Attn: Ladies who know saddles

[ninerfan]

HELP!!! I have perused the saddle forum for help but I need a more narrow answer than many of the threads there provide.

I am training (with TNT :D) for my first century in June, riding a Trek 1000 wsd which I have been very happy with. I am NOT happy, unsurprisingly, with the Bontrager saddle that came with the bike. Initially it wasn't too bad, but as the miles have grown, the saddle has become a nightmare. Yesterday on our 46 mile ride I barely made it. If it had been 50, I might have waived the white flag.

I tried the Terry Liberator X Gel and Firefly, and neither worked for me. I liked the length and width of the Firefly nose and the cutout, but the back was not wide enough for my seat bones. I am looking for a saddle that is more of the T shape, with a long, narrow nose, a cutout, and a wider back. Any ideas? I'd like to get a handle on this, preferably before we break 50!:p

Thanks Ladies

- Erin

[KnottedYet]

What is your sit-bone measurement?

Getting a good "T" shape can be hard with a cutout, cuz the cut-outs generally require a wider nose and more pear-shape. Would a channel do as much for you, or do you need a full cut-out?

(I ride on Brooks B67 saddles: very wide, very T shaped, very narrow nose; but NO cut-out. And I'm at 40 degrees from horizontal with no pain or squishing, and can go into the drops from there comfortably... so clearly I'm not well endowed in the soft-tissue department!)

[Veronica]

I have a Terry Butterfly you could try.

V.

[ninerfan]

Well, I 've never tried a saddle with a channel, so I guess maybe I should give something like that a shot. As for the Terry butterfly, I've looked at it but never tried it and my concern is that the nose is not narrow enough or long enough for me.

[Becky]

I have found that, with proper width in the back and proper pitch adjustment of the saddle, I do not need the cut-out. Just a channel will do. That width thing is so key for so many women!

That said, my new favorite is the Selle San Marco Glamour Aspide. I just bought it last week and did my first long ride (37 miles) with it yesterday. I loved it- kept forgetting that it was there, in fact! I was a little nervous about making such a big change before a long ride, but it paid off. It's the perfect width for me at 155mm (~6.1 inches), has a very abrupt transition from nose to tail (T-shaped), and is quite firm. The firmness really matters for me- otherwise, my "parts" get squished amongst the padding. It does not have a cut-out, just a little groove thing down the center.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=21179&item=50-3223&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

Good luck on your saddle hunt!

[KnottedYet]

Trek has a new line of women's saddles, the widest is a fairly decent width (160mm, so it would fully support someone whose sit bone measurement is about 140-145mm, and slightly squish someone nearer a 160mm span.)

Lightly padded, which is always good. Channel down the nose, which may or may not be enough. (less padding tends to require less removal/cutout)

http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=1649

This saddle was designed to support the rider along the ishial rami more than just on the ischial tuberosities. (so supposedly someone who's actual sits are wider than 160mm should still be able to use it) I've asked for a sample saddle to test for our pelvic rehab program, but haven't heard much from Trek, other than a nice email saying they'll get back to me soon.

I do know from my own experience with other saddles that weightbearing on the rami is very painful for me and I do better on the tuberosities themselves (the actual sit bones), so I'm very interested in seeing if my 170-180mm pelvis will survive on a 160mm saddle.

Imagine your sit bones are a "W". The two bottom points of the "W" are your ischial tuberosities. The inner upsidedown "V" between those points are the rami. Your soft tissue is located in that inner upside-down "V". So I would imagine that someone with soft tissue squish problems might be uncomfortable resting in the "v" between the tuberosities, as that soft tissue that's already in there has to give to get the rami in contact with the saddle.

Depending on your sitbone measurements, the Trek Inform might be fabulous. (if you get one before our clinic gets our sample, let me know how you like it, ok?)

YMMV.

[roadie gal]

How about a Koobi? Here's their widest: http://216.105.58.87/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=6 It's 6 1/8 inches at the back. I ride one of their tri saddles and love it. They also have a 30 day return policy if you want to try it out.

[OakLeaf]

That Koobi looks interesting, but I wish there were more pictures on the site. How thick is the padding on the non-gel model? How T-shaped is it?

[Grog]

The Specialized Jett is very t-shaped and comes in 135, 145 and 155 mm if I remember correctly.

It didn't work for me but you might be luckier.

[mimitabby]

have you looked at Brooks saddles?

[chicago]

wish I could help, but I just bought a new saddles for myself... I went with the Terry Fly. It it works out I will let you know.

My Fitzik is pretty good, but lately I've been having some "issues":(... so I'm trying the seats with the cut-outs, we'll see if it saves on the friction in that oh so sensitive area... I'm hoping so.

Good luck... I know it's awful when you're not comfortable on those saddles:(

[OakLeaf]

I need a cut-out too, no Brooks for me.

[salsabike]

Look at the Allay by Toepeak.

[velogirl]

hey ninerfan! I'm in San Mateo and I run a saddle demo program with Specialized saddles as part of my bike fit services. If you haven't had a fit yet, email me at Lorri@velogirls.com I even discount TnT participants.

Lorri

[ehirsch83]

I ride on a Specialized Toupe(the male version of the Jett) and I love it to death! It is something to try. I have also had pretty good luck with fi'zik saddles and I have a friend who swears by the WTB women's road saddle(not sure of the model, I can find out)- but I don't know if it has a cutout or t-shaped.

The toupe sounds like about what you are looking for, I would give it a try if I were you:-)

[Andrea]

I have found that, with proper width in the back and proper pitch adjustment of the saddle, I do not need the cut-out. Just a channel will do. That width thing is so key for so many women!

That said, my new favorite is the Selle San Marco Glamour Aspide. I just bought it last week and did my first long ride (37 miles) with it yesterday. I loved it- kept forgetting that it was there, in fact! I was a little nervous about making such a big change before a long ride, but it paid off. It's the perfect width for me at 155mm (~6.1 inches), has a very abrupt transition from nose to tail (T-shaped), and is quite firm. The firmness really matters for me- otherwise, my "parts" get squished amongst the padding. It does not have a cut-out, just a little groove thing down the center.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=21179&item=50-3223&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

Good luck on your saddle hunt!
+1 for this saddle

I wish the channel was a little deeper, but it's definitely better than others I've tried (several terrys, specialized jett and toupe, fizik arione, selle an-atomica, brooks, etc...)

As a side note, I still highly recommend the Brooks if you're on a more upright bike. I'm set up with a 3-4 inch drop from my saddle to my bars, so the Brooks was comfy if I sat up with my hands on the tops, but would crush my soft tissue otherwise. If you order one, check out Wallbike. They have a 6 month return policy. I didn't return mine since I plan to build a more upright touring/commuting bike someday.

[ninerfan]

So yesterday I swung by a LBS and picked up a Bontrager Inform. It doesn't have a channel or cut out because the sales guy seemed pretty sure that if the seat was the appropriate measurement for me, I might not need one. He said of course I could bring it back if I needed a cutout.

Well, I need a cut out! After a quick ride on it yesterday I am more convinced than ever the cut out is absolutely essential for me. I do like narrower noses, however, so at least this saddle confirmed that. So, this one is going back too. I did take a peak at some Specialized saddles online and think that might be a possibility. The good thing about the LBS yesterday was that they were able to measure my seat bones so now I know what size I am looking for.

Thank you for all the input ladies! I will figure this out!

[DDH]

So how did they measure them. I have tried the sitting on a piece of paper thing, but that didn't really work for me. I guess I have to much meat on my butt for feel those bones. LOL

[bikerz]

I've tried a BUNCH of different saddles, and on SadieKate's recommendation last year I am currently using the Avocet O2 40 (womens), and I really like it. It has a "T" shape, narrow nose, wide enough for me, and nice and firm, with a channel. It's not very expensive either ($60?).

Here's a link to a photo (http://xoomgear.com/manufacturer/Avocet/saddles/0/Avocet_O2Air40WomensCromoly/559/) showing the channel. And on the Avocet site: features (http://www.avocet.com/saddlefeatures/o2sadfea.html) and specs (http://www.avocet.com/saddlepages/saddlespecs.html#anchor181086)

I have to say the Terry Butterfly KILLED me, although many of my friends love it. I have tried and rejected more saddles than I can remember. I liked the Selle An-atomica, except I think it exacerbated a tail-bone issue I had, so now I just use it on my trainer.

Good luck!

[ninerfan]

Bontrager has a contraption that is essentially a stool with kind of an Etch A Sketch type material on the top (best way I can think to describe it) where you sit so you leave a mark and it corresponds to measurements beneath the marks. It was kinda cool. :p

[roadie gal]

That Koobi looks interesting, but I wish there were more pictures on the site. How thick is the padding on the non-gel model? How T-shaped is it?

I'm not quite sure what you mean by T-shaped. The transition from nose to back is more smooth than a sudden, abrupt widening, though.

I would give them a call or send an email. I did that before I got the tri saddle and they were very helpful.

[Becky]

I've tried a BUNCH of different saddles, and on SadieKate's recommendation last year I am currently using the Avocet O2 40 (womens), and I really like it. It has a "T" shape, narrow nose, wide enough for me, and nice and firm, with a channel. It's not very expensive either ($60?).

This is a really nice saddle too, and it was my favorite prior to finding the SSM Glamour Aspide. The only reason I switched is because it started breaking down, and my local Performance had the SSM (and let me take it for a test cruise :) )

[mimitabby]

http://www.wallbike.com/jpgs/sixsaddles.jpg

[MM_QFC!]

http://www.wallbike.com/jpgs/sixsaddles.jpg

and are those from your private collection, mimi?!

[mimitabby]

no, mine are all wider, b66 and b67, not shown here unfortunately.

[MM_QFC!]

no, mine are all wider, b66 and b67, not shown here unfortunately.


but, you have the same color as the middle row/left one here, right?
really beautiful...same as Knott's?

[SadieKate]

This is a really nice saddle too, and it was my favorite prior to finding the SSM Glamour Aspide. The only reason I switched is because it started breaking down, and my local Performance had the SSM (and let me take it for a test cruise :) )Really? I've gotten thousands of miles on my Avocets. Though all saddles must be replaced eventually.

[mimitabby]

but, you have the same color as the middle row/left one here, right?
really beautiful...same as Knott's?

I have a black one and two of the dark browns. And I just got a Swift which is black as well.

[ilima]

I'm another San Marco Aspide Glamour fan. Best thing so far, by far. Previously used a Butterfly (way to wide in the nose) and Zero X (not T-shaped enough).

I do notice the Aspide Glamour Arrowhead (not the Arrowhead K Gel) looks to be the same shape AND it has a cut-out.

http://www.3-athlon.com/product.php?productid=1130&cat=37&page=1


+1 for this saddle

I wish the channel was a little deeper, but it's definitely better than others I've tried (several terrys, specialized jett and toupe, fizik arione, selle an-atomica, brooks, etc...)

As a side note, I still highly recommend the Brooks if you're on a more upright bike. I'm set up with a 3-4 inch drop from my saddle to my bars, so the Brooks was comfy if I sat up with my hands on the tops, but would crush my soft tissue otherwise. If you order one, check out Wallbike. They have a 6 month return policy. I didn't return mine since I plan to build a more upright touring/commuting bike someday.

[KnottedYet]

That San Marco is a nice looking saddle. Now if only it were about 3 cm wider... sigh.

[Becky]

Really? I've gotten thousands of miles on my Avocets. Though all saddles must be replaced eventually.

Well, it definitely had thousands of miles on it, and it was lightly used when I bought it. Great saddle, but its time was up. I'm just glad that I was able to find something I liked to replace it- I was really dreading the saddle hunt. Kind of like shopping for a bathing suit! ;)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That San Marco is a nice looking saddle. Now if only it were about 3 cm wider... sigh.

Or better yet, 4 or 5. :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

Well, it definitely had thousands of miles on it, and it was lightly used when I bought it. Great saddle, but its time was up. I'm just glad that I was able to find something I liked to replace it- I was really dreading the saddle hunt. Kind of like shopping for a bathing suit! ;)Yeah, that's why I maintain a stock pile of saddles. Both Bubba and I have boxes of extra saddles.

[SalsaMTB]

Hate to tell ya, but no one on this forum can recommend the right saddle for you. It's all trial and error. Me, I couldn't stand the Glamour Aspide...but I like the WTB Deva. So, I would recommend the Deva based on my sitbones and sitting position.

For you, I would strongly suggest finding a shop that has a saddle demo program, preferable one with a few different lines. Call around and see if there is one close to you. We offer it at our store and it saves customers a lot of money and frusteration. Trial and error is the best way to find the right saddle.

Good luck on the long and sometimes agonizing search!

[ninerfan]

Just picked up a Specialized Jett. Fingers crossed...

[PinkBike]

if the jett doesnt work out, you might take veronica up on her offer of the butterfly. if you liked the firefly i thought the only difference with the butterfly was it was wider at the sit bones?
but hopefully the jett will do it. is it 155?

[ninerfan]

Yup, 155. I think the butterfly doesn't have a quick enough transition to the nose for me. Gotta have the T.