Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Are You An Innie Or Outie?

First World Problem Warning

If I thought buying a car was a pain in the ass, buying a tri bike is even more pain in the assier.

Who knew there were so many measurements, choices in components, types of seats, graphics?? What happened to the days of riding my bike with the banana boat seat and tassels?

I did a lengthy tri bike measurement session a few weeks ago. Last night I found a bike I liked in Boulder (2012 Cannondale Slice – new), so today I had them fit it on me to try it out. I also tried a 2012 Specialized Transition, just for comparison purposes.

Three hours later (and much freaking poorer, although they did give me a free Vitamin Water), I walked out of the store empty handed, but with a receipt for the new Cannondale I had purchased. By tomorrow night it will have new aero bars, new tape and a few other adjustments and it will be mine and I will post many pictures – but here is the stock photo just so you can drool (only I’ll have black tape):

One issue that came up was the saddle. I was told I HAD to get a good saddle, not the one that came with the bike. The bike guy kept saying that this new saddle (called the COBB, like the salad) was a total necessity for my “soft tissue.”

At first I thought he meant my ass, but then I realized he was probably referring to the lady bits. I wanted to yell at him to just say “your crotch!” or “your labia majora!” (if he was a more formal anatomy kind of guy). But, I’m glad he didn’t say “pootang” or something because that would have been awkward.

Anyway, they did not have the COBB salads in stock, so I went to the webpage to price them (and of course a damn bike saddle has to be $170, really? Just so my “soft tissue” can be protected? – yeah probably worth it).

Anyway, what I realized in my research is that the founder of the COBB (John Cobb – imagine that!) has a killer sense of humor. Here is where he describes WHY the saddle is so important for us ladies:

A social conversation triggered the thought, is your navel an "Innie" or an "Outie"?  So to go to the next level for Females, are your "girl parts" an "Innie or an "Outie", there is a very obvious difference. The vagina in general and the vulva and labia particularly, make up the female parts that cause most of the concerns for the female riders. Putting direct pressure on any of these will soon lead to unhappiness and short bike rides.

For the "Outies", the vulva and the labia are much more pronounced and exposed, often showing as a physically larger area. For the "Innies", the vulva and the labia tend to be more enclosed or drawn up internally and the crotch area is smoother.

So after a lot of dancing around, there is the answer, go look at your crotch and make the call, comfort and happiness are what you stand to gain by looking and making the best choice.”

John Cobb is my kind of dude. Tells it like it is. GO LOOK AT YOUR CROTCH!!

How did I get to be 46 years old and never know that my girl parts could be an innie or an outie? At least now I know which seat to get. And, no I’m not going to tell you. But, my navel is an innie.

 

Ever had pain in the saddle while riding? Not really. I mean after being on there for 6 hours things get a bit tender, but nothing dramatic.

If you do triathlons, do you have a tri bike? Which one?

Are you an innie or outie? Are you brave enough to say?

SUAR

62 comments:

  1. I never knew about innie and outie for girl parts but now that you mention it, I suppose there is.

    I just have a road bike and not a special saddle. My girl parts have been just fine. But my longest ride has been only 50 miles.


    Innie. In case you were wondering.

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  2. Tears. That was absolutely Hysterical!! He's pretty, but my road bike is green and white so I'm partial, and yes, he can be mean to my lady parts on occasion. Whats his name?

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  3. I sent my cobb back. Didn't work for me-but good luck!

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  4. I'm glad it's Cobb like the salad and not the corn.....

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  5. I wish I had this kind of disposable income lol

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    1. I second that....my big splurge was an $80 pair of cycle shoes. On sale.

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  6. I'm not ashamed to say it, I'm an outie. But I can't help but think this Cobb guy is some kind of smooth marketer. So I checked out his web site looking for an extreme Cobb for men. I take it back and you are right, he has a sense of humor. He named his first woman's saddle, designed for his wife Ginger, the V-Flow. This guy has balls. And yes, he has a saddle designed to protect the man's prostate. Not the Johnson model I was expecting, but probably something I should be equally concerned about. I've have finally seen it all.

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    1. Johnson model!!! You are killing me.

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    2. John's wife's name is actually Virginia (Ginger is a nickname) so it isn't that really bad :) But their new saddle line is the JOF (Just Off Front) so there is a little to be imagined there!

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  7. I got the itch, no not that kind, to bike after volunteering IMFL. Bought Cannondale Synapse Carbon and I have been fine with the stock saddle that came on the bike, lucky ME. Enjoy and congrats!

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  8. I'm a HUGE believer in quality saddles. I love the Selle Italia women's saddles for my road bike, but should I get a tri bike, I'll definitely check out the Cobb. Btw, I'm doing my first tri in 7 years next week. Woot! And you've inspired me to do 1/2 ironman next year. I love hearing of your adventures!

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  9. I'm an outie too. I didn't know that there was a difference either and for decades thought I had a 'deformed' one which was probably a good thing when I was younger or I may have been an out and out slut! But I was so afraid of anyone seeing I had a deformed 'crotch' that I myself under control. It was only recently when I informed a friend tearfully that I couldn't get a Brazilian because my pink parts were all wrong to a girlfriend that I realised others have outies too! This could be a whole new blog page. Thanks for the giggles!

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  10. Ok, as a medical professional, I have to admit I have never heard of this concept. I have had a few teenage girls express concerns about their "appearance" down there...

    Maybe those outies are the ones who are seeking out labiaplasty? Who knew?

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  11. Weird about innies/outies
    Buying any bike can be a major pain in the butt, but I think tri bikes definitely take the cake haha

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  12. I had no idea about this. I have a trek speed concept and really like it. I haven't switched saddles, although I probably would benefit from a new one. However, I did a full Ironman on this bike and now that it is over, it doesn't seem like I should put any more money into the bike aside from maintenance, since I proved that it was just fine the way it was. I sort of want new wheels, but really, since I didn't have them for Ironman than why bother? Maybe when I decide to do it again I will completely upgrade everything.

    I sort of thought childbirth had made my girl parts droop excessively, because I wasn't really much of a cyclist before I had kids and never really paid much attention.

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  13. Super sexy!

    ...the BIKE! I mean the BIKE!

    ;)

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  14. Oh my, you crack me up! I want to meet Mr. Cobb! I want a tri bike but all I have is a Diamondback hybrid bike and EVERYONE thinks it's a mountain bike. Oh well, maybe one day.

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  15. Oh my, you crack me up! I want to meet Mr. Cobb! I want a tri bike but all I have is a Diamondback hybrid bike and EVERYONE thinks it's a mountain bike. Oh well, maybe one day.

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  16. Holy frig I'm dying laughing. I am having MAJOR crotch problems. I have a tri bike that I have had for the last 5 years. I was fit on it when I bought it and it was fine then but I haven't been re-fit since. My weight and flexibility have changed a lot over the last few years so I thought maybe if I got re-fit, my crotch problems would stop. No such luck so I'm thinking I now need a new saddle. I had no clue what sort of saddle to get but now, thank to this amazing bit of information, I am in the know!! I'm an outie so guess I need to find a saddle with a big hole in the middle, ha ha.

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  17. OMG what a question!?! Well, I just purchased a new road bike, not a specifically a tri bike. I will use it for triathlons though. After the past few days testing it out, I also am a bit tender. A new seat was on my mind too. I had to visit the COBB website and ya it really makes you ask yourself that question!

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  18. Love the bike, and innie outie question! Now have you ever wondered why Lance cycled so well, no it wasn't drugs, it was the fact that he had no balls.....

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  19. Special saddles are the new snake oil. Reminds me of the marketing for expensive HDMI cables.

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    1. Hey if it protects my parts of 112 miles, I'm all over it.

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    2. Seriously. I love how a man talks so self-confidently about our pesky lady bits. If your crotch hurts after 112 miles, well, sorry but everyone's does! That's why you build up to the distance. If your crotch hurts after ten miles, you are not properly fitted to the bike. Even a crap saddle will be fine up to about fifty miles. I have stock saddles on all my rides and they are more or less the same.

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    3. I guess it's personal preference. I don't think you can say one way or the other is right or wrong. Reading the article, the whole reason he talks about lady parts is that he was responding to hundreds of women asking for a way to stop hurting while they rode.

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  20. The innie/outie debate is interesting, but I'm more stuck on it being called a "saddle" instead of a "seat". Oh, Tri jargon...everything sounds so official!

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  21. OMG I love this!!! I'm doing the Duathlon Nationals at the end of Oct in AZ but I didn't want to invest too much in my bike. I tricked it out with aero bars and had to readjust my saddle but my lady bits are just fine on my seat that came with the bike. Of course, I'll only be on it for ONE hour! LOVE Mr. Cobb and kind of want to buy his saddle just b/c he is hilarious.
    I'm drooling over your bike. I want one for Christmas.

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    1. Hey, my good friend will be at the du nationals with you!! Julie from Colorado.

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  22. Check out the Spider Flex seats...great for protecting both lady bits and man parts. Plus, they keep your upper hamstring and adductor tendons protected from pressure and prolonged rubbing. I've been using mine for over a year and love it. (And its way under $170)

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  23. I have the exact same bike (2010 model) and LOVE it!!!!! Of course I did not get the same level of seat/crotch education when I made my purchase so I am feeling very left out now....I still have the seat that came with it and while it has gotten somewhat uncomfortable on my longer (50-60 mile) rides, it has been bearable and has not resulted in any long term "damage" LOL! Of course if I were doing a full Ironman I suspect I would make the investment. Enjoy it, the Slice FLIES!!!!

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  24. I just got a tri bike (Felt B12) back in Feb and it has made all the difference in the world!!!! I am much more comfortable and FASTER!!! (which makes me soooo excited!!!) I had no idea how important a bike fit could be.... and how just the littlest adjustments make such a big difference!! I had a lot of seat issues.... I think that I tested every seat in the shop!! Finally settled on a Selle SMP Glider.... which looks like some kind of torture device... and cost me my first born!!! BUT... it was worth it all!!! :) I am excited to hear about your first training ride on the new bike!!! Bet you'll be fast like lightning!! and I'm also excited to know that you are doing IMFL as well!!! I will be racing too.... so if ya see a crazy woman from Alabama running toward you screaming "HEY!!!!" in transition.... don't be scared!!! :)

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    1. So cool! See you there. I will be the one with the innie or outie..

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  25. I just bought my first tri bike over the weekend too! I have a Giant Trinity. And I need a new saddle too, after my first ride I was hurting!

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  26. I'm an outie. Wait. I think I misunderstoon the topic. haha.

    Congrats on the new member to your training family. I hope it works out well for you and yer bits. Happy Training.

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    1. Oops, looks like I misspelled the topic too. Dammit!

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  27. Well damn. Never heard this before in my life. Thanks SUAR for always enlightening me on the ways of my vag. ;)

    P.S. The seat that came on my Cervelo hasn't bothered me yet. Hope the new seat works for you.

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  28. Someday I will do a triathlon, and I've decided that when I do, there will be streamers on my handlebars.

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    1. I totally did a biathlon on a mtn bike... With a padded grandma seat. It was awesome!

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  29. Nice looking bike!! Mine has the same colors, but is a Specialized Dolce and not a TRI bike.

    I appreciate this topic, because I've recently begun riding again and the first few times my lady parts suffered much discomfort for 1-2 days afterwards. It was recommended to me that I try sitting further back on the saddle and that has helped.

    Best of luck w/ your new bike & saddle! :)

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  30. I recommend finding a bike shop who lets you test out saddles before you end up buying. As you said, we have many things as women to think about before we make a final decision. I had no problem doing this in Fayetteville, NC and Richmond, VA. I have not tried here in Denver yet. I hope my saddle is still comfortable.

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  31. The seat is worth it. I'm paying for it from learning the hard way. I've been off the saddle for six months trying to repair damage through surgery. Protect your lady parts!!! You may cry now for the price, but at least you won't be crying later.

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  32. I am getting a tri bike next year. I LOVE my Felt road bike but I don't wanna use it for my first full iron next year. I'd like to stick with Felt when I buy one, but we will see there are so many amazing bikes out there.

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  33. Congrats on the bike. It's awesome! I have a Shiv which comes with the Evo Roman saddle on it which is a great saddle. Last year on my road bike after much peer pressure I tried the famous Adamo saddle. Some people love that saddle. Not me. It was the worst week of my life it was so painful I went straight to the store and put on another Evo Roman saddle. The point is yes saddles are important but what works for others may not work for you.

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  34. What I don't understand is why you purchase a billion dollar bike (well, it may as well be to me :)) and then still need to purchase a almost $200 saddle. Why doesn't the bike come with a good saddle? I'd definitely test out the one on the bike before I bit the bullet for a new one (but, I'm cheap!). My favorite saddle of probably 15 I've tested (and thus returned) is one Tara gave me that has a rip on the side of it and is probably 10 years old. Whatever works! :)

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  35. Not bold enough to say ... but good to know these differences are being addressed! The bike seat can make or break you!

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  36. I can't wait to hear how the new bike is. I just did a 150 mile bike ride for MS this past weekend on my old road bike (it was my husband's and I've taken it over!). I have done 2 triathlons on it, but want to do more races next year, so have been trying to decide whether to get a new road or tri bike. So many options out there! Thanks for the education on the lady parts!

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  37. Hmmm, I just completed an Ironman using the Cannondale stock saddle that came on my bike. I tried out much fancier seats but the old stock seat fit best to my lady parts. Strange I'm sure. Maybe I have a cheap crotch??

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  38. Congrats on the new tri bike! I tried a few saddles before I found the Cobb V-Flow Plus and it has been great. Well worth the price paid! I actually met John Cobb at a tri this spring. I had to thank him in person for saving my lady parts.

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  39. I had A LOT of trouble with bike seats...would get home from my 50 mile rides and literally scream from the pain when when I went to the bathroom or got in the shower. Ended up getting the Hobson Easy Seat II, per a recommendation from someone on the Chicago Critical Mass bike list who said she had used one while riding "more than 10,000 miles" in Chicago. It is GREAT, since the seat does not make any contact with the crotch AT ALL. I can't recommend it enough. And it is about 1/3 the cost of the Cobb. :-)

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  40. I'm an outie. Yes, I know you're shocked. Glad you're willing to spring for trying out a saddle. It really can make a big difference. It isn't just if you're an innie or outie, it's also how flexible you are in the hips and low back, how much butt and upper thigh you have, and other things besides too. Everybody fits a bit different. It's hard enough to do the IM ride, and it becomes torture if you know that your crotch will start hurting before the ride is over.

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  41. Years ago a bike mechanic told me "an uncomfortable seat is garbage no matter how much you paid for it, a comfortable seat is priceless regardless of the price " I have used the same seats, Selle Italia Flite Titanium for more than 20 years....until recently I was buying used ones but thankfully Selle Italia started making them again so I bought a spare and put it away.

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  42. I have that exact bike! Keep saying I need to replace the stock saddle--NOT comfortable. You've inspired me to move forward on that.

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  43. Free vitamin water???!!! Hollerrrrr!! Seriously, that is one sweet bike!

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  44. I have a Cervelo P3. I replaced the original saddle with a Specialized, the same I have on all my bikes (though the mtb one is mtb specific). I got a very expensive bike fit too.
    See you at Harvest Moon, Beth!

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  45. I love the bike, but i worry about the bike seat. It can make me hurt the ass :(

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