Bike Seat Cuts Off the Nose to Save the Penis
The 2008 MoonSaddle has improved the design from last year's model but the principle remains the same: to avoid putting pressure on the perineum by sitting back on your butt bones.
The 2008 model comes with a 140,000 high tensile strength stainless steel tubing set up a 20-30-degree angle and also raises the rider up slightly. This model also provides more space between the saddle and the rails, which supposedly allows for easier seat adjustment.
According to bike forums online, it appears that this seat shape is gaining momentum in the bike community, despite early difficulties. For example, the back-end nature of the seat has forced some riders into slipping off the seat, and the angle required by different-sized riders is forcing riders to take them to bike shops for correct adjustment. Also, some people have said the seat is just too "hard and uncomfortable," despite fewer instances of numbness.
Several studies have declared that regular nose-shaped bike saddles contribute to erectile dysfunction. In a study cited in the MoonSaddle website, Dr. Steven M. Schrader of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that traditional seats create "nerve entrapment and vascular occlusion," and significantly reduces penile blood flow and sensation.
Other studies have found that women cyclists also experience 'decreased genital sensation,' and are under the same long-term risk for decreased sexual performance as men.
However, it's important to note that most instances of the perineal-based problems are a function of long, daily riding and racing. So if you're a 15-minute rider with only a couple runs per week, that's probably not enough to cause you significant problems.
The 2008 MoonSaddle is currently available for about $85.
Photos: MoonSaddle, TheBikeGeek.com
One of the motivational speakers my company brought it showed a video about a bicycle seat that had been developed (No, I don't remember the name or why it was part of a motivational lecture) that was basically the same shape as a regular seat, but was split into a left/right side with a canyon in the middle for your goodies to float in.
You know, I know a guy who needs one of these, and I am completely at a loss as to how to send him the link without letting him know that I know.
> Several studies have declared that regular nose-shaped
> bike saddles contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Equally numerous studies have demonstrated absolutely no link. I can toss a personal one on there: despite the fact that I ride 10,000 km per year on a traditional saddle, I most definitely demonstrated my fertility last year.
The culprit in these circumstances is almost universally *poor bike fit.* The saddle in and of itself is merely one factor.
People tend to tilt saddles back: this is bad.
People tend to slide saddles back, which results in them sitting on the nose. This puts pressure on the groin, and is bad.
Women often benefit from saddles such as the Terry models with a wider surface at the rear: their pelvic bones are wider than men's, and these provide more support to the pelvic bones. (The wider pelvis is integral to one of the most important things women do with their lives: giving birth.)
I get tired of the perpetuation of the myth that bike saddles cause numbness, and MoonSaddle has been perpetuating the myth aggressively. I'm not saying their saddle *isn't* the solution for *some* people: I'm saying that people should start by making sure that their bike fits *properly first*, and consider the role the saddle's shape plays in that overall strategy.
Darcy: I thought women were SUPPOSED to tilt the saddle back slightly from the horizontal. I did that with mine and it was a lot more comfortable b/c I wasn't sliding forward onto the nose.
Re the article in general, that thing looks really uncomfortable and weird.
I see that as causing a major loss of control, as you would be unable to use your thigh against the seat to apply lateral force to the bike. Probably not a big problem if you are just cruising around the park, but if you want to go hard, this is not going to let you do it.
The thing is, unless a guy is actually sitting on *it*, a regular bike seat isn't going to do any hurt *it* at all. Heck, the problems could just as easily be caused by tight knicks and over-heating.
my junk thanks you.
Who let the dogs out?
Ironically, this saddle will preserve your junk's functionality while simultaneously diminishing your chances of ever using it (alone doesn't count).
ow, that is amazing! Its about high time! LOL
Jiff
http://www.anonymity.cz.tc
From personal experience of 320km over 2 days, current saddles are not adequate.
My legs and my body were not tired at all, since I'm aerobically fit and my leg muscles are still strong from when I used to ride (last season). However, my groin was completely numb. The next day it was sore in some places, still numb in others. I had a nice saddle with proper fitting.
It does take time to get used to a saddle, but if it ever hurts, it's not right.
Look into recumbent bikes and trikes. They might look funny, but they're faster, more efficient, and just as comfortable as an office chair, if not better.
I'm guessing that only 40-year old virgins will be riding around with those on their Schwinns. Too bad the normal-style seats werent doing enough for the guy from Knocked-up.
"last year's model" link borked...
should be http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/01/new_bike_saddle.html
Something better, way ahead of the game. http://www.spongywonder.com/
Probably not a big problem if you are just cruising around the park
http://newblogtopic.blogspot.com/
Men, you have as much internal penis that you are sitting on as outside the body.
Why do people immediately assume medical science is wrong without the basic understanding of atomony and physiology?
To Darcy McGee - there are over 50 biomedical papers showing the relationship between the bicycle saddle nose and urogenital issues in men and a dozen in women. I will try to list as many as possible here. Please list those that say there is no relationship! Medical decisions are made on the weight of evidence and personal opinions.
Published Scientific Research on Bicycle Saddles and the Male Perineum
1. Bond, R.E. Distance Bicycling May Cause Ischemic Neuropathy of Penis. Physician and Sports Medicine 3:54-56. 1975.
2. Goodson, J.D. Pudendal Neuritis from Biking. N Engl J Med 304:365. 1981
3. Kerstien, MD, S.A. Gould, E. French-Sherry, and C. Pirman. Perineal Trauma and Vasculogenic Impotence. J Urol 127:57. 1982.
4. Solomon, S. and K.G. Cappa. Impotence and Bicycling: a Seldom-reported Connection. Postgrad Med 81:99-102. 1987.
5. Desai, K.M. and J.C. Gingell. Hazards of Long Distance Cycling. Brit J Med 298:1072-1073. 1989.
6. Mellion, M.B. Common Cycling Injuries: Management and Prevention. Sports Med 11:52-70. 1991.
7. Silbert PL, Dunne JW, Edis RH, Stewart-Wynne EG. Bicycling induced pudendal nerve pressure neuropathy. Clin Exp Neurol. 28:191-6. 1991
8. Groenendijk, MC, HCCM Christiaans, CMJ van Hulten. Sitting Comfort on Bicycles. Contemporary Ergonomics pp 551-557, 1992
9. Oberpenning, F. S Roth, DB Luesmann, H van Ahlen, and L Hertle. The Alcock Syndrome: Temporary penile Insensitivity Due to Compression of the Pudental Nerve with the Alcock Canal. J Urol 151:423-5. 1994.
10. Andersen, K.V. and G. Bovim. Impotence and Nerve Entrapment in Long Distance Amateur Cyclists. Acta Neurol Scand 95:233-240. 1997.
11. LaSalle, MD, C Wen, M Choi, P Salimpour, A Adelstein, S Gholami, RJ Krane, and I Goldstein. “You Don’t Have to Ride in the Tour de France”: Erectile Dysfunction in 81 Consecutive Riders. Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999.
12. Broderick, GA. Bicycle Seats and Penile Blood Flow: Does the Type of Saddle Matter? Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999
13. Schwarzer, U. W. Wiegand, A Bin-Saleh, H Lotzerick, G Kahrmann, T Klotz, and U Engelmann. Genital Numbness and Impotence Rate in Long Distance Cyclists. Abstracts of the American Urological Association. 1999
14. Nayal W, Schwarzer U, Klotz T, Heidenreich A, Engelmann U. Transcutaneous penile oxygen pressure during bicycling. BJU Int. 83:623-5. 1999.
15. Ricchiuti, VS, CA Haas, AD Seftel, T Chelimsky, and I Goldstein. Pudental Nerve Injury Associated with Avid Bicycling. J Urol 162:2099-2100. 1999
16. Sommer, F, D Konig, C Graf, U Schwarzer, C Bertram, T Klotz and U Engelmann. Impotence and Genital Numbness in Cyclists. Int J Sports Med 22:410-413. 2001
17. Marceau, L., K. Kleinman, I. Goldstein, and J McKinlay. Does Bicycling Contribute to the Risk of Erectile Dysfunction? Results from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS). Int J Impotence Res 18:298-302. 2001.
18. Sommer, F., U Schwarzer, C Graf, T Klotz, and U Engelman. Changes in penile blood flow during cycling: what precautions should be taken to avoid a decreased profusion? Dtsch Med Wschr 126:939-943. 2001
19. Schwarzer, U., F. Sommer, T. Klotz, C. Cremer, and U. Engelmann. Cycling and Penile Oxygen Pressure: the Type of Saddle Matters. European Urology 41:139-143. 2002
20. Jeong, SJ, K Park, JD Moon, and SB Ryu. Bicycle Saddle Shape affects Penile blood flow. International J Impotence Research 14:513-517. 2002.
21. Keytel, LR and TD Noakes. Effects of a Novel Bicycle Saddle on Symptoms and Comfort in Cyclists. S Afr. Med J 2:295-298. 2002
22. Grunbaum A, K Rehman, I Kuzmarov, and S. Carrier. The Development of a Model to Investigate the Effect of Bicycling on Sexual Function. International J Impotence Research 14:S50. 2002
23. Mumarriz, R. A Prospective Study in Men with ED of Cavernosal Artery PSV Values While Lying, Sitting, Straddling/sitting on different Commercially Available Bicycle Saddle and Seat Designs. International J Impotence Research 14:S60. 2002
24. Taylor, JA. Inherent Variables within Bicycle Riding and Their Relationship to erectile Dysfunction. International J Impotence Research 14:S30. 2002
25. Sommer, F, A Raible, S Wolter, and U Engelmann. Is there any difference in penile blood flow during cycling in an upright vs. reclining position? Andrologia 34:123-153. 2002
26. Schrader, S.M., M. J. Breitenstein, J.C. Clark, B. D. Lowe, and T. W. Turner. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence and Rigidity Testing of Bicycling Patrol Officers. Journal of Andrology 23:927-934. 2002.
27. Mumarriz, R.. Bicycle Riding Associated Erectile Dysfunction: Treatment Outcome of Revascularization Surgery. International J Impotence Research 14:S55. 2002
28. Southorn, T. Great Balls of Fire and the Vicious Cycle. A Study of the Effects of Cycling on Male Fertility. J Family Planning and Reprod Health Care. 28:211-213. 2002
29. Spears, IR, NK Cummins, Z Brenchley, C Donohue, C Turnbull, Shona Burton, and G Macho. The Effect of Saddle Design on Stresses in the Perineum During Cycling. Med & Science in Sports & Exercise 35:1620-1625. 2003.
30. Rando R, R Squadrone, M Sacchi, and A Marzegan. Pressure Distribution on Bicycle Saddles. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.
31. Sommer F. Type of Saddle and Sitting Position Influence Penile Oxygen Pressure while Cycling. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.
32. Lowe, B., S. Schrader, and M. Breitenstein. Effect of Saddle Design on the Perineal Pressure of the Bicyclist. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 36:1055-1062. 2004
33. Dettori, JR, TD Koepsell, P Cummins and JM Corman. Erectile Dysfunction after a Long-Distance Cycling Event: Association with Bicycle Characteristics. J Urology 172:637-641. 2004
34. Taylor, JA, TC Kao, PC Albertson, and R Shabsigh. Bicycling Riding and Its Relationship to the Development of Erectile Dysfunction. J Urology 172:1028-1-31. 2004.
35. Leibovitch, I and Y Mor. The Vicious Cycling: Bicycling Related Urogenital Disorders. Eur Urology 47:277-287. 2005
36. Cohen JD, and MT Gross. Effect of Bicycle Racing Saddle Design on Transcutaneous Penile Oxygen Pressure. J Sports Med and Physical Fitness. 45:409-419. 2005.
37. Huang V, R Munarriz, and I Goldstein. Bicycling Riding and Erectile Dysfunction: An Increase in Interest (and Concern). J Sex Med 2:596-604. 2005
38. Breda G, N Piazza, V Bernardi, E Lunardon and A Caruso. Development of a New Geometric Bicycle Saddle for the Maintenance of Genital-Perineal Vascular Perfusion. J Sex Med 2:605-611. 2005
39. Munarriz R, V Huang, J Uberoi, S Maitland, T Payton and I Goldstein. Only the Nose Knows: Penile Hemodynamic Study of the Perineum-Saddle Interface in Men with Erectile Dysfunction Utilizing Bicycle Saddles and Seat with and with Nose Extensions. J Sex Med 2:612-619. 2005.
40. Schrader, SM. Research on Bicycle Saddles and Sexual Health Comes of Age. J Sex Med. 2:594-595. 2005.
41. Bressel E, Reeve T, Parker D, Cronin J. Influence of bicycle seat pressure on compression of the perineum: A MRI analysis. J Biomech. 40:198-202. 2007.
42. Gemery, JM, AK Nangia, AC Mamourian, and SK Reid. Digital three-dimensional modeling of the male pelvis and bicycle seats: impact of rider position and seat design on potential penile hypoxia and erectile dysfunction. B J Urology International 99:135-140. 2007
43. Wilson C, and TR Bush. Interface forces on the seat during cycling activity. Clin Biomech. 200722:1017-1023. 2007.
44. Asplund C., T Barkdull, and BD Weiss. Genitourinary Problems in Bicyclists. Current Sports Medicine Reports 6:333-339. 2007
45. Nanka O, Sedý J, Jarolím L. Sulcus nervi dorsalis penis: site of origin of Alcock's syndrome in bicycle riders? Med Hypotheses. 2007;69(5):1040-5.
46. Standard bicycle seats can lead to erectile dysfunction. Mayo Clin Health Lett. 25:4. 2007.
47. Goldstein I, Lurie AL, Lubisich JP. Bicycle riding, perineal trauma, and erectile dysfunction: data and solutions. Curr Urol Rep. 8:491-7. Review. 2007.
48. Bressel E, Parker D. Effect of Graded Bicycle Seat Pressure on Perineal Compression: An MRI Analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2008
49. Schrader SM, Breitenstein MJ, Lowe BD. Cutting Off the Nose to Save the Penis. J Sex Med. 5:1932-1940, 2008
50. Kennedy J. Neurologic injuries in cycling and bike riding. Neurol Clin. 26 :271-9. 2008
51. Cohen, J. Finding the Perfect Bicycle Seat. 2nd Edition, RBR Publishing Company, South Royalton, VT. 2008.
52. Goldstein, I. The A, B, C's of The Journal of Sexual Medicine: Awareness, bicycle seats, and choices. J Sex Med 5:1773-1775, 2008.
53. Goldstein, I, M Bastuba, A Lurie, and J Lubisich. Penile Revascularization. J Sex Med 5:2018-2021
Published Scientific Research on Bicycle Saddles and the Female Perineum
1. Dickerson, RL. Bicycling for Women from the Standpoint of the Gynaecologist. Am J Obstet of Women and Children 31:24-37. 1895.
2. Steiner E, Chague A, Gross GB. [The "third testis" of cyclists, in women too...]
Presse Med. 1989 Feb 18:(7):361. French.
3. Groenendijk, MC, HCCM Christiaans, CMJ van Hulten. Sitting Comfort on Bicycles. Contemporary Ergonomics pp 551-557, 1992.
4. McElhinney, BE, T Horner, WW Dinsmore, A Harper, C Goldsmith, and RD Maw. Exercise bicycle-induced vulval abscesses. International J of STD & AIDS 4:174-175. 1993
5. LaSalle M, P Sallinpour, M Adelstein, A Mourzinos, C Wen, J Renzuli, B Goldstein, L Goldstein, J Cantey-Kiser, RJ Krane, and I Goldstein. Sexual and Urinary Tract Dysfunction if Female Bicyclists. J Urol Vol 161 (No 4 Suppl) pp 269 #1040. 1999.
6. Berman J, L Berman, and E Bumiller. For Women Only: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. Henry Holt & Co. 2001.
7. Buller, JC. Female Cyclists and Perineal Symptoms: An Experimental Bicycle Seat. Clinc J Sprts Med 11:289-290. 2001.
8. Baeyens L, E Vermeersch, and P Bourgeois. Bicyclist’s Vulva: Observational Study. BMJ 325:138-139. 2002.
9. Humphries D. Unilateral Vulval Hypertrophy in Competitive Female Cyclists. Br J Sports Med 36:463-464. 2002.
10. Bressel E and BJ Larson. Bicycle Seat Designs and Their Effect on Pelvic Angle, Trunk Angle, and Comfort. Med Sci in Sports & Exercise. 35:327-332. 2003.
11. Frobose I, L Baeyens, and K Tofaute. Ergonomics of 2 Bicycle Saddles – Pressure at the Pudental Area in Women of a Normal Saddle with Gel and of a Saddle with a Hole. The Bicycle Saddle Report 2003.Deutsche Sporthochshute. 2003.
12. Guess MK, KA. Connell1, SM. Schrader, S Reutman, A Wang, J Lacombe, C Toennis, B Lowe, A Melman, and MS Mikhail. Genital Sensation & Female Sexual Function In Cyclists And Runners: Are Your Feet Safer Than Your Seat? Journal of Sexual Medicine 3:1018-1027. 2006.
The Easy-Seat, in several variations, is much cheaper than this, and accomplishes the same purposes. I've been using one for years, and find it quite comfortable, with no loss of control.
PFD
www.ideasgreatanddumb.com
with respect to the designers, this seat fails on many levels.
1. During climbs, you slide back. Impossible with this seat.
2. with so little room to move around you will actually move less on this type of seat which is the exact thing which causes so many problems.
3. with so many road seats having cutouts or gel inserts numbness is almost a thing of the past. Ask the 100s of riders in the pro peloton that ride more miles then most of us put on our cars in year what they think?
4. Proper bike fit is key to avoiding alot of problems.
5. You shouldn't park your butt for more then 10-15 minutes whether you are riding to the store or doing a century. You should be constantly moving. Not to mention you should be standing periodically. Just watch the TdF or the worlds and you'll see guys standing and pedaling out of the saddle.
6. I avg about 2500 miles a year on the road using a road and tri bike. I just had my second child at 41. I also mtb during the winter months so that adds about 500 more. I ride what some would call a firm seat that allows your "sit bone" to support most of your weight. Meaning the prostate is not under alot of pressure. Soft spongy seats are the worse because you sink into them and cause numbness.
As for the long list of references that someone posted, too many times I have seen studies done in where the person is not first properly fit to the bike they will be tested on. If true, the research is worthless because you are not using the bike properly. Same with clipless pedals. Unless you are riding a speedplay with tons of float, you need to be "fitkitted" or you will develop knee issues. Yet tons of studies show that cages are better for your knees then clipless.
if you had a really long pe nis it would dangle down too far and might get damaged.
You know, those studies only cover riders who spend many hours per day in the saddle; with no beak that saddle's going to cut control of the bike, and the sales pitch is based on FUD. :(