it a natural-looking hang by any stretch of the imagination.
The other issue for me was finding a saddle that didn't give me grief with the pump. The old Brooks B17 wasn't the go; I've now been using a Specialized Power Expert and it seems OK, though it has been a gradual acclimatisation. At first I got various scrotal pains after 5-10km; months later I still have the occasional twinge.
Cheers

[Greg1956]

Thank you Eveready. I hope you are able to get totally comfortable soon.

Greg

[Anonymous3]

Greg
Hope you are not planning to ride anytime soon, I think you would have more to worry about like frost bite and ice. What happen to above normal temps

[bionicvelo]

Just curious how long everyone waited before getting back in the saddle. I bought a selle italia max cutout saddle, hoping that helps a lot, seemed to prior to surgery.