Saddle suggestions?

[Jiffer]

I'm trying to decide which saddle to try for my new road bike. It's my first single. I have a Selle Italia Lady's Trans Am on the tandem my husband and I ride. I'm new to all this, so I'm not sure what to even look for in a seat that's different from what I have, but I definitely want to try something different.

We got the tandem last Fall. I was just getting into the swing of things before winter struck. Our last ride was 52 miles. I recall being very sore, but can't remember exactly how. I think mostly tender in the soft tissue area. We just started up again about a month ago, mostly doing 20'ish mile rides, which were killing the soft tissue area at first. However, after taking a break to recover things seemed much better. Then I got some new shorts and we did a 42 mile ride with lots of climbing. My tenderness in the soft tissue area didn't seem too bad, but I wonder if it could have been better. I have nothing to compare to, and on the tandem, I don't have the freedom to stand and move around as much as I'd like.

I don't seem to have trouble with my sit bones hurting. I'm 5'9 and 145 pounds. I'd say I have "child bearing hips"! :) Any suggestions on what type of saddle to try? I'm considering a Terry Falcon X. Does anyone know how that compares to the Trans Am?

Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

I'm 5'8" and 155 lbs with "childbearing hips" and just love my Brooks B67.

No pain anywhere, and the springs are marvellous for those of us with wide pelvic girdles that really need to *shift* on each pedal stroke.

http://www.wallbike.com/B67.html

The Brooks B68 is the same idea, without the springs.
And you get 6 months to try them out, with no questions asked!

[Thorn]

Hmmm...childless, but I'm big...6' and not all that slight of bone structure. I ride a Selle SMP Lady Strike. It is a little too cushy, but it has a generous cutout and is one of the few wider saddles with cutouts that can be used comfortably on a bike with drops. By far, it is the best saddle I've tried, so far.

The cutout concept is a personal preference (the Brooks contingent here will tell you it isn't necessary---and, for them it isn't); others of us swear by it. Only your nether regions can vote for you.

But.....find the threads on "measuring your sit bones". That will give you a clue on your bone structure. Then, start looking at saddle widths with respect to your measurements. Make sure the saddle is wide enough to support your bone structure (e.g., at least 1-2cm wider than your bone measurement). Isn't the Falcon a narrow beast?

And, then, of course, decide if you're a cutout or a solid. You might want to search some of the Brooks threads. The "solids" on those threads explain why they believe cutouts aren't necessary.

Oh, wait, you came here for answers? Hmmm...sorry...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have wide sitbones too, and I second Knot's recommendation of either the Brooks B67 (with springs) or the B68 (without springs). I have a B68 and I love it- no pain at all.

[Crankin]

I hated the Brooks and settled on the Terry Firefly. I thought the Brooks was hard and uncomfortable on my rear end, even after the break in period. Since I never had any issues with those parts on any other seat, I went back to one with a cut out.
Try lots of them!

[RolliePollie]

I have a Terry Butterfly and I'm very happy with it. When you decide, check out ebay. I was in my LBS the other day and a lady was buying a Firefly for $119. It took everything I could muster to hold my tongue and not shout "Wait! Have you checked ebay?" - but I thought that would be rude since the LBS owner was standing right there. Anyway, if you do buy a saddle on ebay and you don't like it, you can just sell it again!

[KnottedYet]

Try lots of them!

Yes! Just like trying out bikes, you can learn a lot by trying out saddles. I was lucky enough to have an LBS a while back that let you take a saddle out for a test ride, and then another, and another...

I learned the general shape I liked, and that I didn't like a lot of padding, and that cut-outs don't work well for me.

Ride lots!

[Jiffer]

Thanks for all your comments and advice. I'll look into the Brooks. I definitely need to ask my LBS if I can try out saddles, or at least sit on some at the shop, on my bike. One of the reasons I was going to try a Terry is because of their 30 day return policy. I didn't know Brooks had an even better one. That's cool. Of course, at REI you can return anything any time for any reason for forever! So, that's an option too.

I don't really know if my sit bones are considered wide, I just assume so since I do seem to be "hippy". Small waist, big hips. I'll look up the threads on measuring my sit bones. Yet, I hear that even some people with wide sit bones prefer smaller saddles, so what is one to do other than try lots of saddles?! Could this be any more confusing?!

[Jiffer]

I was just looking at the Brooks saddle. It doesn't appear to be a performance saddle, which is more what I'm looking for.

[SouthernBelle]

Most LBS have a 30 day try and return policy. Ask yours.

[KnottedYet]

I was just looking at the Brooks saddle. It doesn't appear to be a performance saddle, which is more what I'm looking for.

Brooks B67 with springs isn't a hot and sexy performance saddle. (though I do use mine in races.) They make hot and sexy saddles that are expensive and on the racy side, but they are still going to be leather.

I had a fizik once that was very hot and sexy looking, with minimal padding and a nice long narrow nose. It was wide enough for my heinie, too! And it just oozed "serious cyclist/racer" image. I don't remember which fizik it was, but I'm sure some TE'er ride fizik and could give model reccs.

That fizik was pretty darn nice, try one if you get the chance!

Try lots! (and take notes so you remember how the various saddles felt)