Should I do it sight unseen?

[Trekie]

Augh. Decisions.
My bike shop doesn't have the Fizik Vitesse HP (new model) for me to try.
I'd really like to order a custom one - white with black thigh glides.

Is it stupid to order a saddle sight unseen? Especially a rather expensive one?

The saddle did get rave reviews from most of you, but I am odd.

[mimitabby]

I guess it depends on the return policy. With WallBike it was great. A 6 months return policy!

[Grog]

I'd strongly suggest trying before buying, or buying with knowledge that you'll be able to bring back...

New saddles scare me.

[Skierchickie]

Sooooo, if you decide to do it, pleeeease post a thorough description (of the shape, front to back, mainly)! I'm still on the fence, and can't find it anywhere that has a return policy (other than "new, unused condition"). My lbs can get the plain black one for ~$89, and I'll probably end up doing it, but I'm testing everything I can first (which is limited to WTB test ride saddles, mostly). I need to find something soon, or quit in disgust. If I do take the plunge, I could always sell it on Ebay.

Good luck - I'm counting on you! :) Sorry I'm of no help.

[Zen]

It says "new, unused condition" it doesn't say unused. Just don't skid it around on asphalt or let the kids rip it up with razor blades. You know how kids love to play "bar fight". Or maybe that was just at my house.

[Grog]

I had a white Jett saddle that I had to bring back to the store. The only traces of use were under the rails, and they didn't mind. I used it for nearly two weeks (maybe 5-10 hours of riding?), including a clipless slow-timber fall on loose gravel (all the while thinking: "Oh my God the white saddle I hate it I want to bring it back I have to protect it in the fall!!!!!").

I hope your bike store is just as nice.

[Trekie]

Ordered it straight from the Fizik folks in Italy.
Should arrive in 2 weeks.
They do have a 14 day money back guarantee, so I'll ride like heck during that first week to see how it goes.
Skierchickie... I'll let you know!

[ehirsch83]

let me know how long they take to get it to you,etc!
I bought the plain black one and I am loving it, so I am now deciding to order one in red to match the accents on the new bike.

[mimitabby]

I could tell in just a few miles whether or not a saddle was going to work.
Good luck

[Skierchickie]

Way to go! I'm pullin' for ya! And white with black should be really sharp! I bid on a white with pink one on Ebay last week, but didn't want to go too high (and not that excited about pink, although it looked really nice).

Not to be nosey, but can I ask how much the special color straight from Italy costs? Seems like I remember the cost being in Euros on the website, and I don't know what the conversion is. I probably wouldn't order a funky color without knowing if it would work, but maybe someday. Crazy as it sounds, I was building myself an orange one with silver thigh glides and grey scuff guards (see what I mean by "a funky color"?). Probably wouldn't actually order it (way too afraid it would be a horrible color mistake). I have an orange w/silver & grey helmet. I also have an orange and black Sherpani pack, orange Keen sandals, orange Nike running shoes (no, I did not purchase those because of the color, but that was what made me pick them up, only to find they were 1/2 price, and fit me nicely), and an accidental orange Patagonia capilene T (prize drawing at a run). So an orange saddle with my blue & silver USPS Trek 5200 could be cool (or stupid :rolleyes: ), but I'd have to get much faster to pull it off. I suppose I'd crash my helmet the next day, and not be able to get the same one. It all started with the helmet, and snowballed from there - sometimes just the right orange can be the best available color option, even though I'm actually a green person (eewww - maybe I need a shower?).

So, Zen, maybe that's why I only have pets! I always knew there was a reason we never had kids - I always thought it was because we're to selfish & lazy, but now I know it was fear! :eek:

[SouthernBelle]

I'm all about orange. So is Mimi.

[Skierchickie]

Hey, Trekie,

I finally had to do something, so I ripped off the el-cheapo something-or-other saddle my lbs guy had me try (he was right, the narrow nose was perfect, the rear width was good, the slope back was fine - however, the thing kept trying to get WAY TOO PERSONAL with me - 22 miles was way too far, as I had to adjust myself every two or three pedal revolutions) and had him order a Vitesse HP. Boring black, but for $89, I won't complain. Plus it should show up pretty quickly. I really wanted to wait until you got yours, so I could get the scoop, but I was outta options. I did try a WTB Silverado, and I managed to get in a 56 miler last weekend with no up-front pain, but the rear was slightly too narrow for my sit bones. Otherwise, it was a dream! It has a small cutout in the under-part, but not in the cover - I think that helped immensely. However, I did get some pain where my legs attach (my thighs are kinda hefty, so others may like it).

Anyway, I'm hoping it comes in this week, in time to ride it before I leave for a week canoing in the Boundary Waters. :D

Hope yours shows up swiftly!

Jan

[Misandal]

Trekie, have you gotten it yet? The LBS is supposed to have a black one for me to check out next week.

Missy

[Trekie]

Hi Missy,
No arrival yet and I'm a little concerned. When I ordered it, the auto-response said it would be delivered in 2 weeks. It also said I would receive tracking emails. 2 weeks was yesterday, so I sent an email to Fizik asking for the status. Still no reply. I really wanted it for this weekend... Maybe things shut down over there for the TDF?
I keep hoping. Please let me know how you like yours..

Hey, where are you in NC?

[Skierchickie]

Hi Trekie,

I'm sure it will turn up soon - I've ordered from places that claimed to send progress emails, and the box shows up just as I start to worry, with no notice.

Mine (the plain black one I ordered through my LBS) came in a couple of days ago - I rode it tonight for the first time. Just 20 miles, and I didn't use the drops or aero bars much, as I was kind of pre-sore from a couple of days ago. Overall I like it, though. Took a couple minutes to get settled in, but it seems good. The width and the shape seem perfect, so I just need to make sure about the up-front issues. I'll be canoing for a week now, but after I get back I hope to give it a thorough test.

Hope yours arrives soon! I think you'll like the way it looks - very sleek for a women's saddle, and should be very sharp in white w/black. My riding buddy said it looks tiny (compared to hers), and that she was jealous. Even the fizik box is cool.

Jan

[Trekie]

Hey Jan,
Thanks for the perspective.
I hope you have a great time with the canoe!

[Misandal]

Trekie, I work in Mooresville and live in Sherrills Ford. I have great riding right out my front door - country roads, light traffic and great hills. You're in Charlotte?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for your saddle. Surely they would have contacted you if there was going to be a lengthy delay. Maybe the TdF is like a holiday for them!

Missy

[Skierchickie]

Hi Trekie,

Anything yet?? They're probably all out camping in the Pyrenees, waving their shirts around.

I now have 3 rides in on mine, 2-20-milers and 30 yesterday. I like it - it doesn't "disappear", as one person suggested the right saddle would, but it is pretty comfy. I had only very minor discomfort up front, and was doing a small amount of re-arranging, but nothing like every other saddle I've ridden this summer (let's see, that would be about 6 other saddles). I think that with a little tweaking it will be great. I really love the narrowness of the nose - no thigh chafing at all. I would rather it were flatter in back, but it's still very nice.

Jan