Noob in need of saddle advice

[missj5]

So, I just bought my first bike in, my goodness, 15 years? I'm excited about starting to ride regularly, but my butt is soo sore! I'm sure part of this is that it's just not used to the "workout" but I've read that a lot of people go through saddles in the search for the perfect one. I rode for about 2miles yesterday and my butt bones feel bruised.

I understand that it's going to be some trial and error (I've already found that I like the cutout styles) but can someone share general guidelines? Should I measure myself somehow to try to get a good fit? If so, where and how do I measure?

Any help would be appreciated,
jami

[Eden]

It is not uncommon for your back side to be a bit sore for a time until you get used to riding a bike, so don't give up on your saddle too quickly. You need to break in your back side as well as the saddle a little :D . I would even feel this when switching from my race bike to my rain bike until I put the exact same saddle on both of them. As long as its your sit bones that feel the soreness I would give the saddle some use before giving up on it. Soft tissue pressure is another thing all together - any rubbing or chafing is a good reason to look to switch.

Otherwise search this forum and you'll find a wide, wide variety of information and opinions on saddles.

[mimitabby]

Under "gear and accessories" read the "favorite saddles" thread and you'll get an idea of how complicated the whole saddle business is.

They really can't fit you for a saddle, but your saddle might not be in the right place and sometimes a really minor change like tilting the seat up or down 1/2"
makes all the difference in the world. If it's actually your sit bones that are hurting rather than some other more delicate parts, you are heading in the right direction. I ride a leather brooks saddle; probably in some people's opinion, overkill, but the thing that make me want to stop riding is never my butt.
(it could be that i 'm tired or hungry or sometimes because my hands hurt)