Needing Some Saddle Advice

[GeoCam]

OK - my rear is definitely telling me something, but I need an interpreter!!

I have been gradually fixing up a nice old steel frame bike to be my commuter. I wanted to replace the old "Fujita Feather" saddle that was on it. The saddle has never given me any trouble or pain, but I guess I am just ready for a bit of an updated look since I have updated most other parts of this old bike.

This week I have been riding a Terry Butterfly and OUCH!!! Kinda felt like sitting on a board. With the old saddle, one of my first rides last year was about 17 miles, and I never really noticed the saddle and didn't even have sit bone soreness. Until I rode that Butterfly, I had never understood what anyone meant by having a saddle cause pain to their girly bits, and quite frankly, I was much happier not knowing!!

I would like to understand the "why" of the two saddles feeling so different. They are nearly identical in terms of dimension and overall shape as viewed from the top. The two differences are that the Terry has a cutout and the old saddle doesn't. Also, the Terry is much flatter. When viewed from behind, the Fuji saddle curves down; when viewed from the side, it is slightly elevated in the rear. As far as padding, the Fuji is probably medium. It is neither rock hard, nor too squishy. Here are some pics of the old one:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/emsara/saddle/IMG_0353.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/emsara/saddle/IMG_0355.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t189/emsara/saddle/IMG_0357.jpg

If I could make some educated guesses as to likely reasons the Butterfly would hurt so much, it might help me choose a different saddle. I'm not very knowledgable about this and some of it is very counterintuitive to me.

How does the flatness or curvature of the saddle top affect your sit bones and soft tissues?

Maybe it's not possible to figure it out. The main thing is I would like to find a new saddle that shares the basic characteristics of that old Fuji (though perhaps a little more "T" shaped). Does anyone know of a saddle that has this kind of curve? I've looked at lots of saddles on different websites, and they rarely give the view from the back to make this clear - often there is just a side view or side and top.

[kermit]

Take a look at a Selle San Marco Concor light, it appears to have th same dimensions and slope of your saddle. It also also the choice of the man, Lance Armstrong. Another option is the Specialized lithia, which comes in different widths. I just sent one back (I like flat) because it has a curve and a generous cutout. I hope that helps.

[VeloVT]

Cutouts don't work for everyone. I don't do well with cutouts at all.

The curvature of the top of the saddle does make a difference in comfort, but it's very individual. I prefer flatter saddles, but my boyfriend prefers a more contoured saddle (more like yours).

Looking at that shape, I would suggest taking a look at the Selle Italia Flite (the original version with no cutout) and the Fizik Aliante, both contoured saddles with narrow noses. Don't know what your width needs are, both of these will be narrower than the Butterfly.

You might look at the Fizik Vitesse HP as well; it is a "women's" saddle, so it is considerably wider than the two saddles I mentioned earlier (I believe 150mm or so compared to around 130-135 for the others). The shape is similar but it is somewhat flatter (still a bit of contour though).

[GeoCam]

Sorry, I was out of town for a couple of days.

Thanks so much for the ideas. You got me looking closely at the Selle saddles, and there is one that seems to be very similar to my old Fuji saddle - the Selle Rolls. Having said that, I must admit that I am not sure about this one because it seems, well, so clunky looking (just like my old saddle LOL!).

I really do like the looks of the Fizik Vitesse much better and it seems close enough to what I have now that I think it is worth a shot. I'm going to start watching for a used one first as I just can't pay full price for these things as I experiment.

This forum is so generous with advice - thanks again!

[madscot13]

what kind of bike is this going on? My experience with the butterfly is that it is only good on low positions. My Liberator is better for a level handlebar saddle position.

[xeney]

I was going to suggest the Vitesse, as well -- you might keep a watch on eBay for discontinued models. I bought a new one about a month ago for about $35. That was a hell of a deal, but you should be able to find one pretty cheap.

The Terry chafes the inside of my legs and my butt because it is too wide.

[GeoCam]

what kind of bike is this going on? My experience with the butterfly is that it is only good on low positions. My Liberator is better for a level handlebar saddle position.

My position is about level. It "seems" like if I were in a lower position, the Butterfly would be even worse since I felt such pressure at the front part of the saddle. But as I said in the OP, I am really ignorant about the reasons why certain saddles do well and others don't, so I could be wrong about that. The Liberator is about the same size and does have a raised "perch" - for now I am almost afraid to try another cut-out saddle, though.